Journeys With Rosemary
Cruise to Dalmatia & Classical Greece
Venice to Athens
September - October 2017
Cruise to Dalmatia & Classical Greece
Venice to Athens
September - October 2017
We couldn't have had more perfect weather for a cruise on the Adriatic and Aegean--sunny and in the mid-70's the entire three weeks!
The focus of our itinerary was antiquity. As such, we visited an ancient sight almost every day and were treated to on board lectures by professors and experts. In all, there were 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also had free time to explore various towns and islands that comprised our ports-of-call.
Italy
We embarked in Venice where we were able to take included tours in the city center OR to the islands of Murano, famous for its Venetian glass; and Burano, known for its lace and colorful fishermen's houses. We also visited Urbino, a medieval walled city whose architectural treasure is the Palazzo Ducale (Duke's Palace).
Croatia
We called in at three ports. First was Split on the Dalmatian coast, where we explored the sprawling 4th century complex of Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace. Some of us took the optional tour to Salona and Trogir with their 2000-year old Roman ruins. On the island of Korčula, our walking tour of the old town included splendid Venetian architecture. Lastly, we visited Dubrovnik, "pearl of the Adriatic", the intact Renaissance walled city right on the sea. We had a walking tour of the old town as well as an evening on our own in port.
Montenegro & Albania
We cruised lovely Kotor Bay, Montenegro, flanked with fiords. In Albania we visited the archaeological site of Butrint, whose structures date from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages.
Greece
The first Greek soil we reached was the island of Corfu. Here we toured the highlights of Byzantine Corfu town. Then on the mainland, we visited ancient Olympia, where the Olympic games began in the 8th century BC. Our next stop was Plylos where we had a free afternoon and evening ashore. Some of us enjoyed honey-roasted feta and the freshest of fish! Our touring included either ancient Messini with its almost intact theatre or the medieval castles of Methoni (Venetian) and Niokastro (Turkish). Our next stop was the island of Monemvasia, a medieval, steep castle town with Byzantine churches and many tiny hotels and shops. Later we spent an evening ashore on adorable Hydra, a vehicle-free island with donkeys lined up at the port. Most of us dined and/or shopped until sundown. Great grilled octopus!
On Day 11 we docked at Athens. Most of us visited the Acropolis / Parthenon but there was an alternate option to see Byzantine Athens. A handful of our group disembarked and spent an additional day and night in Athens, before returning home. The rest of us continued on to Nauplia where we toured Agamemnon's Mycenae dating from The Bronze Age, 1600-1100 BC, OR Epidaurus with its 14,000-seat Greek theatre.
Then there were several island ports-of-call. First was Santorini where we visited the Bronze Age archaeological site of Akrotiri, an incredibly well-preserved city, and later enjoyed free time in the capital, Fira. In Heraklion, Crete we saw the Palace of Knossos and archaeological museum from the Minoan civilization, 2000-1600 BC. In Rhodes the majority of us toured the old town, with its Master's Palace, but some chose the Doric Acropolis of Lindos. Next was Delos where we toured the sacred sites from the first millennium BC. We had free time on Mykonos to visit windmills, shops or cafes on the small, twisted lanes. On Patmos we followed the life of St Paul and visited Chora with its 10th-century monastery.
Back on the mainland, we toured the 4th century BC ruins of Philippi. We continued to Thessalonica where most of us saw the Byzantine sites, but a few opted instead to trace the life of Alexander the Great. Our last mainland stop was to the Byzantine monasteries of Meteora which rise more than 1000' towards the sky. Our final island port was Skiathos where part of Mama Mia was filmed. We enjoyed free time here before heading toward Athens and the end of our cruise.
On Board
There are two nice food venues on the Aegean Odyssey. In one it's possible to eat out on deck, and the other is a formal dining room. In addition to lectures, there are daily musical interludes by string duos or trios. And most evenings we were entertained by our singer/ pianist / cruise director Richard! He also held Daily Quizzes at which some of our group members managed to come in second several times. Two of us sang in the ship's chorus, taking part in a performance at the end of the cruise. We were all also found at one time or another using our on board credit at the shop or spa. The staff was wonderful, which only added to the enjoyment both on and off the ship. It was a lovely cruise to a lovely part of the world.
