Venice gondoliers by Steven Skelley
MSC Musica
Mediterranean Cruise
by Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong
MSC - the Mediterranean Shipping Company - prides itself on its international vibe. It has good reason to do so, MSC is the most popular cruise line in Italy, South Africa and Brazil.
We chose to experience a 7 day Mediterranean cruise beginning and ending in Venice, Italy with stops in 1) Bari, Italy, 2) Katakolon, Greece 3) Santorini, Greece 4) Mykonos, Greece 5) Athens, Greece 6) Corfu, Greece and 7) Dubrovnik, Croatia.
As always, MSC Cruises offered a unique cruise experience with its trademark Italian flair.
The MSC Musica
The MSC Musica launched in 2006 with Sophia Loren - "the ambassador of elegance worldwide" - as her godmother.
The MSC Musica is a ship designed with brass, mirrors, marble and Italian flair. She has been describes as a "perfect blend of tasteful design, elegant ambiance and sparkling entertainment venues," where "guests from around the world will enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere, recreation facilities,and the fine cuisine whether Italian or from a selection of international specialities."
Guests have a wide variety of entertainment and relaxation options including the Crystal Lounge, the fine Havana Club cigar lounge, stylish Kaito Sushi Bar and restful Zen garden, superb Italian dining facilities, an Internet Café, library, casino and shopping arcade. For guests who desire more active pursuits, the Musica offers a tennis court, jogging track, two swimming pools, plus a pool and play area just for kids.
The MSC Musica's boarding process in Venice was very well done. This is quite a feat considering the challenges of working with passengers who speak multiple languages. We were ushered onto the ship relatively quickly and our cabin was available for us immediately. Lunch was already being served in the buffet for arriving passengers.
Venice, Italy
Our cruise began in world-famous Venice, Italy. Venice, known for its artistic and architectural accomplishments, is on many people's Bucket Lists because there is no other place quite like Venice and has a history that is impressive as a world trading power for many centuries.
We chose to arrive several days prior to the cruise and enjoy Venezia at our leisure. We booked a suite in the Hotel Bologna in nearby Mestre ( meh STRAY) which is just a 7 to 8 minute train ride into Venice. Four one-way tickets cost us less than 5 Euros total and we did not have to deal with parking or traffic issues at all. The seats on the train from Mestre to Venice are comfortable and clean. Tickets can be purchased at the station or in the Hotel Bologna at front desk. Read more about Hotel Bologna in our article at http://www.familytravelersmagazine.com/best-western-hotel-bologna---mestre-italy.html
Remember to pick up a map of Venice before you board the train. There are free Venice Tourist Maps in the Hotel Bologna lobby near the computer stations. If you wait until you get into Venice to look for a map, you will have to pay around 3 to 5 Euros for a map and most vendors will not accept a credit card.
We had booked two Venice tours - a walking tour and a boat tour - but we started our sightseeing ourselves by wandering the side streets and neighborhoods most tourists do not see. Venturing off the standard tourist path allowed us to see the real Venice where people still live, shop, and hang their laundry out their windows.
Our walking tour was offered by Avventure Belliseme. It began on the waterfront in the Royal Garden just a short stroll to St. Mark's Square. Our guide was energetic, knowledgeable and full of happy smiles. The tour included a radio receiver and earphone for each participant. Our tour guide had a small microphone. Her words were broadcast to our receivers so that we could hear her instructions and descriptions even in the noisiest areas.
Our tour guide led us through large open piazzas, main streets and even hidden alleyways barely wide enough for our shoulders. She stopped often to clearly and fully explain the canals, religious structures, architecture, sculptures and history of Venice. Her tour was both educational and enjoyable. The tour included entry to St. Mark's Basilica.
Our guide also explained how Venice is built on pilons driven into the muddy sea bottom. Wood and stone are layered on top, layer by layer for each building. The main foundations of the buildings are actually wood because of the need for light architecture on the pilons and mud. To enhance the wooden structures, plaster (?) casts and statues were placed on the outside of each building to give the appearance that the buildings were made of marble.
For the two days before our journey to the city, Venice had flooded. Many streets were under 3 feet of water. By the time we arrived, the water had receded but was still 3 to 4 inches deep on some streets during high tide. Many people chose to wear rain boots to keep their feet and pants dry. At St. Mark's Square, the water was at least 4 inches deep but the local government sent out workers to erect temporary raised wooden sidewalks for tourists to walk on.
