Istanbul and Ephesus(Kusadasi) have been on my bucket list for a long time. Add Athens and several Greek islands, in addition to embarking and disembarking in one of my favorite cities - Venice, and it was a dream itinerary.
The ports did not disappoint. Even our last port before returning to Venice, did not disappoint. Who knew that Argistoli, Cephalonia, Greece would be this beautiful, quaint town of tiled roofs, sparkling turquoise water decorated shore walkway, and loggerhead turtles bobbing up hoping for for a handout? Istanbul was amazing, and I always felt safe. The Basilica cistern, Aya Sophia and the Blue Mosque were standouts. HAL made sure there was nothing that identified us as members of a tour group. But we felt comfortable walking around the Sultanahmet and Grand Bazaar on our own DIY tour. Olympia, Athens and Ephesus quenched my thirst for ancient civilizations and architecture. Santorini was magical, even on our one rainy day.
Our verandah cabin was comfortable, though a post in the wall jutted out so far that moving big suitcases from one side of the cabin to the other was difficult, and we had to make sure our bedding did not slip down and create a tripping hazard. The verandah railing needed a needed a good sanding and a new coat of varnish, but everything else seemed to be in good repair.
We did not believe a yoga mat and a higher deck justified the additional charge. Had this not been a free "upgrade", we might not have believed we received good value for what we paid.
Lovely place, that gives one a sense of calm and peace.
Though not much is left of this temple, the foundation and base of the columns which remain give you a sense of scale of the original.
A highlight of the ancient site. Very sophisticated dwellings from 2000 years ago.
Both stops gave us a glimpse into the warmth and generousity of Turkish craftsmen. I spent more than anticipated, and learned a great deal about the respective craft and artistry at both stops.
Fun and relaxing.
A delight for the senses.
Amazing. Hauntingly beautiful.
A charming place with beautiful designs on their walkways. I did have to search for shops with handmade, unique items.