jredington01, Author at Fort Lauderdale Beach Real Estate

Our Cruise was aboard the Sun Princess, along with close friends Clay and Cathy Parker starting in Barcelona Spain ending in Athens Greece. We spent two days on the front end in Barcelona taking a one day tour and ending our trip with a three day stay in Athens Greece, flying home early on April 21st.

Our Schedule

Day	Date	Destination
1 & 2	4-2 & 4/3/26	Travel to, stay in Barcelona @ Grand Hyatt Barcelona (2 Nights)
1	Sat, 04/04/26	Board Sun Princess Barcelona, Spain
2	Sun, 04/05/26	Mallorca (palma), Spain
3	Mon, 04/06/26	Marseille (provence), France
4	Tue, 04/07/26	Corsica (ajaccio), France
5	Wed, 04/08/26	Genoa (for Cinque Terre), Italy
6	Thu, 04/09/26	La Spezia (for Florence/Pisa),italy
7	Fri, 04/10/26	La Spezia (for Florence/Pisa),italy
8	Sat, 04/11/26	Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy
9	Sun, 04/12/26	Naples, Italy (for Capri & Pompeii)
10	Mon, 04/13/26	At Sea
11	Tue, 04/14/26	Crete (chania), Greece
12	Wed, 04/15/26	At Sea
13	Thu, 04/16/26	Kusadasi, Turkey (for Ephesus)
14	Fri, 04/17/26	Mykonos, Greece
15	Sat, 04/18/26	Debarkation Athens (piraeus), Greece
15,16, 17	04/18/26 Thru 4/21	Stay @ The Marriott “Fresh” Hotel, Athens Greece (3 Nights)

Barcelona

Note: I have broken down the pictures by Ports of Call. To see the pictures click on the first one and then page through them to view. When done, just click on the “X” in the upper right corner to continue on.

We flew into Barcelona on Level Airlines and stayed at the Hyatt Grand Barcelona to adjust as well as explore Barcelona.

Boarding the Sun Princess – April 4

We boarded the Sun Princess in Barcelona. Our first Stop will be the Island of Mallorca.

Palma de Mallorca & Valldemosa

We arrived on Mallorca and our first stop was Castillo de Beliver, atop a hill, providing a spectacular view of Mallorca. We immediatley drew the attention of some slime balls who tried to con us so they could rip us off. This was a couple, well groomed and appeared to be part of our party, but were not. The man wanted me to change a five dollar bill in exchange for a one dollar bill so he could buy coffee. He then tried to get into my wallet but failed. We told them to get lost and caught up with our group and let them know the theives are out. A lady in front of us was wearing a back pack that was unzipped. Jassamine called her attention to it and she said, “No it isn’t”. These pick pockets managed to unzip and steal her wallet. They immediately tried to charge $1800 on three credit cards. She lost not only her Credit Cards but also her drivers license which is recommended to take with you off the ship for ID.

Other than that experience, we had a great tour guide and enjoyed Mallorca.

Marseille – Aix-en-Provence, France

We arrived in Marseille, France. We climbed aboard our bus and traveled to Aix-en-Provence and began a walking tour. We started our walk of the Provence at the Fontain de La Rotonde, strolling through the streets admiring the Architecture, markets, etc.

We then climbed aboard the bus and traveled back toward Marseille heading to Basilique Nortre Dame de la Garde, making stops along the way.

Our first stop, in Marseille, was The Palais Longchamp. Lots of steps and I managed to slow the group down by taking a long walk up the hill and was the last one back. Longchamp its magnificent park, this historic monument, built to bring water into the city, is a true architectural feat. In 1835, a cholera epidemic struck the Phocean city due to a lack of drinking water. In response to this tragedy, the engineer of the “Ponts et Chaussées”, Franz Mayor de Montricher, carried out a project that had been envisioned as early as the 16th century: digging an 85-kilometre canal to bring water from the Durance to Marseille. After around 10 years of construction (1839–1849), marked by the building of numerous aqueducts, water finally reached the city. The architect Henri Espérandieu, also known for designing the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, staged the arrival of water on the Longchamp plateau by creating a monumental architectural complex, built between 1862 and 1869.

