bennybear

Good morning and thanks all, hoping Tana improves soon! I love books, prefer real ones but love my kindle for travel, sure helps with the suitcase weight. I too read a lot, currently reading the Post mistress of Paris, just finished an interesting nonfiction called Red Notice that helps one understand oligarchs and Russia. Really enjoyed Beneath a Scarlet Sky based on a true story of a young Italian during WW2. I’ve enjoyed Louise Penney’s later books, particularly the one set in Paris and State of Terror that she co-wrote with Hilary Clinton. I like reading about places we’ve travelled to. Really enjoyed Pachinko set in Japan. Also love Lisa See, particularly Island of the Sea Women. I’ll stop now, lol!

Good morning. Another beautiful Canadian lighthouse

good morning and thanks all. We visited Berlin from Warnemunde. Another very thought provoking place. Seeing the war memorial is really stunning as is the wall and Brandenburg gate. @dfish yum. @Heartgrove we loved Lyon and stayed near the station. Enjoy. The planning is half the fun.

Hiroshima is a very thought provoking place. It really makes you stop and think. It is a very new city. And has its own surprising beauty

Just wanted to add, try and stay in a pousada, they’re hotels in former palaces and monasteries. We stayed in a magnificent one on the Algarve in Estoi.

The famous steam clock 886B8FA2-5040-4C09-BE85-50648910DD40.MOV

Good morning and thanks all, I’ll read later. Just a quick post as we’re off to get staples removed. Otaru is famous for exquisite jewellery boxes, also had beautiful glassware and is very famous for sushi. Now I know where Big Boy is. It’s a very long walk from the port when you get Off the ship very late as you have to reclear Japanese customs onboard after visiting Russia

The stunning Adaschi museum and gardens, they planned it so the mountains form the backdrop

Matsue castle

Good morning and thanks all! Warmed my heart to see Little Shadow with a toy! Glad she is responding to you! Love that she is the daily’s dog! Welcome @RedneckBob ! welcome back @dfish hope you remain negative, impressed with all your posts while jet lagged, it usually takes me a while, lol! Sakaiminato was a last minute substitution port for us, it allowed us to visit the black Matsue Castle. And enjoy a small boat ride, then visit one of the top gardens and museums and the amazing sculptures in the small town of Sakaiminato.

@kazu hard to believe how thoughtless some people are! I had a friend who got a new pup after she lost her DH, and it was the best decision ever. We all make the best decisions we can, and you need love and support, I’m glad you shared! Helping others is often the best way to help ourselves. @AV8rix you made me smile, my cousin was married to a dear man who was an aeronautical engineer too, who worked for Boeing. He passed away years ago when his children we’re young, but he was salt of the earth. @Cruising-along I hope you get some relief! and you too @JazzyV

We’ve spent many months on different Greek islands. We try to spend at least two weeks if we can each time. Each island grouping is vastly different. Crete is one of our favourites and we’ve spent nearly two months there on three separate trips and we still would love to go back. It truly has everything. There are many enticing areas to explore if one is not limited by a cruise, Skiathos and Skopelos are also lovely, where much of Mamma Mia was filmed. And picturesque Keffallonia and Zakynthos, have stunning scenery and beaches. We also enjoyed Paros, and staying on Santorini. Unfortunately, on a cruise you just get a taste of an Island.

Ooh, sliding doors! Any photos?

You’re most welcome, I find it helps with planning to have some idea of what one might see. Have a great cruise!

Yes and @JazzyV @Sharon in AZ and @Quartzsite Cruiseramong many who help make this thread more manageable, it does take more effort but is appreciated. @Sharon in AZ we have found BA to have an amazing international trans Atlantic flights business class complete with lie flat beds, but the European flights are just with the blocked middle seats.

Good morning and thanks all, We’ve visited Skagway twice and Haines once, my main memory is seeing bear scat on one of the sidewalks in Haines👀 @smitty34877 praying the antivirals kick in soon for your family, @kazu sending hugs!

I agree with Cruise mom about Trastevere. Years ago it was wonderful and we had a truly lovely experience. Last time it was overcrowded and full of tourist traps and disappointing places to eat. I find the best places when I ask locals, shopkeepers or sometimes at the hotel. We’ve discovered some gems this way not far from the Trevi fountain. And also near Campo di Fiori.

The gorgeous Trulli homes are not to far away in pretty Martina Franca, Alberobello.

We love Crete, but would suggest at least a week on this vast island to really enjoy it. It has everything, spectacular scenery, beaches and great food. Santorini is spectacular to see, but is overcrowded and suffers as a result. Mykonos is my least favourite island, again so overcrowded and expensive. We have also enjoyed Keffallonia, Corfu and Rhodes on cruises.

We also highly recommend a private tour to the ancient mountain top city of Priene, and Miletus and Didyma. They were truly spectacular but Priene is a bit of a climb and uneven ground, some photos of Didyma.

@AncientWanderer Highly recommend the pousadas in Portugal, here is one former castle and grounds we stayed in on the Algarve.

Good morning and thanks all! @0106 yum on those recipes! @smitty34877 I am so sorry to hear about your family! Praying the paxlovid helps! @kazu shadow is a beauty! Hope each day is easier! @StLouisCruisers hope they can find out about your knees soon, I’m wondering if it’s bursitis where the sac behind your knee fills with fluid causing pain? That’s what I was diagnosed with on The ship after an ultrasound. Ice and elevation are your friends. They can also drain it if necessary! @richwmnwe stayed in that same hotel in Porto! @cunnorl the bioluminescence sounds amazing!

@erewhon How cool! A beautiful area to visit! @kazu I could only see one photo, but nice to see her settling in!

Good morning and thanks all! @smitty34877 so sorry to hear about Tana’s son, I hope Tana can remain safe! @kazu Shadow looks lovely and I’m hoping she will become comfortable soon. Near Portland, we visited the beautiful Jurassic coast, I even found a fossil and beautiful Lulworth cove and Durdle Door.