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An Iconic Mediterranean Vacation
by Karen Wagner

There are vacations that you remember - and then there are journeys that feel almost dreamlike.

Our vacation in July 2026 to the Mediterranean was an adventure: - to Italy, Monaco, France and Spain - and it was postcard perfect. A little too hot - yes. A little too beautiful - never.

We made some new friends along the way, and with them experienced:

the elegance of Italy (my Italian heritage)
the glamour of Monaco (for the rich and famous)
the romance of the French Riviera
the beauty of Spain ( when they won the World Cup), and
we even traveled the Formula 1 roadway in Monaco.

I welcome you to come with me as I recall this journey, and feel the magic.

We started our vacation in an 11th century castle in Umbria, before we boarded our Viking Cruise ship. We experienced culture and history first hand, The trip was filled with sunshine, laughter, and long lasting memories.

As you know, I love my cameras, but due to a pretty intense heat wave I only used my Nikon D-700 on occasion, taking mostly cell phone photos. There were many miles of hiking each day. with cobblestone walkways and hilly terrain, so this was an easy decision. The day we were in Florence Italy it reached 104 degrees!

The cruise lasted 8 days, tracing the shores of the Mediterranean coast, allowing me to photograph art, architecture and history, plus canals, a national park, and Monte Carlo, Monaco's glamorour city by the sea.

Castle Di Monterone in Umbria, Italy

After a long overnight flight into Rome, we began our adventures settling into the Castle DiMonterone in Perugia, in the region of Umbria.

The welcome mat was our first sign that we would be staying in a place that had a haunted history, with stone walls of secrets and ghost stories from years ago.

This medieval castle dates back to the 11th century, with 18 unique rooms. The stone walls and rustic beams give it a very historic ambiance and make you feel like you have gone way back in time. It really was love at first sight.

The castle was damaged during the civil war in Perugia. First renovation was in 1849. The transformation into a hotel still kept the castle's original structures.

There were many places to take photos at all different angles so I roamed the grounds with my D700 camera.

Rose gardens, trellis gardens, outdoor places reflecting days of old.

11th Century Turrets

After our daytime tours we went up to the roof to get a cool breeze and relax.

From the castle we overlooked the countryside and could see Perugia in the distance.

What's a castle without a Knight?

Day Trip to the Location of the Spoleta Film Festival

From the castle, we took a day trip to the site of the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds), which is an annual international arts and music festival held in Spoleto.

The Spoleta Festival is designed to bridge America and European cultural traditions, bringing artistic expressions together. The festival lasts 17 days, in late June and July.

The medieval town of Spoleta transforms into a massive open-air stage for international performing arts.

(A Spoleta Festival is also held in America: in Charleston, SC, late May to early June.)

Beautiful countryside surrounded by olive groves and vineyards

Spoleto sits on a hillside with stone farmhouses, cypress trees and winding roads.

Spoleto Cathedral

Piazza del Duomo, set up to host outdoor events and concerts

Rose windows & a Mosaic featuring Christ, the Virgin Mary & St; John, from 1207

The Cathedral was consecrated in 1198 by Pope Innocent III.

Perugia, Italy, home of Baci chocolates

Massive ancient Etruscan walls, medieval alleyways, and the stunning 13th-century Fontana Maggiore marble fountain in the main square. The famous Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci trained the master painter Raphael here. It's a major university town.

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo is a Perugia Cathedral in the heart of the city. The interior preserves Renaissance art.+

It is home to the sacred wedding ring of the Virgin Mary.

The Fountain of Maggiore is a 13th century medieval gothic structure, and is the monument symbol of Perugia.

Perugia is famous for chocolate and the iconic Baci little kisses.

Assisi, Italy

The Basilica of San Francesco holds the tomb of Saint Francis + medieval frescoes by Giotto ad Cimabue.

The Sacro Convento Friary has 53 Roman arches. The friary houses a museum and library.

Walking to the Basilica of Saint Francis. He died in 1226.,is buried in the crypt of the Papal Basilica.

I was feeling very spiritual walking the streets of Assisi after seeing the tomb of Saint Francis, learning about Saint Clare and seeing the medieval frescoes.

St. Francis lived a wealthy and carefree youth. After serving as a soldier and spending time as a prisoner of war he experienced a profound spiritual conversion. He began identifying with the poor and caring for outcasts, like lepers. He established the Franciscan Order in 1209, and later co-founded the Poor Clares for women. He viewed all nature as a mirror of God, which led to his designation as the patron saint of animals.

St. Clare was also an Italian noble, who left a life of wealth to become an early follower of St. Francis, and the founder of the Poor Clares.

The Papal Basilica of St Mary of the Angels 9th century chapel is known as the "church within a church". The chapel is known as Porziuncola. The Big Church was built over the Little Church. St. Francis restored the chapel, and died nearby. It's the most sacred site of the Franciscan order.

The Basilica of Saint Clare is a 13th Century Gothic Church dedicated to Clare.