We headed on to the Basilique stopping by the waterside on the way.

The Catholic Basilica Notre Dame was consecrated in 1864 – although they didn’t finish building it for another decade – but is on the site of a much older chapel, one first completed in 1218.
Stepping inside, you’ll see truly impressive mosaics and murals, plus a bell tower with a stunning gilded statue of the Virgin Mary adorned in gold leaf.

Day 4 Isle of Corsica – Ajaccio

Well, when we came into the port we were stopped due to a blockade by the Corsican fishermen protesting the rise of fuel prices linked to the war in the middle east. They stopped all boats from coming into the port, so we were uable to dock and it became a “Sea Day”.

Day 5 Genoa Italy – Rapallo – Santa Margherita and Portofino

Rapallo

Our first stop was Rapallo which is one of the most popular destinatons on the Italian Riviera.

We enjoyed a guided walking tour and refreshments at a local café. Jassamine had a special treat when using a local bathroom, she will have to tell you about. The village has a 16th‐century castle built as a defense against the Saracen raids. It is connected to the land by a single‐span Roman bridge over which, according to the legend, Hannibal crossed during his invasion of Italy. In the early 20th century, Rapallo attracted a circle of literary artsts. Between 1925 and 1930, Ezra Pound wrote the first thirty of his Cantos here and both D.H. Lawrence and Hemingway visited the area. The resort‐like village is punctuated by striking landmarks such as the large marina and the castle.

Santa Margherita

We then boarded the boat and cruised over to Santa Margherita. Here, we walked along the seaside promenade and exploring the shops and cafes and visited a gelateria for a treat. Santa Margherita rose to prominence with the arrival of the English in the 19th century.

Portofino

Then back on the boat we cruised over to Portofino. an ancient fishing village of Roman origin and is one of the most famous resorts in the world with its tall and colorful houses facing the Piazzetta and the harbor. We walked a small steep path to reach the lighthouse for panoramic views. On the way we passed a home purchased by Bill Gates, which was under renovations at the time. At the top is the church of Saint George where preserved Saint’s relics, which were brought to Portofino by returning sailors from the crusades reside.

Back down at the waters edge we stopped a small restaurant for icecream and some drinks. The owner was insistant that we hold off on icecream and enjoy the appetizers they served. It was a great experience.

Day 6 & 7 Le Spezia – Florence and Pisa

We boarded our bus for a trip to Florence. The bus had to park a fairly long walk into the heart of Florence. On the way back we hopped a taxi… forget the walk. One gentleman was on a walker, but made good time, but he also took a taxi back.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. We visited the Florence Cathedral and its complex, which includes the Baptistery and Gitto’s Campanile. Collectively, these three monumental structures form part of the Historic Centre of Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its profound influence on art and architecture.

Piazza del Mercato Centrale – the Central Market Square of Florence, local shops, traditional eateries, and beautiful Florentine architecture.

Pisa

Climbing back on the bus we rode to Pisa. Again we had a walk and took a Taxi. However we chose to walk back with the group to the bus. We visited the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning ensemble of medieval architecture. In this walled in area are the iconic Leaning Tower, the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the impressive Baptistery of St. John.

Day 8 Civitavecchia – Rome

We boarded a small van and headed for Rome, which was about a one hour drive.

Colosseum

Our first stop was Colosseum. We walked around the Colosseum taking in the ruins from the outside, then climb aboard our van, saw some more of the area and headed to Trevi Fountain. Here is where Clay almost got pickpocketed by two women, one with a fake arm so she could get into his pocket by drawing his attention away, but that din’t work too well for her.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is an 18th-century fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city

Pantheon

The Pantheon is an ancient 2nd century Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church called the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs and Piazza Novana with the three fountains. then a short drive to St. Peters Basilica

St. Peters Basilica

The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, or simply St. Peter’s Basilica, is a church of the Italian High Renaissance located in Vatican City, an independent microstate enclaved within the city of Rome, Italy. We could not get into the square for some reason, they had it blocked off but people were in there. So we walked to where we could get some pictures.

