2022 June - Azamara Onward - Turkey & Greek Island

Legend

Boat
Plane
Driving

Heathrow Terminal 5, United Kingdom ‐ Jun 25, 2022

Flight arrival 10:05am - London with a Layover: 4h 40m in London. Time for lunch before departing at 2:45pm - London and arriving 5:30pm - Denver
Athens International Airport, Greece

flight left on time at 8;10 am
Markopoulo Mesogaias

Thebtaxi ride from the port was about an hour to the hotel. The hotel was interesting. The elevator could only take 2 people, bu the room was ok. The was a nice resturant across from the hotel and we went to bed early because of our early flight. Short ride to airport.
Piraeus ‐ Jun 23, 2022

We caught to 1:00 pm ferry to Pirarus and than at taxi.
Spetses

We spent Saturday lounging around the pool and touring the town.
Hydra ‐ Jun 22, 2022

We caught the morning ferry to Hydra. We discovered there was not much to do after touring the town other than eat and drink. We were happy to board the ferry to Spetses.
Spetses ‐ Jun 20, 2022

Armata Boutique Hotel Arrived at the port and walked to Armata Boutique Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, bar, a shared lounge and garden in Spetses. Nice hotel but no elavotor. We took in some of the town and lounged by the pool. The next day we took a boat to a beach and spent the day there.
Piraeus

We debarked at 8:00 am and took a taxi to the ferry dock and caught the 9:00 am ferry to Spetses
Nafplion ‐ Jun 19, 2022

Tendered 9:00 am 6:00 pm Nafplio is home to beautiful Venetian homes and neoclassical mansions, as well as inspiring views of Argolic Gulf. We took the Archeological Journey to Epidaurus and Mycenae. Visited the ruins of Mycenae hill fortress
Heraklion ‐ Jun 18, 2022

Docked 8:00 am 8:00 pm As the largest city on the isle of Crete, with a history that dates back to the 9th century, Heraklion has seen its share of travelers over the millennia. We took the Knossos Palace & Museum tour. We toured the palace ruins befor returning to the city to visit the museum.
Santorini ‐ Jun 17, 2022

Tendered 8:00 am 10:00 pm We took the Villages and Vintages of Santorini tour. We landed at Athinios Ferry Port and our coach climbed some 800 feet to the top of the caldera where you’ll view the still active volcanic islet in the bay below. Stop in the village of Oia, perched high atop a craggy cliff at the northernmost point of Santorini. Wander about narrow cobblestone avenues lined with the beaming white stone of classic Cycladic architecture. From charming shops to splendid domed churche [...]
s, to a surprising collection of art galleries, a walk through Oia delights at every turn. Continue to a local winery to learn how Santorini wine is produced and sample some favorite vintages perfectly paired with homemade Greek mezes. Your tour ends in Fira where you can independently explore the pedestrian paths that weave through Santorini’s historic capital or return to port via cable car.
Rhodes, Lindos ‐ Jun 15, 2022

Docked 10:00 pm 10:00 pm First on your agenda should be the Rhodes waterfront where once stood the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Just a short ride away, the medieval town of Lindos features houses stacked like giant sugar cubes on a steep hill. Hitch a donkey ride to the acropolis at the top for spectacular views of the town and Saint Paul’s Bay. We dock across from the Fortress and we walk through Historic Rhodes the next day
Mykonos ‐ Jul 15, 2022

We were unable to land due to the rough waters and sailed on to Rhodes where we docked overnight -10:00 pm Walk Through Historic Rhodes
Volos ‐ Jul 14, 2022

Dating back to the Neolithic age and famed as the mythical “City of the Argonauts”, Volos is a modern city in the heart of Greece, and is a place of immense natural beauty and numerous archaeological sites. We took the Magical Monasteries of Meteora tour. The Monasteries were built on the sides and outcrops of a mountains.
Thessaloniki ‐ Jul 13, 2022

