I have never had the desire to visit Europe, I still don’t. I can’t explain why and it isn’t that I wouldn’t go nor that I won’t enjoy it, but there is a difference in the enthusiasm I find for visiting Europe and Asia than that I find for the new world. I never tire of finding scenic byways in North America, I would love to return to Australia and New Zealand but for now, it’s off to Europe for the first time.

Several years ago we convinced our friends Jeff (Jennifer) and Dave to cruise the Panama Canal with us to celebrate a special anniversary. This time it was Jeff who called Gail to ask: “What do you think about a Mediterranean Cruise in May?”

After considerable thought, perhaps a whole second, Gail replied, “Sure, lets go,” and I set about plumbing the depths of the Internet to see what could be found. After a few iterations a plan came together. First to Rome for a few days followed by a cruise from Rome to Venice ending with a short stay in Venice. My indifference to old world travel is not shared by my wife Gail who is delighted with the prospect of visiting Italy and the Greek islands.

My contribution to this journey is the organization and happy participation in the agreed itinerary. This I can and will do. I will also do my best to document this trip through my journals, photos and video. There is little doubt that the antiquities and sights of Rome, Venice and all the ports we shall touch on the voyage have been photographed repeatedly by more talented photographers and videographers than I. Any attempt I might make to replicate their work would be futile at best. However, what will be unique is our view of the path we four take during the 22 days that are ours alone.

Although several weeks remain until we depart, the story has begun.