The focus of our itinerary was antiquity. As such, we visited an ancient sight almost every day and were treated to on board lectures by professors and experts. In all, there were 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We also had free time to explore various towns and islands that comprised our ports-of-call.
Italy
We embarked in Venice where we were able to take included tours in the city center OR to the islands of Murano, famous for its Venetian glass; and Burano, known for its lace and colorful fishermen's houses. We also visited Urbino, a medieval walled city whose architectural treasure is the Palazzo Ducale (Duke's Palace).
Croatia
We called in at three ports. First was Split on the Dalmatian coast, where we explored the sprawling 4th century complex of Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace. Some of us took the optional tour to Salona and Trogir with their 2000-year old Roman ruins. On the island of Korčula, our walking tour of the old town included splendid Venetian architecture. Lastly, we visited Dubrovnik, "pearl of the Adriatic", the intact Renaissance walled city right on the sea. We had a walking tour of the old town as well as an evening on our own in port.
Montenegro & Albania
We cruised lovely Kotor Bay, Montenegro, flanked with fiords. In Albania we visited the archaeological site of Butrint, whose structures date from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages.
Greece
The first Greek soil we reached was the island of Corfu. Here we toured the highlights of Byzantine Corfu town. Then on the mainland, we visited ancient Olympia, where the Olympic games began in the 8th century BC. Our next stop was Plylos where we had a free afternoon and evening ashore. Some of us enjoyed honey-roasted feta and the freshest of fish! Our touring included either ancient Messini with its almost intact theatre or the medieval castles of Methoni (Venetian) and Niokastro (Turkish). Our next stop was the island of Monemvasia, a medieval, steep castle town with Byzantine churches and many tiny hotels and shops. Later we spent an evening ashore on adorable Hydra, a vehicle-free island with donkeys lined up at the port. Most of us dined and/or shopped until sundown. Great grilled octopus!
On Day 11 we docked at Athens. Most of us visited the Acropolis / Parthenon but there was an alternate option to see Byzantine Athens. A handful of our group disembarked and spent an additional day and night in Athens, before returning home. The rest of us continued on to Nauplia where we toured Agamemnon's Mycenae dating from The Bronze Age, 1600-1100 BC, OR Epidaurus with its 14,000-seat Greek theatre.
Then there were several island ports-of-call. First was Santorini where we visited the Bronze Age archaeological site of Akrotiri, an incredibly well-preserved city, and later enjoyed free time in the capital, Fira. In Heraklion, Crete we saw the Palace of Knossos and archaeological museum from the Minoan civilization, 2000-1600 BC. In Rhodes the majority of us toured the old town, with its Master's Palace, but some chose the Doric Acropolis of Lindos. Next was Delos where we toured the sacred sites from the first millennium BC. We had free time on Mykonos to visit windmills, shops or cafes on the small, twisted lanes. On Patmos we followed the life of St Paul and visited Chora with its 10th-century monastery.
Back on the mainland, we toured the 4th century BC ruins of Philippi. We continued to Thessalonica where most of us saw the Byzantine sites, but a few opted instead to trace the life of Alexander the Great. Our last mainland stop was to the Byzantine monasteries of Meteora which rise more than 1000' towards the sky. Our final island port was Skiathos where part of Mama Mia was filmed. We enjoyed free time here before heading toward Athens and the end of our cruise.
On Board
There are two nice food venues on the Aegean Odyssey. In one it's possible to eat out on deck, and the other is a formal dining room. In addition to lectures, there are daily musical interludes by string duos or trios. And most evenings we were entertained by our singer/ pianist / cruise director Richard! He also held Daily Quizzes at which some of our group members managed to come in second several times. Two of us sang in the ship's chorus, taking part in a performance at the end of the cruise. We were all also found at one time or another using our on board credit at the shop or spa. The staff was wonderful, which only added to the enjoyment both on and off the ship. It was a lovely cruise to a lovely part of the world.
