Split, Croatia

Arriving into Port, you see the wonderful mixture of Ancient and modern buildings that make up the second largest city in Croatia.  The beautiful Adriatic sea at its doorstep with the mountains as a backdrop makes a picturesque setting.

My best advice is to organise a private tour with locals to get an in-depth feel and understanding for this city. This way you basically have a one on one with the guide, and you are able to learn a lot more than the superficial history of the place.

We did have a fantastic guide Katija and the driver Igor who understood we wanted to know as much as possible in the limited time we had and wanted more than the standard tourist routes.

Our first destination was the Diocletian's Palace which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. We began the tour labyrinth of Subterranean tunnels of the palace that was built in the 4th Century for Emperor Diocletian. The Palace has quite an interesting history with so many changes through time with so many other countries claiming this port. Exploring the ruins that are mixed in with current buildings gives you a whole new perspective of how cities progress.

If you are into art, especially sculpture head towards the museum of the famous Croation artist Muzejlivana Mestrovica and view his sculptures. My favourite was the one entitled 'Pieta' which he did 2 years after the tragic suicide of his son.

If you want to try some authentic Croatian cuisine, there's a lovely seaside town called Omis that has a nice outdoor restaurant, next to a clear stream called Radmanove Mlinice, although a tad touristy it has good food and I'd recommend the mixed grilled plate, especially the Cevapcici!

And when you finish your delicious local cuisine, do as the locals, find a cool place and take a nap!

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is well known as 'The Pearl of the Adriatic' a beautiful gem of a city. A walled city that once rivalled Venice as a maritime trading centre. Walking along the wall, seeing all the architecture and watching the way of life of this bustling tourist city.

There's so much to see in Dubrovnik, and you can spend lots of time just wandering around this beautiful city. Stunning views that can give you a feeling of peace, you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy city, it's a great tourist destination.

        

We decided to get a quick dinner before boarding the ship. The last bus was leaving the centre square at 8:30 pm to return us to the ship, so we headed out for an early dinner. We found this excellent restaurant between the lanes that served regional fare. Enjoying the meal and wine, we realised the time went faster than anticipated. We quickly paid our bill and were just in time for the last bus, but there was no bus to be seen. We looked around and realised that the last bus had left without us. We decided that we need to quickly catch a taxi back to the ship. We joked that we need to take the taxi all the way to the next destination in Split. As we watched ships leaving port, we were fortunate that ours was the last to leave, and as we boarded the ship closed the doors, and the ship prepared to depart. A close one!

Well, it just shows that a good time in a beautiful city makes time fly by. There is always time to enjoy food, wine & friends. Here is another city we need to make a return visit to. Its great to get a taste of the places so you know which you would like to see and explore further.









So much to see in Dubrovnik but even better when shared with friends!

Kotor, Montenegro

Located along one of World’s most beautiful bays is Kotor, a city known for traders and famous sailors.

The Old City of Kotor is typical of the Middle Ages; it is well-preserved urbanisation, built between the 12th and 14th century. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made Kotor a UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site”.

Through the entire city, the buildings are crisscrossed with narrow streets and squares. One of these squares contains the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Sveti Tripun), a monument of Roman culture and one of the most recognisable symbols of the city. It should be on your must-see list.

Unfortunately, it was a short visit here at Kotor, and we got a rain day, but that doesn't stop the sightseeing. The beautiful buildings are great to visit, shopping is good too, value for money here. The cheapest coffee of the trip 2.50 Euro. It didn't take long to tour the township and not being on a tour we just moseyed along and enjoyed the morning.

There are lots of sightseers with Tourism being the prime income source in Kotor. Enjoying the sights, we finally got fed up of the rain and decided to find somewhere for lunch and to enjoy the afternoon indoors.

We found a lovely restaurant that had a good menu, a glass of wine and a fabulous view. A great way to spend a rainy afternoon when on limited time from the ship.

I would like to return here to actually spend some time and discover more of Kotor. It's always good to have places you can return to and know you want to explore more.

Katakolon Greece

I adore seeing ruins and learning about the ancient history that began our civilisations. So heading for Katakolon was exciting and it didn't miss its mark. We took our tours to Olympia and Zeus & Thera's temple. This site is where the Olympic games began as a religious ceremony for the gods, showcasing the naked bodies of the athletes to the spectators (men only) so they could admire the perfect form.
Women were not allowed in the arena, and if found there would be killed. (A touch harsh in my opinion). The torch that signals the beginning of the Olympic games is lit here in an ancient ceremony to begin its journey to the country holding the games. That would be a splendid time to visit.

