Surf-n-Turf Holiday...

We started this time of travel and weirdness calling it The Amazing Race BRS Europe but during our holiday portion of the Race it was renamed... Our 3 week holiday was renamed by Tom... Surf-n-Turf! 

The 'Surf' being our great cruise portion of the holiday and the 'Turf' being our driving portion of the holiday! Putting it together - it was the best 'Surf-n-Turf' I ever had...

I wasn't sure exactly how to post the events of these weeks - I think an overall summary of our trip with a few pictures would be great. Then I will follow that with details of each of the destinations and our experiences through photos (by the way...there are a LOT of photos, videos and stories).

So, if y'all are ready...let's get going!

I will leave out the horrors of packing for this trip and let's just start at the first destination...

On Sunday, July 20th, we headed off to Geneva Airport for a short flight to Athens Greece.

View of Athens from the back of the Acropolis...

The Parthenon...

...and the temple...

We arrived at the Athens Hilton mid-afternoon and immediately wanted to relax and enjoy the weather. It was hot, sunny and beautiful. We went down to the pool at the hotel and just enjoyed some local treats (along with a cool beverage). After a lazy afternoon, a great dinner and a good night's rest we were ready to see what Athens had to offer. We knew we wanted to go up to the Acropolis and see the Parthenon. 
The Acropolis of Athens (Greek: Ακρόπολη Αθηνών) is an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and containing the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon.
Next we were off to Piraeus - the port of Athens where we would board the Seabourn Sojourn for the Surf portion of the adventure...

This would be our home
for the next 10 days...

Our first port-of-call would be Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey...
Kuşadası is a resort town on Turkey's Aegean coast and the center of the seaside district of the same name in Aydın Province. Kuşadası lies at a distance of 95 km (59 mi) to the south from the region's largest metropolitan center of İzmir, and 71 km (44 mi) from the provincial seat of Aydın situated inland. Its primary industry is tourism.

All ashore - Kusadasi...

Ephesus at night...

This quaint seaport in Turkey was a great place to wander around, shop and have some great Turkish food. As a treat for the first night, the ship arranged a free concert in Ephesus the site of an ancient Greek city and Amphitheater. We enjoyed snacks, wine and wonderful classical music performed by the Aegean Chamber Orchestra.

The Aegean Chamber Orchestra

Ready to enjoy some music...

Our next port-of-call on Thursday, July 24th, was an old friend - Symi Greece! Tom & I, along with James & Greg, had the pleasure of spending a week here last year. We were welcomed like we never left! Truly a wonderful place filled with wonderful people!

The port of Symi, Greece (with Tom)...

 After leaving Symi, we headed of to our next destination Santorini Greece!
Santorini, also known as Thira, is 120 miles south of Greece's mainland and was formed by an enormous volcanic eruption which occurred over 3600 years ago. The city is built on the top of the mountains and it is approximately 980 feet above the water. There are 3 ways (we know of) to get from the port/lagoon to the city above  -

1. To walk - NOT HAPPENING
2. To a Mule/Donkey ride up the mountain - Tom opted out of this form of transport based upon experience from when he was about 10.
3. A Funicular - that takes you from the port to the city in just a few minutes - Ding, Ding, Ding! We have a winner!

 I woke the morning we arrived in Santorini, stepped out on our balcony (without my glasses) and asked why there was snow on the mountains? Give me a break - it is also my Birthday and I am old!

What I saw off the balcony - an amazing sight and a very beautiful place to spend my birthday!

  We wandered around the narrow streets of Santorini (with all the other tourists) until it was time for lunch! Tom found a truly wonderful place to have a bite. The food was some of the most amazing food we have ever had. This was our view...

  

Our lunch before...

...and after!

More to come of the festivities of this day in the details! It was Spectacular, Magical and Breathtaking!

The next day was a day at sea on the way to our next destination Syracusa Sicily!
This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. Syracuse is located in the southeast corner of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Syracuse next to the Ionian Sea. It is also the birthplace of mathematician and engineer Archimedes.

View of Syracusa/Syracuse from our stateroom... 

We took a brilliant excursion to a local family owned winery but the excitement of this day happened much later that night when Etna decided to erupt! More to come...(in detail).

Starting our second week of 'Surf" landed us in Lapari, Italy. Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the northern coast of Sicily, and the name of the island's main town. Its population is 11,231, but during the May to September tourist season, the total population may reach up to 20,000. It is situated in between Visuvius and Etna in this volcanic archipelago.

We had a beautifully relaxing day just walking around the town and had yet another great lunch...

View of the port of Lipari from our stateroom...

