It All Started With A Pedicure

Part One of Nine

Lone Tree, Colorado

An unexpected opportunity to travel to some of my dream destinations, how quickly can one woman say yes? I will get to travel with three fun ladies, see places I’ve only dreamed about, and walk in the footsteps of history, all while sailing on the phenomenal Celebrity Solstice … suffice it to say, it is beyond my expectations in every way.

Funny things can happen when you get a pedicure.

No, I’m not talking about the kind of pedicure where the little fish eat off your dead skin. I mean, I’m adventurous, but even that’s too much for me. So there I was, enjoying my bi-weekly effort in callus removal, and “ding” went my phone.

The message read, “So, are you ready for Eat, Pray, Love Part Two?”

The text got my attention. My first blog series was titled “My Eat, Pray, Love in Two Weeks,” a year ago when I went to Tahiti. That was a life-changing experience for me. Now, there was an offer on the table for part two. Oh, hell yes, sign me up!

Ironically, the message was from my friend Melanie, whom I met on that life-altering Tahitian trip and whom I traveled with to The Netherlands last year. Well, she had the deal of a lifetime for me: a two-week trip to the Mediterranean with her and two of her girlfriends.

At first, I thought, no way too expensive. But that turned out to be the best part, the price was a song. Melanie’s father, Milton, affectionately known as “Dad” to me, is a long-time travel agent. After she and her friend Evonne completed a travel agent course, we were in for a very low-priced travel deal, which included twelve nights aboard the Celebrity Solstice and an itinerary to die for. Ports of call: Barcelona, Italy, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast; Greece, including Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens; Turkey, and Malta. The list of ports is the part where you needed to pinch me.

Sometimes in your life, it is prudent to step back and give big decisions serious thought and consideration, and THIS was NOT one of them! This opportunity was the perfect example of a “no-brainer.” So, thanks to the beauty of smartphones, Melanie and Dad had my credit card information almost immediately, and I had my confirmation even faster. Suddenly, I was two months away from one of my all-time dream vacations, and the most exciting thing for me was that I would finally see ITALY!

I have always loved all things Italian. So much, I didn’t even know it! What? Huh? Allow me to explain. At a party at my old home, someone asked me if I spent much time in Italy. Surprised, I said “no” and asked why they would ask. I had only been to England once, so I don’t think I come off as “Continental.”

She said that most of the art and style in my home was Italian-inspired. I looked around and realized that almost every piece of art was of an Italian landscape or created by an Italian artist, including pottery, books, paintings, etc. I never realized over the years that my eye and taste were drawn to Italian artists and style.

Then it hit me … I do LOVE Italian shoes. I DO watch Under The Tuscan Sun more than I know is typical or should be legal. My favorite homes in Denver’s annual “Parade of Homes” always have Italian architecture and names, ”La Dolce Vita,” for example. I’m a wine snob (in a good way), and I’ve never met a Chianti I didn’t like. I pause movies about Italy at specific scenes so that I can look at the picture of a Tuscan landscape on the TV and drool. I want to have a dog someday named Marcello. I realized I’d been having a secret love affair with Italy all these years, and I didn’t even know it!

So, the preparations began. I bought and read guidebooks on all of my destinations. After days of research, I got lucky with affordable first-class airfare, purchased a new bathing suit, and went on a diet. I bought some new shoes (and why are you surprised?) I purchased trip insurance and waited patiently for “D-Day,” Departure Day, to arrive.

For two months, I would hear myself tell friends I was going to Europe for a two-week cruise to unique locations. I would listen to the words come out of my mouth, and this thought would run through my head, ”Europe? Really? Pinch Me!”

I will sail on the Celebrity Solstice, which, with nearly 3,000 people on board, will be a moving city complete with phenomenal restaurants, a more-than-impressive gym, a library, a nightclub, casino, and among others, a martini bar. Milton has lined up private drivers in most of our ports.

I look forward to Italian gelato and Limoncello on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, shopping for jewelry and white dresses in the Greek Isles, seeing all that Athens has to offer, and taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in Malta. I will be traveling with Melanie's two friends, Elena and Evonne, and I can't wait to get to know them. We already call ourselves the Soul Sisters of the Sea.

I am still pinching myself, and can't wait for the adventure to begin.