Holland America Mediterranean Romantic Cruise July 30 - August 11, 2009 Mark, Marvel, Olivia, Sam, Grandma and Grandpa Corinne, returning from her mission to Malaga, Spain We had a wonderful time and just want to share the highlights of our trip. Grandpa took over 1000 photos, so these are just a very few to give you an idea of the beauties of the Mediterranean beginning in V
enice, where we spent 3 days prior to boarding the ship. We visited Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kerkira, Corfu; Argostoli, Cephalonia; and Santorini, Greece; Catania, Sicily, Naples, Rome and Florence, Italy and ending in Barcelona, Spain. Here we are enjoying the cool breezes in the evening. This is the life! The Oosterdam, currently Holland America’s largest ship (2,200 passengers, 800 crew), was our home for 12 days and it was wonderful. We all decided Holland America really knows how to take care of its cruisers.
We loved Venice. Mark had rented a nice apt. right off the Grand Canal which was handy despite being on the 3rd floor with 45 stairs to climb! Venice is made up of 117 islands and surrounded by 177 canals and is about 2 miles long. Everything is done by boat–no cars permitted. Gondolas used to be the most common mode of transportation. Today, we, like many others, enjoyed a gondola ride one evening to see more of the beauties of this city. We did our sightseeing with the aid of a water bus, but there are also water taxis. It truly is a fascinating and beautiful city.
enice, where we spent 3 days prior to boarding the ship. We visited Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kerkira, Corfu; Argostoli, Cephalonia; and Santorini, Greece; Catania, Sicily, Naples, Rome and Florence, Italy and ending in Barcelona, Spain. Here we are enjoying the cool breezes in the evening. This is the life! The Oosterdam, currently Holland America’s largest ship (2,200 passengers, 800 crew), was our home for 12 days and it was wonderful. We all decided Holland America really knows how to take care of its cruisers.
We loved Venice. Mark had rented a nice apt. right off the Grand Canal which was handy despite being on the 3rd floor with 45 stairs to climb! Venice is made up of 117 islands and surrounded by 177 canals and is about 2 miles long. Everything is done by boat–no cars permitted. Gondolas used to be the most common mode of transportation. Today, we, like many others, enjoyed a gondola ride one evening to see more of the beauties of this city. We did our sightseeing with the aid of a water bus, but there are also water taxis. It truly is a fascinating and beautiful city.
The main attraction is the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) with the Basilica, built in the year 828 to house the body of St. Mark of the New Testament. It is famous for its over 43,000 square feet of mosaics. They run from floor to ceiling and are amazing.
One of the four bridges over the Grand Canal - the shop-lined Rialto Bridge - was the only bridge across the canal until the 19th century. There are about 16 stops on the Canal.
One of the four bridges over the Grand Canal - the shop-lined Rialto Bridge - was the only bridge across the canal until the 19th century. There are about 16 stops on the Canal.
This is the Santa Maria della Salute or La Salute as it is commonly called. It is beautiful with its octagon shape and setting along the canal. It really is a shrine honoring Virgin Mary for saving Venice from a plague that killed many thousands.
Our first stop was Dubrovnik, Croatia founded in 7th century and located on the Adriatic Sea. It is a major tourist resort and is a walled city - double walls, actually. Mark, Marvel and kids climbed to the top while the old folks enjoyed a beautiful view of the marina from a Wisteria covered area along
the way. Beautiful harbor, bridge and shoreline.
Kerkira, Corfu, Greece is another beautiful little Greek island supposedly one of the most elegant island capitals in all of Greece. Many buildings destroyed in World War II but we enjoyed exploring a beautiful, 16th century church and the downtown area.
Argostoli, Cephalonia, Greece, another beautiful Greek island with lots of history and scenery. It is the famous resting place of Odysseus. Every city, island, etc. has a church or cathedral and the altar in Argostoli’s church is particularly ornate and beautiful. Olivia and Sam having fun in Argostoli. 
Our favorite Greek Island was Santorini which is perched high (500 to 1000 ft) atop black volcanic outcroppings. It is advertised as being one of the most ruggedly beautiful and dramatic places on earth and we agreed. Everywhere you turn is another gorgeous vi
ew of the Aegean Sea. The startling white cube houses and churches with brilliant blue domes set against the deeper blues of the sky and the sea make this one of the most picturesque of all the islands. We had to take tenders to the island and then a cable car to the top. The other 
alternative was going by donkey up the zig-zag path on the right. Cable car appealed more to us for some reason.
We spent a day at sea before arriving in Catania, Sicily at the foot of Mt. Etna, which unfortunately was cloud covered during our visit. The cathedral in Catania.
Duomo Plaza in Catania. The elephant on the statue is to bring good luck to all Catanians.
One of busy local attractionsis the open-air market here selling fish. Not the cleanest market we've ever seen but very lively.
We were all excited to arrive in Naples as it was here we were to meet Corinne returning from her mission. After much planning and coordination, here she is with her very excited mother. She talked to everyone we met and her Spanish is perfect. We know she was a great missionary.
Mt. Vesuvius is in the background of the Bay of Naples, a beautiful Italian bay.
A 13th century Castle (Castel Nuovo) and Civic Museum dominated the landscape and harbor.
Trip for the day by a private driver was to Herculaneum, the other town than Pompeii buried by volcanic ash in AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. One of the amazing sculptures displayed in this mud preserved site.
Here are just a few photos of our visit to Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom.
St. Peter’s Main altar, reportedly over the burial place of St. Peter and St. Paul.
Sistine Chapel ceiling, where photos are forbidden, showing Michelangelo’s Creation. Words cannot express these recently restored frescoes.
Florence is certainly the city to which we would like to return. Here is the Piazza del Duomo, Brunelleschi’s work of engineering genius. It is the city’s undisputed centerpiece. It is absolutely amazing in size and beauty.
We loved Piazza Signoria, the most striking square in Florence. Here we saw the copy of Michelangelo’s David and many other striking statues. Unfortunately, we did not see the original David, which is housed in the Accademia. We spent most of our time in the Uffizi Galleria which is the home of so much Italian Renaissance art. It was absolutely breathtaking to see so many works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael and others, in one area.
The famous Pointe VecchioBridge, with its many jewelry
shops, spanning the Arno River.
Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city, is best known for its many buildings, many very modern due to the explosion of Modernism about 1900. Great food and shopping.
We docked in Barcelona at 5 p.m. and were with thousands of other tourists walking the Ramblas that evening. The main attractions on Las Ramblas are cafes, shops and live statues like the one shown here.
Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city, is best known for its many buildings, many very modern due to the explosion of Modernism about 1900. Great food and shopping.
We docked in Barcelona at 5 p.m. and were with thousands of other tourists walking the Ramblas that evening. The main attractions on Las Ramblas are cafes, shops and live statues like the one shown here.
Columbus statue at one end of Las Ramblas.
La Boqueria, just off Las Ramblas, is the beautiful open market that sells everything but the most unusual is this array of candies - all the chewy kinds.
Here the sun sets on our 16 day adventure. We hope you all get a chance to visit some of these beautiful places.
Here the sun sets on our 16 day adventure. We hope you all get a chance to visit some of these beautiful places.
We love you. Grandma and Grandpa
