Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Transatlantic Cruise and Wedding


I'm leaving Saturday May 3, 2025 for a 15 day transatlantic cruise on Virgin Cruise Lines . It leaves from Miami and ends in Barcelona. We will spend 8 consecutive days at sea and then we will stop at various ports including Casa Blanca, Morocco, 2 stops in the Canary Islands, 2 stops in Portugal, and end Barcelona. 

My nephew is getting married in Toledo, Spain the 3rd week in May. The transatlantic cruise was an add-on for us to get to Europe for the wedding. Believe it or not, it was about the same price as flying economy plus.

on vacation sign

Our 15 day transatlantic cruise ends in beautiful Barcelona. From there we’ll hop on a scenic 2.5-hour train ride to Girona, Spain, where we’ll be spending three nights in a lovely Air BnB equipped with a washer and dryer, because I will need to do wash.

Girona is a captivating medieval town, known for its enchanting architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and postcard-worthy views. The historic Jewish Quarter, El Call, is one of the best-preserved in Europe, and the Girona Cathedral—with its dramatic Gothic design—is an absolute must-see. Fun fact: several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed in Girona!

The city also boasts a fantastic food scene, from traditional tapas to gourmet experiences. With my limited diet, I hope I'll be able to find something to eat (gluten-free and vegan). I’m especially looking forward to strolling along the colorful houses lining the Onyar River and walking the ancient medieval walls. It’s the perfect blend of history, culture, and modern charm.

Next stop: Madrid!

From Girona, we’ll head to Madrid by train to explore Spain’s vibrant capital. My kids and grandkids visited last summer and couldn’t stop raving about it. We plan to dive into some of the city's world-class art and history, starting with the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía, and the Royal Palace. And of course—plenty of amazing food to enjoy along the way.

I've been flipping through the Bucket List of Europe book for inspiration—it's full of great ideas for things to see and do in each city. I highly recommend getting it if you plan to go to Europe. 

The grand finale: the family wedding in Toledo!

After five nights in Madrid, we’ll take a short train ride to Toledo for the highlight of our trip—our nephew’s wedding! We’ll be staying on a beautiful country estate for three days while celebrating with family who will be joining us from multiple countries.

I’ll be off the grid and soaking it all in until mid-June, so I won’t be visiting your blogs and commenting until I’m back. I do have a few blog posts scheduled while I'm away.

See you on your blogs in mid June! 💛



Folk Art, Doodle, Houses, Village

14 comments:

  1. OMG, what an exciting adventure and time with family, I hope you take lots of photos and share you adventures here! Enjoy every moment...

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  2. Cruises are not my thing. Enjoy yours!

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  3. Wow! How exciting! I look forward to all the photos and stories when you return.

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  4. It all sounds wonderful and a great way to have a gathering of extended family.

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  5. I have never been on a cruise but I love the ocean! Lovely painting.

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  6. Wow! Your cruise sounds like a lot of fun and cool places. Enjoy your vacation and have fun at your family wedding.

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  7. This sounds absolutely spectacular Judee, and in every way possible. The cruise and its various stops will be great fun and then all the time visiting spots in Spain, topping it off with a gala event! And of course with it being a family wedding, you'll be with all your family, near and far. I love it! Bon voyage. You will have a glorious time!

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  8. Have a wonderful trip! We loved Spain! Enjoy!

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  9. Have a super time!
    Tandy (Lavender and Lime) https://tandysinclair.com

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  10. How exciting!! I hope you have a wonderful trip and tell us all about it when you return.

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  11. This sounds like an exciting trip! So many fun stops and things to see. I've often thought of booking a cruise, but open water terrifies me for some reason. I hope to get over that some day because I hear cruises are so fun. I can't wait to see all of your pictures and hear all about it when you get back! Safe travels!

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  12. Bon Voyage and please share pictures (especially of that wedding)! xoxo

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