We also enjoyed the Avventure Bellisme Canal Boat Tour. The tour began at the Royal Gardens where our tour guide introduced herself and gathered a group of 8. We walked a few yards to the waterfront and boarded a stylish motorboat with both open and covered seatng options. We chose the open-air seating which allowed us ample opportunities for photographs. The guide and boat driver took us through and around all five districts of Venice. It was an excellent way to view the city from a different perspective. We had seen it from the streets during our walking tour and now we saw it from the water. The boat tour gave us a much better view of many of the incredible homes of Venice's wealthy residents - some of whose families have owned those very homes for almost 1000 years.
Bari, Italy (bah Ree)
Our first port of call after departing Venice was Bari on Italy's southeast coast. Bari is the home and burial site of St. Nicolas for whom Santa Claus is loosely based. One of the stops on our tour was to the Tomb of St. Nicolas where local residents still gathered to pray even today. The Church of Saint Nicolas is Bari's top tourist attraction. It was built in 1087 to house the saint's remains.
One of the most interesting sites in Bari to us was the Castello Svevo fortress located just minutes from the cruise port. The high stone walls are still impressive and foreboding and the moat, though it is now dry, is a reminder of the battles fought over this land for many centuries.
Castello Svevo was originally constructed in 1131 and was renovated in 1233 by Frederick II. In the sixteenth century, Isabella of Aragon transformed the castle into a "royal residence."
While strolling Bari's streets, photographers will enjoy the Teatro which was built in the early 1900's and has a beautiful facade that can make a great photo opportunity.
The city has a very modern shopping and business section and heavy traffic. There are storefronts and restaurants everywhere. There are several marketplaces where you can souvenir shop not far from the cruise port.
Katakolon, Greece (ka TAK uh lon)
We docked in Katakolon, Greece today and rode into Olympia - the site of the very first Olympics. It was an incredible place to visit and a dream come true. I touched stones that had been touched by the ancients. I saw a building ruins that had been dedicated to Spartan King Leonidas. I saw body armor worn in ancient battle. It was a wonderful day.
Olympia is about 35 minutes by bus from Katakolon. The ride is interesting as you pass homes, businesses and olive fields.
The ruins at Olympia are very accessible and therefore it is wonderfully easy to reach out and touch the same stonework that the ancients ones touched.
The site of the first Olympic running race is now a barren plain in a grassy field. Visitors are invited to run the track themselves for a unique photo opportunity.
An indoor museum is also on the grounds. It houses an impressive collection of Greek statues, body armor, shields, helmets and small figurines.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini has been called one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We agree! It is simply stunning.
The city sits on the top of cliffs that drop 1000 feet to the sea below. The rounded roofs and exterior walls of the homes flow from one to the next in a dazzling array of whites, yellows, blues and pinks. For photographers and painters, Santorini is a dream come true. There are stunning scenes at ever turn of the winding pathways running between the homes and along the face of the cliffs.
There is no pier at the bottom of the volcanic cliffs so cruise ships that visit Santorini must use tenders to ferry passengers to shore and back to the ship. Once you reach the shore, there are several ways to reach the top of the 1000 foot cliffs - 1) you can take a bus 2) you can walk the winding street upward that looks like a neverending "Z" 3) you can rent a ride on a burro 4) you can take the cable car for a speedy and scenic ride.
However you decide to ascend the cliffs, you will be rewarded with some of the most stunning views on the planet.
Athens, Greece
Piraeus is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the busiest ports in the world. It is the gateway to Athens. Be warned - any venture into Athens is time consuming. The traffic is some of the most congested in the world. After an arduous journey to Athen's city center with a stop at the Olympic Stadium , we arrived at the base of the Acropolis.
We climbed 150 steep and slippery steps to the top of Acropolis Hill which houses the Erectheum, The Temple of Wingless Victory and the Parthenon.
Photographers will love the views offered of the Parthenon, the surrounding city and other nearby ruins.
Lovers of history will enjoy seeing the touching these world famous and ancient ruins that have survived the ravages of war and conquest.
We also visited the Acropolis Museum which houses statues, sculptures marbles of the Parthenon. Photos are not allowed in the museum. Security personnel will force visitors to delete any photos taken inside the building.
