Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?
Short answer: Worth every single penny, and then some.
Long answer: This was one of those trips that recalibrates what you think a vacation can be. Nine days, four adults, a half-dozen countries’ worth of history, and more food than any doctor would sign off on. I’d do it again tomorrow. That said, hindsight is a beautiful thing, so here’s my official list of “next time” notes:
1. A return trip is non-negotiable. I tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain, and I intend to collect.
2. A better transatlantic plane. I cannot stress this enough. That shit sucked. My backside has filed a formal complaint and the Valium has been demoted.
3. More time in Rome. A single day barely scratches it. You need a week, minimum, to do any kind of justice to the sights, the history, and the food. We saw a lot and still felt like we skimmed the surface.
4. Athens over Corfu. Nothing against Corfu – it’s gorgeous, and I’m glad I went. But I’d honestly never heard of it before we started planning, and Athens has way more of the stuff I’m actually into. Catch: Athens isn’t really reachable on this kind of cruise, so it’d mean a different trip entirely. Noted for the future.
5. More time in Croatia. Dubrovnik blew me away. I’d happily tack on an extra day or two just to wander, climb fewer stairs, and soak it in. Stunning city.
6. Kotor, Montenegro – the surprise of the trip. One of the most beautiful places I have ever laid eyes on, full stop. The fjord, the island church, the overlook, the old town – I loved every minute of it and didn’t want to leave.
7. Sorrento, right up there with Kotor. Our “wrong” decision to skip Capri and Pompeii turned out to be one of the best calls we made. I just wish we’d had more time to actually sightsee instead of mostly eating and wandering – though, for the record, the eating and wandering were excellent.
Bottom line: Incredible trip, incredible people, and a camera roll I’ll be sorting through for months. The Brobinsons will ride again. Lower your expectations and pack light – we’ll see you at the next port.