Getting Greedy

I'm finding that the more research I do about this trip, the more I want to see. I'm getting greedy. Lately, I feel like I'm constantly reminding myself that time is limited, and this cruise will be a sort of grand introduction to the Mediterranean - not an in depth study of every port, each of which could be an entire vacation in itself, so I really need to chill.

Case in point, thanks to the ever informative Mr. Rick Steves and fabulous program highlighting the Amalfi Coast, I want to see Paestum. I had no idea there were Greek temples in such good condition in southern Italy. These particular temples were used to worship Neptune, Athena, and Ceres and their very antiquity is mind boggling to me. It'd be so interesting to visit the site, but that will have to be for another trip because, hi, we'll be up to our eyeballs in ancient world porn when we visit Pompeii that day. I'm pretty sure I'll still get my antiquity fix!

I've always watched travel documentaries and subscribed to National Geographic, but looking with a purpose rather than aimlessly perusing has been much more fun. Instead of thinking, "Huh...that's a cool place I'd like to see someday," I get to think, "Woo hoo! I'll be standing there in under a month!" I've learned so much about the places we'll be visiting, and it's just added to my eagerness for Oct. 22nd to get here already. While Sofi is watching some a football game or one of those lame "guy" channels featuring massive auto crashes and sports bloopers, I'm parked next to him, Googling away. And the more I Google, the more I want to see. It's a vicious cycle!

There are only so many hours in a day. Barring Barcelona, we're only in each town/area for one day. Even a math moron like myself can figure out that there isn't time for everything. So, I shall content myself with photos of Paestum....and thoughts of future Mediterranean trips that venture into Greece and Turkey.....and all of the great places we will have time to visit.

That Montserrat Mystique

I always assumed that when the Beach Boys were singing about "that Monserrat Mystique," they meant another place like Aruba or the Bahamas. Kokomo just doesn't pull up visions of Europe for me. So, imagine my surprise when I finally caught a clue and realized that there's is a Montserrat (with a 't') in Spain, just a short distance from Barcelona. Is this what they're singing about? I still don't know...but this place is gorgeous.

Montserrat is a mountain-top monastery aproximately thirty miles away from Barcelona, up in the Catalunya mountains.

Viator (sooo glad we found that site) has a half-day trip from Barcelona to Montserrat:

Getaway to the Montserrat mountains on a half-day trip from Barcelona. You'll visit the Royal Basilica with its 12th-century carving of the Black Virgin and perhaps hear the children's choir sing.

After driving through picturesque little villages you will arrive at the incomparable setting of the craggy mountain of Montserrat, which rises majestically up from the plain to 4,051 feet (1,235 meters) and has spectacular views.

The Royal Basilica of Montserrat has been one of Spain's most important pilgrimage sites for hundreds of years, due to its famous 12th-century Romanesque carving of the Virgen Moroneta, the Black Virgin. At 1pm on weekdays there is the opportunity to hear one of Europe's oldest children's choirs, La Escolania de Montserrat.

On your way back to Barcelona you will make a stop at the harbor, where you may choose to visit the Barcelona Aquarium (entrance fee not included). There is a variety of restaurants, cafes, shops and cinemas in this area, so feel free to conclude the tour here and stay on to explore.

This could be a fun way to see a little more of the country around us during our few days in Barcelona. Frankly, I think Montserrat beats Gaudi, and his apparent hold over Barcelona, hands down. Just look at this place!

Check check!!

Things that we can officially cross of that mental (and physical) checklist:

**My passport came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Huzzah!

**Airfare booked and paid for! This includes an awesome 12-hour layover in Paris.

**Tuscan Countryside--San Gimignano & Volterra Excursion booked and paid for.

**Ample research on things to do in Paris and Barcelona.

DONE and DONE. :)

Things that we need to work on crossing off the list:

**Purchase the rest of the excursions. This includes:
-Villages of Provence: Fayence and Seillans in Cannes (Day 1)
-Taste of Sorrento & Pompeii (Day 5)
-Deciding between the Cirque Terre or the The Taste of Ligurian Riviera in Portofino (Day 2)

**Purchase the Roma Archeological Pass

**Book hotel room in Barcelona for October 23, 31 and November 1.

**Decide on Paris walking tours and purchase

It's a good thing we have 43 days until we leave!

Airfare Officially Booked!

With the official purchase of our airfare, this trip is becoming more and more real to me. I know how lame that sounds, considering the fact that we already booked our cruise and that we've been pouring over excursions and making lists of things to do and see for nearly two months now. Somehow, this just makes it even more concrete. I have to say, pulling off a trip like this in four months? Not too shabby. Go us!