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Mediterranean Cruise, Visiting Europe By Cruise Ship
Text and Photos By Nancy Santry
Text and Photos By Nancy Santry
| Venice was everything I had ever dreamed that Venice would be. Arriving before sunrise to a sleeping city was spectacular. Since we were scheduled to take the second week on the same ship all we had to do was get off the ship and take a water taxi (vaporetti) to St. Mark’s Square. |
My husband George and I did in May and I would like to share with you
some of my wonderful experiences. . We had a mini suite and enjoyed
every moment on the balcony.
We left Logan airport for our overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal where we
boarded the Royal Caribbean Cruise ship, Splendor Of The Seas.
Lisbon has a large seaport with shipping being one of its major industries.
After leaving the dock you will see the Discovery Monument, the statue
of the sea explorers marching down to the sea, Also the Belem Tower is a
must see while leaving this beautiful city by sea.
After leaving the dock you will see the Discovery Monument, the statue
of the sea explorers marching down to the sea, Also the Belem Tower is a
must see while leaving this beautiful city by sea.
The next day our first port of call was to Gibraltar. The Rock is a British duty free shopping area with wonderful
outdoor cafés. A shopper’s paradise right in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea
outdoor cafés. A shopper’s paradise right in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea
The following day we arrived at
Alacante, Spain, a new port for
cruise ships. The people of
Alacante want the tourist dollars
and have spent a lot of money to
make the harbor area inviting.
They did a wonderful job with
cafés, a beach and shopping
within walking distance from the
ship. It was a pleasant place to
stroll and enjoy the warm weather
and a glass of wine.
Alacante, Spain, a new port for
cruise ships. The people of
Alacante want the tourist dollars
and have spent a lot of money to
make the harbor area inviting.
They did a wonderful job with
cafés, a beach and shopping
within walking distance from the
ship. It was a pleasant place to
stroll and enjoy the warm weather
and a glass of wine.
While sailing the Mediterranean many countries are close together and take a short time to reach. Our
next day was in Messina, Sicily and after arriving at the port, which was right downtown, we took a bus
tour to Mount Etna, the world’s largest active volcano.
To reach the top of the mountain the tour bus made circles around the mountain and finally arrived at the
tourist area in about an hour. When we arrived at the volcano we found café selling sandwiches and cold
beer. The souvenirs from Mt. Etna ranged from jewelry to lamp bases made from the hardened lava.
The day we were there many school children were there to get a close up view of the volcano. It was an
interesting day.
The following day was a day at sea enjoying what the ship had to offer and knowing the next morning we
would be arriving in Venice, Italy.
next day was in Messina, Sicily and after arriving at the port, which was right downtown, we took a bus
tour to Mount Etna, the world’s largest active volcano.
To reach the top of the mountain the tour bus made circles around the mountain and finally arrived at the
tourist area in about an hour. When we arrived at the volcano we found café selling sandwiches and cold
beer. The souvenirs from Mt. Etna ranged from jewelry to lamp bases made from the hardened lava.
The day we were there many school children were there to get a close up view of the volcano. It was an
interesting day.
The following day was a day at sea enjoying what the ship had to offer and knowing the next morning we
would be arriving in Venice, Italy.
Since we were scheduled to take the second week on the same ship all we had to do was get off the
ship and take a water taxi (vaporetti) to St. Mark’s Square. Arriving at St. Mark’s Square about 8am
was breath taking especially since the city was not awake yet, we didn't have any crowds to contend with
for a few hours. Later that morning we took a free ride by boat to visit the Murano Glass Factory. We
shopped and took in the sights until 3pm when we started back to the ship to start our next adventure. It
was not difficult sailing away from Venice since I knew the ship would bring us back in one week.
ship and take a water taxi (vaporetti) to St. Mark’s Square. Arriving at St. Mark’s Square about 8am
was breath taking especially since the city was not awake yet, we didn't have any crowds to contend with
for a few hours. Later that morning we took a free ride by boat to visit the Murano Glass Factory. We
shopped and took in the sights until 3pm when we started back to the ship to start our next adventure. It
was not difficult sailing away from Venice since I knew the ship would bring us back in one week.
Mount Etna
Photos By Nancy Santry
Discovery Monument, explorers marching down to the sea, The Belem Tower
Dave Hilbert's www.SoftSeatTravel.com info@SoftSeatTravel.com
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Nancy A. Santry has worked for a
large newspaper, a cable television
station and currently working in the
art department of a major
Photographing first as a hobby and
now in her own small business,
Nancy's photographs have won many
art show honors and have been
published in Tourism brochures.
Nancy concentrates on
photographing New England scenes
but also loves traveling and
photographing in Europe.
Nancy’s web site is
large newspaper, a cable television
station and currently working in the
art department of a major
Photographing first as a hobby and
now in her own small business,
Nancy's photographs have won many
art show honors and have been
published in Tourism brochures.
Nancy concentrates on
photographing New England scenes
but also loves traveling and
photographing in Europe.
Nancy’s web site is
| Cruise Articles by Nancy Santry |