We took the Royal Tombs of Vergina tour when we stopped this time. Discover the treasures of Thessaloniki—perhaps the world’s greatest living Byzantine museum—and the rich surrounding area of Macedonia, with its inspirational scenery and history of many heroes. One of the most important archaeological discoveries of recent times occurred just over 30 years ago with the unearthing of the intact tombs of the Macedonian Royal Family, including the tomb of Philip II. You’ll travel to Vergin [...]
a and the sacred city of the Macedonian Kings at Aigai, excavated in 1938. Aigai served as the capital of Macedonia until the 5th century BC, when Pella was built. Visit the impressive Royal Tombs and the museum, which displays the finds from the site and the untouched tomb of Philip II—assassinated here in 336 BC. The artifacts from his tomb, only recently discovered, rate among the most prized collections ever found and the artistic quality of the relics offered new insights into the Macedonian culture.
Palaia Kavala ‐ Jul 12, 2022

We returned to Kavala, but this time free of COVIDD. We took the ANCIENT PHILIPPI tour. Delve into ancient Greek and Christian history on this journey to ancient Philippi, Kavala, and the baptistery at the St. Lydia site. Philippi is one of the most important archaeological sites in Eastern Macedonia. The site received protection by King Philip of Macedon when the city was threatened by the Thracians in 365 B.C. Hellenistic Philippi had a fortification wall, a theatre, public buildings, and pri [...]
vate houses. The Roman road of the Via Egnatia made Philippi a significant regional center. It was later conquered by Octavius. Saint Paul founded the first Christian church on European soil in Philippi in 49 A.D. Visit the stunning archaeological and pilgrimage sites, and, on your way back to the ship, visit the St. Lydia site, the stream where Lydia was baptized. You’ll also see Kavala, with its stunning amphitheater construction on the slopes of Mt. Symvolo, one of the most visually-inspiring cities in Greece.
Istanbul, Turkey ‐ Jun 9, 2022

Arrives At 8:00 am - Holly visited a Turkish bath for the day and I tested negative and was allowed of the boat. I took the tram over to the old city and wandered around before returning back port side and visited the Dolmabahçe Mosque and the Dolmabahçe Palace. We both returned to the boat for dinner. The next day was the was a day of rain. We changed cabin and stayed on the boat. We disembark at 6:00 pm and sailed down the Bosphorus under the Osman Gazi Bridge, the 6yh longest suspen [...]
sion bridge in the world
Kepez/Troy ‐ Jul 8, 2022

Kepez is a small seaside town, but real treasures can be found when you explore further beyond the shore. The ancient city of Troy was once just a myth, but archaeological excavations have brought this fabled locale to life. Also within reach of port is the Gallipoli Peninsula, where an ill-fated WWI campaign devastated Allied forces. In Assos, the Temple of Athena sits perched on an acropolis with sweeping sea views. Holly took the Legends of Troy tour and I stayed in my cabin.
Kusadasi ‐ Jul 7, 2022

This was the second time visiting Kusadasi where the main attraction is Ephesu, once the second largest city in the Roman Empire. Holly took a tour to a small village and had dinner with a family. I stayed in my cabin.
Çeşme ‐ Jul 6, 2022

The seaside resort town of Cesme is not only a popular destination for Turkish and tourists alike, but also for surfers, who come from all over the world to surf, windsurf, kite-surf…the list goes on. (Perhaps it’s the golden-sand beaches like Ilica Beach, warm sapphire waters, and laid-back atmosphere that have something to do with the allure. Holly tested negative Iand was allowed to Izmir Highlights tour. It was basicly a bus tour, but interesting. I stayed in my cabin.
Volos, Greece ‐ Jul 5, 2022

Docked 7:30 am 6:00 pm Dating back to the Neolithic age and famed as the mythical “City of the Argonauts”, Volos is a modern city in the heart of Greece, and is a place of immense natural beauty and numerous archaeological sites, but both Holly and I were confined to our cabins.
Thessaloniki ‐ Jul 4, 2022

