Costa Magica: The good, the bad.... - Eastern Mediterranean "Ports" Review by UKBayern

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Home > Member Reviews > UKBayern's Port Reviews of Malta, Athens, Izmir, Crete, Katakolon, Rome (Civitavecchia)

UKBayern's Port Reviews of Malta, Athens, Izmir, Crete, Katakolon, Rome (Civitavecchia)
Costa Magica cruise in November 2012

Member Name:	UKBayern
Cruise Date:	November 2012
Embarkation:	other
Destination:	Eastern Mediterranean
Member Review:	UKBayern's Costa Magica Review

	Malta Port Rating: A nice port well worth visiting. We did a self-guided walking tour. The cathedral is not to be missed. You can walk into town, there is no need to book a shuttle or take a taxi if you are able-bodied. Either walk up the hill and cross through the park going up the steps next to the hospital, or continue along the quay side under a small tunnel in the city walls and then up the steps.
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	Athens Port Rating: Once you have seen the Acropolis, you have seen it: and so, having been there 2 years ago, we took the HOHO bus this time. 2 years ago we would not have said Athens was worth a re-visit in near future, but now we would certainly like to come back: we got a totally different and better view of Athens as a whole.
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	Izmir Port Rating: Again we did a self guided walking tour: the weather did not co-operate and the port stop had been shortened. This town needs a re-visit to better judge its merits. Go to the mosque, take off your shoes (mandatory), and ladies, do put a scarf on your head. The caretakers will react by being most welcoming and informative. The bazar was very nice.
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	Crete Port Rating: Another severely shortened port stop. Heraklion simply has little to offer. The HOHO bus (both the red and green buses) will take you to Knossos as well, good if you have not seen it yet.
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	Katakolon Port Rating: As a port, it is nothing much: a small village, some fairly good souvenir shops, an AVIS office. The reason the ships stop here is Olympia. We rented a car (37 Euros for the day) and drove to Chlemoutsi Castle. It is still being restored but well worth seeing. 13 Euros fuel and 3 Euro entrance fee pp: if you have seen Olympia already or want something different, a good alternative.
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	Rome (Civitavecchia) City Tour Rating: Typical Costa organisation: total chaos. The English tour was full so we went for the German one. Arriving at the tour bus there were 2 guides there: German and French. The ladies did not work well together, had to share the microphone. Had we not understood some/most of the French commentary as well, we would rate this excursion a -1, as it is, it still does not get a passing note.
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	Rhodes Port Rating: Very nice old walled city, can be walked straight from the dock. No need to take the HOHO as it can not enter the old town anyway. We had read some guide books before and did a self-guided walking tour.
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