<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Land and Cruise trip]]></title><description><![CDATA[Memorable Journeys with Loved Ones]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:44:33 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.2026falltrip.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[9 and 10 October—Civitavecchia and A Sea Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[9 October—Civitavecchia is the port down about 90 minutes away from Rome.  Since we’ve both been there and will be there again in January we skipped the bus ride and stayed in town.  It is anchored by a large, still active naval fort, a Ferris wheel and a cathedral dedicated to St Francis.  The last was closed.  We stopped at a grocery store just to see what it looked like.  There were three other ships in town and it appeared that a larger number elected to pass on the bus ride and walk...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/9-and-10-october-civitavecchia-and-a-sea-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aca55592f51f795d984a11a</guid><pubDate>Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:30:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_8161a335c1894f44a8624e7a8e6ff7f3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[6 October to 8 October –At Sea, Catania, Italy, Solarmo, Italy (Pompeii) ]]></title><description><![CDATA[6 October—Sea Day, our first on Virgin Voyages.  The usual sea day activities, gym, lunch and some sunbathing, and a meal and snack or two or three.  Dinner tonight was at the Test Kitchen.  Five courses of small plates paired with small cocktails.  7 October—Catania Italy and a Viator scheduled walking food tour.  All very good, with a mixed small paper bag of fried seafood, arancino (Not a misspelling in Sicily they end with an “O” for both the fired rice dish and the ricotta stuffed...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/6-october-to-8-october-at-sea-catania-italy-solarmo-italy-pompeii</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac79575f082a2948618a1e5</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:22:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_c3c49871fc06417ea29c0df52ccac656~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[2 October-5 October--Sea Day, Disembarkation from Holland America, Athens, Embarkation Scarlet Lady and Mykonos]]></title><description><![CDATA[2 October—Sea Day we sailed the Dardanelle Straights connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara.  Always interesting to be aboard a large ship sailing under a bridge.  Smooth sees and a lazy day for us with dinner in the main dining room sharing a table with British and Australian couples.  The Australian lady is a professional ballroom dancer.  Her partner is learning.  We managed to pack up our bags and have them outside by the midnight deadline.  3 October—Disembarkation in Athens and...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/2-october-5-october-sea-day-disembarkation-from-holland-america-athens-embarkation-scarlet-lady</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac39ee163360de1485d1851</guid><pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:37:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_b518efe0e4274fc9a964c7cb469edee0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[30 September-1 October Overnight in Istanbul  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Both of us feeling much better. 30 September—Day One in Istanbul.  We arrived in the afternoon and met our guide after walking through the most modern cruise terminal we have ever been in.  We didn’t book this as a private tour, but it turned out we were the only participants so we could stop whenever we saw anything that interested us.  Kemel Aslan majored in Eastern Roman history, lived in China for two years, speaks several languages and really knows his stuff.  Our tour included the Blue...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/30-september-1-october-overnight-in-istanbul</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abe5e6b945f244b04a1fbdf</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:01:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_9df788ddd9884f9da623208dc072c6a9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[27, 28, 29 September—Santorini, Greece, Bodrum and Kuşadasi, Türkiye ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dolly and I have both caught colds and a cough and after the hard day at found it difficult to stay awake and make the updates.   Feeling better today on our way to an overnight stay in Istanbul. 27September—Santorini, Greece.  We booked an independent tour that included a bus tour of the island, a wine tasting and a walk through the often-pictured village of Oia with its whitewashed walls and blue domes.  The day started rainy but cleared.  We lost a member of the group at the beginning and...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/27-28-29-september-santorini-greece-bodrum-and-ku%C5%9Fadasi-t%C3%BCrkiye</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6abcca05daba984fa7f9f465</guid><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:30:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_f1fab812fb0c49c7843ee302e4b7c59a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[26 September Sea Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our first of two sea days.  Gym for me, a cooking class the casino for Dolly.  We did share a lunch table with Victor and Carman from New York City.  Those are the same first names as Dolly’s daughter-ln-law’s mother and her husband.  We also had afternoon tea with a Vancouver Canada couple.  Her first cruise.  Dolly got a recipe for salmon with mango salsa that looks pretty good.  We will try it out at home.  We had Afternoon tea with a young Canadian couple, her first cruise.  