Docked 8:00 am 8:00 pm As Greece’s second-biggest city and the Byzantine Empire’s second-most important city. The doctor visited me every day to test me for Covid and this morning I tested positive and required to stay in my cabin. The crew delivered food and drinks as requested so I spent my day resting.
Kavala ‐ Jul 3, 2022

Docked 6:30 am 8:00 pm Clinging to the foothills of Mt. Symvolo, the city of Kavala (“the heart of Eastern Macedonia”) rises like an amphitheater out of the sea, with historical monuments and buildings almost too plentiful to list. I could not take a tour but was allowed to go into town. It was a fortified town. I followed a foot path up to the top of the hill and walked to the Castle before decending into the town and a short visit around the town.
Mykonos ‐ Jul 1, 2022

Tendered 8:00 am 7:00 pm In the morning Holly tested positive for COVID and I was removed to a suite down hall. I caught a tender to Myko nos and spent the day strolling delightful cobblestone streets and visiting artisan craft shops and i the rows of 16th-century Venetian windmills, Mykonos was very commercial but an interesting town.
Dikili, Turkey ‐ Jun 30, 2022

Took the Acropolis And Asklepion Of Pergamum tour. Visited the ancient Greek city, including the remarkably preserved Acropolis, the healing center of Asklepion, the magnificent hillside amphitheater, and passed by one of the Seven Churches of Revelation
Istanbul ‐ Jun 28, 2022

We had a leasurely breakfast at the Ferman Port Hotel and than spent the day touring the old city visiting the Rustem Pasha Mosque which is known for its blue tile which is said is superior to the Blue Mosque and the walked up the hill to visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, one of the best-known sights of Istanbul, and commands an extensive view of the city around the Golden Horn. We returnd to our hotel before walking to the Galata Tower and had dinner on the hill overlooking the port. The followi [...]
ng day we checked out of the hotel and boarded Azamara Onward.
Cappadocia ‐ Jun 24, 2022

In the afternoon we were picked up and taken to the airport and flew to Kayseri and than traveled to Göreme and checked into our hotel, Cappadocia Caves Hotel. Early the next morning we went for a Cappadocia balloon flight and north Cappadocia tour. The following day we took the south Cappadocia tour before driving to Nevsehir to take a flight back to Istanbul.
Istanbul ‐ Jun 22, 2022

Arrived in Istabul late and was picked up and taken to our hotel, Ferman Port Hotel. Next morning we took a walk around the port visiting several mosques. We discover the city’s beauty in style on a relaxing sunset cruise down the Bosphorus, the waterway that marks the border between Asian Turkey and European Turkey. From the open-air deck of your luxury yacht, see riverside landmarks like the Dolmabahçe Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque and the Rumeli Fortress, all lit by the beautiful dusk lig [...]
ht. On Friday we took a tour of the old town, visiting Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, before returning to our hotel and eating dinner under the Galata Köprüsü bridge.
Heathrow, United Kingdom ‐ Jun 22, 2022

This vacation was an ever evolving trip. Originally planned to take place in 2020 involving Black Sea cruiise to Russian River Cruise to Norwegian cruise that was canceled due to COVID. I was rescheduled as Black Sea cruiise to Russian River Cruise to Ireland cruise. But then Russia threatened to invaded the Ukraine and the Russian River Cruise was canceled and Ireland cruise canceled and a continuation cruise to Greek Isle was added. Then the Russia-Ukraine started and the Russia and Ukrain [...]
e Black Sea ports were eliminated as well as Batumi Georgia. Three Turkish ports were added in their place. Then as the war continued the Bulgarian and Romania port were eliminated and it became a Turkish - Greek cruise. The new schedule had us visiting the same ports twice, but since we had never visited these ports before and our airline reservations were made, we decided to go through with the cruises. As it turned out, with both Holly and I getting COVID, the repeat visits didn't matter.