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Mediterranean Ports Of Call, Carnival Vista

Mediterranean Ports Of Call, Carnival Vista

Old Jun 20th, 2016, 07:46 PM
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Mediterranean Ports Of Call, Carnival Vista

Since we had previously visited Athens we arrive in the city just a day before our cruise is scheduled to begin on board the Carnival Vista.

Although this is a short time it does give us the opportunity to enjoy a small part of Athens in less than 24 hours.

Video:https://youtu.be/R_T4suFikgc


Next Port of Call, Kusadasi.
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Old Jun 21st, 2016, 12:26 PM
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Nice video of Athens and I look f/w to seeing Kusadasi.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2016, 06:36 AM
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JW,

Thanks

I have videos from each port of call.. so 8 more to follow.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2016, 06:40 AM
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KUSADASI

When we originally booked our trip on the Vista our first port of call was scheduled to be Izmir. We were initially excited about this because we wanted to visit Ephesus which I thought would be one of the highlights of our trip. However, with security concerns in Turkey we began to have second thoughts about this. To top our disappointment Carnival canceled our stop in Izmir and instead a “Day At Sea” was added.

Fortunately, Carnival changed its plan and Kusadasi became our first port of call. With our security concerns alleviated by input from others we booked a tour with Ephesus Shuttle for $45 per person and we were sure glad that we did.

On a beautiful and clear day we got to enjoy Ephesus and it was indeed one of the highlights of our trip.

Video: https://youtu.be/ULSSQxd8WJ0


Next Port Of Call, Rhodes.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2016, 02:26 PM
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Thank you. I was very surprised by how cool Ephesus was.

https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/Cy..._Ephesus-0.jpg

Did you see this carving of the goddess Nike? Our tour guide said that you can sort of imagine how the athletic company got its swoosh logo from this.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2016, 02:27 PM
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BTW did anyone tell you that the movie The Guns of Nazarene was made in Rhodos?
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Old Jul 1st, 2016, 01:25 PM
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JW,

I did see "Goddess Nike".. However, too many people around to get a good video of it... "Swoosh"
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Old Jul 1st, 2016, 01:31 PM
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RHODES

Our port of call here is supposed to be a “laid-back” one therefore we are in no hurry to leave the Vista. However, just outside the terminal area we discover there is a fleet of cars readily available for rent. In less than twenty minutes we are on our way for an easy drive to Lindos and St Paul's Bay.

Two short stops and we decide to return to the cruise terminal via an inland route. The coastline soon gives way to rolling green hills and winding roads. We make a detour off the main road to visit a small chapel in the back of an olive field then make a stop at a roadside stand to sample some local goods.

An exploration at “7 Falls” does not give us the adventure we are looking for. However, for the thrill of it, one of us is not too “chicken” to visit the co-located “House of Pythons”. Thankfully, I did not end up with a crushing feeling.

Video:https://youtu.be/4G7B02w409I
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Old Jul 1st, 2016, 06:22 PM
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Great videos.
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Old Jul 1st, 2016, 08:47 PM
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Very cool adventure. I like the way you just winged it and saw things on the spur of the moment. .
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Old Jul 5th, 2016, 05:24 AM
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Kusadasi is a very lovely port city with a backdrop of beautiful mountains. Ephesus is spectacular. It was the eastern edge of the Roman Empire and has a glorious display of ruins, including an amphitheater where St. Paul spoke and a very famous 3 story Library, Celsus, a monument to the father of a devoted son.Just outside town is the reputed home of Mary, mother of Jesus, which is well worth visiting.
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Old Jul 20th, 2016, 10:53 AM
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MALTA

Another plan of ours quickly changes as we get an opportunity to see Malta for only 10 Euros. Just outside the terminal area we purchase “Hop-On-Hop-Off” bus tickets and take a short walk to begin one of three routes (Red, Yellow or Blue) offered.

We pick the “Yellow Route” and head off to Mdina where I discover one of this medieval city's dark secrets (delicious cakes) and my new BSE... a Traditional Ftira.

Next Port Of Call... Messina

Video:https://youtu.be/zqjoER2ZVk8
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Old Jul 20th, 2016, 04:05 PM
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Well glad to see you at it again. I looked up what a ftira is. Looks pretty good too though if BSE means what I think it does you may be giving it a wee bit too much credit. .
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Old Jul 20th, 2016, 04:28 PM
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JW,

BSE...Best (Tuna) Sandwich Ever...
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Old Jul 21st, 2016, 05:20 AM
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I knew there was something "fishy" about that. .
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Old Aug 2nd, 2016, 07:43 AM
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MESSINA

Not much to see and do in Messina except "Clock Tower" but this is the gateway port to visit Taormina which can be a challenge to do on your own especially on a Sunday.

It is not necessary to book a tour through your ship as there are plenty of taxi's available outside the port. Most charge about $50 per person for about a two hour tour..

Next Port Of Call.. Naples

https://youtu.be/4MjH7BnizsQ
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Old Aug 4th, 2016, 10:33 AM
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Pretty nice by itself really. It's not a port intensive stop yet there seems to be a quaintness to it. I'll bet local food was great there too.
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Old Aug 7th, 2016, 09:16 AM
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JW,

Stops like Messina makes me wish I had two stomachs.. Holy Cow, strudels and cannolis .. Mama Mia!

Any upcoming cruises? We are off on a short RCL 5 Day next week
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Old Aug 7th, 2016, 09:17 AM
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NAPLES

Would definitely recommend using “Can't Be Missed Tours” http://cantbemissedtours.com/ when visiting this port.

A beautiful part of Italy that you would really enjoy.

Video:https://youtu.be/jQlUXrtdlJQ
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Old Aug 8th, 2016, 01:55 PM
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Very cool. Did you pre book this or get it as you exited?

Where R U going next week?

We were supposed to go to China in November for a cruise out of there but unfortunately Royal Caribbean canceled that cruise for a private charter. We have another cruise with them for December 2017 on the ovation of the seas out of Sydney that mainly goes to New Zealand and ends up back in Sydney and we have a Nice nearby in Canberra so we can have a chance to see her and her family .

In October we are just going briefly to see a very good old friend who is actually the best man at our wedding and we're going to see him for a few days in Rochester New York and of course his family too.

We saw Pompeii and we got a cab as we got off the ship and had a most memorable and fun time with a very outgoing man named Ernesto. He took us to Pompeii and also we had a great lost in translation moment with him . I wanted to go somewhere for lunch so I told him to take us to a place where all the local people go and I was thinking of some nice quaint neighborhood you know the kind of place with a table on the sidewalk in a big umbrella over it . Well I don't think he was on the same wavelength as me because he ended up taking us to a truck stop on the highway. It's not what I had in mind but it sure turned out to be a fun story to tell. .
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