The Papal Basilica of St Mary of the Angels

Florence, Italy

A marble replica of David is in Piazza della Signoria, in the exact spot where the original stood over 360 years ago.

(There are 3 versions of the statue across the city, the original and two replicas)

Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region and the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

The city flourished economically and culturally under the wealthy Medici family, during the 14th to 17th centuries.

Famous works of art in Florence include:

Michelangelo’s David

Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, displayed in the world-renown Uffizi Gallery

Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, gilded bronze doors with Old Testament panels

Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, and many other masterpieces.

We admired the Fountains of Neptune and Zeus and David in the Piazza della Signoria.

The temperature that day was 104 degrees. It was a very long, hot, tour day.

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is a medieval stone arch bridge over the Arno River. It still has shops built along it, just like the Middle Ages.

Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli, mid-1480's, in the Uffizi Gallery

Doni Madonna is in its original frame, the only finished painting by Michelangelo to survive. Painting depicts is the Holy Family with John the Baptist

Tuscany, Italy

The Tuscany landscapes are full of rolling hills, tall cypress trees, vineyards, and rustic stone farmhouses. So beautiful..

Vineyards and olive groves are everywhere. Olives and cheese platters are served at every five-course meal.

San Gimignano, Italy

We were invited for lunch at a San Gimignano winery in a small medieval hill town.

At the Fattoria San Donato Winery, we tasted their wines and extra-virgin olive oil at this working farm in the rolling hills of the countryside.

After having lunch (including cheeses and olives), and touring the winery, we walked the property and came across this interesting-looking barn.

Leaving Italy for Monaco

Monaco is an independent, sovereign, country on the French Riviera, bordered by Italy and France.

It's famous for luxury, wealth, upscale shopping and beautiful beaches.

The Monte Carlo Casino was built in 1878 by Charles III. It's a popular destination and a tax haven for the residents.

Residents are not allowed to enter the gaming rooms. It has inspired books and films, including a James Bond novel "Casino Royale" and a movie "Never Say Never Again".

Princess Grace (Grace Kelly) became the Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainer in 1956. Tragically, she died in 1982 at the age of 52 driving the steep roads near Monaco.

While on our bus, we road the Circuit de Monaco, the "Formula 1" winding track that's the ultimate test of driving the streets of Monte Carlo.

It's a 2 mile street circuit, containing 19 turns plus a tunnel.

The race takes 78 laps.

It's been held since 1929.

Winning the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the three prestigious feats required for the Triple Crown of Motorsport.

Cassis, France

The weather was extremely hot on the day we visited this delightful fishing village, known for it's beautiful beaches and port. But we very much enjoyed this scenic, charming place that the English call the "French Riviera".

Cassis is an historical coastal commune located on the Mediterranean coast of Southern France.

Taking a boat ride, we viewed the famed pastel-colored harbor.

Cassis is a popular tourist destination, famous for its cliffs, sheltered inlets and beautiful beaches.

After our boat ride, we stopped for lunch, where we enjoyed the wine and French crepes.

Sete, France

One of the most beautiful fishing and trade ports in the Mediterranean

A picturesque fishermens' neighborhood with colorful houses

The canals are lined with colorful buildings. Sete is called the "Venice of Languedoc".

The streets have a maritime energy where life is right on the waterfronts.

Barcelona, Spain

Our last stop on the cruise was Spain.

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and a cultural, financial and tourist hub.

We were actually in Barcelona the day after Spain won the world cup!

The city has one of the world's most successful soccer clubs, and the winning scorer this year is from Barcelona.

Montserrat, Spain

Montserrat is a stunning multi-peaked mountain range in Catalonia, Spain, famous for its unique saw-toothed rock formations and the historic Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey with its "Black Madonna".

The Cross of Sant Miquel is an historic landmark with origins that go back centuries. It's perched on a rocky path, where you can see a sweeping view of Montserrat.

The Black Madonna is a revered 12th-century wooden Romanesque sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, enshrined at the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey high on the jagged Montserrat Mountain in Catalonia.

She is the patron saint of Catalonia. Legends claim its dark hue is the result of centuries of exposure to candle smoke and incense..

Pilgrims line up inside the basilica to touch or kiss her exposed right hand, to ask for blessings, healing, or miracles.

Park Guell, Spain

Park Gueli is park designed by Antoni Gaudi between 1900 - 1914, known for its organic architecture and vibrant mosaic tiles.

The park was never intended to be a public space. The original plan called for luxury villas, but due to its remote location and strict building restrictions, it was a massive commercial flop. Only two houses were ever built.

So Antoni Gaudí bought the development's model home, and ived there for 20 years. He and his partner used broken shards of recycled waste, like discarded cups, plates, and glass from local factories, cover curved surfaces like the vibrant mosaics benches.

Gaudi was inspired to make fairy-tail aesthetics (like Hansel and Gretel) like in this gingerbread-style gatehouse.

In Conclusion

In addition to the wonderful experiences of our trip, we made many friends along the way, and I was able to capture, and photograph, perhaps the most beautiful sights in the cities of southern Europe.