Italy & Greece 2024
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Santorini, Greece
The first stop of the cruise was Santorini, where we enjoyed a guided bus tour of the island, first stopping at a winery for a relaxing wine tasting featuring some of the popular brands of Greece. Next we continued our day exploring the most scenic areas of the town, including many of the iconic Greek churches. Finally we wrapped up our time in Santorini by trying some authentic souvlaki and heading back to the port using stairs located on the edge of a mountain.
Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos was home to beautiful Greek buildings and welcoming clear blue water. Known for its windmills and Greek churches, its is also famous for being a party island, where parties last into the mornings and some businesses open in the afternoon. Mykonos was a highlight of the trip, giving us a chance to try tasty food and take in the culture.
Athens, Greece
In the heart of Athens lies the Acropolis, where the remains of ancient Greek civilization can be observed throughout the entire site. Placed atop a mountainous area to deter invaders sits the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena, boasting incredible architectural feats and detailed statues containing a rich history.
Olympia, Greece
Olympia was the grounds of many famous ancient structures, like the Temple of Poseidon and the Olympic Stadium. During our tour, we walked through the fields that Olympic athletes trained in. We also visited the Olympic Museum, where Greek craftsmanship and architectural designs are on full display, as they continue to be studied by historians.
Valletta, Malta
In Malta I toured many fantastic places, including a glass blowing factory with live demonstrations, a wine and olive oil vineyard for a tasting, the Queen’s Upper Barrakka Gardens with a host of native plants and trees, and concluded at the magnificent Mosta Rotunda (Church of St. Mary). Afterwards our group reunited to shop along the portside before boarding our cruise ship.
Sicily, Italy
Our bus tour of Sicily started us off in Taormina where we embarked on a private boat ride to see the famous Blue Grotto. We were given time to take a dive and relax in the surrounding beautiful blue waters. Once we arrived back on land, our bus dropped us in the heart of Taormina to explore on our own, where we experienced traditional Sicilian culture, visited the buildings and shops, and tasted authentic Sicilian pizza and the best cannoli ever from the bakery Laboratorio Pasticceria Roberto.
Naples, Italy
Our visit to Naples was guided by a private limo company, with the first stop being in Positano. There we admired the art and floral decorations that lined the streets, and the got to witness the houses and structures located along the edges of the extremely mountainous terrain. After leaving Positano we were taken to Sorrento, famous being a main supplier of lemons with its vast amounts of lemon trees! We were dropped off in the town square where we had time to try an incredible lunch at the Fauno Bar, and experience real Italian gelato as we shopped around the area.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany was one of the destinations available on our final day in Italy, and was the place I chose to visit. Our group first arrived in the town of San Gimignano, known for its medieval architecture and the iconic San Giovanni Gates that lead into the plaza. Before entering, we took in the amazing views of the mountainous terrain and farm land. Once inside we explored a plethora of shops, tried some authentic Italian espresso, and stopped by a chocolate factory for sampling. Afterwards we visited a Tuscan farm and winery, where we were served a three course meal, each course paired with a wine compliment.
Florence, Italy
Florence was the other destination available during the last day. While I did not attend this tour, it mainly focused on exploring the points of interest of Florence; a city best known for its distinguished arts and cultural heritage. Some popular tourist attraction highlights include: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Accademia Gallery (where Michelangelo’s David is located), the Baptistery of Saint John, and Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore.