hanabilly

Hey All, I haven't posted here for a long time, and I only get a chance to check in from time to time. For a trip report this is way overdue. This will be tagged both Italy and Greece - we started in Athens, then got ourselves to Venice by means of a wonderful wonderful cruise. I hope i haven't lost you there- I know many Fodorites eschew the cruise, but i hope I can convince you that this one was different!

It's been not quite a year, and my notes aren't the best. Fortunately, shortly after returning home I did put together some photos with just brief narrative. For simplicity, I'll attach links (three parts). If you have any questions, I'll answer any questions that I can, adding maybe some of the details that the photo don't offer.
Part 1
https://goo.gl/photos/RorgMpUm1AqemT7C8

I'll be back in a bit to share part two and maybe more details of the first week. For place names, and so on I'll have to go back and check notes or our little envelope of receipts.

PegS

Wonderful photos and just enough description to whet my appetite for more!

jwugg

yes, more please, interesting. What ship were you on?

hanabilly

We were on a Windstar cruise- the ship was the Star Legend. This was our third Windstar cruise, and I can't recommend them enough. The ships are small with usually around 200 passengers.

https://goo.gl/photos/ejE12B5AsDjC7WPV9

fourfortravel

I'm enjoying your writing style. We were in Kotor and Dubrovnik in early June. I'm not certain Dubrovnik is being loved to death, though. With the day trippers streaming in and out, I'd say it's more of a one-night stand kind of relationship.

Sassafrass

Thank you for posting!

heart2travel

Love the pictures! I know I am probably not supposed to admit this on this site but I too love the Windstar. We are doing the same cruise in September. Before you scoff at me Fodorites it will be followed by a 2 week trip in Portugal done Fodor style.
Cant wait for part 2.....
Thank you for sharing
K

hanabilly

I'll be posting the last set of pictures tomorrow...don't tell anyone, but I'm writing this at work right now.

Heart2travel, that's what we do - our trips end up being sort of a hybrid. We'll spend some time in the departure and arrival countries; or in this last instance, we spent 4 days in Athens before the cruise and 4 days in Venice after. Historically it was fascinating, as the theme of the cruise was "Venetian Passageways" and most all of the ports had been influenced by the Venetians. And to begin in Athens...well, what didnt'?

We hate to get in a rut, but on the other hand, once you find a formula that works, why fix what isn't broken? This December we'll be sailing from Panama to Costa Rica, followed by a week in Costa Rica. So, that seems like balance to me.

And you will love love love this cruise!

mnag

Love your photos - and mini captions!!!

heart2travel

We are really looking forward to this trip. Glad to hear first hand from someone who has done it. One question, Did you guys do many of the official shore excursions or did you do your own thing? We tend to like to do our own thing but sometimes their excursions make sense.
We are spending a couple of days before in Bologna as we have been to Venice several times. Then a couple of days in Athens before flying to Portugal to meet some friends.
Thanks for the feedback,
K

john183

I just came across your trip report and was very happy to see your post. Glad you came back to share your experiences and pictures. We were in Athens last May and really enjoyed it. Your pictures are great and bring back lots of great memories. I was also really interested to see that you highly recommend Windstar cruises. We are thinking seriously about a cruise like this and your description of it sounds very nice. Again, thanks for posting this, it looks like you had a wonderful time.