Mediterranean Cruise

Flying from Portland with a layover in New York, we arrived in Rome 22 hours later. We were happy to see the Norwegian Jade 

once again. This was our third trip on this ship.We enjoyed time with our friends Dee and Ken Kongslie on this 15 day adventure.

 

Santorini

Whitewashed villages clinging to the sides of the sea cliffs have made the volcanic island of Santorini 

one of the most widely photographed places in the world.

Two million people flocked to the Greek island of Santorini last year. Reports claim there were days when up to 18,000 visitors on cruise ships alone were seen disembarking at the island’s port, which is a high number considering that only 15,000 people actually live on the island.

Athens

This is the cradle of civilization, the oldest city in Europe. Not only is this city home to the Acropolis and some of the most

important architectural structures and archaeological finds in the Western world It is also a very modern city.

Mykonois

The island of Mykonos is world famous for its stunning scenic beauty comprised of windmills, sparking 
bays, superb beaches, white houses and churches with their colorful blue and red domes.

Rhodes

The island of Rhodes is at a crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 
This has given the city and the island many different identities, cultures, 
architectures, and languages over its long history. Its position in major sea 
routes has given Rhodes a very rich history. The island has been inhabited since about 4000 BC.

  

Chania, Crete

One of the most beautiful cities on the island of Crete, Chania has also been the site of many great battles. 

Greeks, Christians, Moors, Venetians and Ottomans all fought for control of the city.

Malta

Although somewhat scarred by World War II, Valletta prides itself on its magnificent Baroque palaces, piazzas, gardens and churches. 
The Magisterial Palace, built between 1571 and 1574, now houses the Maltese Parliament and offices of the President of Malta.

Messina

The third largest city on the island of Sicily, Messina welcomes cruise ship visitors with its lovely harbor, 
extraordinary architecture (much of which miraculously survived a horrendous earthquake and tidal wave in 1908) and wonderful food.

Naples

Naples, located on Italy's stunning Amalfi coast, a city rich in history. A tour around Naples' grand piazzas, cathedrals 
and castles in the old center took us back centuries.  Such a beautiful coastline.

 Mount Vesuvius dominates the skyline and landscape surrounding Naples 
and is a legendary volcano that famously erupted in 79 AD and caused the 
destruction and burial of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Florence

One of the main attractions in Florence is the Piazza del Duomo.The cathedral was begun at the end of the 13th century by Arnolfo di Cambio, and the dome, which dominates the exterior, was added in the 15th century. The exterior is covered in a decorative mix of pink, white and green marble.  We ate pizza at an out side restaurant across from the Duomo.

Rome

With two and a half thousand years of history, art and culture, it is no wonder Rome is one of the most visited cities on the planet.

                                                                                                 

                            

     New construction is built around old ruins.     Coliseum        Parthenon       Trevi Fountain

  

Spanish steps

Vatican

Michelangelo's Pietà, in the Basilica, is one of the Vatican's best known artworks.

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.