40 days until we depart for Rome to begin our journey back to New York.

Getting to this point has been an adventure.  First cruise on the Escape was canceled, but when we re-booked on the Epic price went down, upgraded to a double balcony, and itinerary added Maderia.  🙂

Our flight was business class on Alitalia for $470. 🙂  Alitalia went bankrupt 😒.  Rescheduled on Delta for double the price for economy plus.   oh well

EU decides Americans should stay home... ok they can come fill out a ton of paperwork.  - Done!

After all of that... It appears real.  Official countdown has begun!


“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés