Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 #1 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hello everyone! First a little update....this thread is the 2nd one I am posting. Due to posting the incorrect links to my blog, I had to discontinue the other one. My apologies for all the confusion! Ok, now back to the post!! I went on the NCL Epic in August 2014 and although I wrote various blogs about my trip, I never did actually post a trip report to help out those who were going on this cruise here on CC. I was laid off from my FT job just before I left for Europe and then upon my return, I started training for a new job and had ridiculous hours. So I'm hoping that someone will benefit from my blogs from last August. The Itinerary was Embark in Civitavecchia, then onto Livorno, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Naples and then back to Civi. This was a trip of a lifetime for me....and I chose to go solo. I'm going to post links to my blog on blogger.com, hopefully it'll work! I figure it's easier for me to do that since I don't have time to mess with pictures and all that! First up is the story behind the trip! Blog Post: The Story Behind the Trip http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2014/07/jackies-european-odyssey-story-behind.html?spref=tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 Author #2 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I was surprised to find that some of the most intricate and involved planning had to do with transportation options! How would I get from the airport to the hotel in Rome? How would I get around once IN Rome? How will I get to the cruise port in Civitavecchia from Rome? How about once I get BACK? Since I was traveling solo, private transportation options would be very expensive so the transportation planning started to get complicated! Blog Post: Planes, Trains & Automobiles! http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2014/07/jackies-european-odyssey-planes-trains.html?spref=tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 Author #3 Share Posted August 6, 2015 (edited) I am a super plan-a-holic and research-aholic. So as some of you reading this can relate to, I spent a ridiculous amount of time here on CC reading the boards. Also watched, downloaded and read lots of things from Rick Steves. I ended up buying his "Europe through the back door" book which was very helpful in planning. What kind of shoes should I pack?? Wow, what a dilemma I had on that one! Blog Post: Be Prepared! http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2014/08/jackies-european-odyssey-be-prepared.html?spref=tw Edited August 6, 2015 by Lilystar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 Author #4 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Thank God for Rick Steves....and these boards! How else would I have known about money belts and mini luggage locks??! Goodness, I feel like I could WRITE a travel planning book after all of this! Blog Post: Being Enlightened! http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2014/08/jackies-european-odyssey-being.html?spref=tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 Author #5 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Ok, hopefully these links to my blog are working now. I will get to posting the rest of the trip soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane Don Posted August 6, 2015 #6 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Thank you for posting. I am an older single mom and this is my dream trip. I am looking at 2017 to cruise Europe and I want to do it without my boys. I look forward to reading more and getting some Med solo pointers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 Author #7 Share Posted August 6, 2015 The day had finally come! It was a loooong day from Orlando to Atlanta and then onto Rome. There are plenty of things I wished I had done differently, but in the end I was there and I was at my hotel in Rome! It was surreal. Blog Post: Buongiorno Italia! My Arrival in Rome! http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2015/08/jackies-european-odyssey-buongiorno.html?spref=tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 Author #8 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Thank you for posting. I am an older single mom and this is my dream trip. I am looking at 2017 to cruise Europe and I want to do it without my boys. I look forward to reading more and getting some Med solo pointers. It was my dream trip too. In the end it was the most amazing trip I have EVER taken. I would not change anything about it, including going solo. It was liberating and amazing. Please let me know if I can answer any questions or offer any guidance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piper45maru Posted August 6, 2015 #9 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Looking forward to reading these posts! I'm doing this exact itinerary on the Epic--solo!--in 3 weeks! I'm an obsessive researcher, too (by nature and by trade), so I'm thrilled to add your blog as another source. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trynity Posted August 6, 2015 #10 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I am accompanying my sister (the single woman) but this is a dream trip for both of us .. we will be departing in October.. So I am going to very eagerly digest your blog posts and any other sage advice, helpful hints, and rave reviews you are willing to post... Thank you for sharing your experiences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 6, 2015 Author #11 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hey, welcome back! My story continues onward to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and Pope Pizza! A first timer trying to navigate the metro on 0 hours sleep and 85 degree weather. Thank goodness this went pretty well as it could have been disastrous had I not done any research! Blog post: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2015/08/jackies-european-odyssey-vatican.html?spref=tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Huntingdon1701 Posted