[podcast]

As I discussed when I was on the show, cruising along the MED allows you to experience many unique countries in Europe in one trip. My last tow trios were on OCEANIA ships and my next trip along the MED will be on the new OCEANIA MARIENA which launches late this year.  My two favorite of all my favorites spots along the MED is Monaco and then the Italian Coast around Amalfi, Sorrento, Naples and the Island of Capri. When you arrive by ship the scenery in both spots is layered on cliffs with colorful homes, villas, restaurants, winding roads and mountains/hills in the background along with other types of boats and ships, both large and small. I have also traveled along these winding roads and have been both terrified as well as thrilled as we slowly wind or way up hills overlooking the MED  with very little margin between the small bus and the cliff.  One “tourist” place I escorted our group to was the Village of Pompeii. I try to avoid many of these types of sites finding them cheesy, crowded, and boring but I was very wrong on Pompeii and so happy I stumbled upon it despite myself.  Italy has done a fantastic job or keeping it as it was after the Volcano destroyed it and continues to unearth homes and tools, sites of worship in this historical site along with other reminders of every day life so long ago. You had to be careful where you stepped as it was very much on cobblestone, but it was large enough that you never felt like you were being herded along with all the other tourists through this site. Being a history buff I will definitely go back again. We had a tour guide, which I strongly recommend for the first time but with a good tour book you could do it on your own. I could also spend a good week or two on land in the area exploring all the little coastal towns, sitting outside the cafes enjoying my Chianti or Sangiovese wine, shopping in Capri, or just laying on a beach and people watching. I would also like to spend a week on the island of Sicily. We had a great day at the vineyard up in the mountains but missed many of the historical sites and other small villages on the island. I could go on and on about the MED but will just share a few of my favorite pictures.