Woofers in Paris, France.

Story & photographs: Mariana Aguirre | Edited by: Michaela Guzy
When I met Michaela about six years ago she never told me about the love of her life: Woofers– a little stuffed animal (I want to say a dog) with sad yellow eyes and pale skin.  I ended up meeting him about two years ago when Michaela moved into her new West Village apartment in NYC. He was there, staring at me and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the little one.  He didn’t look sick, maybe a bit dirty and desperate but mostly lonely, very lonely.

Of course he was lonely, Michaela would travel the world and leave him all alone in the apartment, at some point I even thought about calling Child Protective Services but honestly I don’t think they would consider Woofers for the program! When Michaela decided to embark on her three-month African Adventure we decided Woofers would move in with me and I would take care of him. Surely enough we bonded and it was decided he would join me in my family vacation. First stop was Paris, as you can see in Woofer’s letter to his mom, he had an amazing time. After Paris, Woofers realized that my family really enjoys doing two things while traveling even more than visiting “the sites”:  local food and of course, drinking. Second stop was Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey with 13.5 million people and over 3,000 mosques, this was probably Woofers first encounter with the Islamic culture and I have to say he was interested to learn more about the Muslim people and their religion.

Seven million foreign visitors arrived in Istanbul in 2010, when it was named a European Capital of Culture, making the city the world’s tenth-most popular tourist destination.

He did all the things locals do. He read the local paper,

Woofers getting up to speed with the local news in Turkey.

Prayed in the Blue Mosque,

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.

Visited the main attractions like Hagia Sophia once a churh, later a mosque and now a museum.

Hagia Sophia is an architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires.

He even took a cruise along the Bosphorus (river) where he enjoyed the unique views of the Rumeli Fortress,

Rumelihisarı is a fortress located on a hill at the European side of the Bosphorus. It was built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II between 1451 and 1452, before he conquered Constantinople.

the Dolmabahce Palace,

Dolmabahçe Palace located on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait, served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire.

and the impressive Bosphorus Bridge connecting Europe and Asia.

The Bosphorus Bridge, also called the First Bosphorus Bridge is one of the two bridges in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning the Bosphorus strait and thus connecting Europe and Asia.

Woofers also explored the Topkapi Palace,

The Topkapı Palace is a large palace in Istanbul, Turkey, that was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years of their 624-year reign.

discovered the underground secrets of the Basilica Cistern,

The timeless Basilica Cistern.

he even had time to enjoy some local dancing!

Belly Dancing, Turkish style!

But no trip is a real, without shopping.  I took my furry friend to the Spice Marketwhere we got some amazing teas, Turkish delights– including delicious nuts!

The bustling Spice Market.

Next we headed to the Grand Bazaar  where we picked up pashminas and jewelry.

Some of the souvenir stands outside the Grand Bazaar- the infamous “evil eye” can be found on every corner.

We were lucky, Curio Traveland our guide Esra made it easy for us to navigate.  Esra is a Turkish woman who is perfectly fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.  She took us to all of the sites and with a detailed local’s perspective.

Woofers hanging out in Istanbul’s Blue Mosque.

After few days in Istanbul we needed to relax and it was time to board the MS Regatta, a 684 passenger Oceania Cruises ship–  the itinerary couldn’t have been more diverse.

Woofers dolled up in his new custom hat by Karey Raymond Smith hanging at the Oceania’s Regatta Lounge.

The first stop was Kusadasi,  a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast with great shopping and probably the kind of place you’d like to stay for few days.  A short drive from the port we found the ruins of Ancient Ephesus, we were impressed with the famed Library of Celsus, the huge amphitheater, the marble roads with their chariot impressions, the sidewalks made of mosaics and the Terrace Houses. It was over 100 degrees fahrenheit but we survived!

The famous library at Ephesus, Turkey.

The following morning, Woofers decided to wake up all the guests on-board with a piano concert.

Oceania Cruises, Regatta Lounge.

We then played some chess while waited to my family to get ready.

