On the Sea and Road again

Hello Friends:
Will and I have been traveling for more than a week to spectacular destinations along the Mediterranean stopping everyday and venturing off our wonderful Regent Seven Seas Voyager cruise ship. We spent two nights in Nice before taking the train (just a few minutes ride) over to Monte Carlo where we boarded the ship. This was the only day of pouring rain and we skipped touring Monte Carlo saving it for another time.

We ve stopped in Genoa Italy, Marseilles France, Barcelona Spain and today Valencia Spain. Each one gets better. Taking the ship into each port has a real advantage - no worries about your hotel, no hauling luggage and not much trouble coping with anything. We've been using the hop on hop off busses especailly helpful in Barcelona where we spent two days and did both routes a few times. The tickets were not cheap 26 euros each but well worth it. We also did a hop on and hop off in Nice for a great overview and in Genoa took a little tram that went all over. Oh I almost forgot Marseilles which we also loved had a wonderful pizza lunch on a square in the streaming sunshine. Visiting Notre Dame on the top of the hill was inspiring with equally inspiring views. We took the little tram up there for 5 euros each and thought it was well worth it. Although I would say to stay longer than the 25 minutes they allow you. Just catch the next tram. Also on the lst floor of the Church, rather under signed, are bathrooms and an elevator (lift) to the third floor much easier and more accessible for those of us that don't want to climb multiple flights of stairs.
Do carry those little packets of tissues as few public or semi public toilets have any paper.
The weather has done nothing but get better and today was perhaps low 70's clear with brilliant sunshine here in Valencia.
After a week on board we ve finally gotten a little control over our eating and I ve been cutting out desserts and Will has tried to lay off the bread...not easy accomplishments for either of us. We have been walking for hours and I can still get into my clothes - but of course they do have elastic waists!
Tomorrow we ll be in Palma de Majoraco kind of a fun place for me as I was there on my own years and years ago.
Take care and don't stop traveling!!!
Mary