Holy Lands Cruise - Greece
Published Friday, June 10th 2011HOLY LANDS CRUISE - Interesting and Different (Part. 1 - Greece)
This particular itinerary was a 12-night cruise that began in Athens, Greece. It included two of the Greek Islands - Patmos and Santorini.
We arrived a day early – just in case of airline delays and cancellations, and spent a night within walking distance of the Acropolis. You could see the Acropolis from our bedroom window. What at sight at night when it is lit up. The full moon added to the extravaganza. Our reasonably priced, small, clean and quaint hotel was located in the Plaka area. Our hotel was called simply "Hotel Plaka". Plaka is the old city market area. This area offered a multitude of shops, vendors, restaurants and cafes. The restaurants were featuring specials on kabobs and souvlaki – popular Greek food. Trust me, each and every restauraneur would like you to eat at their restaurant/cafe. Bidding you welcome with a big smile and the special of the day.
Prices for main course meals started at about 9 Euro on up. Bottled water, beverages, bread, salad, dessert, are all extra.
Patmos, Greece. This quaint and quiet island offered a tour to a monastery located on one of the highest hills on the island, along with a cave – about midway from the shores and up the mountain. Thie cave is called St. John’s Grotto. It is the cave in which St. John resided, received the visions, and composed the Book of Revelations contained within the bible. The seashore is rocky - not sandy. There was a nice cafe that offered food, coffee, beer and wine that made for a very pleasant place to rest your feet, feast your eyes on the beautiful scenery, and if you like a swim. Prices were very reasonable.
The town we arrived at and the pier was located offered small shops that one can find souvenirs, designer clothing, and toiletries and other items that you may need that were forgotten at home at reasonable prices. Recommendation: Take a tour through the cruise line. Taxi fares are ridiculous. We wanted to just visit the Grotto and we were quoted about the same price as it would have cost to take the tour that included the Grotto and more.
Santorini, Greece. This picturesque, clean and inviting island ranks as our favorite place within Greece. All the cities and towns of Santorini are located on top of the mountain. There are only three ways to get to the top. They are by donkey taxi, on foot – along the donkey trail (not the cleanest or sweetest smelling way), or by funicular (lift). There is a charge for both the donkey taxi and the funicular. At the top there is the one of the main cities with lots of shopping. The stores offer a variety of souvenirs and wares that include olive oil, Greek wines, and items that are made of olive oil, nuts, as well as jewelry made with lava rock. There are many blue domes (cathedrals) located throughout this magnificent volcanic island. The most popularly pictured blue dome is located in OIA (pronounced eye-ya). One can go to a black lava rock beach on the way to OIA for a swim or leisurely day on the beach. A public bus that runs frequently from the main city of Fire to AIO is perhaps one of the most practical and least expensive ways to see the island. A shore excursion through the cruise line, or taxi are also options for touring this island. Taxis are also expensive on this island. The bus is very safe and economical.
With this cruise voyage being cruise number 35, it is safe for me to say that for me personally it was very interesting and different from anything else I had done. In many respects. Each stop offered something different and something new.
We sailed on one of the small ships offered by Princess Cruises. The Pacific Princess. Occupying only up to 680 passengers. This too was an experience onto itself. Will talk about this later.
Book your cruise vacations with someone who has traveled, who can offer you tips and suggestions, based on their firsthand experience. This can save you money and headaches, and there will be someone there for you should the unforeseen happen to help you in that event.
For more information on cruises to the Holy Land, Greece, or other European destinations, please contact Linda Kolanko, at Cruise Planners - Cruise Pros Plus. 940-453-8904.
Comments
Leave a Reply
indicates a required field
