A 25-Day Odyssey from the Mediterranean to the Transatlantic Wonders”

 Embarking on another incredible 25-day adventure, I kicked off with a day in breathtaking Athens. The journey continued with a 12-day Mediterranean cruise, exploring 11 captivating ports of call, followed by a 12-day transatlantic voyage back to the US, making stops in Madeira and Bermuda. True to form, this vacation indulged all my passions – from immersing myself in the rich history of culturally vibrant cities to savoring delightful cuisine throughout the day. Evenings were filled with diverse entertainment, and days were spent partaking in enjoyable activities and games with fellow passengers. The icing on the cake? Forging connections with new friends from across the globe. Needless to say, I’m already gearing up for the next grand adventure! 

Athens hotel with great breakfast and great views of the city

The buffet breakfast at my hotel (Brown Acropol on Omonia Square) is a vibrant feast for all the senses. There are a variety of breads, hot meats, grilled vegetables, pastries, yogurt, fruits, cold cuts, juices, nuts, sausage, yogurt, cheeses, cereals,  jellies, jams, fresh honey, and fabulous coffee machines that make everything from cappuccinos to lattes to expresso. There are even some Greek specialties such a spinach pie, grilled eggplant, roasted sweet potato with feta, grilled red peppers, and more. The champagne is also flowing freely.

The restaurant is surrounded by stunning expansive views of Athens including Leviticus hill and the Acropolis.

I can’t believe I will be on a cruise ship soon where I will have this abundance of the delights every day for 24 days. When you live alone, you don’t dine this lavishly for breakfast everyday!! (I booked this room for €97.)

Here are night time views of the acropolis from my hotel:

A culinary adventure in Athens

As I strolled through the vibrant streets of Athens, I couldn’t help but notice the subtle changes in the air—and prices. While Greece has seen a surge in costs, the allure of affordable and delicious street food remains.

My latest gastronomic discovery led me to a charming hole-in-the-wall where, for just three euros, I indulged in a scrumptious gyro accompanied by perfectly seasoned fries. It was a taste of Greece that didn’t break the bank, proving that you can still savor the local flavors on a budget.

For my sweet tooth, a nearby bakery beckoned me with the promise of a heavenly dessert. A mere one euro secured me a fresh slice of baklava that left my taste buds dancing in delight. It was a sweet deal in every sense.

When it comes to dining recommendations, I take a unique approach—I let my senses guide me. Window shopping for eateries allows my eyes and nose to collaborate, leading me to hidden culinary gems. No asking for suggestions; I prefer the spontaneity of discovering a place that resonates with both my cravings and the local vibe.

One valuable piece of advice: follow the locals. In my quest for the perfect gyro, I stumbled upon a gyro and kebab joint conveniently nestled near my hotel, right on the perimeter of Omonia Square—the lively heart of Athens. Here, the energy of the city pulsates, and the aroma of sizzling meats lures you in.

In the midst of rising prices, Athens still holds the secret to affordable gastronomic bliss. So, the next time you find yourself in the cradle of ancient civilization, let your senses be your guide, follow the locals, and embark on a culinary adventure that won’t just satisfy your taste buds but also your wallet. Opa!

Finally Ordered a Kindle to Lighten my Bookload

I cannot decide which novels and reference books to take on my trip, so I finally ordered a Kindle for my upcoming 13-day overseas vacation. I see I will have 3-G wireless access to ordering books in 100 countries—Italy, Greece, Turkey and Israel are included.

I downloaded the Kindle apps to my I-phone, desktop and laptop PCs. I have already ordered some history and travel books and downloaded them to my other devices. I look forward to using my new Kindle which should arrive in 2 days!!

Mediterranean Cruise Tweets!

Mediterranean Cruise Tweets (Dec 8-20, 2009)

Stood on my balcony as the ship pulled out of Barcelona. Breathtaking views of the city at night. It’s magical! Tomorrow: day at sea. Next port will be Rome.

Loved feeling of being rocked 2 sleep on ship last night. Slept TEN hours. Salsa lessons; past NCL cruiser Meet & Greet parties. Rome tomorrow

2nd bag never made it to ship. Miss my groovy shoes and boots. Lucked out and bought boots and pair of shoes in Barcelona

Great weather. Sunny, not windy, not cold at all on the Mediterranean Sea!

Ship’s internet moves like a melting glacier because they use USA satellite from the Mediterranean Sea

ROME: Sistine chapel- no crowds; Coliseum grand; Spanish Steps; Trevi Fountain; Tour guide hosted us for snacks and sang 2 us at his villa

2nd piece of luggage for my stress-free cruise is missing in action-went 2 airport 3 hours early just so flights & luggage could go smoothly

Athens: hope the riots have calmed down so it’s safe for tourists

Sick in bed yesterday-sea day

My 4th time in Athens. Great Athens Day with small group. -Glad it rained AFTER Acropolis visit! I love the Plaka.

Too sick to take my tour to Ephesus today. Rested some. Went into Izmir, Turkey a bit.

Izmir,Turkey. My 1st visit 2 Muslim nation(Indonesia doesn’t count cuz I went 2 Buddhist Bali.)Turkey very secular and modern.Will join EU.

Re-reading all about history of Europe from my balcony. Smooth sailing today.

I love watching sunsets from my balcony on the Norwegian Jade. We are en route to Alexandria. 7AMarrival tomorrow.

Brazilian line dancing lesson is HIGH energy and aerobic!

Nightly shows on the ship are great: tonight was exquisite ballet flamenco

Egypt-our ship just arrived! Off to Giza to see the PYRAMIDS, Nile Cruise, & overnight at the Cairo Marriott. A dream comes true! 140 characters



The Pyramids at Giza were everything I had imagined they would be and more. Nile dinner cruise, Memphis, & crawled into a 3000 year tomb

Security tight everywhere in Cairo—metal detectors everywhere

The Egyptian Museum took my breath away.Saw King Tut collection, mummy room, and many well-preserved thousands year old artifacts.

2000 miles from Barcelona

Windstorms in Cairo are brutal with dessert so close. We heard another ship could dock in Alexandria today because winds are so strong.

Saw whirling Dervishes perform

Malta, our last stop on the cruise, is tomorrow.

All day at sea today. Saw more great shows tonight. Also, it is Lobster night.

Will arrive in picturesque Valletta, Malta soon! I will explore on my own.

Circled beautiful island of Malta in 1.5hrs. Love the walled Medina. Most Catholic place around. 320+ churches.

Sand from the Giza Plateau seeped into our lungs. We coughed til we left Egypt.

I miss high speed, unlimited use internet.

Finally tasted dinner on 3rd to last night-Lobster night. Tasted all day today (Malta Day) hopefully my taste buds are back for good!

Truly enjoyed visiting cradles of civilization & cradles of Western thought in Italy, Greece, Turkey, & Egypt.Great cruise! Barcelona in AM.

Really rough sailing our last night on the ship. I hear they cancelled 2nd show! Glad I saw it earlier.

Back in Barcelona. Flight to JFK. Hope my evening flight to Miami will go as scheduled.

Stuck in Spain. American Air put us up for the night and gave us 3 meals. Wonder where I will sleep tonight? Spain? New York? Miami? Dread heading back to the airport with all the uncertainty.

Good News: My desperation paid off!! Instead of having to transfer from Newark to La Guardia, they booked me on sold out flight Newark to MIA in FIRST Class!! I am so happy!!! Also got business class to Newark from Barcelona!!