RCI 11 day Sept 6-16 2011 - Eastern Mediterranean "Ports" Review by turtlefish

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Home > Member Reviews > turtlefish's Port Reviews of Venice, Kotor, Athens, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Santorini

turtlefish's Port Reviews of Venice, Kotor, Athens, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Santorini
Splendour of the Seas cruise in September 2011

Member Name:	turtlefish
Cruise Date:	September 2011
Embarkation:	Venice
Destination:	Eastern Mediterranean
Member Review:	turtlefish's Splendour of the Seas Review

	Venice Port Rating: Good port to see on your own. Gondolas are a must. Everything is within walking distance, so get there early in the morning to climb to the Bell tower and the other attractions.
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	Kotor Port Rating: Plenty to do on your own, Do the climb at the fortress to the church built in 1518 and continue to the very top if you 'dare' No tour really necessary.
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	Athens Port Rating: Typical large city, however the Acropolis/Parthenon et al, is a definate 'do not miss'. We booked the tour with RCI & felt safer because of the turmoil going on with the Greek Economy. Great guides fro RCI
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	Kusadasi Port Rating: We booked a private tour, (curiotravel.com ephesus shuttle.com) from the internet which included visiting the best preserved city in the eastern Med, Ephesus. Excavation of the Terrace houses a must see. Dinner at a wonderful local restaurant in an old mountain town called Sirince. Excellent local cusine, wonderful way to savor the flavor of the Rural Turkish People. Plenty of time, no rushing and the guide went out of her way to accomodate us. 6 hours at a cost of $141.00, for two (2). Top Notch.
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	Bodrum Port Rating: We did a self guided tour of Bodrum, it is a nice walking town. Very romantic, especially for 'Honeymooners. Took the 3 mile r/t walk to St Peter's castle, which houses one of the best underwater archeology museums in the world. Plenty of restaurants, good food, nothing like sitting, sipping a drink and looking out to the harbor at some of the most beautiful crafted sailing ships in the world.
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	Santorini Port Rating: Need to add a few more +++ for this port. Cameras a must for this most beautiful area. We were tendered at this port, but we booked a 12 noon tour thru RCI. Took the tour to the Santo winery, and to OIA (EE-AH) and then walked our way thru the maze of beautiful white & Blue homes on this hillside town overlooking the deep blue Aegean sea. There are two ways to return to the bottom of the hill, one is take the cable car or walk the 600 steps down to the bottom. The biggest negative was the 1 to 1-1/2 hr queue to take the 3 minute cable car up & down. It was uncomfortable standing in the hot sun, and it impacted shopping time. So if you are in shape, walk the walk (25 min =/-) or stand in line early. The more ships in port the longer the lines. Of course you can always take the donkey ride up/down.!!! If we had to do it again we would not take the tour. But, take the first tender in to give yourself more time.
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	Mykonos Port Rating: Booked a tour thru RCI for 6:45 am. Bus at the pier to a boat for the Sacred Island of Delos, home to the god Apollo. Mykonos is the windiest Island of the 2, but has wonderful restuarants, (we ate at OPA) shops and an archealogical museum. In the square by the fountain, don't forget to pet the town mascot, Petros II, the largest white pelican we had ever seen. There is also a small church in the square where you can light a candle for a friend or loved one who might have a health issue.
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	Split Port Rating: Another Booked tour thru RCI into the old town of Split with a visit to the Diocletian Palace, listened to the Klapa Singers and visited the (Ivan) Mestrovic Gallery at the Museum where all his sculptures were on display. Lunch on the Cetila river in the village of Omis and back to the ship after a great day.
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