Last month, I returned from visiting my eldest daughter who is studying (one semester) in Florence. She had a one week Winter break which I was able to coincide with a cruise. I checked out my favorite vacation website: VacationsToGo.com   and located a Seabourn cruise offered at 68% off the original rate. Although my parents have booked through Vacations to go and been pleased,  I booked through my travel agent.

Have you ever tried to use your airline frequent flyer miles to get a free ticket? If so, you know how difficult it is, especially as I booked at the last minute. I was able to book my air for just the service fee. Then I was so proud of myself I checked to see if I could also get free air for my mom to meet us in Rome (after we disembarked).

The cruise was Monte Carlo to Rome. My daughter and I met in Nice and spent one night; the next day we went to the open market, had lunch and a driver took us to Monte Carlo where we boarded the ship. I had always wanted to sail on Seabourn and was excited to have the opportunity. The ship was lovely and we enjoyed our floating hotel. We visited Cannes, Corsica, Portovenere, Cinque Terre, Portoferrario and disembarked in Rome where my mother flew in the next day and met us.

As far as real estate, I checked in with Lisa each morning at 9:30. Although Lisa checked my email throughout the day, I checked it every couple of day. It is hard to totally disconnect but with technology it is so simple to stay in touch. Lisa and Natalie took care of everything, no problems. And I had a once in a lifetime trip with my mother and daughter.