By now the group is settling into a comfortable rhythm. Wake up in a new part of the Aegean, tour an island or a city all day, find a cafe for a Greek coffee in the afternoon, then enjoy dinner and the evening entertainment on the Louis Cristal. Today at Mykonos is no different.
We explore the island, then stop at Alley for a Greek coffee.
The shop is located on a classic Mykonos street.
Next we walk over to Little Venice …
… and then explore the famous Mykonos Windmills.
It’s a sunny but brisk day.
Next stop – Ristorante Casa di Giorgio for carpacio octopus.
We end the afternoon at Sunset Cocktail Bar for more octopus, a bottle of wine, and then the sunset. Then it’s back to the Louis Cristal for dinner.
By mid-day we reach Izmir, Turkey.
In cafes lining the streets on the bus ride into the city it seems like the entire town is wearing Fenerbahçe jerseys in honor of the favored local football club. After a bus tour of the city we spend some time at the Izmir Clock Tower Plaza. There are street vendors selling everything …
… and those that aren’t happy that I have a camera.
In the afternoon we visit the Karsikaya Bizaar, an older vibrant neighborhood filled with markets and shops.
Last night we sailed through the Dardanelles from the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. I’m up early on a very brisk morning as we approach Istanbul.
The first stop is Topkapi Palace, a place I’ve want to visit ever since seeing the 1964 heist film Topkapi with Robert Morley, Maximillian Schell, and Peter Ustinov.
From Topkapi we walk to Hagia Sofia …
… stop for lunch at Buhara Restuarant, and then on to the Blue Mosque.
Next we tour underground Istanbul and see the Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century to store rain water.
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, so at midnight aboard the Louis Cristal we attend Greek Orthodox Easter Mass.
It’s an early start to board the Louis Cristal – our home for the next week. The Louis Cristal departs at 11 a.m. …
… and the Port of Piraeus fades away in the distance.
Donna and Mickey are ready for another travel adventure.
We’re at sea all day, so there’s time to unpack, do the walk-a-thon, go to happy hour, play bingo, have dinner, and see a show.
After flying overnight from Dulles to Frankfurt, and this morning from Frankfurt to Athens, I arrived at the Hotel Triton in Piraeus round 4 p.m. Dr. Craven’s group is traveling from from Boston, so I’ve got some free time before they arrive. I check out the view of the city from my room.
Then I take a walking tour of the city, stopping at the harbor …
… and a market filled with fresh vegetables …
… and fresh bread.