November 4, 2026

As I shared, the reason we choose this itinerary is because it was port intensive. Twenty ports in twenty-three days over seven countries (Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands) is a whirlwind for even a seasoned traveler. Just as if you were traveling across the United States, you would need to take some time to relax, refresh and rewind. Alicante, Italy was the type of port to do exactly that.

There is something wonderfully unpretentious about Alicante. It has a warmth and intimacy that is becoming harder to find in many of Europe’s larger holiday destinations. It is away from modern hotels and busy promenades; there is a quieter side to the city that feels almost like stepping back into the 1950s. Life seems to move at a gentler pace. We saw shopkeepers greet familiar faces with a kiss on each cheek, neighbors were chatting on the streets, and folks were gathering in cafés and lingering rather than simply grabbing an expresso and moving on. I have no evidence to support this, but I would bet that for many of the folks we saw this was something they did every day. It seemed like these people had nowhere to go, at least not in a hurry and that seemed just fine to patron and shipowner alike. There was a lovely simplicity to it all, a feeling that life hadn’t entirely surrendered to the rush of the modern world.

Wandering through the older streets, you discover a Spain that feels refreshingly traditional. Small family-run shops sit alongside little bars and neighborhood cafés; their doors open to the street. Tables spill onto pavements, older gentlemen gather over coffee and conversation, and the daily rhythm seems to revolve around familiar routines.

And then there is the food, which fits this atmosphere beautifully. Alicante’s cuisine isn’t complicated. A simple plate of sardines, a bowl of olives, some local cheese and a cup of coffee fill the bill. So that is what Chongae and I did. We set in a cafe that seemed to come out of a Bogart movie and just relaxed.

And they do deliver the eggs for the morning omelets straight to your door.

This was a simple blog, because it was a simple day.

Nothing wrong with that.

Chongae and I did decide to dine at one of the speciality restaurants on board to celebrate the arrival of her clothes.

Thanks for traveling with us.