Venice

admin August 12, 2023 0 Comments

The last stop was Venice for two days before heading home. Venice was flooding throughout our time here which was really interesting to see firsthand. We had great Italian food, went to St Mark’s Square and the waterfront, and generally just enjoyed just wandering through the maze of alleys of Venice.

We visited what is probably the most unique bookstore in the world (the more valuable books are stored in a gondola and bathtubs to keep them safe when the store floods), played in the water, and had LOTS OF GELATO!

One of the highlights had to be that we were able to get tickets for a classical music performance held in an 11th-century concert hall. It was mostly stringed instruments (violins mainly) and the acoustics were incredible!

And then it was time to head home. We left at about 3am and took a water bus to the airport for the long trek home.

Over two weeks we visited six countries, sweated through ridiculous heat as well as rainy downpours, splashed around in a magical river, explored medieval towns, and rode donkeys up the rim of a volcanic crater. (Oh, and found the biggest tub of Nutella ever, Kenzie would be upset if I left that out…). We stumbled upon places we never expected to see and along the way I think we all found places that we want to go back and visit again. And most of all shared some special memories with great friends. Thank you, Laura, Kailynn, and Derick for such a great adventure!

Off the ship and on to Venice!

admin August 11, 2023 0 Comments

It was finally time to pack up and head off the ship for Venice. But before we Venice, we planned a tour of the Postojna Caves in Slovenia. It was only about an hour away and didn’t disappoint. The caves were massive. To tour them you start with an underground railroad into the cavern. Then a long walk for several kilometers through the caves. The pictures were not great since it was so dark, but it was unlike anything I’d ever seen.

In addition to the underground caves, we also visited a nearby castle that had been constructed into the cave system. So unique!

After our tour, it was off to Venice. A couple of hour train ride into the heart of Venice and then a water taxi to our Airbnb. Everyone was wiped out from a long day so we just took it easy and brought some pizza back for dinner.

Change of plans…

admin August 10, 2023 0 Comments

Our original itinerary had us stopping in Venice, Italy for a night.  But the ship had a change of plans and instead ended up doing an overnight in Trieste. Since we planned to visit Venice at the end of the trip, it actually turned out to be a great opportunty to be spontanious and do something unexpected. We got up in the morning, rented a car, and drove to Slovania and Austria! It was a long day, but probably the highlight of the trip for me.

Slovania was not someplace that was on my travel list, but it turned out to be one of the nicests places I’ve ever visited. Friendly people, incredible scenery, and a teriffic and unexpected adventure!

We started with driving to the capital (Ljubljana, which I am still having a hard time pronouncing but it sounds beautiful when someone who speaks the language says it). Then we visited a castle overlooking Lake Bled. After that was a drive through the mountains and into Austria (along the way finding an incredible river for the kids to play in).

None of this was part of the plan for the trip, but it turned out to be the highlight for me. Some of my favorite memories traveling over the years are times like this when you take off with no plan or expectation, and just see where the road takes you. This day it took us to 3 countries and places I’ll never forget!

Split, Croatia (and Krka National Park)

admin August 8, 2023 0 Comments

In Split we rented a car and ventured out to a national park and see the waterfalls. It took about an hour to get there and the drive was pretty easy. Then we walked around and saw some amazing scenery. We’d hoped to swim at the base of the falls, but they recently banned that, so we weren’t able to. Still, the pictures and views were incredible! These pictures don’t do it justice.

Hvar, Croatia

admin August 7, 2023 0 Comments

Hvar was a day to relax.  Our friends had family here that they wanted to visit, so they arranged a private speedboat to take them to a nearby island to visit for the day.

Kenzie and I decided it would be a good day to take a quick look around town and then head back to the ship to catch up doing a lot of nothing.

We saw something  while wandering the harbor that cracked us both up. All of these ports have been full of mega yachts.  This is definitely the place for them.  The million dollar boats are moored along the port walkways.  The billion dollar yachts are too big to come into port,  so they anchor in the bay and shuttle the owners in with smaller tenders.  As we walked along the water one of these billionaire boat tenders pulled up with their very fancy passengers…THE DOGS!  Just the dogs. 5 crew members,  2 to handle the boat and one assigned to each dog to attend to its every need.

We got to talking with the crew members (who were very nice) and they said they bring the dogs ashore several times a day for potty breaks and walks.  Well, all but the English Bulldog who they said was very lazy.  He likes coming out for the ride but prefers to lounge on the boat and take in the view while the others walk.  So his attendant just hangs out on the tender with him.

Oh the things that dog has probably seen 🙂

Kotor, Montenegro 🇲🇪

admin August 6, 2023 0 Comments

Kotor is a small medieval town at the end of a beautiful fjord. The walled city is not nearly as large as Dubrovnic, but something about this place is really special. Sitting in the ship in the bay and looking at the old city from the water is just beautiful.

We went into town and decided to take a bus along the coast just so see a little more of Montenegro before walking around the old hisyoric city. When we got back, we walked around the historic center, did some shopping, and had lunch. There are lots of cats, and they seem well taken care of by the locals. Kenzie loved that part!

Dubrovnik, Croatia!!!

admin August 5, 2023 0 Comments

Wow, what a place!  The medieval walled city was amazing!  We started by walking along the top of the old city walls which gave us some incredible views.  Game of Thrones was filmed here apparently (I have not seen the show yet, but I’ll have to watch it) and there were lots of references here.  After spending a few hours taking in the town we hit the beach.  And along the way Kenzie found some artwork that she really liked.  She ended up buying several paintings (with her own money) that she is really excited about.  Hopefully, they will be something she can look back on years from now and remind her of this place.

Corfu

admin August 3, 2023 0 Comments

Next stop was Corfu. We stayed around town here and didn’t venture into the farther parts of the island. Checked out the old town fort and found a cafe on the water where the kids could get some water time in. It was pretty hot to do much more so we just had a relaxing day.

Santorini

admin August 1, 2023 0 Comments

Our second stop was Santorini. This was a really cool place! The town is built on the top of the cliffs, and there are a few ways to reach the top from shore. A gondola (with a line that was forever), hiking up (not appealing in 100 degree heat), or taking a donkey. We decided to try donkeys, and that turned out to be the adventure we were looking for!

They are basically on autopilot and you just hold on for the ride. No guide, you get on and the donkey just takes off up the mountain. Good luck to you if you are a tourist hiking up the shared path. It was a lot of fun though and a very unique experience. Eventually near the top the donkeys just stopped and refused to go any further. That’s how you knew you were at the end.

Incredible views from the top in town and a nice place to walk around.