Interesting...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/26-september-sea-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab8b9f69f7511779a13b951</guid><pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 06:41:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_7c8057f6ec4841e9be5c3be99d524bb8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[24-25 September--Rijeka and Split, Croatia]]></title><description><![CDATA[24 September—Rijeka is a small town that is kind of off the beaten path for cruise ships.  We heard that this was the first time Holland America had ever stopped there.  We kind of suspected cruise ship arrivals were an unusual occurrence.  The pier was divided by temporary fencing and many more locals than at other ports were walking on their side of the fence snapping pictures of us and our ship.  Another sign was the absence of guides offering their services outside the port entrance. ...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/24-25-september-rijeka-and-split-croatia</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab6aed86de3d82672abd035</guid><pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 17:45:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_876345bcbbea4d21a8f1284d7f57aa61~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[20260922-23--Ferrara to Trieste to Oosterdam]]></title><description><![CDATA[22 September--Well we are on board but not without some trials and tribulations.  The first was a slight panic when our Air BnB host who has instantly responded to every text did not respond when we asked them to call us a taxi for the ride to the train station.  It did arrive in plenty of time, but there was some doubt.  The next error on our part was not standing anywhere near where our assigned train coach would stop when it arrived at the station.  In larger stations they have signs that...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/20260922-23-ferrara-to-trieste-to-oosterdam</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab4dba9c2360a28d78205f2</guid><pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:21:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_46a9943f791d4e51a0c984913c6761cd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[20-21 September  Verona and Stay In Ferrara Prepare for Train to Trieste]]></title><description><![CDATA[We had our first train mishap on 20 September, missed our connection to Verona in Bologna.  Train was from Ferrara was late and we didn’t make it to the right platform in time for the connection.  Caught a later train, but it cut about an hour of our time in Verona since we had return reservations booked.  Verona was packed with people.  Because of our late arrival we headed straight to a recommended trattoria for lunch.  Pasta with seafood for me and a caprice salad for Dolly.  From there we...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/20-21-september-verona-and-stay-in-ferrara-prepare-for-train-to-trieste</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab1151dbcd37dc9f103abd0</guid><pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:55:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_034707dcc7674efda04c5bf01de320c0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[16, 17, 18, and 19 September-- Bologna and Ravenna with Two Days Rest]]></title><description><![CDATA[16 September-The trip to Florance wore us out so we took a day off and recuperated here in Ferrara.   We actually fixed a frozen pizza in our kitchen oven and ate “at home.”  17 September—Bologna.  It is the city of towers and covered arcades along all of the major streets and many of the smaller ones.  It’s a good thing since we had several brief showers as we walked to the various places of interest.  We walked from the train station to Piazza Maggiore with its huge church and statue of...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/16-17-18-and-19-september-bologna-and-ravenna-with-two-days-rest</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aae8964ff350a6f6ac0cce5</guid><pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2026 14:48:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_6acdd57ea7984ef7ac64f1b9106d6d72~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[15 September  Tuesday Train to Florence and Back]]></title><description><![CDATA[Temperature in the low 80s A long day with an 8AM departure and a 10PM arrival back in Ferrara.  We had three hard times to make, reservations for the Uffizi Museum, The Academia Gallery, and our train ride home.  We hit all our deadlines and covered many miles taking much, but certainly not all there is to see in Florence.  Both Dolly and I have been here before, so it was kind of a refresher for us.  We were surprised at how crowded it was for what is supposed to shoulder season.  The...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/15-september-tuesday-train-to-florence-and-back</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aaa863ac4df873899e3d334</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:03:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_46c485f4a6a643bcb81c3809cba09edd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[13 September  Travel Day to Ferrara, IT via Milan 14 September Full-Day In Ferrara]]></title><description><![CDATA[Cool in the high 60’s leaving the lake area, warmer into the 80 as we reached Ferrara We took a private car with the couple from Napa Valley to reach Milano.  From there we got a train to Bologna, changed and got a commuter train to Ferrara. Finally, a taxi to our Air BnB which is really a hotel kind of set up, with very weak Wi-Fi.  Fortunately, our room is on the first floor.  A bedroom, bathroom, small cruise ship shower and a kitchen that is minimally equipped.  We faced the same Sunday...