Corfu, Greece
We enjoyed a scenic drive through the countryside to the Palaiokastritsa Byzantine Monastery which was founded in the 13th century and offers fantastic views of the Ionian Sea.
Monks still inhabit the small cells today and dozens of cats roam the grounds begging to be petted.
At the base of the mountain that houses the monastery, we found a beautiful beach at the Bay of Palaiokastritsa. The water contained incredible shades of teal and green.
Locals offered small boat tours to the caves that dot the waters edge.
Back in Corfu, we enjoyed a walk through the historic downtown area that is filled with dozens of sidewalk cafes.
We watched local residents played a game of Cricket on the park lawn before we entered the seaside walled fortress that once protected the city against invaders.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Our ship docked at the Dubrovnik Pier. Dubrovnik is known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic."
The city was founded in the 7th century and its world-famous walled "old city" was built in the 12th century to defend the city against its many invaders. The city was highly valued for its strategic trade location.
Dubrovnik's city walls are considered the best preserved of any in Europe and some have called them the most beautiful as well. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
We enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the old walled city with its ancient water fountains, its outside vegetable / farmer's market, and many restaurants and souvenir shops. The old city is filled with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains.
Called "a remarkably well-preserved example of a late-medieval walled city," Dubrovnik highlights include Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque monuments, fortifications, city gates, the Rector's Palace dating from the 11th century, the Franciscan Monastery dating from the 14th century, the Dominican Monastery, and the Sponza customs house.
Unlike many of its European counterparts, Dubrovnik readily accepted most currencies and credit cards.
In conclusion:
We enjoyed our Mediterranean cruise aboard the MSC Musica.
Cruising on MSC Cruise Lines is a unique cultural experience and international adventure that you will not find on other lines.
For more information on MSC Cruises, please visit http://www.msccruises.com/gl_en/select_your_country.aspx
Watch the Florida Cruise & Travelers Magazine video below.
Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong. Copyright 2012 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
Keywords: MSC, MSC cruise, Mediterranean, Mediterranean cruise, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routxong, Family Travelers Magazine, family travel,
Mediterranean Cruise
by Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong
MSC - the Mediterranean Shipping Company - prides itself on its international vibe. It has good reason to do so, MSC is the most popular cruise line in Italy, South Africa and Brazil.
We chose to experience a 7 day Mediterranean cruise beginning and ending in Venice, Italy with stops in 1) Bari, Italy, 2) Katakolon, Greece 3) Santorini, Greece 4) Mykonos, Greece 5) Athens, Greece 6) Corfu, Greece and 7) Dubrovnik, Croatia.
As always, MSC Cruises offered a unique cruise experience with its trademark Italian flair.
The MSC Musica
The MSC Musica launched in 2006 with Sophia Loren - "the ambassador of elegance worldwide" - as her godmother.
The MSC Musica is a ship designed with brass, mirrors, marble and Italian flair. She has been describes as a "perfect blend of tasteful design, elegant ambiance and sparkling entertainment venues," where "guests from around the world will enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere, recreation facilities,and the fine cuisine whether Italian or from a selection of international specialities."
Guests have a wide variety of entertainment and relaxation options including the Crystal Lounge, the fine Havana Club cigar lounge, stylish Kaito Sushi Bar and restful Zen garden, superb Italian dining facilities, an Internet Café, library, casino and shopping arcade. For guests who desire more active pursuits, the Musica offers a tennis court, jogging track, two swimming pools, plus a pool and play area just for kids.
The MSC Musica's boarding process in Venice was very well done. This is quite a feat considering the challenges of working with passengers who speak multiple languages. We were ushered onto the ship relatively quickly and our cabin was available for us immediately. Lunch was already being served in the buffet for arriving passengers.
Venice, Italy
Our cruise began in world-famous Venice, Italy. Venice, known for its artistic and architectural accomplishments, is on many people's Bucket Lists because there is no other place quite like Venice and has a history that is impressive as a world trading power for many centuries.