I love everything about mythology and enjoy reading about it in non-fiction and fiction books. We're the gods benevolent or were they selfish gods? How did they interact and how did their hierarchy and civilisation work? The more you learn, the more questions are raised. It's speculated in mythology that due to the fact that people stopped worshipping these gods they lost their powers but continue to wait and hope that they will once more be in favour. Interesting thought that gods just hang around waiting for us to revisit our worship of them.

It's fabulous to wander around and learn about those times as well as listen to the guide. Some guides are more knowledgeable than others and can answer all the questions, you're fortunate when you get one like that in a place like this.

These photos depict some ancient artefacts, statues and a representation of what Zeus and Thera's temples were like.  These show the skill of the artisans that created these figures in this period and the simplicity of the armour made and worn in that time.

The statues depict stories of the time, one such is; a seer advised a father that his daughter's husband would kill him. So he made all suitors race him, but as he had the fast horse, he always won. Until one day the daughter fell for a handsome suitor and bribed the servant to replace all the metal pins with wax. Obviously, the suitor won, and he promptly killed the father, and the premonition came true. Fate, Coincidence or inevitable in that time period?

If you love mythology and ancient history, it's a place you must see. Of course, there is so much more to the area, but for me, this was where I wanted to visit most.

Chania, Crete Greece

Our Next Port of call was Chiana, Crete, it's a beautiful blend of Old and New and has a strong Venetian and Ottoman influence due to its history of occupation. It's on the north-west side of Crete and is a modern city built on the ruins of the ancient city of Kydonia.
Chania itself is not large, but there's a lot to explore with the bountiful sidewalk cafes and restaurants, the architecture of the historic pastel townhouses. The Firka Fortress, where the reunification of Crete with Greece was signified by the raising of the Greek flag in 1913 and the Archaeological Museum with Minoan & Roman artefacts are on your must see list.
The beautiful Venetian lighthouse below was part of the modernization of the harbour in 1500's and stand proud and tall.

The cruise line organised a re-enactment of a Cretian wedding for all as a special treat for the passengers. All the passengers wanting to attend were taken ashore to be part of this fantastic festival for us. We were served traditional foods and partook in the wedding ceremony and reception. A beautiful summer night in the town square made this event very enjoyable.

The island also boasts a beautiful beach Elafonisi which is south-west of Chiana. Unfortunately, we never got there as time was limited, but we're always happy to leave something to see or do so we can return.
We particularly enjoyed our visit to Chania, Crete, it's definitely on our list of return visits as we'd like to stay longer, explore and immerse ourselves in the culture and way of life.

Next Katakalon, Greece

Santorini & Paros, Greece

Our next port of call was Paros, we had a short visit so again we opted for the beach. We were taken to Christi Arti, the longest golden beach in Greece, a whopping 750 metres of sand! It's also the national windsurfing competition beach. We were told that the winds are prevalent in July/August and our day was unseasonably calm, therefore no windsurfers and a relaxed day at the beach.

We explored the port on foot, as you do, with it being a rather small town the area to discover was limited.  Other than the church with the 100 doors and its history, the township itself, which is a very quaint fishing village, there's not a huge amount to see. With the temperature sweltering, we chose to enjoy a local meal of saganaki, tzatziki and souvlaki with local wine and passed the afternoon away by the sea, chatting with the locals. You learn a lot more about a place when you chat with the local residents. They tend to tell you what it's like to live in their town and its history from their point of view.
We finished with a leisurely trip back to the ship to relax before dinner at one of the fabulous speciality dining restaurants on board and watched as we set sail for Santorini.

Santorini is as you would see on every travel brochure, picture perfect views. We opted to take the cable car up instead of walking or riding the mules up those long steps in the hot sun. A very wise choice in my book. The town itself has it's good and bad points, very touristy based foods and souvenir sellers everywhere you look.  It took us quite some time actually to find a local, regional Greek taverna, where we could experience the regional food prepared for the locals. Well worth the effort, as we enjoyed the fish, salads cheese and wine of the area.

Views from the top are spectacular and its lovely to sit and enjoy a cold drink taking in the scenery. The town is very picturesque and I particularly wish it was less touristy but understand how their economy is driven.
Still a beautiful place to visit and admire the spectacular views over the sea, the buildings along the cliff and the way of life of the locals.

Mykonos Greek Islands

Woke up after a pleasant night to the ship anchoring in Mykonos. Decided to take a tour to the beach as we were staying quite some time here.
We were taken by bus through some small winding roads to a beach called Elia where the waters were crystal clear. We were then charged for our seats and umbrellas about $20, we only had 3 hrs here, but it was plenty to enjoy the warm clear waters and bask in the sun.         

