A week aboard the Costa Diadema was meant to be sunshine, smooth sailing, and a few long‑awaited excursions. What I actually got was a mix of cancelled tours, unexpected detours, dehydration, good company, stubborn bottle caps, and the occasional perfect moment that made the whole thing worthwhile. This section follows the trip exactly as it unfolded, the ports I reached, and the places I didn’t, the food, the people, the frustrations, and the small victories that make travel such a reliably unpredictable adventure.
Location: Valencia, Spain
Summary: I checked out of the hostel, travelled to the port by bus, boarded the Costa Diadema, explored the ship, enjoyed my first meals on board, and ended the day with a theatre show before an early night.
Location; Aix‑en‑Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Summary: A cancelled excursion turned into a shuttle trip to Aix‑en‑Provence, where familiar streets unexpectedly brought back memories of my mum. The day included frustrations with guides, overpriced cafés, and a stubborn bottle cap, but ended with good company, cocktails, and a late night on board the Costa Diadema.
Location: Noli & Finalborgo in Liguria, Italy
Summary: A delayed coach departure led to a beautiful visit to Noli, a frustratingly brief stop in Finalborgo, a memorable Ginseng coffee, and an evening of cocktails and conversation back on the Costa Diadema before an early night ahead of tomorrow’s long excursion.
Location: Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
Summary: A long‑awaited visit to Civita di Bagnoregio turned unexpectedly difficult as dehydration and exhaustion set in. A kind stranger helped me when the tour guide did not, and although I saw the village, the experience reminded me to pace myself more carefully on future trips.
Location: Oristan, Sardinia, Italy
Summary: Feeling unwell, I stayed on board the Costa Diadema, attended a foot‑health lecture, bought new shoe moulds, and spent the day resting before an early night after dinner with Gail and Val.
Location: Mediterranean Sea
Summary: A rough day of dehydration, a visit to the ship’s doctor, enforced bland food, and an early night.
Location: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Summary: A cancelled tour, a quiet day onboard, accidental sunburn, good music, and the best meal of the cruise arriving on the final night.
Location: Valencia to Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain
Summary; Disembarkation, delays, a long day of travel, a dash for a train, and finally home with a takeaway.
