This cruise began for us with a two day stay in Istanbul minus one suitcase that Delta Airlines lost. We had been in Istanbul for a couple of days at the end of our last cruise, and my wife fell in love with it. We spent the time checking out things we didn’t see on the last trip, and shopping for underwear, pantyhose, shoes, and other things Kathy needed after the lost luggage fiasco. There we were, at the Grand Bazaar, Kathy in a pair of my boxer shorts and a T shirt the ship gave her. But we found some great bargains on knock-offs.

The Millennium set sail for Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey in the early afternoon. The next day we arrived in Kusadasi, known for its very extensive ruins at Ephesus. These are the most impressive ruins we have ever seen, be sure not to miss them when you are in Kusadasi. Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were tourists at Ephesus!

We toured a rug factory which was actually a rug store. However, they gave a very interesting presentation on how Turkish rugs are woven and how to determine the quality of rugs. We saw a demonstration of a young girl weaving a rug.

While in Kusadasi we spotted an internet cafe sign and so we went on in. They were quite excited that we had come in; they uncovered their single computer, taped some cardboard to the window to reduce the glare on the screen, and brought us some cokes to drink. After we finished surfing the net we asked how much we owed. They said “nothing!” and they wouldn’t let us pay for anything. Odd but interesting and nice.

The next day was a day at sea with no stops at any ports. We consider days at sea as our lazy kick-back and relax part of our cruises. So we “bagged some rays” by the pool and checked out the drink of the day.

The next day we arrived in Limasol, Cyprus. Originally we were supposed to go to Haifa Israel, but due to some Middle East unrest, the destination was changed to Limasol. There was an interesting castle that we toured, and then we went looking for an internet cafe. We found one and did a little updating of our website while we were there. Internet cafe’s can be found in most cities and it is truly amazing to see the differences. There isn’t really much in Limasol.

Our next port of call was Alexandria Egypt. The port was HUGE! There were quite a few sunken ships poking up out of the water as we entered the port…wonder what that was about? Our ship was greeted with a giant red carpet and a large band playing music.

We took the shore excursion to the Pyramids, about a three hour bus trip. The buses traveled in convoys with police escorts. I presume it’s an anti terrorist thing. The Pyramids were awesome! We got to actually climb up on one of the pyramids. There were also cool tombs that we toured, and of course, shopping for jewelry and papyrus art.

Our next port of call was Athens Greece. Since we had been to Athens recently we opted not to take any of the excursions and just went to the Plaka. We found yet another Internet cafe where we could update our web site. Although it was about 3 flights of stairs to get to the cafe, were given the “Computer with a view” .. Just out the window was a spectacular view of the Acropolis. And we found another fabulous open air cafe.

We arrive next at Naples, Italy. The day was kind of a whirl wind of a day as we took a hydrofoil to the island of Capri where we toured the island, an interesting and beautiful island and playground for the rich. Then on to Sorrento where we had lunch and wandered around the scenic town, and finally we toured the amazing ruins at Pompeii. There are enough ruins at Pompeii to spend weeks there and still not see everything. Thousands of years ago and they had plumbing fixtures…running water in their homes, taverns, saunas, and all sorts of surprising things. A very busy day!

Next stop, Rome and the Vatican City including St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican museum. At the Vatican, we visited the Sistine chapel which was mind blowing. Following that we visited the Coliseum. The Coliseum was another amazing place. Kathy was really impressed with the Trevi Fountain in Rome (she threw in the required 3 coins so we could come back to Rome).

Our next port was Nice, France. We visited a famous flower market, had coffee at a little side walk cafe, and we took a shore excursion to Monaco. Monaco isn’t very big! We could stand in one spot and see the whole country. There are lots of shops on the tiny narrow winding streets. We had lunch (at an open air cafe) and Kathy liked the Roquefort cheese so much she asked the waiter where should could get some, and he directed her to a market. We bought some and brought it home with us.

The following morning we disembarked in Barcelona and within hours we were on our way home! Another fantastic cruise ship adventure under our belts!

