When I saw Europe the first time, it was on a cruise. Yes. That is correct. We decided to take a cruise of the Mediterranean. It was a 12 nighter onboard Royal Caribbean. We went to a different port each day except for two entire days at sea - one day at sea on the way to Venice and one day at sea coming back from Venice.

It was a great trip. We left from Barelona and saw ten cities or ports of call. What was best part about the cruise for me? I got to see ten different cities and get an idea of what and where I wanted to spend some time when I went back.

The cruise was the reward we gave ourselves for a really hectic previous year for both of us. My wife's manager at the time was the boss from hell and we decided on the cruise one afternoon while telling ourselves that if we made it through another year, we really should reward ourselves with something special.

I had always wanted to go to Europe. But the thought of carrying bags and getting taxi cabs everywhere was not appealing. So when we got a call from our friendly travel agent asking what our plans were for the following summer, we told her that we were thinking about Europe.

She was the one who helped us book our first cruise to the Western Caribbean, and she suggested we take a cruise of Europe. Frankly, we had not thought about taking a cruise to Europe. We did not know anyone who had ever done that and were a little apprenhensive about it.

"No problem!", she assured us. Let me get you some brouchures and we'll talk. Going on this trip was also a trip of a life time. Why? Well, we took my mother-in-law. We surprised her on her birthday the year before the trip and told her that since we had never taken a trip with just her before we wanted her to go on this trip with us. But.

We would not tell her where we were going. A full year went by and we would not tell her. It was supposed to be a surprise; and it was. We finally told her about three months before our departure date. Needless to say, she was very excited.

I would tell you about the ports of call but time and space do not allow it. Stay tuned to my next article, O.K.?

Despite the economy I hope you are travelling and enjoying yourself. Until next time, let me know what is on your mind, and how you are doing, O.K.?

Jim Fortune - the Bella Budget Travel Guy