I joined friends in Rome for a sailing on the Royal Clipper, one of the sailing vessels in the Star Clipper fleet. (www.starclippers.com) It all started with a tease from a fellow sailor of my March 2016 Clipper cruise in the Caribbean. I jumped at the chance to vacation with Susan and John, along with family members, Jim, Margaret, Alice and Jeannie. I would come to be introduced as an adopted cousin!
I flew out of Phoenix August 30 on a redeye to JFK. I spent that day with my nephew, Max Baker and significant other, Desiree.
By late afternoon I had found my way back to JFK for a flight to Dublin. Because I failed to pack my outlet converter properly, I restricted myself to the airport for the 8 hour layover. Lots of folks to visit with AND cider to taste....too early for Guinness for me!
My next leg took me from Dublin airport to Rome, arriving late. Because of the late arrival I opted for the hotel transportation pick up.
I was ready for a good night's sleep at the Best Western Universo. This is a very nice hotel in the heart of the city and only a 3 minute walk from where the rest of the gang was staying.
After breakfast we took a Hop On, Hop Off bus to see the sights of interest.
We sat outside for lunch and got our arranged bus to Civitavecchia at 3PM.
From L to R: Susan, John, Alice, Patty, Jeannie, Margaret and Jim.
We were all excited to set foot on the Royal Clipper!
We were greeted with a cocktail and light refreshments then led to our rooms.
Mine was what I would refer to as a MOLE HOLE, but, hey....I booked a single!
No windows and a very interesting bed.....
We would sail at 10PM with just a few sails up. The water was CHOPPY! Sails go up to the music from the movie 1492, a very moving piece. It's quite the experience to watch the crew get the sails up to this music. The sea was pretty rough and a lot of the water in the two pools would splash out onto the deck. A few first timers had a rough night and would be missing at breakfast!
Morning would find us at Ponza, the largest island of the Italian Pontine Islands archipelago. The island is suspected to be the subject of Homer's Odyssey. As it was Sunday, many shops would close from noon on. It's charming and has a lot of history.
After dinner entertainment in the bar was a fashion show done primarily with crew, but splashed with some fun guests.
Monday morning found us anchored at Sorrento, Italy.
It is a lovely coastal town sitting high atop granite cliffs. Others would take an excursion while I would wander about finding I Giardini di Cataldo, a lemon grove complete with Lemoncello stand.
Found an exhibit of Marc Chagall and photo display of Sophia Loren's work in Italy. This was at a former residence, a charming villa known as Villa Fiorentino Sorrento.
Here is the Chiesa di San Francesco church dating to 14th century.
Finally, I would treat myself to a magnificent outdoor lunch of ravioli and red wine at Hotel Minerva. The stunning views of Bay of Naples held me captive a few hours! If you look closely you can see the Royal Clipper.
The next day, Tuesday would have us traveling through The Strait of Messina about sunrise. Here is John contemplating the view.
It separates mainland Italy from Sicily.
Now in picturesque Amalfi, Italy Margaret and I would make our way to Museo della Carta Amalfi, a paper museum.
I realize that doesn't sound all that exciting, but it is centuries old and built into the mountain, using natural spring water to run the mill. The interior is definitely cave like! Almalfi's charm is real and didn't fail in the "WOW" factor. However, it was definitely a tourist destination and crowds were also very real.
Later that evening those who had sailed with Star Clippers in the past were treated to a champagne reception with the Captain. I was pretty amazed to see nearly half of those sailing had done so in the past!
Captain Brunon Borowka is from Poland.
The returning crew Patty, Susan and John at Captain's reception.
Wednesday at Taormina, Italy would have me on my first excursion. I took a bus, a tram and off-road vehicle to Mt. Etna, 11,480+ feet. I was told to bring a jacket and was happy to have one with a hood! It was cold and windy!! The inhabitants of the area are quite creative with the planning and preserving of the area. In the 2002 eruption a path for lava was designed by dynamite ahead of time. The buildings in the area are naturally very sooty looking and the landscape intriguing.
After dinner entertainment was local folklore, "Gruppo Folk Naxos" with traditional dances and music from Sicily.
We arrived Thursday at Lipari, Italy. Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea. My traveling companions and I took a bus trip around the island viewing lovely beaches, a pumice mining area complemented by obsidian.
Refreshments!
I had my last night close to the airport in Fumicino. I had a leisurely stroll through the city center, taking in the harbor by the Tiber's mouth.
It was a good thing that I did my walk about when I did as the day I checked out was a miserable and rainy day. I found the entry to the Best Western Rome Airport to be completely soaked.
As Hurricane Irma was making news in the US, I took a minute to wonder just how large this hurricane was! It would be the only day of poor weather. What a blessing!
Part 2 of my September travels soon!
"The winds of God's grace are always blowing. It is we who need to put up our sails."
The Bhagavad Gita
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