This is one of several Unesco World Heritage sites that Phil is writing about during our travels so we have a combination off interests – he is considering the various ways these sites could be used for educational opportunities while I am just the tourist.
We decided to walk around the walls for a start. After the bombings in the 1980’s they have been completely restored although there are still bulletholes in places and lots of bright new roofs on many of the buildings.
The views from the top of the walls are fabulous – both out to sea and across the city. The walk is moderately challenging – lots of climbing up and down steps as well as uneven stones so you need to stay alert.
We then went down in to the town for coffee – lots of people and very touristy. Then went into the Franciscan monastery which was cool and quiet – it says it has the oldest pharmacy in Europe as well as some interesting art and artifacts. Before we booked the cruise, I was planning to spend a week in Dubrovnic and a week further north on a beach. Paddy and Di said a day in Dubrovnic would be enough and they were spot on. It is a great place to visit but not to stay for long.
We sailed up the coast in the evening and the little islands along the coast look lovely.
A day in Santorini
We arrive at our destinations about 6am – perfect for doing an early morning walk around the jogging track on the top deck while watching the ship dock then breakfast on the back deck.
At Santorini we anchored in the caldera – the huge crater left by the massive volcano of ???? (must check this date) which blew the island apart leaving just a rim which is what remains today. It left a very dramatic landscape with sheer rocky cliffs on the volcano side tapering back to fertile farm land on the other. We took the ship’s lifeboats to the island and then a cable car up the cliff face – we wanted to take the mules but were too early. The cable car takes you to Fira, the main town in the centre of the island – very touristy and pretty tacky – some classy shops and restaurants. We hopped on a local bus to Oia on the northern tip of the island about 30 mins– if I were planning to stay on Santorini, this would be it. Stunning scenery, much quieter, and smaller and very beautiful. We had a coffee there and there took the bus back to Fira where we hopped on another bus that took us to the southern end of the island – the Red, White and Black beaches and the village of Akrotiri. For Aussies, the beaches are not very impressive but in the village we found a lovely taverna perched on top of the cliffs for lunch. We made a big mistake – we were the only people in the taverna of about 20 tables and took pity on the poor owner and ordered too many dishes from the menu – it was lovely food and we ate too much – fava bean soup, tomato and onion balls, potato gratin, cheesy patries. As a result we had to skip dinner and just eat a salad on deck that evening.
It is a stunningly beautiful island but I couldn’t see what you would do for an extended visit – we have spent 2 weeks on other Greek islands in the past– Kos and Corfu and had plenty to keep us interested but I think a day or two on Santorini would be plenty.
A day in Athens
Ever since I was 15 years old I have wanted to visit the Parthenon. Mr Sperring, our art and architecture teacher at Wavell High was really excited by it – and I caught the excitement. Even in its’ ruined state it retains the elegance of a beautifully designed building. Mr Sperring also told us about the mathematical precision of the design – the columns are very slightly concave and the steps taper to give the illusion of being exactly even. It was a pity to have to share it with quite so many people but that’s how it is.
Apart from the amazing ancient monuments we didn’t find Athens of great interest. The day was fairly hot – around 30 deg – with lots of smog and the shopping district seemed to look very similar to that of any big city so we gave it a miss and went back to the ship for a swim. This was the first of our organised shore tours with the ship and we promptly cancelled the others we had pre- booked. There wasn’t anything wrong with the tour except that we have been independent travelers for too long to enjoy being part of a coach load of 42 who has to wait for the last person all the time.
Capri
Our ship anchored at Naples and many of our shipmates went to Pompeii for the day but we'd been there some years ago so decided to do our own thing and took the jet hydrofoil to Capri - a few problems with that choice. I should have realised there might be issues when the crew issued sick bags to everyone before we left the dock. And my seasick tabs were back in our cabin. I manged to keep my breakfast safe for 45 minutes but then lost the lot just a few minutes shy of our destination. My Dad will be SOOOO pleased to hear I was seasick – he doesn’t like being the only one in the family to be afflicted.
The rest of the day was delightful – although I wasn’t sure why James and Fran went all that way for their honeymoon when the beaches of Oz are second to none. Capri is a stunning island however – I’ll try to insert some photos so you can see for yourself. We walked around quite a bit then took a bus up to Anacapri with a manic busdriver. The lady next to me was close to hysterical so I just kept telling her calmly that the driver must have been doing this for many years without incident so she needn’t worry. I hoped I was right.
This photo is for my sister and neice - they have a particluar affection for Limoncello - a speciality on Capri
Ate a VERY basic lunch expecting to lose it on the way back to Naples but in the end it was as calm as.
Naples 
A day on the French Riviera
Our boat anchored of Villefranche near Nice for our last port of call before the end of our cruise. We have been in this part of France a few times before so took a local bus into Nice then another inland up the mountains to Vence – a beautiful little walled town now encircled with a larger modern town. 
Vence seems to have largely gone under the tourist radar so is a pleasant place to wander and people-watch without too many distractions. We spent an hour or so there then took another bus to St Paul de Vence which attracts tourists big time. We were here about 9 years ago and i don't remember it being so busy - maybe we were out of sseason or something. It must be a nightmare to live there. Lovely narrow cobbled streets choked with tourists – almost every shop is a gallery, restaurant or gift shop. It deserves its reputation though – it really is beautiful.
A photo for Kimberley and Ginny - a St Paul de Vence cat.
Just to prove I am here and not just making all this up - the 'beach' at Nice
We are now in Barcelona and just love it. Will blog about it in a day or 2 as well as some of the other cruise news.