We chose to arrive several days prior to the cruise and enjoy Venezia at our leisure. We booked a suite in the Hotel Bologna in nearby Mestre ( meh STRAY) which is just a 7 to 8 minute train ride into Venice. Four one-way tickets cost us less than 5 Euros total and we did not have to deal with parking or traffic issues at all. The seats on the train from Mestre to Venice are comfortable and clean. Tickets can be purchased at the station or in the Hotel Bologna at front desk. Read more about Hotel Bologna in our article at http://www.familytravelersmagazine.com/best-western-hotel-bologna---mestre-italy.html
Remember to pick up a map of Venice before you board the train. There are free Venice Tourist Maps in the Hotel Bologna lobby near the computer stations. If you wait until you get into Venice to look for a map, you will have to pay around 3 to 5 Euros for a map and most vendors will not accept a credit card.
We had booked two Venice tours - a walking tour and a boat tour - but we started our sightseeing ourselves by wandering the side streets and neighborhoods most tourists do not see. Venturing off the standard tourist path allowed us to see the real Venice where people still live, shop, and hang their laundry out their windows.
Our walking tour was offered by Avventure Belliseme. It began on the waterfront in the Royal Garden just a short stroll to St. Mark's Square. Our guide was energetic, knowledgeable and full of happy smiles. The tour included a radio receiver and earphone for each participant. Our tour guide had a small microphone. Her words were broadcast to our receivers so that we could hear her instructions and descriptions even in the noisiest areas.
Our tour guide led us through large open piazzas, main streets and even hidden alleyways barely wide enough for our shoulders. She stopped often to clearly and fully explain the canals, religious structures, architecture, sculptures and history of Venice. Her tour was both educational and enjoyable. The tour included entry to St. Mark's Basilica.
Our guide also explained how Venice is built on pilons driven into the muddy sea bottom. Wood and stone are layered on top, layer by layer for each building. The main foundations of the buildings are actually wood because of the need for light architecture on the pilons and mud. To enhance the wooden structures, plaster (?) casts and statues were placed on the outside of each building to give the appearance that the buildings were made of marble.
For the two days before our journey to the city, Venice had flooded. Many streets were under 3 feet of water. By the time we arrived, the water had receded but was still 3 to 4 inches deep on some streets during high tide. Many people chose to wear rain boots to keep their feet and pants dry. At St. Mark's Square, the water was at least 4 inches deep but the local government sent out workers to erect temporary raised wooden sidewalks for tourists to walk on.
We also enjoyed the Avventure Bellisme Canal Boat Tour. The tour began at the Royal Gardens where our tour guide introduced herself and gathered a group of 8. We walked a few yards to the waterfront and boarded a stylish motorboat with both open and covered seatng options. We chose the open-air seating which allowed us ample opportunities for photographs. The guide and boat driver took us through and around all five districts of Venice. It was an excellent way to view the city from a different perspective. We had seen it from the streets during our walking tour and now we saw it from the water. The boat tour gave us a much better view of many of the incredible homes of Venice's wealthy residents - some of whose families have owned those very homes for almost 1000 years.
Bari, Italy (bah Ree)
Our first port of call after departing Venice was Bari on Italy's southeast coast. Bari is the home and burial site of St. Nicolas for whom Santa Claus is loosely based. One of the stops on our tour was to the Tomb of St. Nicolas where local residents still gathered to pray even today. The Church of Saint Nicolas is Bari's top tourist attraction. It was built in 1087 to house the saint's remains.
One of the most interesting sites in Bari to us was the Castello Svevo fortress located just minutes from the cruise port. The high stone walls are still impressive and foreboding and the moat, though it is now dry, is a reminder of the battles fought over this land for many centuries.
Castello Svevo was originally constructed in 1131 and was renovated in 1233 by Frederick II. In the sixteenth century, Isabella of Aragon transformed the castle into a "royal residence."
While strolling Bari's streets, photographers will enjoy the Teatro which was built in the early 1900's and has a beautiful facade that can make a great photo opportunity.
The city has a very modern shopping and business section and heavy traffic. There are storefronts and restaurants everywhere. There are several marketplaces where you can souvenir shop not far from the cruise port.
Katakolon, Greece (ka TAK uh lon)
We docked in Katakolon, Greece today and rode into Olympia - the site of the very first Olympics. It was an incredible place to visit and a dream come true. I touched stones that had been touched by the ancients. I saw a building ruins that had been dedicated to Spartan King Leonidas. I saw body armor worn in ancient battle. It was a wonderful day.
