Last Day of the Cruise

First Port Call
Pisa, Italy
May 14, 2024

 Today was, sadly, the last day of our 11 night cruise around Italy with visits to Croatia and Montenegro. Wow, it is hard to believe that it is at an end. I had thought 12 days would drag, but no--it has been a whirlwind. 

From our first port call to our last, it has been an amazing journey and I highly recommend it. Celebrity has been fantastic and we have made many new acquaintances with the crew and some passengers. While the cruise was just an overview of some of the greatest sights in Europe--they are places that I might never otherwise have had the opportunity to visit. 

Moon from Celebrity Constellation
Adriatic Sea
May 23, 2024

Standing in Pisa, for instance, and seeing the Leaning Tower in person was a bucket list item for me. And that was just the beginning. Sadly, we were there before the tower opened for people to climb to the top, or I would have been one of the crazies standing there looking down on the slanted world. 

The trip was highlighted by stunning sunsets and even a moonset last night while I had insomnia about 3 AM. I shot the image through the window of my stateroom. It was quite a sight. And then there was the sunset tonight, as seen from our stateroom veranda. 

Sunset from Celebrity Constellation
Adriatic Sea
May 23, 2024

The sun was setting on our cruise--but not on our vacation as we still have three nights in Venice followed by another overnight in Rome before finally returning back home.

Curiously, the urge to get home is not that great. We continue to have a great time discovering new sights. It will be sad to leave the ship, which has been home for the past 11 days, but then we are onto the next chapter of our holiday in Europe. 

Tomorrow is an aggressive travel day. We have a port transfer to the Ravenna train station and then two trains, changing trains in Bologna, to get to Venice followed by a taxi to the AirBNB. Whoa! Who planned that? I have to take responsibility for that one. I wish it would have been smoother, but I don't really see how. 

Well, more soon. I am excited about Venice.

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Constellation in the Adriatic Sea headed for Ravenna, Italy

Final Port Call - Split, Croatia

South Entrance to Diocletian Palace
Split, Croatia
May 22, 2024

Our final port of call for our cruise was Split, Croatia. We had a light schedule with a scheduled three-hour tour of Diocletian's Palace and a wine tasting. It was our best excursion of the cruise because it was focused and a small group--six participants. 

Our ship arrived early in the morning to a very busy port and was expeditiously tied up. Chris and I did not have to be ready to go until 8:45 AM which gave us a lot of time in the morning to get ready. 

Duck Botiique
Split, Croatia
May 22, 2024

The tour of the palace was excellent; one of the best talking tours we have enjoyed on this cruise. We learned a lot about Split, the palace, Diocletian, and the subsequent Christian movement which occupied the palace following the death of Diocletian. 

We walked the medieval village that subsequently occupied the interior of the palace and enjoyed some a cappella music. 

We also found another Duck Boutique amongst the shops of the old town. We had also seen one in Dubrovnik. Amazing! Ducks! Who knew?

Croatian White Wine
Split, Croatia
May 22. 2-24

Of course the highlight of the morning was the wine tasting of local Croatian wines. They were excellent and I would like to have brought some back with us, but the suitcases are already full and wine is heavy. 

The wine tasting was really one of the highlights of the trip, probably due to the fact that we were in a group ion six and had some access to the staff for questions and discussions of the wine. As we departed the wine shop a group of about 25 were preparing for a tasting. I am sure they did not receive the same level of service that we enjoyed. 

Split is a very enjoyable city and a place that we definitely need more time to explore. 

Done with the wine tasting about noon, Chris and I found a gelato shop and enjoyed a cold delight. Then we explored Split a bit more before heading back to the ship. 

The view of the Adriatic Sea from the ship was stunning. We were invited to a private sail away party on the helicopter pad on the forward deck as the ship departed the quay and headed off into the Adriatic for Venice. It was cool and windy, but very enjoyable to get a few of the ship that most passengers never enjoy. Tomorrow is a sea day, allowing us to get packed and everything prepared for the final portion of our journey--time in Venice thence to Rome and finally Miami on Tuesday. 

I find it hard to believe we are winding down with only a few days remaining on this complicated and aggressive vacation. The cruise portion was always the easiest once we boarded the ship. Soon it will be back to my planning to complete the final days. But, we have one full day remaining on the ship to enjoy. 

Panoramic View from our Veranda
Split, Croatia
May 22, 2024

We were blessed with great weather and are looking forward to the weekend in Venice!