Day 9 Naples – Amalfi Coast- Postano – Sorrento – Pompeii

We boarded a small van and headed for the Amalfi Coast, named after the city of Amalfi, which was about a one hour drive. The road hugs the coast line and was very narrow. They say it took 150 years to put in this road. Large buses have a very difficult time and are allowed to only go south bound on the coast highway

During the 10th–11th centuries, the Duchy of Amalfi existed on the territory of the Amalfi Coast, centred in the town of Amalfi. The Amalfi coast was later controlled by the Principality of Salerno until Amalfi was sacked by the Republic of Pisa in 1137.

Positano

We left Naples along a scenic route passing Mt Vesuvius and winding along the coastal highway. Our first stop was Positano. The buildings are perched on the side of some steep cliffs, but apparently holding up well. It would be something you would have to get used to. Narrow wind roads, tough turns and a lot of yielding to other cars. We got out in Positano and stop a local coffee shop and had some pasteries and used their bathrooms.

Sorrento

We basically walked around taking in the city center and having lunch at a local Italian open air restaurant. Famous for their Lemons + Lemoncello. Afterwords we headed out ot Pompeii.

Pompeii

Very interesting. Pompeii was buried under by Mt Vesuvius (an active Volcano) volcanic dust (ashes) until 1748. You walk through the runins and are impressed with the planning and engineering of the time. To finish up the walk you leave through a museum where you see recovered artifacts as well as hunan being and animals encapsulated in the dust.

Day 11 Crete, Greece

We docked in the Port of Souda, about 15 minutes outside of Chania. We took a Princess Tour from the docks into Chania stopping along the way.

Battle of Crete World War II

We first stopped at the British War Cemetary, the final reting place of 1,527 of the known 2,000 British Commonwealth war casualties, the majority of whom lost
their lives against the German Army (who suffered haevy losses) in the Battle for Crete between May 20 and 31, 1941.

Our second stop was at the Tomb of Eleftherious Venizelos on the peninsular area known as Akortiri.

The graves of the historical Venizelos family are found on a hilltop where it is ironically one of the most popular spots in the city to enjoy panoramic views of Chania and breathtaking sunsets. The locations is only a few kilometers away from the city center, to the east on the way to Akrotiri and the airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis. Here lies the charismatic Greek politician, and seven times Prime Minister of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos and his son, Sofoklis Venizelos, who was also Prime Minister of Greece from 1943 to 1952.

In the same plot of woodland, one will find the small chapel of Profitis Ilias and the statue of national hero, Spyros Kagialedakis or Kagiales. On February 9, 1897 (Revolution of 1897), during the bombing of the revolted Cretans by the fleet of the great forces, Spyros Kagialedakis used his body as a flagstaff to raise the Greek flag that had been dropped by the ships’ bombshells.

Our final stop was in the Chania Old Town.

The iconic landmark of Chania, the Venetian Harbor clearly shows the grave importance of the city during the Venetian era of Crete (1204 – 1669). In fact, during that time, when Chania city (La Canea) was the capital of the island, the harbor of Chania was ranking second following the one in Venice. It had a capacity of more than 40 galleys, which controlled the naval trade in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Venetian architectural legacy is so fine and well-built that it exudes charm and unique character, adding value to the harbor, to this day. The Venetian Harbor is the city’s main sea promenade. Walking past old buildings that have countless stories to recount, and through the colorful cafes, shops and restaurants, it feels like you have entered a film set of an all-time classic period piece movie.

