Set Sail on the Ship of Dreams

While researching and designing my character’s ten-day Mediterranean cruise in my latest book, 

Ship of Dreams, I discovered cities I now long to visit. Although I have visited Florence (and other Italian cities not on the book’s itinerary), I have not been to the remainder.  But with Google earth, Wikipedia, and travel books, I was able to see and learn enough about these European cities to now feel like a tour guide. Here’s my brief guided tour of the Mediterranean ports of call.

France

First stop on the Ship of Dreams cruise is Marseille, gateway to Provence. Most tourists bypass the port city of Marseille in favor of the rolling vineyards and lavender fields in the region, but the city has a great deal to offer, including the Norte Dame de la Garde, a Catholic basilica. The basilica features stunning mosaics throughout, and a breathtaking view of the city.

Vallon des Auffes

No trip to Marseille is complete without dining on bouillabaisse, a traditional fish stew. Visit Vallon des Auffes, a small fishing village for picturesque fishing boats and renowned restaurants.

St. Tropez, the gem of the French Riviera, is the next port of call. It caters to the wealthy and fashionable with stunning boutiques, charming villas, and of course its beaches, many of which are topless or clothing optional. Visit the Quartier de la Ponche for pétanque, a game of boules, and pastis, an anise-flavored liqueur.  If you’re a fan of licorice (I shudder), you’ll like pastis.

Monaco

Monaco is a small principality ruled by the Grimaldi family and made famous by actress Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Rainier in 1956.  But it’s also well-known for Monte Carlo, prominently

Casino de Monte Carloe

featured in many a James Bond film.  No visit to Monte Carlo would be complete without a night of roulette or black jack in the Casino de Monte Carlo.

Italy

Italy’s first port of call is Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, with its picturesque harbor.  

Santa Margherita Ligure

Portofino offers tourists tours of the Abbazia di San Fruttuoso and Castello Brown, interesting
medieval structures.

The small resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure, about three miles from Portofino, boasts cafés, yacht-filled marinas, and fashionable hotels. The town’s older buildings still feature trompe-l’oeil frescoes typical of the Riviera. Laid back and understated, it’s a perfect escape from the glitzier areas of Portofino.

Next up in Italy, Livorno. The port of Livrono itself doesn’t offer much for tourists, but as the gateway to Pisa and Florence, it’s a popular port of call. Tourists can take a ninety-minute train trip to Florence, my favorite Italian city or a fifteen-minute train trip to Pisa. Florence is a city that deserves extra time. With so much to see, a week may not even be enough. There’s the Duomo, the 15^th century architectural wonder. Those adventurous

Duomo in Florence

enough to climb the four-hundred-plus steps to the top are rewarded with splendid views of the city and the Tuscan hills beyond.

Visit the Galleria dell’ Accademia and gawk in awe at Michelangelo’s David, or tour the Uffizi Gallery and view some of the world’s greatest Renaissance paintings. Shop on the Ponte Vecchio, the only remaining bridge with shops. Tuscany also offers gastronomic delights like panzanella (bread salad), pappa al pomodoro (soup), cacciucco (fish stew), and when truffles are in season, try them in pasta, salads, or just about anything.

Of course Pisa is famous for its leaning tower, but it also boasts it’s own duomo, both of which can be found in the Piazza dei Maricoli.

Citavecchia is next. The large port city’s better known destination is Rome. Like Florence, Rome requires more then a day to see even its most popular sites. The must-sees are endless: the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi, Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and of course the Colosseum. If you're a fan of the movie, Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, stop by the Bocca del Veritá (Mouth of Truth) and test your courage.

Mouth of Truth

The final stop on the Ship of Dreams cruise takes you to Naples in the Campania region of Italy. Although there’s lots to see and do in the sprawling city, it does have a reputation for pick-pocketing and bag snatching.  While in Naples, visitors can take a seventy-five minute boat ride to the island of Capri, where Capri Town perches 450 feet above the harbor. 

Capri

Archeologists, both amateur and professional will relish tours of the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii, both destroyed by the massive explosion of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Beware, Pompeii and Herculaneum cultures were quite liberal when it came to sexuality. The museums are full of erotic art uncovered during excavations of the cities.

Designing the itinerary for Ship of Dreams was a little like being my very own travel agent creating a dream vacation. Now, I just need to talk hubby into that Mediterranean cruise.