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Constellation in the Adriatic Sea headed for Ravenna, Italy

Montenegro--a must see

Churches on Islands in the Channel
Headed to Kotor, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

 I never really considered Montenegro to be a place to visit, but after a day in Kotor and the surrounding area I see that this is a jewel hidden in an Adriatic fjord. 

Cruising to Kotor is a magnificent experience with mountains on both sides of the ship and one area where the water is only 900 meters wide with a big cruise ship sailing through it. It is easily over an hour cruising once the ship departed the Adriatic Sea. It is the kind of experience I had hoped to see last year on our Alaskan cruise, but was thwarted by the weather. It was fun and a lot warmer today than last year in Alaska. 

Main Square Clock Tower
Herceg Novi, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

Chris and I chose to spend the day touring the coastal area and heading to the village of Herceg Novi. The village has three forts and an old town area which is very exciting.

The ship anchored in the channel and it was about a 20 minute tender to the port of Kotor where our day began. We then boarded a but for the one hour ride to Herceg Novi and our tour. Along the way we enjoyed the sights of the mountains and the sea as they came together. We heard stories of a secret Yugoslav submarine base built into the mountain and saw what was reported to be the entrance. Of course everything has since been abandoned. 

Fort in Kotor
Kotor, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

The coastal area is beautiful. It is a must see and we definitely need more time to explore this hidden gem. Water sports are evident everywhere as are the mussel and oyster farms. 

It was Independence Day in Montenegro and most of the shops were closed. Fortunately we were able to enjoy an authentic lunch and some local wine during our free time. 

Celebrity Constellation
Kotor, Montenegro
May 21, 2024

Historically, the area has been conquered on about seven different occasions during history. They finally wrestled their independence a few years ago and are one of the smallest countries in Europe and possibly the only one which used the Euro as the official currency but which is not a member of the EU. Fortunately, my European cell plan worked!

Motoring back to the ship on the tender, I was able to get a good shot of the Constellation against the mountains. We were lucky to be able to sit on the upper decl of the tender.

Another great day, but tomorrow is our last port day of the cruise and then on Friday, after a Thursday sea day, we off the ship and into Venice for a few days before heading home. One week from today our European adventure will be complete as we fly out of Rome and back to Miami and home. 

-- Bob Doan, on board Celebrity Constellation in the Adriatic Sea headed for Split, Croatia

Dalmatian Coast - Dubrovnik

 It was a bit of a down day. 

Old City
Dubrovnik, Croatia
May 20, 2024

Chris and I sailed into Dubrovnik Port this morning aboard the Celebrity Constellation with no concrete plans for the day. That meant we were taking a holiday from excursions! A day off from the Excursion Survival game we have been playing. 

Looking to the Adriatic
Dubrovnik, Croatia
May 20, 2024

After enjoying some of the services on the nearly empty ship during the morning, we headed off into the city for lunch and to explore the Old City. We had a great time. We saw firsthand the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic along the Dalmatian Coast from the fort.

Then we set off into the old walled city and were amazed at not only its cleanliness, but how modernized it was. I was aware of the siege of Dubrovnik during 1991 as part of the war and could not see any reminders of the damage, although I was told that the war forced a change to the house roofs from thatch to clay tiles.

Where we had Lunch
Dubrovnik Old City, Croatia
May 20, 2024

We found a very nice place in the main square to enjoy lunch and enjoyed a very nice, did I say two-glasses each, local 2007 vintage wine. Sadly, it is not available for sale or we would have bought a bottle to share with friends. The wine was named Dingač. (Yup, I figured out how to get a Slavic č)

After lunch we strolled the Old City and enjoyed the ambiance as the crowds were building. We visited some of the shops, including a Duck Shop which sold rubber duckies similar to those awarded by Jeep owners. Then we headed back to the ship to get ready for our evening activities. 

Looking Back at the Port and City
Dubrovnik, Croatia
May 20, 2024

The ship did not sail out of port until after dinner when night was falling and I was able to get some very nice images of the coast with the lights of the city. It was a beautiful sight.

Another great day as our adventure continues.

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Constellation in the Adriatic Sea headed for Kotor, Montenegro

Olive Oil and a Medieval Village

Docking
Brindisi Harbour, Italy
May 19, 2024

 Our ship, Celebrity Constellation, sailed into the Port of Brindisi this morning for our port call. Chris and I were scheduled for a much shorter 4-hour tour rather than the 8-10 hour tours we have been enjoying. Today only had two stops: the medieval village of Ostuni and an Olive Oil factory in Cisternino, Italy. 

