Mediterranean Myths & Family Adventures: Our Epic Princess Cruise
After an incredible few days exploring Rome with my husband, two boys, and my parents (who joined us after our Danube cruise), we were ready to set sail on our mythological adventure aboard the Majestic Princess! Walking through the Roman Forum and Colosseum together was the perfect prelude to our journey through the ancient world. As we boarded in Civitavecchia, the excitement was palpable - three generations embarking on an epic Mediterranean odyssey together!
Our first port of call was magical Corfu, where azure waters met lush landscapes straight from the pages of Homer's Odyssey. The boys were thrilled to discover this was where the mythical Phaeacians supposedly welcomed a shipwrecked Odysseus. While originally disappointed about missing Santorini, Rhodes turned out to be an unexpected treasure! Walking through its medieval Old Town with its ancient walls and cobblestone streets gave us serious "Percy Jackson energy" as my youngest put it. The Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights transported us back in time, while the crystal-clear beaches provided the perfect afternoon respite. In Kusadasi, we ventured to magnificent Ephesus where towering columns and marble streets showcased the grandeur of the Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! The boys were awestruck walking the same pathways as ancient Greeks and Romans.
Athens delivered everything we'd hoped for and more - climbing to the Parthenon was challenging in the spring heat (as I dramatically texted friends: "Send water!"), but standing in the shadow of Athena's temple was worth every step. Our final Italian adventures included navigating the legendary perils of Scylla and Charybdis (at least in storytelling) near Messina, glimpsing powerful Mount Etna, and exploring the haunting ruins of Pompeii from Naples. As our ship returned to Rome, we were all changed by our journey - suitcases heavier with souvenirs but hearts fuller with shared memories that truly belong in the "epic category" of family adventures.