After waiting for over 2 years, due to COVID-19, with delayed travel to Europe, our long-awaited travel date arrived. We departed Chicago on May 14th. Karen, Linda, and my daughter Robyn, her first time to Europe, flew to Rome for an overnight and touring before starting our 10-day Royal Caribbean Cruise to include Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Our journey would take us to 10 cities, 3 countries and 2 continents.
Our highlights were Rome, Amalfi Coast, Santorini, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), and Crete. We hired private drivers for each location to get a better experience rather than travel with busloads of travelers.
In Italy, we visited the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, a limoncello factory and a ceramic factory.
In Greece, we saw the blue domes, Acropolis, the original Olympic Stadium, the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the windmills of Mykonos and more!
In Turkey, we explored the city Ephesus, went ceramics shopping, and learned how Turkish rugs and silk are made- all with the help of our tour guide!
The food on the cruise was exceptional, as well as the entertainment and gorgeous views.
On land we had the opportunity of trying the local cuisine; saganaki was our favorite along with souvlaki like our Gyros!
The hardest part of the trip was the miles of walking, the streets are cobblestone, and the steps are not consistent, but we made the best of it with the many sights we visited and experienced. The history is over centuries AD and BC. It is interesting to try to absorb thousands of years of history and the present!
Enjoy our travel blog and when you are ready to experience Europe, call Starship to plan your next adventure.