Out the Bus Window
Ostuni, Italy
May 19, 2024

We also had a much more reasonable departure time for the tour of 11 AM, rather than the 7:15 AM departures of the past two days. That meant we could enjoy breakfast. Our first stop of the day was Ostuni. It was about a 45-minute drive from the port. Ostuni is a village atop a mountain and the entire village is white. Tradition has it that the whitewashed buildings protected the village from the plague during the Middle Ages.

Piazza della Liberta
Ostuni, Italy
May 19, 2024

We enjoyed a couple hours in Ostuni. The town was alive on a Sunday morning and we walked to the cathedral at the top of the village. Seeing the sights and enjoying some local pizza and gelato for lunch was how we spent our time. Almost too quickly, it was time to get on the bus for the next part of the day's touring.

Old Method Olive Crushing
Nettare de Olivia, Cisternino, Italy
May 19, 2024

We were off to the Olive Oil factory. This was a most interesting experience. I found the process of producing oil from olives to have some similarities to the that of getting juice from grapes! There is the sorting, the washing, and then the pressing of the olives. 

Selfie in front of a Blooming Olive Tree
Nettare de Olivia, Cisternino, Italy
May 19, 2024

What I learned, however, is that there are two ways to press olives: with and without the pits! Without the pits is a new production method and only being done by seven olive oil facilities in Italy. We were treated to samples of olive oil from both processes infused into bread so that we could experience firsthand the differences. The factory also produces wine and beer as well as cosmetics made from olives. No part of the olive goes to waste and the busy season is from September to January as the olives are picked and processed. We weregild they work 24 hour per day to process the olives as quickly as possible once they are picked.

The day was over, almost too soon and we returned to the ship. Yes, we have some olive oil with us to help remember our time in Cisternino.

Tomorrow is a down day for us. The ship will dock in Dubrovnik, Croatia, but we do not have a schedule tour and will take some time in the morning to ourselves before hearing out to explore during the afternoon. 

-- Bob Doan, about the Celebrity Constellation in the Adriatic Sea

Elusive Mt Etna

Mt Etna
Giarre, Sicily from the Expressway
May 18, 2024

It was hard to believe, but one of the biggest and most active volcanos in the world played hard to see today. We headed off the ship and out into the Sicilian countryside where Mt. Etna dominates the landscape only to be engulfed in a nearly impenetrable fog, which about mid-afternoon became a driving rainstorm. I had become accustomed to the crystal blue skies and bright sun, but not today. 

I managed to snap one quick image from the moving bus as we were returning to the port. I thought I briefly spied the top of Mt. Etna through the mist and hoped the camera would be able to pull the volcano out of the mist--and it did. Unfortunately, we were passing a gas station at the time and I did not have a lot of time to frame and focus the image. On the other hand, we have visited two volcanos in two days!

Main Street
Taormina, Sicily, Italy
May 18, 2024

On tap for today was visiting a medieval town, Taormina; a lava flow from the 1992 eruption of Mt Etna; a winery on the slopes of Mt Etna; and a jewelry factory. Sadly we could not pick and choose our stops.

Taormina was a bit of a disappointment. A great town with a lot of potential, but we arrived about 8 AM and most of the shops were closed and only began opening as we departed at 10 AM. We had the chance to view the city gates and walk the length of main street  to enjoy a coffee and filled croissant.  

Lava Rocks from the 1992 Lava Flow
Zafferana Etnea, Sicily, Italy
 May 18, 2024

Next was a long drive to and about halfway up Mt Etna to see one of the lava rivers from the 1992 eruption that nearly destroyed a village until it was successfully diverted. This was a short stop, about 15 minutes to see the lava rocks and imagine the destruction had the lava flow not been diverted.  

Murgo Winery
Santa Venerina, Sicily, Italy
May 18, 2024

Then we drove back down the mountain to a small winery to enjoy samples of wine and olives. It was a great stop and thoroughly enjoyable. The winery provided olives, dried tomatoes, and other assorted snacks along with tasting their wines. They ship to the United States, but frankly the wines, with the exception of the sparkling wine, were not exceptional. It was a very enjoyable stop before heading to our last item on the itinerary: the jewelry factory. 

