
Cruising from Barcelona to Rome
Month: November 2019
Accomodations: 3-Night cruise aboard the MSC Divina departing Barcelona, heading to Marseille, France and Genoa, Italy, ending in Civitavecchia, Italy (Port of Rome). Lovely experience! We adored our stop in Genoa and could have spent another full day there touring around. We enjoyed it a bit more than the day spent in Marseille as there was not much to see in this port and visitors should be cautious of certain neighborhood areas.
Air B&B 3-night stay at Pantheon in the Window, Rome Italy (Truly an incredible and safe location right in the city center of Rome and within walking distance to beautiful shops, restaurants and attractions. About a 25-minute walk to Vatican City.
Our Favorite Meal: Trattoria del Gatto Bianco – Via della Stelletta, 8, Rome A truly authentic family-owned restaurant with less than a dozen tables and warm service by the owners themselves (along with their sweet baby granddaughter). The children enjoyed generous heaps of fresh spaghetti with sweet tomato sauce. The adults snacked on salty meats, cheeses, olives and artichokes from their signature cutting board and for dinner enjoyed oven baked lasagna and ravioli.
Our Best Traveling Tip: The number one thing on most people’s list when visiting the incredible city of Rome is a stop at Vatican City to see St Peter’s Square, The Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Planning ahead is key and we were sure to book advanced Skip the Line tickets for these attractions. But be sure to read the FINE PRINT.
The tour company found through TripAdvisor.com advertised our tickets as “Skip the Line’, but this benefit only applied to access for The Vatican Museum and The Sistine Chapel. When it came to St. Peter’s Basilica itself, we were told to wait on the regular line with everyone else – not ideal for anyone, let alone our party with three young children and two older adults. Regardless, we rescheduled our time at The Vatican for the following afternoon (best time for the shortest queues here is 5:00 pm by the way!) and all worked out.
If you are traveling in a group and want to see city highlights with convenience and ease (and hardly any walking), our favorite recommendation is to buy tickets for a Hop On Hop Off bus (HO-HO Bus, some refer to it as!) We’ve enjoyed doing this in almost every European city visited and always book with Big Bus Tours.
Cruising away from Barcelona All aboard MSC Divina Excited for their first on board dining Loving the view from top deck South of France coast approaching Marseille View of Marseille from ship Welcome to Marseille Cathedral Saint Marie Majeure de Marseille Cathedral Saint Marie Majeure de Marseille Cathedral Saint Marie Majeure de Marseille Charming French homes Lavendar everywhere being so close to Provence Yes we do Silly time! Arc de Triomf, Marseille Balconies for days Chateau d’If (from The Count of Monte Cristo movie) Partners in crime Adult cocktail time! Hugs at breakfast buffet Port Station in Genoa, Italy For the love of arches! 1,200 year old San Giovanni di Pre Church San Giovanni di Pre Church Peeking into the lower church Quiet Genoa streets Italian homes Romantic flower shop in Piazza Banchi San Pietro in Banchi, Genoa San Pietro in Banchi, Genoa Simple church on exterior, incredible interior! Hand making pesto The freshest pesto EVER Coolest street performer Amazing! Love to light candles in churches Genoa architecture was spectacular Piazza Ferrari Moulding love! My sweetheart My happy place My crew (minus one sleeping) Oh the detail! Stumbled upon this beautiful fountain Cristiphew Columbus Monument Welcome to Port of Roma! The Roman Senate – gorgeous! Sistine chapel exterior Wow, lot of mast heads Rotunda entering The Sistine Chapel Leading to the Sistine Chapel was hallway after hallway of beauty! Leading to the Sistine Chapel was hallway after hallway of beauty! Yay for Italia!! The famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel Chalis glory The Pantheon at night Very cool guards outside the Embassy Fresh and delicious cutting board She loves eating Italian Most amazing pasta ever Good morning Roma! View from our Air B&B terrace! Horse & carriage outside The Pantheon The Pantheon is unreal Roasted chestnuts sidewalk Piazza Venezia Men being men at The Coliseum Wow, it’s real! With my babe At The Coliseum Reminded us of The Gladiator movie! Sister time At the Coliseum Selfie time again! Coliseum pano Goofing off at The Coliseum One of my favorite photos! Thrilled to be at The Vatican! Walking up St Peter’s Square to The Vatican Grandparents! Special family, special memory St Peter’s Bascillica Too gorgeous! Michaelangelo’s La Pieta Incredible arcitecture Marble and more Baldachino where Pope conducts mass London loved the popes Vatican entrance corridor Trevi Fountain in all her glory Wet but excited Trevi Fountain selfie Gelato cures all A beautiful end to an amazing trip!

