We are taking a cruise of the Greek Isles to celebrate our retirement. We’ve chosen to sandwich the cruise between city visits: Rome and Istanbul on the front end and Venice and Florence on the back end.
We have no expectations for any aspects of this adventure. If the properties are as compelling as as the website photos are, we will be pleased. The Seabourn Cruise is another thing altogether. Again we have no expectations having never been on a luxury cruise. For us we think it will be about the ports of call and not so much the cruise ammenities; we’ll see.
I had wanted to go for two months. Ellen and friends pointed out that Rome can be quite hot in July and that it would be best to cut the trip short. Eventually sanity overcame obstinance, and the trip was cut back to the list below. I had found a 3br/2ba flat in the outskirts of Rome for $2500 per month and a car rental for $850 for a month with unlimited miles! That would set us up for a month exploring Italy, Southern France, and perhaps Switzerland, Southern Germany, and Austria. That will wait for another year.
Cities and Accommodations In Order of Appearance
Rome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHkHoblAYGU
Istanbul
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293974-d2009450-Reviews-Dogan_s_Studios-Istanbul.html
Seabourn
https://www.facebook.com/Seabourn/videos/10152602578425064/?pnref=story
Venice
https://www.bedandbreakfast.eu/bed-and-breakfast-it/venezia/appartamento-corte-bragadin/830741/