Tuesday, July 16
Flying from Montreal
We drove to Montreal from Ottawa and used the Park and Fly near the airport.Talk about small world ... I bumped into a teacher I worked with at my school ... Holly Taylor, who was heading off to Cuba.
On the plane, I noticed that there were a few empty seats around. I asked the flight attendant if we might be able to sit upstairs if there was room. She took a look and next thing you know, we were seated on the upper level of the plane (hello- more leg room).
The six hour time difference between Montreal and Paris can throw you for a loop ... it's a good thing we have taken this into account and scheduled some adjustment time into our travel schedule.
On the overseas flight I watched the movie "Life of Pi" .
Wednesday, July 17
Arriving in Venice, Italy
We ate breakfast at an outdoor cafe near the hotel, then checked in at home while in Venice - The Hotel Arlecchino. After unpacking, we explored a bit of the neighbourhood around us.
Dinner was pizza at a nearby sidewalk pizzeria.
Venice, Italy (Pop.: 270,000)Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world for its celebrated art and architecture. Once you enter this enchanting city, your options for getting around become walking or boating ... the same as Venetians have done for centuries. The city is Europe's largest urban car-free area and boasts some 400 bridges connecting the 118 small islands on which it is built.
Thursday, July 18
Day two in Venice, Italy
Spent much of the day in bed napping on and off, still trying to adjust to the time change after arriving from our overseas flight yesterday.Our dinner was Spaghetti ... just a few steps away from the hotel at a very old restaurant nearby. After dinner, Janice and I enjoyed a leisurely walk exploring a little more of the nearby area.
Friday, July 19
Sailing From Venice Aboard Royal Caribbean's The Splendour of The Seas
Today was cruise day ... we packed and headed for the port to find our ship. While in line to embark, we met another Canadian couple -David and Karen from Halifax.In port near us today are other cruise ships ... The Celebrity Silhouette, The MSC Armada and the ship we were on for our last Mediterranean trip three years ago- The Norwegian Jade.
That evening we enjoyed dinner at the "King and I" dining room. This elegant dining room is decorated with art and sculptures with Asian accents.
The Splendour of The Seas
Tonnage 69,130 GT
Length: 264 metres (866 ft) length overall
Beam: 32 metres (105 ft)
Height: 50 metres (160 ft) air draft
Decks: 11
Speed: 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph)
Capacity: 2,076 passengers in 902 staterooms
Crew: 720-750 crew
Some of the features of this Royal Caribbean ship include: 2 pools - one enclosed in the solarium (an adults-only retreat) and one with an outdoor movie screen, a spa, fitness center, 4 whirlpools, a rock-climbing wall, a jogging track, an 18-hole miniature golf course, 10 bars, a video game arcade, 8 different places to eat, a theatre, a casino, a huge atrium called The Centrum, shops where passengers can buy jewelry, perfumes, clothes, souvenirs and more.
Saturday, July 20
Port of Call: Dubrovnik Croatia
One of the crew in The Windjammer restaurant aboard the ship helped track down some gluten free toast for my breakfast this morning ... the cruise line does it's best to try to accommodate passengers requests. I enjoyed starting the day in a hot tub, and then caught some sun poolside before we arrived in port this morning.
We docked by another cruise ship - The MSC Fantasia.
Our first excursion took us on a tour of this beautiful 14 th century city. The Croatian museum was a wonderful place to see amazing art and relics and centuries old sculptures. Old Dubrovnik is filled with amazing architecture that reflects a rich history.
It was wonderful to see this very old place and all it had to offer.
Later in the evening back aboard the Splendour, I watched "Jack The Giant Killer" before going to sleep.
Sunday, July 21
Port of Call: Corfu, Greece
It's wonderful to explore places in the world you have never seen before and a good way to do this on a cruise is to sign up for the excursions offered in the various ports visited throughout the cruise. Often these tours may require passengers to meet early in the morning, but today we opted to skip organized excursions and sleep in.
After a leisurely breakfast, we took a shuttle to wander around town and just browse the shops. It was nice to be able to take our time and enjoy a relaxed pace to the day.After exploring a bit of the town we returned to the ship.
Today was a good day to check out the ship's 18 hole mini golf course. We have played aboard other ships and had some time to kill before supper.
We also found Abundance today. She is a cruise consultant aboard The Splendour. We put a deposit down for a future cruise ... looks like we may be boarding the Oasis of the Seas in a few months.
Monday, July 22
Port of Call: Santorini, Greece
Today we went on an excursion that included a visit to a winery on the Greek island of Santorini. After sampling wine and olives, the tour took us to Oia. It is built on the steep slope of the caldera and the houses and restaurants are built in to niches carved in to the caldera on the seaward side. There are narrow passageways and a central square. We bought some art here at a small shop we came upon.Then it was off to the capital Fira, a vision of dramatic cliffs and pristine whitewashed buildings. To return to our ship, we could take the winding donkey trail down the hill or take the gondola. We chose the scenic views of the gondola. Santorini was truly beautiful.
The Aegean Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, located between the Greek peninsula on the west and Asia Minor on the east.
Tuesday, July 23
Port of Call: Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
We ordered room service for breakfast, as we had to get going for a 9:15 am excursion.
