Port Rating:

We drove to the old Roman site at Kourion which has a well preserved amphitheatre and some magnificent mosaics and then headed up to the foothills of the Troodos to the village of Omodhos which is much restored. A bit touristy (we met some of the tours from the ship) but a beautiful monastery.

Then we drove right up into the mountains to just take in the magnificent scenery but left as the weather started to close in and dropped the car off before boarding the ship. A very easy day and of course they drive on the same side of the road as we Brits.

There was an amazing electrical storm as we were pulling out of the portwhich chased us across the Mediterranean all night with some spectacular lightning and the loudest thunder I have ever heard.

Nazareth and Galilee Rating:

Visited the church of the Annunciation in Nazareth which is beautiful, unlike the town which is frankly shabby and rather dirty. Then to Galilee and firstly Tabgha followed by the Church of the Beatitudes at the supposed site of the Sermon on the Mount. Then to Capernaum where the church is built over the site of St. Peter's house. This for us was a highlight of the tour with a real sense of walking where Christ walked and no doubt about the location.

After lunch we drove around the Sea of Galilee skirting the Golan Heights and then to Yardenit which has been designated at the site where Jesus was baptised, although it is not the actual location. In truth a little artificial, although there were numbers of people undergoing full immersion baptism which was obviously meaningful for them.

Then back to the ship.