   
Being the morning, we also had the beach to ourselves, lovely!

After our morning beach excursion, we headed back to town to grab some lunch at one of the local cafes. We always try the local food as we want to know and understand the culture of the places we go, even if it's too fleeting to really immerse yourself at least you get a taste of the Greek Isles.

The view during our travels to the other side of Mykonos to the beach and the view from the cafe on the shoreline.  Love Greek food, so much fish and fresh produce especially with the market farmers selling their wares on the street.

Mykonos like many other Greek islands is a place that comes to life after dark when the youth are out and about and ready to party. Loved that our shipped docked overnight to allows us to enjoy the nightlife of this beautiful island. It's amazing how a slow moving daytime life becomes a buzzing nightlife. Everyone comes out to play after dark, an experience that I enjoyed being part of.

So if I were to describe Mykonos, I'd say  'a place for lazy days and fun filled nights'

Azamara Adriatic Sea Cruise

We chose the Azamara cruise line to sail the Adriatic Sea. This cruise line is one of the smaller lines of the Caribbean Cruise lines as the ship only has approximately 700 passengers on board. Being a smaller ship, you are able to go to ports and areas the larger cruise ships cannot, giving you the added bonus of touring places, not on the typical cruise line itinerary. This cruise line is more for the sophisticated traveller who wants to enjoy the culture of the destinations, and they are usually all like-minded, so you have a good group of passengers to befriend.

What I loved about this cruise line is that they are a cultural immersion journey where you get to stay at the port overnight to enjoy the city/town during the evening and night and experience more of the culture of your destinations.

The ship itself is just large enough to have your own space and yet cosy enough to meet new people and make friends. There are plenty of places to just sit back have a drink and relax, including your suite.

There is a choice of places to eat and enjoy different cuisines, whether you want a private dinner in your suite, an intimate dinner for two at a restaurant, or enjoy dinner with new friends in the dining room. The dining room has selections of regional menus that match the ports where it's docked.

Of course, there's always the entertainment from cabaret to casino, spa or pool. It's all there for you.

If you're fortunate to get a suite, it comes with added extras like a butler, afternoon snacks such as prawn platters or afternoon tea and a selection of alcohol in your suite.  

Being a smaller ship, you also get to know the crew who remember your name, your preferences and actually want to know about your day. I must say having the flexibility of staying overnight at our destination made the trip more enjoyable, no rushing back to the ship by 5 pm but being able to enjoy the local nightlife, especially in a place like Mykonos where it really comes alive after the sun goes down. The crew is on hand to welcome you aboard whether it's 7 pm or 5 am the next morning. 

I can certainly recommend this cruise line and will be cruising with it again in the not too distant future.

Kifissia, Athens, Greece

Sometimes when things go wrong, they actually can turn out better!

We were joining our cruise ship Azamara Journey in Athens and needed to stay overnight before embarking.  Never having been to Athens, I checked where most of the cruise passengers were recommended to stay.  Grabbed the name of the hotel from the site and went to book it directly.  It was a bit confusing as there were two with similar names and of course I chose the nicest one and booked it.

Well, when we arrived at the airport in Athens we grabbed a taxi and told them the name of the hotel that was in the port area.  When the driver started driving through the countryside, we began to get a bit anxious as to what was happening and where we were heading.

Thirty minutes later we arrived Theoxenia Palace, Kifissia, a beautiful boutique hotel in who knew where. We queried where we were at the reception, and they explained that their sister hotel was the one at the port. We were informed we better leave early the next day, as traffic can cause massive delays and we didn't want to miss our ship. Although a bit nervous we decided to make the best of it and explore where we were. To our ultimate surprise just down the road was a plaza with some great outdoor restaurants and even a TGI Fridays!

Joined the locals at the restaurant/wine bar and ordered some drinks which were accompanied by
loads of bread and dips, gratis! (love the European way of always serving food with their drinks)  As night descended, we stayed and had dinner which came with so many added extra treats that our mistake was turning into the best time.

The next morning after a lovely breakfast we were guided towards a shopping strip that was walking distance away. Well, another wonderful surprise! All luxury name brands stores which were having an end of season sales. Yes, you guessed it, couldn't help ourselves and were late getting back to the hotel where our taxi was waiting to take us to the ship.

Arrived in the Port of Athens in approximately 40 minutes and started our embarkation process.
When we were finally allowed to our suite, we had a chilled bottle of champagne awaiting us to toast the voyage.



Next, we head off on our cruise, and the first port of call is Mykonos.

