Today we join Jill and Frank Johnston recapping their amazing tales from a holiday cruise along the coast of Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro. Jill tells us about their most impressive sights and experiences.

From Jill:

Our cruise through the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas aboard the Celebrity Constellation was a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, historic marvels, and delightful encounters. Here are the highlights of our unforgettable voyage.

Waking up to the sun rising over the Montenegrin mountains was always a beautiful way to start the day. Montenegro, with its unexpected mountainous beauty, left a lasting impression. Cruising through Kotor’s fjord-like bay, surrounded by towering mountains, was one of the most peaceful and stunning experiences of our trip.

Naples enchanted us with its unique cliffside architecture and cars parked on the roofs of homes, a stark contrast to our other stops. Alex, our wonderful tour guide though Naples and four towns, deepened our appreciation for Italy’s beauty. He took pride in his homeland and its exquisite food added a personal touch to our experience.

The vertical town of Positano amazed us with its construction on steep terrain. Wandering through its narrow streets, lined with colorful houses and blooming bougainvillea, felt like stepping into a storybook. Positano's charm was a hidden gem we would highly recommend to any traveler.

Dubrovnik’s ancient walls and stunning Old Town view were highlights of our trip. Touching the walls that have stood the test of time was a humbling experience. We enjoyed a delicious and reasonably priced lunch while soaking in the historic ambiance.

In Lucca, we savored the best Pasta Bolognese, a special moment as our granddaughter Ellie loves the movie "Luca." The vibrant street life and marketplaces added to the trip’s charm, making each visit a joy.

The Mt. Etna tour in Sicily, with its fascinating volcanic craters, was awe-inspiring. Learning about the different volcanoes in the region expanded our understanding of Italy’s dynamic landscape.

Driving along the Amalfi Coast was thrilling, with its winding roads and stunning views.  The small, winding roads required skillful navigation, especially when large motor coaches approached from the opposite direction.

One of the most peaceful times was on our balcony, watching the scenery and blue skies. Despite challenges with Frank’s accessibility needs, the assistance from Celebrity Cruises ensured a smooth journey. With no ramps or lifts on the buses like USA, Frank did one bus excursion and would not get back on another bus. We had to get our travel agent involved with transportation from cruise to Venice airport as they wanted to charge us over $500 to take another vehicle to the airport. Celebrity worked it out and we had our own ADA compliant van get us to airport. No extra charge. 

Reflecting on our adventure, we recommend visiting Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Dubrovnik, and Montenegro for the unique beauty and warm hospitality. Our cruise was a dream come true, filled with moments that became memories and stories to tell.