Category: Port of Call

Naples, in the south of Italy, is a vibrant, gritty city that is worth your attention for a day while in port.  It is also the jumping off point for a number of other excellent destinations.  I am always thrilled when Naples turns up on an itinerary as it means my choices are endless. Since…

Rome, the Eternal City, is as exciting and engaging as you have heard and well worth the time to visit, even if it’s only for a day.  Many cruises start or end in Rome leaving open the opportunity to spend more time there, and we would recommend it if you can.  For now however, we…

Formed around the collapsed crater of a volcano, Santorini is one of the most beautiful Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.  Bright blue Mediterranean waters, whitewashed walls and azure domed roofs make this the most colourful and oft photographed of all the islands. Fira, the main city, sits atop a dramatic cliff making this a…

Cruises through the Greek Islands often stop at the main land port of Katakolon as they round the Pelopennesus peninsula. With many apologies to the locals this port does not really have much to offer but a few restaurants, a beach and handy access to a pharmacy and an ATM. The only site to see,…

Located in the northern part of Greece, Corfu is one of the islands in the Ionian Sea, known as the green island for its lush vegetation and abundant olive groves.  The island’s fortifications were used by the Venetians to successfully prevent Ottoman occupation, and the Venetian influence is evident in its architecture. The island were…

A popular stop on many Greek Islands and Mediterranean cruise itineraries, Mykonos is a breathtaking island of beaches, shopping and restaurants, yet still full of ancient history.  It has something for everyone.  This was our second visit and we have another one scheduled into the future.  As a result we were able to choose an…

One of the benefits of a Greek Islands cruise is that the main cities on almost all of the islands are usually port towns.  Rhodes is no exception.  Located southeast of Crete, Rhodes is one of the most popular of the Greek Islands, a common stop on any Mediterranean itinerary, and best known for being…

The island of Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and located 160 km south of the mainland.  Its capital city of Iraklion (or Heraklion) is the 4th largest in Greece and the first port of call on our Greek Islands cruise. Iraklion was founded by Arabs and over time went through Byzantine, Venetian…

Whether you have been to Athens before, or this is your first trip, you can see the best of this ancient city in one day.  Before you arrive I would recommend you bone up on your Greek mythology and the rich and extensive history of Ancient Greece. Even though we have all seen pictures of the…