Cruising the Mediterranean, Arriving in Athens

We left on the 15th of August after 3 nights in Rome on a cruise.  We left on a Princess Cruises from Rome and we were on board for 7 nights.  We travelled from Rome to Naples the first day.  We got off and toured Pompei and then drove the coast to Almafi and visited in this small coastal town where there is a Catholic church where the Apostle Andrew's bones are buried.

Day 2 was at sea.  We enjoyed swimming, watching a movie under the stars and boy did we enjoying the eating--too much!  Major did a line dance class and enjoyed that!

Day 3 we were in Crete and enjoyed a tour of ruins there and enjoyed some shopping on the street.  Day 4 we were in Rhodes and enjoyed another tour of the island and ruins there before again having time to shop in the city before heading back to the ship.

Major had to leave in Rhodes and take a ferry to Santorini, Greece as his visa didn't cover him going to Turkey.  I continued on the ship and the next day had a tour of Ephesus and we ended up in Kusadasi seeing how handmade rugs are made and enjoying all the leather they make there.  Day 6 we met up with Major on Santorini where we took a bus to see some ruins there and walk the narrow city streets enjoying all the shops and then taking a cable car straight down the mountain to the port.  

We left the ship this morning in Athens (probably 5 pounds heavier!)  and are now here for 4 days to enjoy the sites.  We went for a long walk and used the metro today.  Tonight we are going out to see the city lights and go to a Greek dinner with music and dancing.  Maybe Major will learn to be Zorba the Greek!

 Major on board the Emerald Princess

 Walking the streets of Pompei--notice the  chariot wheel marks on left

Cast of body found that died during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

 Almafi statue of St. Andrew

In cathedral where Andrew's bones are buried

 Enjoying coke in the sun!

Line dancing on the ship

Exploring Knosses in Crete

Paintings in the Queens bedroom at Knosses-Crete

 Shopping in Crete

Returning to the ship in Crete

 Roman ruins in Rhodes

St. John's Crusaders Governors Villa

 Walking the streets of Rhodes

 Ephesus

The road Paul walked in Ephesus

Movies under the stars on the cruise

 Ruins in Santorini

 Beautiful Santorini

 

 We made it to Athens!

 Major found a Greek Coke!

Our view for lunch