Sapphire Blue Travel

Trip report

A Laid-Back Day in Genoa

A Laid-Back Day in Genoa

Cruising into Genoa on the MSC World Europa, we didn’t quite know what to expect. The city isn’t as instantly recognisable as Rome, Florence or Venice,  but it turned out to be the most surprisingly enjoyable stop. With colourful buildings climbing up the hills, an easy port location, and the option to explore at your own pace, Genoa gave us exactly what we needed that day: history, beauty, and no pressure to rush, even in the rain.

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A Winter Escape on MSC World Europa

A Winter Escape on MSC World Europa

We cruised on the MSC World Europa in early February 2025, sailing the Mediterranean from Barcelona with stops in Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta. In this blog, we share our experience staying in an Infinite Ocean View Cabin, what it’s like to cruise the Med in winter, and tips we learned along the way as a couple travelling from Australia.

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We visited 9 Vienna Christmas Markets in three days

We visited 9 Vienna Christmas Markets in three days

When you Google Christmas Markets in Vienna, you will find over 20 locations for Christmas Markets, some famous, and others will give you a more local feel. So, how do you decide where to go, how many to squeeze in, and whether you want to explore the city as well? It can get overwhelming, but by taking a moment to determine your priorities, you can devise a fantastic itinerary that suits you and your travel desires. There are a few Markets that are famous and often easy to visit, but with over 20 locations, you don’t have to stick to the big, well-known markets; you can seek a more local experience.

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Our Medieval White Christmas in Tallinn

Our Medieval White Christmas in Tallinn

Tallinn makes most of the lists for places in Europe for a white Christmas, with the Medieval charm of the old town, and you have the perfect combination for a medieval white Christmas.

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Visiting Killarney National Park in One Day

Visiting Killarney National Park in One Day

Killarney National Park is bursting with amazing places to visit, and it is often included in a visit to the ring of Kerry. During our trip to Ireland, we planned on experiencing many of the epic...

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Beara Peninsula – Our day driving and exploring 7 stops.

Beara Peninsula – Our day driving and exploring 7 stops.

The Beara Peninsula is considered the lesser-known of the Irish ring roads, so we decided to include it in our Itinerary. Everybody knows about the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, but only a few know about the Beara Peninsula. We loved our day driving Beara Peninsula. We will share our experience of the drive and the Seven stops we made along the way.

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