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- There’s a reason for the saying “a change is as good as a holiday”. And if you’re wondering why you’re so forgetful lately, you’re not alone.
- There’s scientific evidence that your brain thrives on stimulation, a change in environment and surroundings.
- But organising a trip may seem daunting; we’re all a little out of practice. There are so many options that it may feel overwhelming, especially if you’re hankering after a holiday in Europe.
- A first-time cruiser shares her experience of travelling through Europe.
“Living through a global pandemic is making it harder for our brains to make and recall memories,” says Amir-Homayoun Javadi, a senior lecturer in cognitive psychology and neuroscience at the University of Kent.
“The similarity of the days, lack of social interaction and decreased exercise can make it much more difficult to make memories,” he says. “Each day may be similar.”
Zachariah Reagh, a cognitive neuroscientist and assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, adds: “Memory benefits from novelty. When all of our experiences blend together, it’s hard to remember any of them as distinct.” The repetitiveness and isolation of the last two years have taken its toll, and we’re all ready for a change of scenery, making new memories and feeling in control of our lives.
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We’re all in the same boat
But organising a trip may seem daunting; we’re all a little out of practice. There are so many options that it may feel overwhelming, especially if you’re hankering after a holiday in Europe. It seems as if everyone on Instagram is currently living their best lives on the Med! Letting someone else take care of the itinerary, and just showing up, is very appealing.
If this sounds like what you need, why not consider a cruise? No navigating transport systems, packing up every few days and rushing from one tourist attraction to the next. Just excellent service, dining options for every palate, nightly entertainment (or not, it’s your choice), and loads for the kids to do. It’s a no-brainer.
If you thought cruising was for retirees, and a little too structured for your tastes, think again. The modern style of riding the waves is anything but when you sail with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the third-largest in the world with a fleet of 18 ships. Norwegian offers a unique sailing experience called “freestyle cruising”, which allows you to tailor-make your holiday and do as much, or as little, as you like.
I was lucky enough to find my sea legs on board NCL Escape recently, sailing from Civitavecchia near Rome for seven days, visiting Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Naples and Livorno (near Pisa and Florence). Being a first-time cruiser, I had no idea what to expect. It was the most fun I’ve had in years!
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Ship-shape
There’s a range of accommodation on board, from staterooms for single travellers to ones for couples and extended families. The exclusive Haven, which offers suites of up to 120m2, comes with a concierge, 24-hour butler, private pool and sundeck, restaurant and entertainment, just for you and your crew.
The relaxation starts as soon as you step on board; the staff are super-friendly and will help you get your bearings. Norwegian Escape has 18 decks, 16 restaurants and bars, a pool deck with water slides, and more, so there’s a lot to take in. Add to that a theatre showing Broadway productions, casino, karaoke bar, duty-free shopping, comedy club, gym, spa and themed parties every night, and you’re spoilt for choice.
You’ll soon find your rhythm and get down to the business of having a good time. The best part is that once you’ve had enough, you can retreat to your cabin while the rest of the ship parties on. You won’t hear a thing.
My first day on board was a “sea” day, which allowed me to explore the ship (never call it a “boat” unless you want serious side-eye from the crew!). You’ll arrive at each port at a different time, so take note if you plan on spending the day off the ship. Your housekeeper places a programme of the following day’s events in your cabin every night. Book a tour if you’re not up to going it alone (book online in advance as they sell out quickly), where you’ll be met by a guide and returned to the ship in good time for its departure.
If you prefer to do your own thing at each port, you can. Download a map, put on your walking shoes and choose your own adventure. I did this in Corfu and Sicily and didn’t regret it for a minute. The ship provides shuttle buses from ports if necessary, but sometimes you dock within walking distance of public transport.
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Port authorities
First on the itinerary was Dubrovnik, on the Adriatic Sea. It was once a maritime republic, and its stone walls were built to protect it against attackers. You’ll also know it as the location where large parts of Game of Thrones were filmed, including Cersei’s infamous “walk of shame”, which was shot on the Jesuit staircase in the Old Town.