Chris and I in the Motor Launch
Salerno, Italy
May 17, 2024

I am not going to write about the factory because it is a must miss and one of those stops designed to part cruise patrons with their money. They did serve a sumptuous snack after the tour and time in the showroom, but it would have been time better spent elsewhere. We also got back to the ship late, but fortunately were on a Celebrity-sponsored excursion and so they had to wait for us.

I added a bonus picture for the day. It was one taken yesterday as we were preparing to motor off to tour the Amalfi Coast. One of the deck hands snapped this image for us.

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Constellation, Ionian Sea

Amalfi Coast and Pompeii

Mt Vesuvius (right) in the Morning Light
From Celebrity Constellation in Naples, Italy
May 17, 2024

 We played another day of excursion survival today--but it was worth it.

The day started cool and we thoroughly enjoyed a motor launch tour of the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento to Amalfi (and then return later).

Along the Amalfi Coast nearing Amalfi
Amalfi, Italy
May 17, 2024

The day dawned as our ship berthed in Naples, Italy, and Chris and I made a 7:15 AM muster call for our excursion. It was another all day excursion. I was excited for our tour of the Amalfi coast and subsequent visit to Pompeii! I have always wanted to go to Pompeii and I was not to be disappointed.

Beginning in Salerno, we boarded a motor launch to tour the Amalfi Coast. The coast was beautiful in the cool morning air as we plied the waters. Around each mountain bend there was a new treasure to enjoy. We sent some time exploring Amalfi and enjoying the limoncello and gelato. Then it was time to board the motor launch to retrace our steps to Salerno. 

Then it was off to Pompeii, well after a great Italian lunch of pasta and chicken along with both white and red wines appropriate for the meal.

Looking Down a Street of Houses
Pompeii, Italy
May 17, 2024

I was on archeological overload in Pompeii. The idea that his apparently vibrant city was destroyed in just over a day with residents fleeing to the sea and many more dying in their homes was hard to wrap my head around. This was a complete city, as I learned, and a large city with multistory homes and shops. It was a growing center and the record left behind buried in the volcanic ash attests to how advanced were these 1st Century AD Romans. They had a fatal flaw, however, using lead pipes to provide running water. We saw some of the original lead pipes. Additionally, it seemed that STIs were a problem for the Pompeiians as well. 

Main Square looking to Mt Vesuvius
Pompeii, Italy
May 17, 2024

We toured a bakery, other stores, the gym and baths, as well as the bordello. Arriving at the main square, it was clear that this was a thriving metropolis that the volcano destroyed. And it was advanced. Apparently Pompeiians lived quite comfortably. We looked into the barracks where the gladiators lived as well as into the small theater where they fought. I captured many images, but our tour was a short overview of the site. I thirst for more time to explore and see what has been uncovered in the centuries of excavations. 

What a great and exhausting day!

I will likely never return, although I wish that someday I  might.

-- Bob Doan, Bay of Naples aboard the Celebrity Constellation

Sea Day--Much Needed

Art in the Stairwell
Celebrity Constellation
May 16, 2024

Today was a much needed sea day. We slept in late, took breakfast in the main dining room, and just lazed around the ship. 

It was nice not having to race off to an excursion or to be anywhere specific at a given time. Wow! I thought this was a vacation and not a race. I still think it is a survival episode. 

We are on the Celebrity Constellation and I have to admit, some of the art is hard to understand--like the lawn weeds. Yup, dandelions. There are exhibits on the midship stairs of lawn weeds. 

Rhino in the Woods
Portofino, Italy
May 15, 2024

The sea was relatively smooth and we enjoyed the hot tub during the morning to soothe the worn muscles. We need to be ready for another extensive excursion tomorrow in Naples, the Amalfi Coast and off to Pompeii. Pompeii is one of my must do stops on this trip to Italy! I have been intrigued by Pompeii since I was a child.

As for the sea day, we needed the rest. We have canceled our excursion in Dubrovnik so that we get a rest later in the cruise before the final few days. I think our schedule was just a bit too aggressive. Lesson learned. Tomorrow is another almost 10 hour excursion, but three-hours of it are transportation too and from. 

Ponte Vecchio
Florence, Italy
May 15, 2024

And about some of the strange things we have seen, the Rhino hanging in the woods in Portofino is at the top of the list right now. It was just, out of place. But hey, art is very personal.

One of the highlights of the trip that I have not written about was seeing the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. What a very interesting bridge which dates back to the Middle Ages. Originally a meat market and not the current gold market with jewelers, sadly we did not have time to explore the bridge and the market, but it's history and the fact that it is the only original Florentine bridge not destroyed during WW2 is fascinating. 