Day two of week two brought us to the port city of Ponza, Italy. Ponza (Italian: Isola Di Ponza) is the largest of the Italian Pontine Islands archipelago, located 21 miles south of Cape Circeo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is also the name of the commune of the island, a part of the province of Latina in the Lazio region. Ponza was named after Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of Judea who tried Jesus of Nazareth for heresy.
We decided to see this marvelous island via an excursion. We spent the day on a small boat circling this tiny island and swimming in the amazing blue water. There are definitely a few stories from this port that will come later...

View off the back of our boat excursion for the day...

Our next port of call was Livorno, Italy. Livorno was founded in 1017 as one of the small coastal fortresses protecting Pisa. It belonged to the city of Pisa for several hundred years then became part of Florence under the Medici family control. This was the only day on the cruise we experienced any rain. Many of the excursions from this port were to Pisa or Florence. Since Tom and I have been to both those places we decided to simply wander around Livorno itself. It is very much a port and industry town...

View of the town...

The area known as Little Venice...

Our last port in Italy would be Portovenere - the port gateway to Cinque Terre (the Five Lands). Portovenere is located on the Ligurian coast of Italy in the province of La Spezia. On this day we took another boat excursion to see the Cinque Terre portion of this coast. The Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. "The Five Lands" comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible corporate development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach them from the outside.
We got to visit Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza on our trip...

On our way to see 'The Five Lands'...

All good things must come to an end - the Surf portion of our adventure was about to end...
But wait! We still have some 'Turf' to cover...
The next morning we docked for the last time in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Since we were off the boat early and we had some time to kill we decided to take our last Seabourn excursion - we scheduled at trip to  Eze and Nice France. Eze is pronouced Ezz not Easy and Nice is Neice not Nice - but since we had free drinks on the ship - this became the  Nice & Easy portion of the day!

A scenic overlook towards the city of Nice!

• Eze is a medieval hilltop commune in the French Riviera. It is best known for its marvelous view of the sea, panoramic scenery and local artists.
• Nice is the 5th largest city in France and because of its location on the Mediterranean Sea it became very popular as a summer spot with English Aristocrats. We were going to see the Nice Flower Market.

Our first official day on land would be in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Part of the French Riviera, Monaco is best known for Grace Kelly (Princess Grace), Expensive cars and the Casino! We did a little of that but we went in a different direction with our stay!

Our last view from the ship - Monte Carlo!

After leaving Monte Carlo we went on to a small town on the Italian Riviera, Sanremo! Sanremo on the Mediterranean coast of western Liguria in north-western Italy. Founded in Roman times, the city is best known as a tourist destination on the Italian Riviera. While there we enjoyed the weather, the food and wandered off to a medieval village/artist colony called Bussina Vecchio.

The view from the pool area at the Hotel Royal in Sanremo!

Last official stop on the 'Turf' portion of our holiday was Lake Como, staying at the amazing Villa D'Este. Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy (56 Sq. miles) and is one of the deepest lakes in Europe (1,300 feet deep and over 600 ft. below sea level). It has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times. It is also known for some of its popular residents (i.e. George Clooney and Richard Branson). The area is also known for being used in many popular movies... Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Oceans Twelve and James Bond's Casino Royale. We enjoyed all the area had to offer...

View of part of the lake from the hotel property...

Almost time to go home - but on the way we decided to stop at little town called Stressa on Lake Maggiore (the second largest lake in Italy). We have passed this area many times taking trains from Milan to Geneva - the lake has two amazing little islands in it - just beautiful! We stopped took a stroll around and had our last meal in Italy for a little while.

A long view of the Islands...

...a closer look!

Needless to say, we made it home safely...
By now, I know you all are getting bored with our travels (it's like being invited over the house just to watch 5+ hours of vacation slides). I will stop here with this posting. The following postings will be more of the amazing scenery and places we saw and less of my...blah, blah, blah! I promise the pictures will not disappoint.

All is good here...
Summer is officially coming to an end - the weather has been getting cold here and the days shorter (sigh).
We are looking forward to coming home for the holidays and seeing as many of our friends and family we can.

One last thing I would like to say before ending - During our trip two wonderful people passed away...

Aunt Nikki (lower left),
Uncle Dick (Lower right),
Dad and Mom (upper left & right)

• My father's sister Nikki Moure. Aunt Nikki you will be very missed and we know you will always be looking out for us. We love you!

• Our good friend Tabitha's Aunt Sylvia - we never met but wish to pass along our condolences to her, her Mom and the family!

Ok, as always we send out our love and best to all our family and friends!
You are all loved and missed!
Ciao for now -
Ron & Tom