William Lund is an avid cruiser, and he and his wife Kathy cruise at least once a year. Mr. Lund invites you to visit his cruise reviews website: Cruises R Fun

Visit Mr. Lund’s blog about water heaters, tankless water heaters, hot water pumps and more: The Hot Water Guy

Author: William Lund
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty tariff

Europe is certainly one of the most interesting continents on Earth. Each country has its own color, culture and heritage and all of them more interesting than the next. European Cruises can allow you a glimpse into these countries, open your eyes to the world and of course cruises are very romantic. There are a number of different seas for cruising, but perhaps the most all encompassing is the Mediterranean.

As a magical continent, Europe has what it takes to impress event he most well traveled. It will leave you in awe, and you will come back from your cruise feeling both enlightened and rested. The slower pace of life is enjoyed by all European countries and this forces you to slow down and relax.

As far as cruise destinations go, the Mediterranean has it all and then some! Cruising the western side of the Med allows access to countries such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, Malta, Spain and Monaco. Visiting the Greek Isles is something that everyone must do at least once in their lifetime. The tourist season is quite long and the best weather is experienced from May to September and sometimes longer in the case of an Indian summer.

A veritable kaleidoscope of countries awaits you on your cruise but if you would like to tackle the elements and see something very unique, what about the Baltic Sea? Many cruises to destinations in this area are available.

Alaskan and Baltic cruise seasons are virtually the same. It is a very short season from July to August, but more intrepid adventurers do take advantage of cut-price cruising during May to June.

Seeing the sights of the Baltic, means you will avail yourself of the best of Viking culture and countries. While a visit to Copenhagen in Denmark is memorable, a cruise to see St. Petersburg in Russia, will give you something to talk about for many years. This is where you will find the Hermitage museum and some of the finest works of art on the earth.

Preparing for a Danube river cruise is not an easy task. If you’d like to read advices from experts and also travelers who speak from experience, you should visit our website that specializes in these trips. I’d personally recommend Rhine river cruises for everyone who wants to see beautiful places in Europe.

Author: Myloer Jamery
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Mobile device news

European river cruises can include a Mediterranean voyage that will inspire and amaze you. When you visit the coastal area of Turkey and Greece, you will get the added benefit of seeing the islands. Mykonos, Rhodes and Crete are some of the most popular among the river cruises. Another area that is highly visited is the Adriatic Sea. This is one of the destinations that will allow you to see the cities of Barcelona, St.-Tropez, Venice and Monte Carlo.

One of the experiences of a lifetime will be the river boat cruise you take along the Rhone. This was the area of the origination of impressionism. When you choose a river boat cruise you will get to see not only the larger cities that everyone is interested in, but the smaller ones that are just as interesting. Interaction with locals will be one of the most enjoyable aspects of visiting smaller cities.

The experiences you have while visiting the European area of the world will be what makes your river boat cruise special. While enjoying the beauty of this area of the world, it will not be hard to see what was so inspiring to Van Gogh. Your river cruise can vary from a weekend to a month long adventure.

Choose from cruise accommodations that are deluxe to the ones that just comfortable enough. There are a wide variety of river cruises designed to fit your budget and preferences. The scheduled stops will include many of the top-name destinations that you may have wanted to see for years.

This may be a chance for you to pick up a little of the local language. Many of the cruises cater to visitors from all over the world. In addition to English, many of the travelers will be speaking languages from other parts of the world.

Preparing for European river cruises is not an easy task. If you’d like to read advices from experts and also travelers who speak from experience, you should visit our website that specializes in these trips. I’d personally recommend Seine cruise for everyone who wants to see beautiful places in Europe.

Author: Jason W. Myers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: US Dollar credit card

Bodrum mini cruises are a very popular way to see Turkey’s lovely Aegean coastline. Bodrum is one of the most visited towns in the Mediterranean area, due to its temperate weather and wonderful beaches. Local boat charter companies in the area offer a wide range of itineraries on Bodrum mini cruises, to give you the opportunity to explore and enjoy the area’s cultural flavor in a way that suits you best.

Normally mini cruises are three days in length, but you can also take longer cruises as well. Because all of the Bodrum charter cruises offer different itineraries, you’ll want to investigate them in order to decide the things you want to see and do aboard your cruise. Regardless of which cruise you select, you’ll be able to experience the perfect getaway and spend your vacation sunning yourself, swimming and relaxing.

