Exploring Italy and the Mediterranean has always been towards the top of the travel bucket list, and what better way for two best friends to celebrate turning 50 than with an unforgettable adventure? (I see you shaking your head in agreement.)
My best friend and I started planning this trip two years ago, determined to celebrate in a big way—and drag our families along for the ride. FYI- twisting their arms wasn’t hard at all—just in case you’re wondering how to convince your family to join you on a milestone trip. Trust me, a promise of pasta and gelato works wonders!
Why We Chose Each City
Let me tell you, planning this trip was an adventure in itself. You’d think that two years of planning would be enough to cover every detail, but with so many incredible destinations to choose from, and our long list of must-see places, we knew we had our work cut out for us.
The top five things we wanted for our trip was delicious food, great wine, cultural experiences, natural beauty, and family fun.
We knew we wanted to enjoy a Mediterranean Cruise, but we also knew that wanted to see more of Italy than what was offered through the cruise itinerary.
I worked out itinerary options that started our exploration in the north and worked its way south towards Rome, where we would be embarking on our Mediterranean Cruise.
We chose Murano, Venice, Bologna/ Florence, Siena, a 7-day Med Cruise, Rome, and ending in Sorrento. Once we finalized our route, the excitement truly set in—we were really doing this! The thought of exploring Italy and sailing through the Mediterranean together had us ready to say “Arrivederci”!
Murano:
To kick off our vacation, we stayed two nights on the charming island of Murano, including a full-day trip to Venice. Murano is world-renowned for its glassmaking, and we were eager to explore the traditional glass shops to admire local artisans beautiful glass pieces. Knowing it was close to Venice, we thought it would be fun to stay on the island for another place to enjoy exploring with a lot less crowds.
Venice:
Venice was a no-brainer for us. The allure of the canals, the gondola rides, and the historical St. Mark’s Basilica were just a few of the highlights we couldn’t wait to experience.
Bologna and Florence:
This was the only time our families split apart during our time in Italy. After our visit to Venice, my family headed to Bologna while my best friend’s family traveled to Florence. We chose Bologna as a special high school graduation gift for my son, an avid super car enthusiast. In Bologna, we planned to spend a day touring the Lamborghini Factory and Museum, the Horacio Pagani Museum, and the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. The highlight would be surprising him with a thrilling ride in a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder through the scenic Italian countryside, making it an unforgettable experience for him!
While we would be spending time in Bologna, Florence was the “must-visit” for my bestie. She was going to search for wine windows in Florence! She also did not want to miss visiting the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia with her family.
Siena:
This wonderful medieval town was a “non-negotiable” visit for me. The intrigue of this city has fascinated me for over 20 years since learning about The Palio, the neighborhood “Contradas”, and the many traditions of this walled-in city. So, we decided that our families would meet back up in Siena to spend a few days exploring the city together.
The Mediterranean Cruise:
The idea of relaxing and exploring multiple destinations without the hassle of packing and unpacking was incredibly appealing. We knew we would be ready to not live out of suitcases for several days. Our cruise itinerary included Naples, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and La Spezia. We were excited about visiting Pompeii in Naples, La Sagrada Familia and the vibrant streets of Barcelona, the beaches and caves of Palma, and the stunning villages of Cinque Terre from La Spezia.
Rome:
Returning to Italy after the cruise, we spent a few days in Rome, eating more gelato and exploring the city’s ancient history. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, and Vatican City were not to be missed. We even wanted to toss coins into the Trevi Fountain!
Sorrento:
The final stop of our incredible vacation was Sorrento, a picturesque town overlooking the Bay of Naples down near the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento offered us the perfect blend of relaxation and scenic beauty, with its endless cliffside views and stunning sunsets. We wanted to wrap up an amazing trip with a beautiful, yet leisurely location with great views and great food. Sorrento checked all the boxes.
Transportation and Logistics
As you can already imagine, our adventure included various modes of transportation—planes, trains, cars, and multiple kinds of boats, including an ocean liner and even a gondola! Navigating through different cities and modes of transport was part of the adventure, adding an extra element of experience to our trip. As a Travel Advisor, I have to admit that I geeked out with excitement knowing how many different ways to get around Italy I would get to experience in one trip!
Stay Tuned For More
This is just the beginning of our 50th birthday adventure through Italy and the Med! Join me through this blog series as I recount our journey through Italy filled with awe, laughter, and quite a few gelato-induced food comas.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing detailed accounts of our experiences in each city, from the incredible food of Bologna, how many wine windows my best friend actually found in Florence, to the historic sights of Rome. Stay tuned for my next post, where I will dive into the beauty of Murano Island and Venice.
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Happy Travels!
