Trip of a Lifetime - Med Cruise - Serenade of the Seas 5/23/2014

[Karemark]

 

 

 

 

This was my least favorite tour company. The tour guide had a very monotone voice which was dificult to listen to as she spoke all day long. She would start talking before everyone in the group was present and she would also walk off before making sure everyone was there.

[Karemark]

Friday, May 30th - Ephesus

 

We started our day being warmly greeted by our tour guide, Serdar, from Ephesus Shuttle. We went with several others from CC.

 

Serdar

 

 

We first went to Mary's House which is a quaint little chapel. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside.

 

 

[Karemark]

The countryside in Turkey is absolutely beautiful!

 

 

 

We then headed to the ruins. The driver dropped us off at the top and would meet us at the bottom. This was very cool to see the ruins they have unearthed.

 

 

 

 

[Nana57]

On the private tours, were there a few bathroom stops. I'm always concerned about that.

[Karemark]

On the private tours, were there a few bathroom stops. I'm always concerned about that.

 

Yes, there were. Our guides were also good about poining out where the nicer bathrooms were...and the free ones.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

I have looked at all the tour companies that you have booked. The price is for a group rate. Do the companies get others to join the group, and then each pay a part of the price?

 

Also, if you would be so kind as to tell me which package tour you took for each of the ports, some are 5 hours and some are 8 hours. Obviously you would see more in 8 hours. Just really don't know what to do, as this is our first time in Europe. Really need your help. Thanks again.

 

Join the roll call for your cruise and see if anyone has tours going and need extra people. The port of call forums have tons of information on tours, DIY and the ports in general.

Most ports are a distance from the city so the 8 hour is better if you don't want to be dropped back at port early or have to make your own way back.

Have fun planning and EU cruising is awesome.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Enjoying your review - bringing back lots of memories of our trips.

I took DD on a mom daughter cruise from Venice to Barcelona last year for graduation and we also stayed in the 'Pink' hotel. Awesome location and we enjoyed the balcony and people watching from there.

[Karemark]

Enjoying your review - bringing back lots of memories of our trips.

I took DD on a mom daughter cruise from Venice to Barcelona last year for graduation and we also stayed in the 'Pink' hotel. Awesome location and we enjoyed the balcony and people watching from there.

 

I'm glad you're enjoying it and it's bringing back some good memories!! I really would like to get back and see Venice at some point!

[Karemark]

We then went to see the Ephesus Terrace Houses. This was one of my very favorite things. We were able to see the work being done...very cool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Karemark]

After having our delicious lunch, which was included in the price of the tour, we headed off to the agora to do some shopping, and then to St. John's Basilica.

 

 

 

[Karemark]

Back to the ship

 

 

[mj]

Loving the review and pictures.

[Karemark]

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Turkey, it was amazing!! This is one of my top stops so far. I highly recommend Serdar, he was excellent...very engaging, knowledgeable, and funny!!

 

We were very surprised at how much we loved Turkey!

 

We were back at the ship to get ready for the Mystery Dinner Theater. We all met in the Safari Lounge and were given champagne and appetizers. The show began in the lounge and started out very hoaky!! We were then moved into Giovanni's. The wine was free flowing and the food was good. The show was interspersed throughout the evening. We ended up enjoying the show as it picked up once it was moved to the restaurant. However, the free-flowing wine may have helped as well!!

[Karemark]

Loving the review and pictures.

 

 

Thanks!!

[boltpeople]

Karen - On your Cruse (Again, I'm going on the same cruise July 10th), in what ports did you have to wear more conservative clothes (shoulders and knees covered) in order to gain entrance into Churches & Cathedrals? I realize it is depending on where you go on your excursions, but most definitely Rome & the Vatican, but how about Ephsesus & Mary's house, Barcelona and Familia Segrada? Any other excursion wear tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciate! :)

[Karemark]

Karen - On your Cruse (Again, I'm going on the same cruise July 10th), in what ports did you have to wear more conservative clothes (shoulders and knees covered) in order to gain entrance into Churches & Cathedrals? I realize it is depending on where you go on your excursions, but most definitely Rome & the Vatican, but how about Ephsesus & Mary's house, Barcelona and Familia Segrada? Any other excursion wear tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciate! :)

 

The only place we needed to be conservative (shoulders and knees covered) was for Rome. You will be out in the sun a lot, so I recommend a good hat!! I bought a pair of Clark's sandals which were extremely comfortable and I wore them on all of the tours, in fact, I still have the wide tan marks on my feet!! Also, the purse I bought was a good size for carrying a can of sunscreen and a bottle of water.

[Karemark]

Santorini - May 31st

 

We arrived in Santorini and boy is it a beautiful island!!

 

 

 

 

We took advantage of the tender "happy hour" where they allowed people to leave between 8 and 8:30 without needing tender tickets.

 

 

 

We took the cable car up at 5 euros per person. This went very smoothly!

 

[Karemark]

Since Dianne and John had been to Santorini before, we decided to rent a car and drive the island. So, off we headed to Tony's to pick up our car.

 

 

 

 

Tony's is a small, family-owned business and Tony is so nice! We rented a four-dour Hyundai for 35 euros for the day!

 

We started off by heading to Oia for shopping and pictures. Absolutely beautiful and very peaceful!!

 

 

 

[Karemark]

We then drove all the way to the other end of the island to Red Beach for some amazing views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our lunch stop was at Dolphins Taverna which was close to Red Beach.

 

The food was wonderful. We had tomato balls, fried cuttlefish, and grilled octopus - all yummy!!

[Karemark]

It seemed almost everywhere we went on the island, we were able to see the ship which was pretty cool!

 

 

 

 

[Karemark]

Off we went to Santo Winery where the wines were OK but the view was spectacular!

 

 

 

 

 

[kirian]

Hi Karen,

 

Just wanted to drop in and say how much I am enjoying your review... your pictures are stunning!!!! My mom and I did a similiar cruise last Oct aboud the Serenade (but we stopping in Venice & Dubrovnik instead of Athens and Turkey). It's fun seeing the different things that others did in the same ports. Thanks for taking to time to write up the review :)

 

Melissa

[librarylady19]

Love your pictures of Santorini. We were there in May and visited Oia and Santos winery in a ships excursion. It was a cloudy day when we were there - but beautiful nonetheless - so it's nice to see photos with blue skies.

[Karemark]

Hi Karen,

 

Just wanted to drop in and say how much I am enjoying your review... your pictures are stunning!!!! My mom and I did a similiar cruise last Oct aboud the Serenade (but we stopping in Venice & Dubrovnik instead of Athens and Turkey). It's fun seeing the different things that others did in the same ports. Thanks for taking to time to write up the review :)

 

Melissa

 

Thanks Melissa! I definitely want to do a Med cruise again and want to go to Venice next time, I'll bet it's beautiful!

[Karemark]

Love your pictures of Santorini. We were there in May and visited Oia and Santos winery in a ships excursion. It was a cloudy day when we were there - but beautiful nonetheless - so it's nice to see photos with blue skies.

 

Santorini was absolutely beautiful and we were very fortunate to have such a beautiful day!