Day 13 Kusadasi, Turkey

Kuşadası is a vibrant coastal resort town on Turkey’s Aegean shore. Ancient Ephesus is located just 20 minutes away by bus transport, Ephesus is one of the world’s most impressive Greco-Roman archaeological sites. It features the iconic Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and the nearby House of the Virgin Mary. We passed the main Roman runins and climb the hill to the site of the house of the Virgin Mary.

House of the Virgin Mary

The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic shrine located on Mt. Koressos in the vicinity of Ephesus, in Turkey.

The house was discovered in the 19th century by following the descriptions in the reported visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774–1824), a Roman Catholic nun and visionary, which were published as a book by Clemens Brentano after her death. While the Catholic Church has never pronounced in favour or against the authenticity of the house.

Ephesus Archaeological Site

Ephesus has been a city since neolithic times, but it came to full prominence under the Roman Empire, as the capital of Asia Minor. As the second most important city of the Roman Empire, Ephesus grew and prospered. Its populace was largely educated and wealthy, while its buildings were richly decorated and celebrated the interests and the good fortune of its inhabitants.

The city came to prominence under the ancient Greeks, who built the famed Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only one column remains of the temple today, it was said to be very grand and impressive indeed.

After ebbs and flows in the city’s fortunes, Ephesus became a city under Roman rule in 133 BC and the Capital of Asia Minor in 27 BC. This is seen as a historical turning point for the city, which truly flourished and became second in importance only to Rome within the vast Roman Empire.

Day 14 Mykonos, Greece

It was a stormy day, windy, rainy and cold. We did just a partial Excursion then jumped off and went back to the ship. The ship was acting like a giant sail and was being pushed away from the dock, so they had to keep the side thrusters running as well as employ a tug bost, pushing the ship towards the dock. So it was a disappointing visit to Mykonos to say the least.

We did get in some of the excursion, hitting a small beach as well as a small church along with some coffee and Gelato.

Panagia Tourliani Monastery

Village of Ano Mera at the center of the island, home to the lovely Panagia Tourliani Monastery. With its intricate folk carvings and marble bell tower, Panagia Tourliani Monastery, originally built in 1542, is an awe‐inspiring architectural structure dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its impressive architecture, whitewashed exterior and colored dome have long charmed visitors from around the world. A beautiful marble fountain sits in front of the church, and its interior houses an striking wooden iconostasis (altar screen), made in 1775 by Florentine artsts. Note the hanging incense holders that line the wall; they’re decorated with silver dragons holding red eggs in their mouths, evidence of Eastern influences. The monastery is also home to an ecclesiastical museum that showcases embroidery, woodcarvings, and holy icons as well as the monastery’s first bells.

Day 14 Athens, Greece

Well last day on the ship, disembarking in Athens, Greece, early morning. Will take a van to our hotel “The Newell Psychiko”. With our princess package we had the hotel room included and let Princess recommend. When we arrived, it was a very tight street, causing the van to block it until we got all our stuff out and checked in. There was one person at their front desk that was leaving at 2PM. At the time, Jassamine did not realize she had left her jacket on the van until a couple days later when she needed it. But we got it back.

We were very disappointed in the Newell as it was basically a rooming hotel and had zero amenities. So, for tourist that wanted to see the city and all the great old sites, this didn’t do it. It did offer a breakfast in the morning, but that was it. The front desk was manned only part of the day and no Concierge. You could call a remote Concierge though. So, we decided to look for a place closer to the main sightseeing activity and ended up at the “Marriott Fresh” in the main city. What a great move! We still had to pay for our rooms at the Newell but it was worth it! The Fresh has a restaurant on the top floor that overlooks Athens. Great views and a Great view of the Acropolis and Parthenon.

We took two bus tours, ” Hop on Hop Off” like the “Big Red Bus” as well as a Greek Organized Tours- “G.O.Tours” The Big Red bus drove us around Athens. “G.O.Tours”, took us through a more detailed tour, first riding around the city then stopping and dropping us off so we could walk to the Museum, Acropolis and Parthenon. We first visited the Museum then the climb up to the Parthenon.