10th Anniversary Trip - Day 2

We arrived in Istanbul around 7:30am on Day 2. Joel was still recovering from hand foot and mouth disease (Brooks had it the week before we left, and wouldn't you know, Joel started breaking out with the sores the day before our trip) and was feeling pretty miserable. 

But he agreed to get off the ship and walk around Istanbul with me even though I'm sure he would have rather stayed in bed and rested, what a good sport he is!! His throat was pretty sore and his itchy hands and feet were driving him crazy, so our first stop was a pharmacy!

Then we spent most of the morning wandering around Istanbul and enjoying the sights. We walked to the Bosphorus bridge and then took a taxi from there to the Grand Bazaar to do a little shopping.

Yildiz clock tower

10th Anniversary Trip - Day 1

At the beginning of October Joel and I were able to get away for a WHOLE WEEK to celebrate our 10th anniversary (which was on July 9th).

We got a great deal because we waited until the off-season to travel. That, coupled with the fact that we have a Capital One Venture credit card with good travel rewards, meant that we could go on a one week Mediterranean cruise for about $300!! Also, we only live about an hour from the port so we didn't have to pay for airfare. Love me a good deal!

We had such a special time, it was so fun to be just the two of us. We cruised from Turkey, to Croatia, to Italy, to Greece and then back home to Turkey. We pretty much caught up on all the sleep we have missed since having kids, were way too lazy, read lots of books, ate lots of yummy food and saw some pretty incredible places! And I’m so thankful to have had such a fun adventure with my best friend!!

Getting ready to embark at the port in Izmir. We were on the MSC Magnifica cruise ship.

Call us boring, but we ate pizza every single day! The ship had amazing pizza!

So excited for the ship to finally cast off!

See ya later, Izmir!!

Checking out the pools.

Having fun exploring the ship!

All ready for dinner

Thumbs up for the after dinner show in the theater.