Gathering the entire Newsom clan for a family adventure across the Aegean Sea seemed like a Herculean feat, but channeling the wisdom of Athena, my mother and family matriarch, Lisa Newsom, made myth a reality. While hilltop towns and turquoise waters are enticing, it was a loftier goal fueling Lisa’s efforts. She was determined to expose our family to the birthplace of democracy, and in many ways, culture and religion, all percolating in the caldera surrounding the Aegean: Greece and Turkey.
As if by an act of Zeus himself, we gathered 17 of us from ages 10 to 86, for, a small and luxurious ship with excellent crew and well-designed cabins. The meticulously planned excursions by my brilliant sister-in-law and chaplain, Shannon Newsom, brought history to life. With knowledgeable local guides and seasoned sea captains, we traversed the azure waters from Athens to Istanbul, resurfacing like Poseidon, invigorated by our newfound worldliness and family togetherness.