There are so many images that Chris and I have captured and we expect to capture many more tomorrow and on the succeeding days as we delve further into Italian history, present and ancient. 

Amazingly, we are not yet halfway into our cruise and only one week into our 19 day European holiday. 

Wow--

Who knows what tomorrow will bring to us?

-- Bob Doan, aboard the Celebrity Constellation in the Tyrrhenian Sea

Portofino and the Pearls

 

Truck on an Almost Large Enough Street
Portofino, Italy
May 15, 2024

Another day of walking tours and ferry rides marked most of our activities today. 

The total excursion time was shorter, but coming off a 10-hour day the day before, it seemed almost longer even though we made it back to the ship by 2 PM. We then took a much needed nap and enjoyed some quiet afternoon relaxation to recharge from the past two days. Thankfully, tomorrow is a sea day! Yay. Nothing much planned and certainly not another 14,000 step day. 

Sundial on a Building
Rapallo, Italy
May 15, 2024

We began the morning in Portofino! We were tendered from the ship to the port and that was an experience. And then there was the rain which made the steep streets slick. But we prevailed and saw some inspiring sights although the walking tours are blending into one another. Walking up the steep street in Portofino we came upon a truck driving down the street. There was almost enough room for the pedestrians to pass the truck. Fortunately the truck was smaller than my Ram 1500--because my truck would not fit on this street even with no pedestrians.

After time in Portofino, we ferried to Rapallo, Italy. It was a similar town to Portofino only larger. I found a large sundial on a building in the town square. We were treated to stories of pirates and churches with white robe and other churches with black robes. The tours from the boat created our own crowded conditions in the city, but we enjoyed a focaccia tasting and some coffee during the height of a driving rainstorm. I got very wet, but Chris was lucky to have a raincoat. 

OK, I am gonna say it: I am on walking tour overload. While I am getting a lot of information from the tours, I cannot catalog it all and most of it is getting lost. 

Statue of Christopher Columbus
Santa Margarita, Italy
May 15, 2024

Leaving Rapallo after just about two hours we ferried to Santa Margarita. No, there is no tequila there. 

Santa Margarita is much like Portofino and Rapallo. Built on the coast between the water and the mountain. The rain lessened while we were there, almost stopping. Being wet really made my enthusiasm wane. Santa Margarita is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the three villages. They have a very nice harbor and a good looking beach. Diving and snorkeling look to be solid activities and the city has many shops. Sadly, by the time we arrived there, being wet and ready to return to the ship, my "who cares" attitude was in play and I missed all of the important historical aspects except that Santa Margarita claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and not Genoa as we were taught in school. Wait, and they also make expensive limoncello. 

My problem with the walking tours I have been on is that I do not get enough time to immerse myself into the culture and the history. I am getting a broad brush, often without context.

To summarize, today I saw olive trees, busy ports, small cities, mountains, bays, and churches. I am trying to get excited about the places I saw, but due to the rain and overcast I just am coming up short. 

I will enjoy the sea day and use it to improve my attitude. 

Pompeii awaits!

-- Bob Doan, at sea on Celebrity Constellation en route to Naples, Italy

Pisa, Florence, and Pickpockets

Pisa from the Bus
Pisa, Italy
May 14, 2024

The fun continues--with some security issues. Today we went to Pisa and Florence and encountered more pickpockets.

I guess in Italy, for some reason, teen girls choose to be pickpockets. In this case our tour guide identified them and informed them to leave our tour group alone, which they readily agreed to do. 

Pisa was fantastic. We were there early in the morning and able to use some of the beautiful morning light to capture the scene. The image of the cathedral and the Leaning Tower in the morning light that I took from the bus is really special. The walk from the bus parking to the Leaning Tower and Field of Miracles was treacherous, but doable.  

We then bussed to Florence of the remainder of the day and went on a walking tour of the biggest sights in the city. I wish we had more time to actually visit some of the sights, such as the museum where the statue of David resides. We had a great lunch on the tour which was pleasantly authentic Italian with wine! Included. But the free time at the end was far too short and I felt as if we saw the sights, but did not really get to experience them.

Crowds? Did I mention the crushing crowds? Today it was school kids all over the city as the end of the school year approaches. 

Today was a 10-hour tour and we were exhausted as we returned to the ship just before the gangway was supposed to be raised. We were in time for dinner, however.

-- Bob Doan, off the coast of Italy headed to Portofino