French Riviera

When travelling to France, a must is the French Riviera.
The French Riviera borders closely with Italy and Monaco.  Nice (pronounced Neece) is one of the best places to base yourself while you are exploring the area. It's quite a cosmopolitan place with influences from both France & Italy.
We stayed at the beautiful Hotel West End Hotel Nice, centrally located with a great view of the coastline. Easy access to the beach and a rather good buffet breakfast is available.

West End Hotel - Nice

We prefer to travel towards the end of Summer when the weather is not as hot, most of the Europe has gone back to work or school, and there are fewer tourists around. Although Nice has a very touristy culture, by this I mean many eateries that cater to western culture cuisine such as pizza, pasta, etc. there are still some fabulous areas that showcase the French way of life.

I would recommend that you walk through and enjoy the old quarter of Nice. Here you find artisan food and textiles and can experience life the way it once was with the small winding roads and beautiful buildings of the past.

Of course, just around the corner is beautiful Monte Carlo in Monaco. Definite a must see to experience how the other half live or maybe just want to be perceived. Although it's an expensive coffee or drink at the Cafe du Paris next to the casino, it's worthwhile to sit, and people watch. If you're a car enthusiast, then you'll be in paradise with all the luxury cars that cruise by.

Don't forget to visit the marina and walk along all those magnificent yachts and dream of the life that could be.

The lifestyle in France is relaxed and all about enjoying the moment, the food and social outings.

The French Riviera has something for everyone, and there are some divine towns to visit in the area, just jump on the train and travel along the coast in either direction and you'll find many surprises. Try a trip over the border to Italy or Monaco for a change. It's at your fingertips.

As the French are fond of saying Ces't le vie (that's life!)

Mount Buller, Australia

Mount Buller is a fabulous ski resort only two and a half hour drive from Melbourne, which makes it readily available for a weekend visit. It has been rated as the "best all over mountain experience' in Australia. Its catch phrase is known as being "On top of the world'.
Mt Buller has various restaurants catering for every budget, from multi-award, winning Grimus Kaptans Restaurant to Abom fast food & pizza dining and numerous apres bars.  There are quite a few ski rental places that cater to the novice and can gear you up completely to the experienced wanting to try out demos, and of course the helpful Mt Buller information people wondering through the village to offer guidance.

The majority of the mountain is ski in ski out but otherwise there is a free shuttle that transports all the skiers around. Mt Buller has 22 lifts and over 50 trail runs, the majority of the runs are intermediate, but there is still an abundance of expert runs as well as excellent facilities for beginners.

There are central food stations that offer good food & coffee to warm you up or keep you going. Kofler's (above), Tirol & Grimus like some of the other lodges and restaurants are run by generational families who love the mountain and are happy to chat about the mountain past and present.

There are a wide variety of accommodation choices, from lodges to apartments and hotels to suit every type of budget. The styles range from the original A-frames to the modern townhouses.

 

After a good day skiing, join the Apres crowd for Happy Hour and watch the beautiful sunset over the mountain or just enjoy the view from your accommodation and relax till the next day brings it all over again.

Mt Buller may not be one of the highest mountains in Australia, but it makes up for what it lacks in height by making it a perfect place to stay on the mountain, enjoy the snow, skiing and the nightlife.
An ideal location to experience the snow or enjoy a ski holiday.

Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

Visiting Australia's tropical region is a must for locals or tourists alike. The Whitsunday islands on the Great Barrier Reef are a beautiful playground of sun, sea & surf. One of the loveliest resorts on Hamilton Island is Qualia, a luxury resort set on the edge of the island, that offers excellent accommodation, Spa facilities, In house dining, concierge service and so much more.

After being picked up from the airport on the island provided refreshments and then whisked away to the resort's fabulous gates that are reminiscent of Jurassic Park you enter and feel all your worries and stress melt away. Upon arrival, you're taken to relax with a glass of bubbly while the paperwork for your stay is done.

There are three main types of accommodation, Leeward Pavillion, Windward Pavillion or Beach House. They are all amazingly spacious and luxurious, with great views and plenty of privacy. The Beach House is a stand alone house perched on the edge of the property with magnificent views of the seas and islands. As the property is so vast, each pavilion has a golf cart available to the guest to get around.

There are two dining areas, the more casual Pebble Beach restaurant on the beach by the pool, and the Long Pavillion restaurant that has fine dining. Both restaurants feature fresh local produce and are an enjoyable experience. Private dining along the pool can also be arranged for that romantic dinner a deux or relax in your pavilion with in-room service.

With such excellent facilities, it was difficult to find the enthusiasm to leave the resort and explore the island, fortunately, it's not a large island and we did discover some lovely coastline and beaches. We also enjoyed a beautiful sunset cruise while sipping wine with a small group of other guests.

