The 2017 port of origin (Barbados instead of Fort Lauderdale) and the destination port (Monte Carlo instead of Barcelona). As with the 2016 cruise, the 2017 crossing is a 14-day cruise but has fewer on-the-water days (10 versus 12 in 2016) and two additional ports of call. The 2016 cruise stopped in Funchal before terminating in Barcelona. The 2017 cruise stops in Funchal but also stops in Barcelona and Marseilles before terminating in Monte Carlo.
The remainder of the travel plans have developed over the spring and summer. As with our cruise this year, we did not want to cross the Atlantic and then just come home. This year, after ending our crossing cruise, we went on another cruise terminating in Athens. We were originally going to disembark in Istanbul, but the cruise line wimped out and changed that to Athens. While we enjoyed Athens a lot, we were disappointed in not getting to Istanbul. So, next year, after finishing our crossing, we will embark on a river cruise from Budapest to Munich. Then we will fly to Istanbul and spend a few days in Istanbul before heading home.
We only have a couple of transfers yet to figure out. Here is the itinerary thus far.
Drive from StL to Houston a few days before flying out of Houston
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 - Flight from Houston to Fort Lauderdale
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 - Spend night at the Homewood Suites Hilton MiamiAirport
Thursday, April 13, 2017 - Flight from Miami to Bridgetown, Barbados
Thursday, April 13, 2017 - Two nights at Hilton Barbados Resort, Bridgetown. Barbados
Saturday, April 15, 2017 - Embark on cruise ship in Barbados
Saturday, April 29, 2017 - Disembark from the cruise ship in Monte Carlo
Saturday, April 29, 2017 - Pick up rental car in Monte Carlo
Saturday, April 29, 2017 - Spend night at the Le Saint Paul in St. Paul de Vence – France
Sunday, April 30, 2017 - Return rental car to Nice Airport
Sunday, April 30, 2017 - Spend night at the Novotel Nice Airport hotel
Monday, May 1, 2017 - Flight from Nice to Budapest, Hungry
Monday, May 1, 2017 - Two nights at the Hilton Budapest
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 - Embark on the river cruise in Budapest
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - Disembark from the river cruise in Passau, Germany and ride to Salzburg
Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - Two nights at the Radisson Blu Hotel Altstadt, Salzburg, Austria
Friday, May 12, 2017 - Two nights at the Hilton Munich Park, Munich, Germany
Sunday, May 14, 2017 - Flight from Munich to Istanbul. Turkey
Sunday, May 14, 2017 - Four nights at the Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
Thursday, May 18, 2017 - Flight from Istanbul to Houston
Driving home to StL a few days after arrival in Houston