The best way to get a bird’s-eye view of the city is to walk the ancient walls, which will take you between one-and-a-half and two hours. You can buy tickets at the entrance from the city’s Pile gate or book online to avoid the queues. There are lots of stairs, so make sure you take water and a hat! Once you’ve completed the walk, cool off at one of the city’s many beaches. Banje Beach outside the Old Town’s walls is the perfect spot
. Be warned, though, most beaches in the Med are pebbly, so make sure you have suitable footwear! If you’re a foodie, you’ll find plenty to keep you satisfied; take a seat at one of the clifftop bars and watch daredevils jump off the cliffs into the sea while you enjoy a snack and drink – or join in if you’re brave!
The next day took us to Corfu in the Ionian Sea, the north-western frontier of Greece. The island is bound up in Greek mythology – you can almost imagine Poseidon rising from the ocean! The City Sightseeing hop-on, hop-off bus is an easy way to get around. It departs from the port every 15 minutes and costs just 19 euros for a day pass.
Do a loop, then hop off at a spot that interests you. We stopped at Mon Repos, the house in which Prince Philip was born, and then went onto Anemomylos, where we hired a lounger and umbrella at a beach club for 10 euros. Enjoy lunch on the water’s edge and take in the views of the Old Fortress, which dates back to the sixth century. Or hop on the bus and head for the centre of town and wander its impossibly photogenic squares and alleyways, exploring the shops selling olive oil, beautiful items made from olive wood, and excellent gelato!
Next was Sicily, where we spent an unforgettable day exploring the hilltop town of Taormina, an hour’s train ride from the port of Messina. At the end of the train journey, grab a taxi for the ride up to the town – it’s a long, steep walk! Your driver will drop you at the Porta Messina, the entrance to the old town.
Wander down the main street, the Corso Umberto, and stop at a café for Sicilian granita, an icy sorbet typically flavoured with lemon or coffee, served with brioche for dunking. It sounds like it won’t work, but it does! Sicily is also famous for cannoli and pasticcini di mandorla, a chewy almond biscuit dusted with icing sugar. At the end of the Corso, you’ll find the ancient Greek theatre, which dates back to the third century BC, where entrance will cost you 13 euros. If you fancy a swim, head to the famed Isola Bella beach, which is accessible via cableway from the centre of Taormina. Rent a lounger at one of the beach clubs, or opt for the public beach.
Swim to the island, or walk across at low tide, then head back up the stairs for a delicious pizza at the restaurant at the top. If you want something more adrenaline-filled, visit Mount Etna, which last erupted in 2021. You’ll be able to walk up to the crater and see the remnants of lava flows.
Day 5 will find you in Naples, the home of pizza! If you like, stay in the city and sample the famously puffy-crusted pies, or visit the ruins of Herculaneum or Pompeii, both of which were buried under ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. We chose the Amalfi Coast, about an hour’s drive from the city, and visited Il Turuziello, a local olive oil and mozzarella producer, where we were treated to a demonstration of how mozzarella and ricotta are produced.
From there, we headed to Il Giardino di Vigliano, an ancient lemon and orange grove, where we learnt how limoncello is made – you’ll definitely end up buying a bottle or two to take home! From there, it was on to Sorrentino Vesuvio, a winery where the grapes are grown in the volcanic soil from Mount Vesuvius’s eruptions. The winery produces nine still wines and two sparkling, which you can enjoy while admiring the volcano in the distance.
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On the last day, the ship docks in Livorno, which is within driving distance of Pisa and Florence. If you’re feeling up to a whole day out, visit the Cinque Terre, the famous cliffside villages strung along the rugged coastline of the Ligurian sea. It’s a bit of a drive to reach the village of Manarola, which is where your journey by bus ends before you meet it again later – the roads are too narrow for vehicles, and the other villages are reached by ferry from this point.
You’ll notice the terraces on the cliffs as you travel, where residents grow food and grapevines. Walk to the end of the road in the old town, and you’ll find the perfect swimming spot – follow the locals’ lead and jump right in from the boulders! Then board the ferry to Vernazza, perch on a boulder and sunbathe.
Monterosso is the northernmost village and has a train station, from where you’ll meet up with your bus back to Livorno. The newer side of town also has the most expansive beach of the three villages, while the charming old town offers many restaurants – I ate what might have been the best calamari of my life here.
It may sound like a whirlwind tour, but it was exactly what I needed after over two years of WFM, Covid anxiety, and the relentless similarity of the days we’ve been coming to terms with “the new normal”. I laughed, ate, drank, danced and created new memories that will last forever, an invaluable gift in these strange times.
If you want to do the same, visit ncl.com to find your own adventure now.
Sources: CNN, The Australian