A must is the private beach 1/2 day drop off, where you are set up with an umbrella, towels, picnic and drinks of your choice. Don't let me get started about the Spa...it's fabulous for the mind body and soul and I enjoyed its indigenous approach to the experiences.

Romance and relaxation are the keys at Qualia with the style and luxury that ensures a fabulous break be it a few days or more.

Koh Lak, Thailand

We decided on a trip to Khao Lak in Thailand, about one hr from Phuket to celebrate our Anniversary. We chose to stay at The Sarojin 5 star hotel overlooking the white beaches and beautiful, Andaman Sea.

The hotel has the nicest gardens and just exudes serenity. The welcome you receive is so gracious and immediately puts you in the right frame of mind. 

We were escorted to our villa with its private pool. A room you can certainly relax in,  the bathroom giving you the feeling of being outdoors. The villa is private and comfortable and encourages you to indulge in time to yourselves or if you're feeling more social, you can go and lay out by the stunning hotel pool.

Then, of course, there is the lovely white sand of the beach area, where the gentle breeze keeps you cool while you unwind and let your worries melt away. Enjoy a cocktail and lunch by the seaside; the chefs produce delicious dishes to tempt any taste buds.

There are many tours you can take to fill in your days if you feel like being active. Tours to see the monkeys, Phi Phi Island, the elephants, river rafting, or scuba diving which we enjoy. The waters are crystal clear and the aquatic life is abundant. The Sarojin has a luxury motor boat that takes you across the waters to Similan Island for snorkelling or diving and the onboard lunch is decadent and plentiful. The mainland tours are private and you're allocated a guide, car, and are given the full VIP treatment.

As we celebrated our anniversary, the hotel organised the most romantic private dinner by a waterfall, with our chef and more than 150 candles. It was more than a dream; it was enchanting.  I felt spoilt and very special, this made our evening one always to remember.

With indulgent spa treatments included this is one place I can recommend to relax, recharge and reconnect. Loved it!

Touring Tasmania

If you have the time, I suggest you hire a car and tour through Tasmania. It's not a large island and you can get from one side of Tasmania to the other in a day.

A visit to Strahan, a very picturesque fishing village is a must. The serene village is a perfect place to relax or grab a bite to eat. I would suggest 42o restaurant which has an excellent selection in its buffet. 

Strahan is ideal for fishing, (naturally!) or you can unwind with a river cruise or be more adventurous and go hiking to the Hogarth Falls.

A lovely Bed and Breakfast to stay at is Ormiston House, a grand federation mansion located just on the edge of the harbour. The rooms are well appointed and the decor is reminiscent of a bygone era.

This historic home makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. The present owners are there to welcome you warmly and take care of your needs.

Ormiston House

Another must on your visit to Tasmania is Cradle Mountain. The Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park has no trees and has a ragged wild landscape. There are man different types of accommodation available, we chose Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, our room was a cabin with spa facilities. The cabin is spacious and well appointed, you may need to bring your supplies as the availability of items are limited, the alternative is the Tavern Bar & Bistro at the lodge. The restaurant proved to be our best options and we were happy with the meals & service.

One way to see Cradle Mountain is via horseback; it's a pleasant ride along Speeler plain and there are a few different horse riding tour stables to choose. The one we chose had well groomed and trained horses.

Driving to the above places takes you through winding roads which can be a little tricky but it's well worth the trip. There are so many other parts of Tasmania to visit, like Freycinet or even visiting Richmond or Port Arthur, which are only a hop skip & jump from Hobart. 

So take the time to explore this lovely state.

Nant Whiskey Cellar & Bar, Salamanca Tasmania

As we stayed just above Salamanca, we easily strolled through the area and ended up at Nant - whisky cellar & bar after a leisurely lunch.  It looked very inviting, with its beautiful decor and inviting ambience, and of course, we took up that invitation.

Not being a whiskey drinker, l was weary as to what I could have here. There are a few choices that don't have whisky but I noticed they had something I enjoy and decided to choose the affogato- coffee infused whisky with whisky flavoured ice cream and espresso coffee - the coffee infused scotch was divine, they sold me on it!  Unfortunately, it's not for sale; they make it on site, where they drip feed whisky through the coffee. Means I'll have to go back!

My companion who enjoys whisky had the American oak sherry barrel 43% scotch - and enjoyed that.  They have whiskey tasting available if you want to try some of the award-winning Nant whiskies.

                     

It's a beautiful place just to sit and relax. I love the ambience of this bar, when we were there it was somewhat empty but it does come to life at night. I do prefer the quieter times, though. Make sure you put it on your list of places to check out.