Location: Rome → Naples → Palma → Valencia → Los Alcázares
Summary: A week spent travelling across the Mediterranean, from Rome to Naples, then Palma, before returning to Valencia and finally home to Los Alcázares. A mix of sightseeing, exhaustion, unpacking and recovering from a cold.
Monday, 31st October
Day 4 — Rome, Italy
Today, on day 4 of my cruise, the Costa Toscana approached Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. I disembarked and joined an escorted tour into Rome. It was a long but enjoyable day exploring one of the world’s most historic capitals.
Tuesday, 1st November
Day 5 — Naples and Pompeii
On day 5 of the cruise, we arrived in Naples. I joined a walking tour around Pompeii, exploring the ancient ruins and learning more about the city buried by Mount Vesuvius. A fascinating and tiring day.
Wednesday, 2nd November
Day 6 — A day at sea
Today was spent entirely onboard the Costa Toscana as we sailed towards Palma, Mallorca. A quiet, relaxing day after two busy excursions.
Thursday, 3rd November
Day 7 — Palma, Mallorca
We arrived in Palma this morning. I went ashore for an escorted walking tour around the city, enjoying the sights and atmosphere before returning to the ship for the final leg of the cruise.
Friday, 4th November
Homeward bound — Valencia to Los Alcázares
Today the cruise ended as we arrived back in Valencia. After disembarking, I was dropped off at The Arches in Los Alcázares. I went to Pizzeria La Sombra for a beer while waiting for Bernard to pick me up.
I ordered a beer and a pizza to take home. When Bernard called to say he’d be 20 minutes, I ordered another beer and opened the pizza box to have a slice. The waitress immediately told me I couldn’t eat it there because it was “to go”. With only three people outside and nobody inside, I wasn’t sure who I was harming, but I put the slice back, finished my beer and waited.
Bernard arrived shortly after and took me home. I warmed up the pizza, ate half, unpacked my suitcase and spent the rest of the day with my feet up. After all the walking on the cruise, my right leg was twice its normal size. I took painkillers and hoped rest would help.
Saturday, 5th November
Back home — washing, blogging and a cold
I woke around 04:00, made a coffee and put my holiday washing in the machine. I checked my messages and began typing up some of my cruise notes for my blog.
I seem to have caught a cold, so I spent most of the day resting on the sofa, watching football and taking Lemsip tablets and drinks. For dinner I warmed up the remaining half of yesterday’s pizza.
Sunday, 6th November
Photos, football and recovery
I woke with a blocked nose, but the swelling in my leg had gone down a lot. After coffee I worked on my holiday photos and videos, uploading them to my website before taking more Lemsip.
At lunchtime I watched Chelsea vs Arsenal. Arsenal were the better team and won 0–1. I still think the squad needs strengthening in January, another striker would help take the pressure off Gabriel Jesus. The win put Arsenal back on top of the Premier League, two points ahead of Manchester City.
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