In port today we are docked by other cruise ship - The Louis Olympia and The Celebrity Reflection.Our tour today took us through the country side of Turkey to visit the House of The Virgin Mary where she may have spent her last days and The Ancient City of Ephesus {c.550 B.C.}.
Before returning to The Splendour, we explored some of the Turkish bazaars. Many of the shops here sell world class rugs, leather and jewelry.
After dinner we walked a few laps around deck 4 and caught a little entertainment in the Theatre before turning in for the night.
Wednesday, July 24
Port of Call: Piraeus (Athens), Greece
It's another early excursion today, so once again room service delivers our breakfast to us this morning. This is a huge port ... busy and active with a variety of ships.The Panathenaic Stadium was pretty cool, but the Parthenon was probably the highlight of the day.
Of the 2000 Greek islands, 300 are inhabited. Greece is currently (2013) going through some hard times -with 29% unemployment. Greek shipping prospers to the extent that Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world.
Thursday, July 25
Port of Call: Katakolon, Greece
As the bus takes us from the port to Olympia, we see olive trees throughout the countryside. The land here is quite fertile. We passed by a small group of gypsies that wave as we drive by.
Ancient Olympia was the site of the first Olympics 28 centuries ago. The remnants of the bases of statues are scattered through out the area here.
the Ruins of the Philippeion and the Stadium at Olympia.
Corruption and bribery were problems even in early Olympics, and cheaters who were caught had there names recorded here for infamy.
Later in the evening, back aboard The Splendour of The Seas, Janice and I headed to the theatre to see a 70s Motown show called "Soul satisfaction".
In Greek Mythology, Zeus was Chief of the Olympian gods. Roman Mythology gave us some of the names of our planets such as Venus and Mars. Most of the Greek deities were adopted by the Romans, although in many cases there was a change of name.
Friday, July 26
Cruising at sea back to Venice
Our only full day on the ship cruising ... no port or excursion today!
After a lovely breakfast in the dining room, I spent some relaxing time in one of the whirlpools. Today was an easy paced day and after the last several days of tours and activities, it was nice to slow down a bit.
Late in the morning, I participated in a charity walk to raise money for the Children's Wish foundation. By afternoon it was time for a little nap.After dinner, Janice and I watch aerialists perform in the Centrum ... then it was back to the room and time to pack. This was truly a memorable, wonderful cruise ... now we were going back to Venice to enjoy a few more days there.
Saturday, July 27
Good by cruise, hello Venice
Along the way there, I sampled some real black licorice.
We returned from The Piazza by water bus.
In the evening, we enjoyed a leisurely dinner at outdoor cafe (with complimentary strawberry wine). After dinner, Janice and I walked to a grocery store for some fruit and rice milk.
Venice was founded around 450 B.C. by populations escaping the mainland because of Attila's barbaric invasions ... built on more than 100,000 piles embedded in mud to lay the solid foundations on which the magnificent buildings are constructed. Venice has still survived intact for centuries...
So, built of stone and water, Venice has been called "the most prodigious urbanistic event in the history of a man".
Sunday, July 28
A visit to Murano
This morning we are off to visit a place world famous for it's glass creations. After breakfast, we took a water taxi to Murano - a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, about 1.5 km north of Venice.
We watched a glass blower create a glass horse, then toured the galleries to view the various glass items artisans have created here. There were many amazing sculptures, mirrors, vases and chandeliers. I have to admit, I wasn't so hot to come to Murano originally, but after seeing the artistry here, I am very glad I did. There are many beautiful glass creations to be seen here.We returned to Venice by water bus and had a little late afternoon rest.
That evening, we enjoyed dinner canal side, then strolled back soaking in the magic of the evening along the way. Venice during the day is a wonder, but as the evening grows and one sees it lit up, it truly transforms into something extra special.
In 1291, all the glassmakers in Venice were forced to move to Murano due to the risk of fires. In the following century, exports began, and the island became famous, initially for glass beads and mirrors. Aventurine glass was invented on the island, and for a while Murano was the main producer of glass in Europe. The island later became known for chandeliers. Although decline set in during the eighteenth century, glassmaking is still the island's main industry. wikipedia
Monday, July 29
A closer look at Piazza San Marco
The Basilica of San Marco overlooks one of the most beautiful squares in the world, a real marble salon, the city center for centuries. Next to both the Basilica and the Doge's Palace, all the most important religious and civil ceremonies have always been held there and now the Piazza San Marco is considered the city's main symbol and tourist attraction.
We have learned to drink LOTS of water while here in Venice, as most days we are on the move in very hot weather.
Every day throughout this vacation we have had wonderful warm sunny weather, but today as we were walking back to the hotel, we got a little rain. It was actually refreshing after a hot day of sight seeing.
Once again, we enjoyed dinner at a nearby sidewalk cafe by the canal ... nice!
Tuesday, July 30
In search of a Venice momento
After another lovely canal side supper, Janice and I packed our suitcases in preparation for tomorrows departure.
Wednesday, July 31
Flying home
We have an early flight this morning, so Janice and I were up in the middle of the night to catch the bus for the airport.The trip back to Canada was trouble free. On the flight, I watched "Oz The Great And Powerful" ... We landed in Montreal, got our luggage and drove back home to Ottawa.
This trip to the Mediterranean has left us with many wonderful memories of some pretty impressive places. Janice and I love travelling and we know it won't be long before we'll be off again, somewhere to see more of the world real soon.
