NCL Jade 7-Day Greek Isles- Oct 12-19, 2013 - Review and Pictorial

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We took the coastal road up and over; driving up North to the mountain village of Doukades.

 

We found the doggies in Greece to be friendly and courteous.

 

 

We slowly drove through the mountain villages, and stopped when things looked too pretty to miss.

 

 

 

 

The early risers of the village gathered at the cafes.

 

 

We stopped and chatted several times...

 

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Now, driving even higher into the mountains, the views got more exciting as we passed thru Lakones and Krini

 

 

This was down near our next stop, once we were to leave the high country... the beaches of Paleokastrites.

 

 

Corfu was very lush and green...

 

 

Driving higher still...

 

 

 

Driving through the villages, these were ever present along the road.

 

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We made a little rest stop for some shopping.

 

 

Yumm...home made olive oil...we killed two loaves of bread, taking 'samples'

After that, we were obliged to buy...

 

 

Now, up to the Belle Vista for some ouzo at a respectable morning hour.

 

 

...it was aptly named.

 

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Back down the mountain to the beaches at Paleokastrites

 

 

Although the beach season was over, the water was warm.

 

 

I am sure high season would have seen more traffic

 

 

Excursions from the ships in port filled the little boats for tours out to the caves and grottoes in the area

 

 

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Leaving the North, we took an inland road South to Achilleio, to visit the Achillion Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Some amazing ceiling paintings...

 

 

 

 

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Our host, with the bad heel...

 

 

The view from the courtyard.

 

 

Walkway to the terrace garden...

 

 

 

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By this time, we were in need of some lunch...so, off to a little village nearby called Kinopiastes. I told my companions: "...hey, I know a little place..."

 

 

Yes, these were two-way streets for driving...

 

 

To our destination... Taverna Trypa

 

 

Famous for decades of celebrities visiting the Tavern

 

 

 

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What an afternoon this was... endless food and wine, plus music and traditional Greek dancing in the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

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This is when we first thought of just staying here for the rest of the week!

 

 

The symbolism of this step was lost on me...but I admire the ability.

 

 

Now, this is more like it... lotsa "...opa!" were heard.

 

 

 

Fear that the food would never stop coming...

 

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Time to say farewell to village life and head back to the port. As I mentioned, good signage in Greek and English.

 

 

A cruise through Old Corfu and sightseeing at the fortress.

 

 

We made it back to the ship in time! The Jade was waiting.

 

 

3:30 pm Sailaway, and we are back at sea.

 

 

Time to relax... dinner and a show, then plan for the big day tomorrow...

 

On to Santorini... the cliffs, the views and the sunset...can't wait.

 

Tomorrow...Santorini.

[Carolina Daisy]

We did this cruise in July and just seeing the photos of Corfu make me want to be back there again. Can't wait to see the rest of your trip!

 

Debra

[pcreek]

I love this little escape (for me)!!

 

Your photos are stunning.

I feel like you are taking us all along with you on your trip! Thank you so much for posting!! :D

[KayentaJane]

Thank you for the pictures and review. It's just like being back.

[davejura]

Great review so far Ron. Good fun trying to spot ourselves in your photos! (Myself and the wee fellow at the meet and greet!) You guys did so much in Corfu. We managed a trip to the beach at Palaiokastritsa, but it looks like you were there before us as I can't see us on the beach. I'm afraid our days of being too adventurous are over for a few years!

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I'm afraid our days of being too adventurous are over for a few years!

 

...don't worry. It gets better! You'll be chasing the tyke at every turn!

[DevonianCruiser]

Great pictures and review. I'm doing this cruise next August :D

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Day Four - Santorini

 

An interesting schedule...A midday arrival and a late departure for this port.

This is to allow the visitors to enjoy the famous sunset from the high points of Santorini, I am sure.

 

This island is all about beauty.. the cliffs and the vistas are incredible.

 

"...The island is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan eruption (sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred some 3600 years ago."

 

This explosion took a perfectly round island and turned it into a remaining crescent; a small land mass offshore is the remains of the center of the volcano.... the caldera.

 

Here is our plan for the day:

 

1:30 PM - 10:00 PM

 

H - Pick-up car

B - Santo Winery

C - Akrotiri - ruins

D - Pyrgos - Venetian Fortress

E - Firostefani - churches

F - Oia - churches, dinner, sunset

* - SUNSET in Oia on Oct.15 = 6:42 PM

H - Return car

G - Fira - shopping

 

 

 

 

We rented car from Tony's Rent A Car & Moto in Fira (Firostefani). His office is a short walk from where the cable car lets you off.

 

http://www.santorini.com/rentals/tonys

 

Words cannot express how great this was. A family run business. Tony really takes care of you...as we will see towards the end of the day. No better choice for a car in Santorini.

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A 1:30 arrival let us sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast before we got ready for the port.

 

This is a tender port, since there is literally nowhere to dock. Fortunately, there was just one other ship in port that day...getting in before us, and they were scheduled to leave a few hours after we arrived. So, no worry about crowds or lines to get up the cliff to Fira.

 

The view as we approached the island.

 

 

It gave the impression of snow-capped peaks in the distance.

 

 

Until, you get closer, then you realize...

 

 

That's Fira...the town, all in white, at the top of the cliff.

 

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There are actually two tender docks...one for tours that use motor coaches. This dock had a wide, zigzag roadway for the buses to get to the top. If you had a ship's excursion, you were tendered there.

 

 

...and another port for everyone else. Once ashore, you had three choices:

...walk up the steep zigzag path, ride a donkey up the path or take the cable car up to town.

 

 

Here, you can see the donkey trail...and cable car terminal in the upper left.

 

 

Just about everybody went topside to watch us approach Santorini...the only daylight opportunity for pictures.

 

 

This is Fira, the town at the top of the cliff.

 

 

Looking around, you see the amazing cliffs along the West coast of the island.

 

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We sat in the Star Bar on Deck 13, waiting for the tender call. They use large ferry boats from the island for a very efficient transfer.

 

 

These passenger boats are from the island.

 

 

 

Now, we are getting close to the tender dock.

 

 

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We arrive at the tender dock; a long row of cafes, tourist stores and tour operators.

 

 

Many folks on the Roll Call worried about pre-booking a boat ride to Oia, rather than ascending the cliff. Not to worry... they were there on demand... boats to Oia...no reservations.

 

 

 

We wisely opted to pass on the donkeys and walked right on for the cable car. You are given a Cab number. Just find your cab number and stand on the colored step.

 

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Here it comes...the set of cars simultaneously go up on one side and down on the other.

 

 

Here's a "I'm not too sure of this" look, but it sure beats riding on a donkey.

 

 

It turned out to be smooth, safe and easy...with great views of the harbor.

 

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Once at the top, I walked to Tony's to pick up our car, a drop top Suzuki 4x4. I drove back to pick up the ladies, since the area at the top is a pedestrian only area.

 

We headed out for the short drive to the Santo Winery.

 

 

At the winery, there were amazing views of the caldera.

 

 

That is Oia, far in the distance at the North point of the island.

 

 

Wine, cheese and olives... another life style we could get used to real quickly.

 

 

That is Fira, where we just came from, in the background.

 

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On the terrace, we could look down and see the tender port for buses I mentioned earlier.

 

 

The Jade at anchor... and Oia far in the distance