We had such a fantastic time with Deb on our tour this year that I wanted to share our experience. The words and pictures here are only a small introduction to what was an awesome cruise. Our cruise left Athens on 1 August 2012 and finished 12 days later in the beautiful city of Venice.
Monday 30 July, Athens
We met Deb at the Metro station at Athens airport as arranged and caught the train to the nearest stop to the hotel. We had a little difficulty finding the Marriott as the street signs didn’t really match what we were seeing on the map, so in the end we caught a taxi after wandering around for 20 minutes or so. After a cheap dinner out at the local kebab shop we went back to the hotel and discovered the roof top pool area had a great view of the Acropolis.
Deb & Gary @ The Marriott
Tuesday 31 July, Athens
We spent the day sightseeing around Athens and then met the group at dinner. It was a fantastic restaurant and a great bunch of people, we were looking forward to the next ten days.
 Sight seeing – Acropolis |
 Greek House Attikos, Athens |
Wednesday 1 August, Quest
We checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to the port. Check in was relatively simple and painless as we had checked in online and already had our baggage tags. Once on board we headed for the back deck and lunch (with our included wine).
The ship sailed at 6pm and we met everyone at the Looking Glass bar at the front of the ship for the Cruise Critic cocktail party.
 Quest |
 Welcome aboard |
 Lunch on the back deck |
Thursday 2 August, Kusadasi / Ephesus
Fantastic tour of Ephesus, firstly an ancient Greek city and later Roman. It had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC.
 Welcome to Turkey |
 Ancient city of Ephesus |
 Ancient city of Ephesus |
 Turkish rug making demonstration |
Friday 3 August, Mykonos
Beautiful place and such gorgeous beaches. It was worth experiencing a local bus to see one of the best.
 Gary & Deb |
 Famous windmills |
 Amazing streets – everything painted white |
 The water is so beckoning |
Saturday 4 August, Santorini
Deb took us on a fantastic tour of the island. We started with a cable car ride up to the top of the island where we boarded a bus and went to the most beautiful town of Oia. We managed to squeeze in a taste of one of the local beers in what would be one of the most picturesque bars in the world.
Following that we were back on the bus to visit Santos winery for a tour, taste and lunch.
The only regret of Santorini was deciding to walk back down the 600 odd steps to the bottom. The stairs were slippery and covered in donkey poo and then you also had to make your way through the packs of donkeys.
 The cliffs on arrival |
 The donkeys |
 Oia |
 Drinking Red Donkey, local beer |
 Wine tasting and lunch in style |
 The walk down |
Sunday 5 August, Crete
Another idyllic spot, so easy to relax.
 Tender off the ship |
 Beautiful harbour |
 The town |
 One of the beaches |
Monday 6 August, Katakolon
Enjoyed an onboard cooking demonstration before Deb’s matched wine lunch. The food was fantastic. Following lunch we went on the ship’s tours of Olympia. It was a VERY hot day. It was quite timely to visit the birth place of the Olympics having just left London as they commenced. The tour then took us to an old family run winery. It had been in the family for generations. They served us their wine along with some of their other local produce.
 Wine paired lunch |
 Tour of Olympia |
 Family winery tour |
 Lovely setting for wine tasting. The local cats enjoyed it as well |
Tuesday 7 August, Corfu
We were lucky and were invited to a tour of the Bridge with the Captain. We then took the shuttle into the town and walked around. Another interesting places with lots of things to see, the most well know, the Old Fort.
 Tour of the Bridge |
 Old Fort |
 One of the town’s squares |
Wednesday 8 August, Kotor (Montenegro)
Early start to the day as the Captain highly recommended that you should be up on deck at 6.30am to cruise into the Gulf.
We once again went on one of the ship’s tours that started with a walking tour of the town. It’s an amazing walled city. Then a bus ride to a family home where they make their own wine, olive oil, prosciutto and cheese.
 Cruising into the Gulf |
 Early morning up on deck |
 Walls of the city |
 Family welcome |
Thursday 9 August, Dubrovnik
Arrived early morning and to a very hot day. Before leaving the ship we enjoyed some great wines as part of Deb’s wine package. Took a walk around the town and then met Deb in this bar that was literally on the rock’s edge. Went for a swim, the water was fantastic and refreshing.
Back on board the ship we enjoyed dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, Aqualina. The food was fantastic.
 Quaint port |
 Walking the main square |
 Cute little spot Deb found |
 Dinner @ Aqualina |
Friday 10 August, Hvar
Such a beautiful village to walk around. We took a walk up the hill to the fort where there was a spectacular view.
 Taking the tender ashore |
 Gary & Deb looking across the gorgeous coloured water |
 Some of the steps up to the fort |
 The view from the fort |
Saturday, Sunday 11/12 August, Venice
What a place to end the cruise. We sailed in and just had the most spectacular views of the city. We took a walk around and then met Deb who had organised a walking, drinking tour with a local. We went to three bars that were pretty unique and quaint.
The night ended on a high as we all piled into a water taxi for the trip back to the ship for our last night on board.
 Sailing in |
 Fantastic view |
 What a way to end the cruise |
 Our local guide to the bars |
 One of the quaint bars |
 The water taxi back to the ship – what fun! |
