{"id":45240,"date":"2025-08-13T16:40:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T07:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linksboo.com\/ai-blog\/9-night-11-day-western-mediterranean-cruise-travel-log-milan-savona\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T12:59:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T03:59:02","slug":"9-night-11-day-western-mediterranean-cruise-travel-log-milan-savona","status":"publish","type":"ai-blog","link":"https:\/\/linksboo.com\/en\/travel\/italy\/liguria\/savona\/9-night-11-day-western-mediterranean-cruise-travel-log-milan-savona\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Mediterranean Cruise 9 Nights 11 Days Trip Days 1-2: Milan & Savona"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Travel Date: 2023.09.08 – 2023.09.18<\/p>\n

Destinations: Incheon International Airport, Milan Malpensa International Airport, Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto, Savona<\/a> Cruise Terminal<\/p>\n

Western Mediterranean 9 Nights 11 Days Trip Days 1-2<\/p>\n

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Days 1-2 were mostly travel, but why are there so many photos?<\/p>\n

I was a little nervous because it was my first package tour.<\/p>\n

(I’m writing this in advance, but the tour guide Lee Ji-in from Lotte Tour was so kind and the best..!! Not an advertisement lol)<\/p>\n

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\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We were supposed to meet at 10 AM, but I arrived about an hour earlier to go to the lounge.<\/p>\n

After quickly going through check-in and checking in, I entered the lounge.<\/p>\n

I was going to go to the Gold Lounge on the other side, but<\/p>\n

they said it was only for one person per card, so I just came to the KAL Lounge. What a shame!<\/p>\n

\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

(Me, very excited)<\/p>\n

Since the time was awkward, the menu changed in the middle, so<\/p>\n

I ate two bowls heartily.<\/p>\n

But Shin Ramyun is still the best.<\/p>\n

\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Incheon
Incheon Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I also enjoyed looking around the duty-free shops and boarded the plane!<\/p>\n

Even though I had plenty of time, it flew by while I was looking around.<\/p>\n

Since it was about a 12-hour flight, I slept a little less than usual to sleep well on the plane, but<\/p>\n

I was so sleepy I could have died…<\/p>\n

It was delayed by about 30 minutes, which was annoying.<\/p>\n

\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since it was lunchtime, the in-flight meal was served about an hour after takeoff.<\/p>\n

The bibimbap was delicious lol<\/p>\n

\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I slept and woke up, and they gave me a snack again.<\/p>\n

This one tasted ordinary.<\/p>\n

\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Korean
Korean Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They gave me another meal…<\/p>\n

Since I was just sitting, I couldn’t digest it, so I only ate fruit then and left most of it…<\/p>\n

My stomach hurt so much because I couldn’t pass gas lol…<\/p>\n

On the right is the bulgogi set meal my mom ate.<\/p>\n

Milan Malpensa International Airport<\/h2>\n

21010 Ferno, Province of Varese, Italy<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Milan
Milan Malpensa International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Milan
Milan Malpensa International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Milan
Milan Malpensa International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Milan
Milan Malpensa International Airport<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

((My expression changed due to exhaustion from the flight))<\/p>\n

First time entering Europe…<\/p>\n

I still couldn’t believe it, and my stomach hurt and I was tired lol<\/p>\n

We took a tour bus from the airport to the hotel.<\/p>\n

It took about 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/h2>\n

Via Al Campo, 99, 21010 Cardano al Campo VA, Italy<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reminded me of Novotel Suwon lol<\/p>\n

When we arrived, there were Korean Air flight attendants too.<\/p>\n

It’s close to the airport, so I guess they use it as accommodation.<\/p>\n

\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Right next to the hotel, there was a coop supermarket (late for overseas standards)<\/p>\n

that was open late, so I went to look around.<\/p>\n

But since it was the first day, I didn’t buy anything.<\/p>\n

I bought a mask just in case, and it was fun to try self-checkout lol.<\/p>\n

\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We arrived around 9:30 PM, I think.<\/p>\n

While looking around the room, I saw something next to the toilet in the bathroom… I wondered what it was…<\/p>\n

It was a manual bidet… Culture shock.<\/p>\n

There was a separate towel for the bidet, so I didn’t even touch it lol.<\/p>\n

There was also a swimming pool, but since we were just sleeping, I only took pictures from the window.<\/p>\n