The company you select will determine the sort of ship you sail on when you take Bodrum mini cruises. While some cruise companies make excursions on lavish yachts, some offer Bodrum gulet cruises which are extremely popular. The gulet is a handmade wooden boat whose traditional design has been used in Turkey for a very long time. Gulets are smaller than yachts and allow you to visit the small, private coves that yachts can’t reach.

Due to their size, some of the Bodrum charter cruises offer basic amenities although some come equipped more modern facilities. You will find small yet cozy staterooms that have private showers with hot and cold running water. As compared to yachts, gulets are less likely to offer air conditioning. Bear in mind that Bodrum mini cruises are for people who love nature and sailing, and are not suited for travelers expecting lavish accommodations.

When taking Bodrum mini cruises you typically spend several hours a day at sea while the rest of day is spent sightseeing or taking part in the many water activities. If you take one of the Bodrum gulet cruises, you will come ashore at charming historic towns and be able to see some of the archaeological sites in the area. The Aegean seaboard is incredible and dotted with quiet little fishing marinas, trendy holiday villages plus the relics of ancient empires.

Passengers either dine family-style on deck or in the dining area of the main salon. The delicious food is prepared by your cook, usually in the Greek and Turkish styles. Crews on Bodrum mini cruises are made up of the captain, the cook, and perhaps one or two seamen.

To get a cabin on one of the Bodrum mini cruises, you can check on the Web or see what’s available when you arrive in Bodrum. The phrases ‘blue cruise’ and ‘blue voyage’ refer to cruising through the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean off the coast of Turkey. Regardless of which company you pick, your carefree cruise will allow you to make friends with the other travelers on board Bodrum mini cruises.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article. If you are looking for additional information on Bodrum Mini Cruises or Bodrum gulet cruises, please be sure to check out our website.

Author: KJ Ross
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Excise Tax

Bodrum mini cruises are a very popular way to see Turkey’s lovely Aegean coastline. Bodrum is one of the most visited towns in the Mediterranean area, due to its temperate weather and wonderful beaches. Local boat charter companies in the area offer a wide range of itineraries on Bodrum mini cruises, to give you the opportunity to explore and enjoy the area’s cultural flavor in a way that suits you best.

Normally mini cruises are three days in length, but you can also take longer cruises as well. Because all of the Bodrum charter cruises offer different itineraries, you’ll want to investigate them in order to decide the things you want to see and do aboard your cruise. Regardless of which cruise you select, you’ll be able to experience the perfect getaway and spend your vacation sunning yourself, swimming and relaxing.

The company you select will determine the sort of ship you sail on when you take Bodrum mini cruises. While some cruise companies make excursions on lavish yachts, some offer Bodrum gulet cruises which are extremely popular. The gulet is a handmade wooden boat whose traditional design has been used in Turkey for a very long time. Gulets are smaller than yachts and allow you to visit the small, private coves that yachts can’t reach.

Due to their size, some of the Bodrum charter cruises offer basic amenities although some come equipped more modern facilities. You will find small yet cozy staterooms that have private showers with hot and cold running water. As compared to yachts, gulets are less likely to offer air conditioning. Bear in mind that Bodrum mini cruises are for people who love nature and sailing, and are not suited for travelers expecting lavish accommodations.

When taking Bodrum mini cruises you typically spend several hours a day at sea while the rest of day is spent sightseeing or taking part in the many water activities. If you take one of the Bodrum gulet cruises, you will come ashore at charming historic towns and be able to see some of the archaeological sites in the area. The Aegean seaboard is incredible and dotted with quiet little fishing marinas, trendy holiday villages plus the relics of ancient empires.

Passengers either dine family-style on deck or in the dining area of the main salon. The delicious food is prepared by your cook, usually in the Greek and Turkish styles. Crews on Bodrum mini cruises are made up of the captain, the cook, and perhaps one or two seamen.

To get a cabin on one of the Bodrum mini cruises, you can check on the Web or see what’s available when you arrive in Bodrum. The phrases ‘blue cruise’ and ‘blue voyage’ refer to cruising through the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean off the coast of Turkey. Regardless of which company you pick, your carefree cruise will allow you to make friends with the other travelers on board Bodrum mini cruises.

We hope that you enjoyed reading this article. If you are looking for additional information on Bodrum Mini Cruises or Bodrum gulet cruises, please be sure to check out our website.

Author: KJ Ross
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty