After figuring what bus to take to our hotel and waiting for it to arrive for about 45 minutes (6 euro per person) we got to our hotel and took a three hour nap since we did not sleep more than a few hours on the plane. Once up and freshened up, we learned they sold bus tickets at the shop across the street, bought a couple tickets and headed to Venice via the bus (1.3 euro p.p.). We walked around following the signs at most corners to keep us heading toward San Marco Square. We stopped for dinner (pizza, wine, beer) and used the Capital One debit card to get some euros out of an ATM. Most of the trip euros or local currency was taken but dollars, not too often. The exchange rate during our trip was about 1.3 dollars to get 1 euro.
After exploring the streets, shops, sights and ending up at San Marco Square we bought tickets for the water taxi (7 euro p.p.) to come back to the bus terminal and headed back to the hotel for the night. Venice was the only stop on this trip that we had been to before, and was in my top three stops on this trip as there is great sights around every corner. Too many pictures to take, and more than anyone would want to see, unless they took them themselves. On this 16 day get away I ended up with over 700 pictures and Lynn had around 1,300 (this with us deleting as we went).
Up the next day and eating at the included hotel breakfast. They had a good variety of things to eat. Then we checked out and took the bus with our suitcases to Venice and caught the people mover (1.5 euro p.p.) which is a short train to take you to the ships since you can not walk there. We registered and boarded the Norwegian Jade around 11:30 had lunch in the buffet and explored the ship until the OK to go to our inside cabin (9589) and unpack, after the suitcases made it to the room. The cabin was by the elevator and crew only room, and it was laid out wider than longer which seemed to be nice and was not noisy except for occasional noises at night when I think the staff was moving something in their area. We had $175 credit per week since with $75 being through Costco travel and 100 from the HSN promotion. You can spend these on purchases (drinks, laundry, purchases on board) but can not use it for tips or service charges, which are $12 p.p. per day to be split between all the various people taking care of you (stateroom, dining personnel, etc.)
Between the cruises we walked around Venezia for about five hours, and I bought a t-shirt and a couple drinking glasses. We ended up at San Marco
and took a water taxi directly back to the cruise port for 8 euro each. There also was a sign saying you could take a vaporetto from the cruise port
to the airport. I believe the only airport you can take a boat to get to.
Ship' information - You could start a discussion about Venice by praising its restaurants, wine bars, marble churches or blown glass. But you probably won't. You'll likely start with the fact that Venice is built on water. It is a place where people either float slowly down palace-lined man-made waterways or stroll down narrow alleyways. There's no more extraordinary place to find yourself, or lose yourself. Be sure to stay in Venice before your next European cruise.
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
San Marco Square |
Venice, Italy |
Venezia |
Venezia |
Venezia |
San Marco Square |
Venezia |
Venezia |
San Marco Square |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Singing movie |
Canal movie |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
Venice, Italy |
This was mothers day and I told Lynn to pick a gift for herself, which she did in getting a fun Britto wallet in the ships gift store.
Unusual for us, but with the time change and since we were arriving at Dubrovnik at 2 pm and the next day was a sea day, we slept
in until and didn't get out for breakfast until 10 both mornings.
Ship' information - Despite the magnificent 13th century walls that surround the city, Dubrovnik is one of the most welcoming cruise destinations in all of Europe. Dubbed "the pearl of the Adriatic" by the poet, Lord Byron, this Croatian city exudes romantic charm and beautiful scenery with its shimmering marble streets, centuries-old buildings capped by bright orange roofs, and lovely beaches ensconced between awesome rocky ledges.
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
old walled city |
old walled city |
old walled city |
old walled city |
Rain Movie |
old walled city |
old walled city |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
We then got back on the hop on, hop off bus on the red line loop (past 15 stops, like Parliament, National Library, National Gardens,
Museums, etc.) and then got on the blue line past other sights back to the Cruise terminal. Athens was interesting with nice areas, but was busier than
we would want to stay in, and seemed to have graffiti on most streets.
Ship' information - This is the cradle of civilization, the oldest city in Europe. Not only is this city home to the Acropolis and some of the most important architectural structures and archaeological finds in the Western world, It is also a very modern city, an urban amalgam of extraordinary art, culture, cuisine and shopping.
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
The Parthenon |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
The Temple of Rome and Augustus |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
Athens |
The tour was great and Tez educated us along with two women from Manchester, England. This excavation has been going for a long time (50 years in earnist?), and will be going for a lot longer as they meticulously restore the site. Once a port city, but the water is miles away now. I believe this is the second largest excavation site in the world. We were in the Aegean Region of Turkey which is the most multicultural and reformed region of the seven regions of Turkey, probably due to it having a major port city with trade with other nations helping diversify the area. Some areas we would not want to go to as they are very religious with strict dress, and customs that would not mesh with our independent thinking lifestyle. In the Aegean region I believe they have call to prayers once per day with nothing mandatory, in some regions call to prayers are six times per day and dress and roles are not optional.
After our tour, we stopped at a rug store where they hire thousands of independent rug makers and demo'ed how they made the rugs by hand. They were very nice rugs
and affordable (well from hundreds to not affordable) but we were not looking to buy and ship a rug home. Labor cost must be a lot lower as the demonstration they
gave us involved at least four different people and they unrolled, explained the differences (styles, cotton, wool, silk),
let you walk on the rugs, gave you a drink, and had to roll the 20 or so
rugs they unrolled back up and put them away. I believe these rugs took months to years to make, depending on size, style, and material. This was a great day with
temperature around 74 degrees and on our way back to the ship we stopped for baklava and some small honey soaked donut holes (best I can describe them).
Ship' information - Archaeologically rich, historic Izmir dates back over 5,000 years. Virtually rebuilt from scratch in 1922, Izmir is a booming city today. The ancient city of Ephesus, home to the Artemis Temple and the Zeus Altar, is one of the world's best preserved archaeological sites.
Izmir, Turkey |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus movie |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Terrace house movie |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ephesus |
Ship' information - This Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic has a long and eventful history dating back to the awesome Diocletian's Palace (circa 295 A.D.) in the center of the city. Split offers cruise guests a wealth of exciting places to visit, from the majestic cathedral and marble streets in the center of town to the harbor area with its cafe-lined promenades and views of coastal mountains.
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Split, Croatia |
Ship' information - One of the lushest of the Greek Isles, Corfu is rimmed in dramatic blue waters and topped with tranquil hillside villages. A collection of quaint cafes in the town of Corfu feels very continental, but the island's secluded coves and sandy beaches could only be found in the Greek Isles.
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
Corfu, Greece |
As we got to Santorini, Lynn almost started crying as she was awe struck with its breath taking views of hills, cliffs and towns. I have to say this was also in my top three stops of this cruise as you had plenty of opportunities to take breathtaking pictures during our tour. Since we were not one of the first to get off, the cable car to get up the hill to Fira was already busy. The other option is donkey rides up the hill or to walk. We decided to buy a transportation package (20 euro each) which took us to Oia (Ee-yah) by boat (a 12 minute ride) and then you had to get your van by 5:30 for the last trip back to Fira. Both towns had great views and we shopped (cards, rings), stopped for beer at one location and a lamb gyro before going back to Fira. In Fira we stopped for ice cream at Kastro's and I connected to their WiFi and Facebook to download a picture. I was occasionally looking for unsecured WiFi networks to log in with my Republic android phone. Sprint was unavailable on my phone in Europe.
After exploring Fira, you could get lost with all the winding streets, we decided to try the stairs going down to the ship instead of the donkeys or the cable car. It was
easy, but as we learned on the way down, the donkeys leave a lot of droppings and you have to walk through them at the top and watch where you step the whole way down.
Ship' information - Whitewashed villages clinging to the sides of the sea cliffs have made the volcanic island of Santorini one of the most widely photographed places in the world. The island's charm and subtle mystery have even made it a target of speculation as the location of the lost city of Atlantis.
Fira, Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
tender |
Santorini, Greece |
boat to Oia "ee-ya" |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Oia, Santorini, Greece |
Fira, Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Lynn's icky movie |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Santorini, Greece |
Ship' information - Mykonos is a classic Greek Island with whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches and windmills. Add a reputation for beautiful beaches and you'll understand why Mykonos is the most popular island in the Cyclades. Explore the island in a 4 x 4 or take a ferry to the tiny island of Delos.
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
Mykonos, Greece |
The nights cruise was to seas of 7.5 to 12 feet, so a little rougher night for those prone to sea sickness. Lynn kept her sea band on while going to sleep and we woke to smooth sailing in the morning for our last sea day back.
Ship' information - This quaint little seaside town on the Ionian Sea is the gateway to Ancient Olympia, where Greek mythology was born and the first Olympiad was held. You may still be able to hear the distant echoes of the ancient Greeks cheering as you tour the ruins of one of the most important and exciting sanctuaries of antiquity.
Katakolon |
Olympia |
Olympia |
Olympia |
First Olymic track |
Pretending to run |
Olympia |
Olympia |
Olympia |
Olympia |
Olympia |
Olympia |
Part of the issue was a new terminal opening up at JFK, the Memorial holiday weekend, and bad weather the previous day that had caused delays and cancellations. We did get
out on the 8 am flight with no other issues on our journey home Sunday. Luckily Monday was the holiday, so one day to unpack and one day to catch up on personal emails and these notes before back to work Tuesday.
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |
Norwegian Jade |