\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Novotel breakfast!<\/p>\n

Since the food from the previous day hadn’t been digested, I ate lightly.<\/p>\n

\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Novotel
Novotel Milano Malpensa Aeroporto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the evening, we put on the receivers that were distributed in advance and took the bus.<\/p>\n

It was a little past 8 PM then,<\/p>\n

and they said it would take about 3 hours to get to the Savona<\/a> terminal.<\/p>\n

I planned to sleep on the way, but<\/p>\n

since it was the first day, they explained many things,<\/p>\n

so I couldn’t sleep and was very tired lol. I wanted to sleep, but I had to listen…<\/p>\n

But the tour guide was amazing for explaining so many things for almost 2 hours without a break…<\/p>\n

Autogrill Stura Ovest<\/h2>\n

A26, 15070 Belforte Monferrato AL, Italy<\/a><\/p>\n

A rest stop for a bathroom break.<\/p>\n

A strong odor assaulted my nostrils.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t even this bad at the airport…<\/p>\n

There was no toilet seat, which surprised me!<\/p>\n

I didn’t know enough about Europe.<\/p>\n

\"Savona
Savona Terminal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona
Savona Terminal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona
Savona Terminal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arrived at the Savona<\/a> terminal!<\/p>\n

Took a photo in front of the palm trees while going through embarkation procedures~<\/p>\n

There was no one there, but as soon as I started taking pictures, people started coming lol.<\/p>\n

\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As soon as I boarded, I ate before putting away my luggage.<\/p>\n

There was a reason I ate before checking in, but I can’t remember lol.<\/p>\n

The tomato pasta was delicious.<\/p>\n

The meat dishes were just okay, similar to Korean buffets lol.<\/p>\n

\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Balcony room is the best.<\/p>\n

(I requested to separate the beds into two singles later.)<\/p>\n

The view was absolutely insane. This is when I finally felt like I was on a European trip.<\/p>\n

I didn’t realize it at first, but my room assignment was perfect.<\/p>\n

The swimming pool was on the same floor (though there are pools on other floors too),<\/p>\n

and the elevator was right in front, which was very convenient.<\/p>\n

\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since there was time before departure, I disembarked and looked around the area.<\/p>\n

But since it was a terminal, there was really nothing there lol.<\/p>\n

To see anything, you had to walk across the river,<\/p>\n

so I couldn’t go because I was worried about running out of time and just looked around a nearby souvenir shop.<\/p>\n

I regretted not studying wine more, as I had only been to my sommelier academy for a week lol.<\/p>\n

\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cruise ship Costa Smeralda seen from outside.<\/p>\n

It’s really huge, but it doesn’t show up well in photos.<\/p>\n

Just took a picture as a souvenir.<\/p>\n

Capatoast<\/h2>\n

Largo Ammiraglio Enrico Roni, 4, 17100 Savona<\/a> SV, Italy<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Savona\"
Savona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun was so hot that I went to a nearby cafe.<\/p>\n

But they also sold beer, so I had a Heineken lol.<\/p>\n

(Heineken was the only beer I recognized on the menu…)<\/p>\n

Cheers in the cool shade.<\/p>\n

\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As we set sail, they waved at us lol.<\/p>\n

Finished the emergency preparedness drill wearing life jackets!<\/p>\n

\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among the restaurants on the cruise, the one where you could have a multi-course dinner<\/p>\n

had assigned seating, but our tour guide was so amazing that<\/p>\n

we got to sit at the best window seat…!!!<\/p>\n

(Thanks to that, we went to have course meals for all 7 days of the cruise lol)<\/p>\n

\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bread served before the meal on the table.<\/p>\n

I don’t like bread, so I tried it for the first time around the 4th day… it was delicious lol.<\/p>\n

\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Costa
Costa Smeralda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Appetizer, Main 1, Main 2, Dessert<\/p>\n

You can have different menus every day.<\/p>\n

(If you’re not full, you can order more for free!!!)<\/p>\n

You can choose and order from the menu in advance,<\/p>\n

but we ordered different dishes except for the gnocchi!<\/p>\n

It wasn’t “incredibly delicious!!!” and I left a lot… lol.<\/p>\n

(Later, my taste adapted, and I ate it all up lol.)<\/p>\n

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Since we didn’t do any special sightseeing until day 2,<\/p>\n

there wasn’t much to see, but<\/p>\n

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!<\/b><\/p>\n

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\u200b<\/b>\u200b<\/b><\/p>\n

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