[From July 28 — having some Internet issues.] Day 10 of a 20 day cruise for us, docked in Marseille. Some people who have had their 10, 20, 30 or whatever days already are leaving the ship here. Others are embarking for their own cruises of varying durations. Mean of me, but I am hoping…

Yesterday morning we were in Livorno, about 90 minutes from Florence. Dinner at the Colonnade (the less formal dining room with lots of outdoor tables) that night was going to be a Tuscan Market Dinner, and the ships’s executive chef, Franck Sollazzo, was going shopping with 20 of his hungry customers, two of whom were…

I have always thought I disliked marzipan. Maybe I do, or maybe I just haven’t tried any good stuff, because it turns out I LOVE what the Italians describe as Sicilian marzipan cookies. Fior di mandorla (or pasta di mandorla) are little bites of toothsome sweetness, like a coconut macaroon with ground almonds instead. They…

If it seems like I am ignoring the meals on the Seabourn Quest, it’s only because our lunches off of it have been so magnificent. Last night we ate at the Patio Grill by the pool — Jer had barbecued shortribs and I had a great salad and grilled vegetables. This morning I had the…

Yesterday was a sea day which was lovely as a quiet space to sun, swim, have a massage (!), and watch the waves go by from the balcony. The only trouble was that the ship clearly thought we needed to be amused on a long day at sea, and they staged a huge lunch buffet….

Sunday, July 21 We are having a marvelous time. Relaxing, fun, romantic, delicious. Last night the ship took us out to the ancient ruins at Ephesus and there was a lovely concert (classical) under the moon with the ruins all lit up. White tablecloths and white drapes on the chairs, catered with wine, water, olives,…

Sunday, July 21 We are having a marvelous time. Relaxing, fun, romantic, delicious. Last night the ship took us out to the ancient ruins at Ephesus and there was a lovely concert (classical) under the moon with the ruins all lit up. White tablecloths and white drapes on the chairs, catered with wine, water, olives,…

I am writing with my eyelids heavy with an impending nap. It’s about 3 in the afternoon on Saturday. We got up early this morning and watched the ship dock here in Kusadasi, Turkey. Houses, shops, hotels, and apartment buildings stagger up the steep hills rising from the water. We slipped in neatly between a…

July 18, evening, somewhere between Athens and Santorini On the ship, in my jammies, sitting on the balcony, under a spangled sky, moonlight bouncing off the waves, eating gummi bears. And no, it doesn’t get any better than this. Spent the day touring Athens, which seemed to be largely closed pending a visit from the…

Still playing catch up. July 18, Athens, in the morning. Good morning, Athens. Good morning, Acropolis. Good morning, sea. What a beautiful sight from our balcony. The air is so lovely here — dry and crisp, getting ready to be hot. Last night’s dinner was special. Found a little restaurant on a residential street near…

[Really spotty Internet access at our Athens hotel, so I am playing catch up for a couple of posts.] July 17, Athens So. Yesterday in Paris. Early exercise in the park followed by the world’s best breakfast. Seriously. Perfect croissant from Gerard Mulot. Butter that is so rich and sweet it is practically cream cheese,…

I love this city. We arrived around noon on a perfect, sunny, blue sky day. Travel was easy peasy, no delays, no lost luggage. Took a cab to the hotel — the Relais St. Germaine, where the rooms are exquisite, the people are phenomenally nice, and the breakfasts are the best in the world (and…