Olympia is about 35 minutes by bus from Katakolon. The ride is interesting as you pass homes, businesses and olive fields.
The ruins at Olympia are very accessible and therefore it is wonderfully easy to reach out and touch the same stonework that the ancients ones touched.
The site of the first Olympic running race is now a barren plain in a grassy field. Visitors are invited to run the track themselves for a unique photo opportunity.
An indoor museum is also on the grounds. It houses an impressive collection of Greek statues, body armor, shields, helmets and small figurines.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini has been called one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We agree! It is simply stunning.
The city sits on the top of cliffs that drop 1000 feet to the sea below. The rounded roofs and exterior walls of the homes flow from one to the next in a dazzling array of whites, yellows, blues and pinks. For photographers and painters, Santorini is a dream come true. There are stunning scenes at ever turn of the winding pathways running between the homes and along the face of the cliffs.
There is no pier at the bottom of the volcanic cliffs so cruise ships that visit Santorini must use tenders to ferry passengers to shore and back to the ship. Once you reach the shore, there are several ways to reach the top of the 1000 foot cliffs - 1) you can take a bus 2) you can walk the winding street upward that looks like a neverending "Z" 3) you can rent a ride on a burro 4) you can take the cable car for a speedy and scenic ride.
However you decide to ascend the cliffs, you will be rewarded with some of the most stunning views on the planet.
Athens, Greece
Piraeus is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the busiest ports in the world. It is the gateway to Athens. Be warned - any venture into Athens is time consuming. The traffic is some of the most congested in the world. After an arduous journey to Athen's city center with a stop at the Olympic Stadium , we arrived at the base of the Acropolis.
We climbed 150 steep and slippery steps to the top of Acropolis Hill which houses the Erectheum, The Temple of Wingless Victory and the Parthenon.
Photographers will love the views offered of the Parthenon, the surrounding city and other nearby ruins.
Lovers of history will enjoy seeing the touching these world famous and ancient ruins that have survived the ravages of war and conquest.
We also visited the Acropolis Museum which houses statues, sculptures marbles of the Parthenon. Photos are not allowed in the museum. Security personnel will force visitors to delete any photos taken inside the building.
Corfu, Greece
We enjoyed a scenic drive through the countryside to the Palaiokastritsa Byzantine Monastery which was founded in the 13th century and offers fantastic views of the Ionian Sea.
Monks still inhabit the small cells today and dozens of cats roam the grounds begging to be petted.
At the base of the mountain that houses the monastery, we found a beautiful beach at the Bay of Palaiokastritsa. The water contained incredible shades of teal and green.
Locals offered small boat tours to the caves that dot the waters edge.
Back in Corfu, we enjoyed a walk through the historic downtown area that is filled with dozens of sidewalk cafes.
We watched local residents played a game of Cricket on the park lawn before we entered the seaside walled fortress that once protected the city against invaders.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Our ship docked at the Dubrovnik Pier. Dubrovnik is known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic."
The city was founded in the 7th century and its world-famous walled "old city" was built in the 12th century to defend the city against its many invaders. The city was highly valued for its strategic trade location.
Dubrovnik's city walls are considered the best preserved of any in Europe and some have called them the most beautiful as well. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
We enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the old walled city with its ancient water fountains, its outside vegetable / farmer's market, and many restaurants and souvenir shops. The old city is filled with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains.
Called "a remarkably well-preserved example of a late-medieval walled city," Dubrovnik highlights include Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque monuments, fortifications, city gates, the Rector's Palace dating from the 11th century, the Franciscan Monastery dating from the 14th century, the Dominican Monastery, and the Sponza customs house.
Unlike many of its European counterparts, Dubrovnik readily accepted most currencies and credit cards.
In conclusion:
We enjoyed our Mediterranean cruise aboard the MSC Musica.
Cruising on MSC Cruise Lines is a unique cultural experience and international adventure that you will not find on other lines.
For more information on MSC Cruises, please visit http://www.msccruises.com/gl_en/select_your_country.aspx
Watch the Florida Cruise & Travelers Magazine video below.
Article by Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong. Copyright 2012 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us: PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email: [email protected]
Keywords: MSC, MSC cruise, Mediterranean, Mediterranean cruise, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routxong, Family Travelers Magazine, family travel,
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