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/13-september-travel-day-to-ferrara-it-via-milan-14-september-full-day-in-ferrara</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aaa74422dc1ddd4aee15fe9</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:23:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_2541c102bc094eb9b9477d895820ff22~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[9, 10, 11, &#38; 12 September--Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday]]></title><description><![CDATA[We wish we could blame the lack of entries on the internet service, but the truth is we've been traveling, EATING, drinking and seeing some wonderful sights, art, landscapes and architecture.  In the end we've been too tired to make an entry.  Great weather temperature in the low 70s.  Some trees beginning to turn color.  9 September was our last full day in Turin.  We visited the Castello di Rivoli Museum of contemporary art in the unfinished castle of the Savoy family.  I was surprised to...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/9-10-11-12-september-wednesday-thursday-friday-and-saturday</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aa570381be24c419fd1108a</guid><pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 17:48:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_0a0c1f69d2e447b29d230a5aecee7606~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunday/Monday/Tuesday 6,7,8 September]]></title><description><![CDATA[Turino, Italy Clear and VERY Warm High 80s and Low 90s   The temperature is our excuse.  Most of the museums and certainly the churches rely on cool marble for air conditioning.  Even when it is available it is not the strong blast of cool air we’ve become accustomed to.  First of all, our hotel is very nice and quite luxurious as you can see from the pictures below.  A large room by any standard, but extraordinary by European standards.  However, as in the museums, the A/C is not all that...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/sunday-monday-tuesday-6-7-8-september</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6aa03d129faa206cd06de33a</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:08:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_9fcd330a26384427baf771f5e245e94b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Friday-Saturday 4-5 September]]></title><description><![CDATA[Friday/Saturday, 4-5 Sep 2026 Reykjavik, Iceland Enroute to Turino, IT via Milan Mid 50s and Cloudy in Reykjavik Clear and 90!!! In Milan and Turino   Our last full day in Iceland was tours of an archaeological museum and a life-size display of whales.  The former was built on the actual sight and included the stone foundation of a long house.  These were the traditional homes in during the first days on human occupation in Iceland.  The vegetation was different from today.  Much of the land...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/friday-saturday-4-5-september</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a9d1c38cdf183e0230e32e1</guid><pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:23:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_81e7916e107641b4b8cfa6b847f2d871~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wednesday/Thursday, 2-3 Sep 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mid 50s and Cloudy with some occasional very light rain Wednesday was a very long day, starting at 10:00 AM and finishing at 9:00 PM with a tour of Iceland’s unique geography.  It could have been shorter if only all these sights to see were located closer together, but nature prevailed and each is at least 45 minutes’ drive and some and hour and 45 minutes apart.  It was all worthwhile as the pictures below can only begin to capture what we saw.  Hats off to Dolly who got a picture of the...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/wednesday-thursday-2-3-sep-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a9add0717c17e15d086f909</guid><pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:29:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_523b44d338ba4876b84d635b53e67f8f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[20260831 and 0901]]></title><description><![CDATA[Reykjavik, Iceland Temperature remarkably warm on a bright sunny day with the actual temperature in the mid-40sF First of all, we are fortunate enough to receive a blessing for safe travels at church on Sunday before departing/  Our Washington Flyer taxi showed up 30 minutes early (better than late) but we felt sort of rushed closing up the house and making a final check.  Pretty sure we got everything.  We had access to the Air France Lounge ahead of the flight for a class of wine and some...]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/20260831-and-0901</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a974df89c8db6195f822c7e</guid><pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 22:22:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b53a35_1db374b99208432daa2ed7e5b0248cb9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three Days From Departure]]></title><description><![CDATA[We are off on another journey and in the past some that are addressed have clicked a link occasionally to see where we are and what we are doing.  Don’t worry, we have no way of knowing if you are following us or not.  If you are interested, we will try to update each day, energy and internet connections allowing.  Our planned itinerary is in the link below.  Next update upon arrival in Reykjavik, Iceland on 1 September.]]></description><link>https://www.2026falltrip.com/post/unforgettable-land-and-cruise-family-adventures</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a91e124813c8b51e676d01b</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:27:32 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>eylarson</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>