August 7, 2015 #12 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I'm enjoying your blogs. I'm doing this trip (from Barcelona) solo in November, so it's really interesting to hear how you fared. Plus I want to go back just to Rome because clearly the one day cruise excursion isn't going to be enough time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiring soon Posted August 8, 2015 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Hi all! Lilystar ~ just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying your blog.:D I sailed solo on Epic 3 times & will do so again over Christmas. Love those studio cabins & the lounge with it's great coffee machine. ~ Jo ~ :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobkat26 Posted August 9, 2015 #14 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Loving your review/blog post. Thanks, Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmansmom Posted August 9, 2015 #15 Share Posted August 9, 2015 This is a great read. I too am an extreme planner. My husband will complain but as soon as we go on the trip he is always grateful I have figured it all out. We go in Nov. from Barcelona with a couple of days there before the cruise and then a few days in Venice after. I look forward to the rest of your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmansmom Posted August 9, 2015 #16 Share Posted August 9, 2015 (edited) Duplicate Edited August 9, 2015 by Xmansmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponcruising Posted August 9, 2015 #17 Share Posted August 9, 2015 I love your review so far. I can't wait for the next installment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenidallas Posted August 9, 2015 #18 Share Posted August 9, 2015 I'm enjoying your blog! Can't wait for the next installment. I leave in 13 days for Spirit (Barcelona to Venice) so we hit several of your ports. Your information has been very helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 10, 2015 Author #19 Share Posted August 10, 2015 This is a great read. I too am an extreme planner. My husband will complain but as soon as we go on the trip he is always grateful I have figured it all out. We go in Nov. from Barcelona with a couple of days there before the cruise and then a few days in Venice after. I look forward to the rest of your trip. My BF always tells me "I can't argue with the results!". LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 10, 2015 Author #20 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Welcome back everyone. Thank you so much for the posts...it's always nice to know that posting these is helping and someone is actually READING! I'm going to skip ahead a day to my first excursion off of the NCL Epic. I will post the 2nd part of my Rome day a little later. There are a couple pics and things I'd like to add. So skipping ahead a day to the Port of Livorno. There were a lot of choices here and so many things that I wanted to do. Ironically enough, Florence wasn't all that high on my list but I ended up having a wonderfully surprising fantastic day there and vowed I would spend serious time there next time I was in Italy. I chose to do the excursion through the cruiseline that went to Florence and a wine tasting in Tuscany. Onto part one of my day in Florence/Tuscany. Blog Post: Florence- La Dolce Vita Part 1 http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2014/08/la-dolce-vida-part-1-florence.html?spref=tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 10, 2015 Author #21 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Onto the second half of my day in the Port of Livorno. I took the ship's tour of Florence/Tuscan Wine tasting and the wine tasting was the second half of the tour. We went to Castello del trebbio just a short 25 minute drive into the Tuscan hills from Florence. It was a beautiful day and gave me a nice first taste of Tuscany. I will need to go back there. (this seems to have been a common thought as I traveled throughout Italy!!) Blog Post: Tuscany- La Dolce Vita Part 2! http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2014/08/la-dolce-vita-part-2-tuscany.html?spref=tw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponcruising Posted August 11, 2015 #22 Share Posted August 11, 2015 I just read the next 2 installments and all I can say is wow. I am really enjoying your review. The way you write, I imagine myself there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 11, 2015 Author #23 Share Posted August 11, 2015 I just read the next 2 installments and all I can say is wow. I am really enjoying your review. The way you write, I imagine myself there. Thank you!!! It means so much to hear people's opinions! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle028 Posted August 11, 2015 #24 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Hi! Doing this same trip soon and loving your blogs! Esp Florence. When you look at the map everything looks like alot of walking but as you said it was closer than you thought! Can't wait to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilystar Posted August 11, 2015 Author #25 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Hello and welcome back! I am finally ready to post my night in Rome just before I left for the ship. I apologize this post is out of order a bit (it took place before the port of Livorno when I went to Florence and Tuscany) I figure the information is still useful and interesting! This blog post is dedicated entirely to the walking food tour I took in Rome. It was offered by a company called Gourmetaly and it got rave reviews online. It was the food I was so interested in when I visited Italy so I had been looking forward to this tour forever! It definitely delivered! Perfect weather, great company, great guide, AMAZING food. It was that night I would try Buccatini ala matriciana for the first time. I'm STILL talking about it a year later! Blog Post: Walking Food Tour of Rome http://jakeflake.blogspot.com/2015/08/jackies-european-odyssey-walking-food.html?spref=tw[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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