Oceania Cruises, Chess Board.

We finally got on the tenders and arrived to the pier, after over queuing for an hour we took the cable car into Santorini, Greece– which is worth the wait.

Santorini’s Skyline.

We walked, Woofers hung out with the donkeys…

Woofers hanging out with donkeys in Santorini.

and then we walked and walked and walked a bit more.

Woofers exhausted in some Santorini street.

Woofers taking a break after the long, hot walks in Santorini.

And we treated ourselves to plenty of Greek Food:  hallomui cheese, tzatziki sauce, fried calamari and of course some Alpha beer!

Mezés is a collective name for a variety of small dishes, typically served with wines or ouzo, it was so hot I had to go for a beer.

After an exhaustingly amazing day, Woofers, my mom and I walked the 500+ stairs down to the pier and headed back to our ship.

The breathtaking view from the heights of Santorini.

Little did Woofers know that the very next day, we would be witnessing one of humankind’s oldest and most inspiring creations: The Acropolisin Athens, Greece.

Woofers standing in front of The Parthenon, a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.

It was well over 100 degrees and we were sweating like never before but it was worth it and we had an amazing time!

We arrived to The City of Valletta, which was officially recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.

Valletta is the capital of Malta, known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,966.

Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, is the former capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the center of the island.

Valletta’s streets and piazzas contain architecture ranging from early 16th century Baroque to Modernism. The city serves as the island’s principal cultural centre and its unique collection of churches, palaces and museums attract visitors from around the world.

Next port of call took us to Italy, and what better way to begin an Italian holiday than The Godfather‘s very own Sicily?

Woofers waiting for a storm in Trapani, which was originally named Drépanon from the Greek word for “sickle”, because of the curving shape of its harbor.

In the lovely town of Trapani where there’s really not much to do, so we decided to “leave the gun and take the cannoli”…

Originating in the Palermo area, the cannoli was historically prepared as a treat during Carnevale season.

and enjoy some Peroni and drink the sun-kissed  streets of Sicily.

I blame the heat and Woofers. He always wanted to go for a drink, I guess he learned this from Michaela!

A few hours later we were shipping off to the Amalfi Coast.

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the Province of Salerno in Southern Italy and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape.

Stunning panoramas, charming piazzas, the unique inlaid woodwork, the sublime views and of course the food… ohhh the burrata, pizza and of course, some quality Italian Porettibeer.

Woofers really enjoyed the Burrata, a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozzarella and cream.

On day 10 we arrived to Olbia(Sardinia) where we wandered through town visiting the 11th century cathedral, purchased custom handmade sandals and celebrated our local finds with a traditional Italian antipasta.  As you know, calories don’t count on vacation, so we were to enjoy a few Nastro Azzuro beers.

Woofers was really getting into the Italian beer…

Woofers was hanging out with a Mexican family and so he had to follow my lead and… well… drink!

And we drank a bit more… and ate a delicious plate of prosciutto and salami.

…and I guess Woofers just had a bit too much!

Woofers needed a break and suggested some beach time.

Hungover Woofers relaxing in Olbia, a town and comune of 56,231 inhabitants in northeastern Sardinia.

Last stop:  Rome!

The Colosseum, in the center of the city and the largest built in the Roman Empire.

There was so much to see, in such a little time– Fontana di Trevi, The Colosseum, San Peter’s Basillica, the pizza, the calzone the Limoncello, the beer, the Chianti but most importantly the company.

Woofers was hoping to meet with the Pope, the encounter didn’t happen as a bottle of Limoncello interrupted our tour.

Drinking like a local with ice cold homemade Limoncello.

The true Roman Profile. Il signore Woofergino!

I’ve been lucky enough to travel with my family to some of the most beautiful places in the world.  We ate and drank the best food and wine one can have and Woofers, my new, little, furry friend was there to experience a great holiday– an affair we will both remember.

My parents celebrating a serendipitous encounter in this very same city 40 years ago (they met here) and Woofers was there to relive the experience with us!