Where has the summer gone? For me it was very busy and so just now updating and finishing this post, before the year ends.

Although I’ve cruised some of the Greek Isles twice in the past I thought it would be fun to do a refresh! This time I was able to fly into Istanbul for a few nights before boarding the ship. Istanbul has been on my list for many years and I am so happy to have visited, even if just for a brief time.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and it serves as the country’s economic, cultural and historic hub. It straddles the Bosporus strait, occupying both Europe and Asia. It’s population of over 15 million people makes it one of the world’s largest cities.

Upon my arrival I was met by an English speaking driver, which I recommend, when arriving into a new foreign city. The Hotel Sultania was highly recommended by a friend who has visited the city many times and he did not misguide me! This boutique hotel was beautiful, decorated with in the style and elegance of Ottoman palaces. It’s location in the middle of the of the old city was perfect. So many of the attractions I wanted to see were with-in walking distance of the hotel: the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene and the Sultanahmet Mosque (The Blue Mosque).

After quickly freshening up I headed to the rooftop restaurant/bar of the hotel, a beautiful little space with an amazing view! To my surprise my first “call to prayer” occurred. Having been raised in a small midwestern city during the 70’s I was never exposed to anyone of Muslim faith. In the few days I was there I learned a lot and visited several mosques.

My first full day entailed a walking tour where I was picked up at my very lovely hotel, and in addition to visiting the above mentioned sites gave me a good overview of how the old city was set up. In the evening I went on one of the tourist boats (on the Bosporus) allowing me to see the city at night. I don’t know why I’m drawn to those dinner cruises, but I am! The food is mostly mediocre, as are the local wines and beers that they serve. This one included some traditional dancing including belly dancing and the Dance of the Whirling Dervishes.

My 2nd day in Istanbul was pretty full. After another hearty breakfast of Turkish coffee (not as strong as I anticipated) and Mememen, a egg dish made with tomatoes, pepper and herbs, and served with freshly baked pita bread and along with some little Turkish sweets, I set out on a walk to a traditional hammam, a Turkish bath. It was a lovely experience that ended with a very enjoyable massage. A leisurely meander through the Old town got me back to the port area for a local beer and snack, before setting out on a foodie walking tour of both the east (European side) and west side (Asian side) of the city. I love the walking tours that give you a taste of the local foods and beverages, along with a little history of the area. The guides are always proud of their heritage and very knowledgeable!

The next day, after a meandering walk around the neighborhood, I was picked up for my transfer to the cruise port to board the Azamara Quest, for my home, away from home, for the next 10 days. As I mentioned, this was my 3rd Greek Isles cruise and in addition to the more touristy ports of calls visited a few new ports for me. Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Rhodes were all repeats for me, but visited several new (to me) ports as well.

The first day of a cruise is always a little slow. A short wait at the port and after being greeted by a lot of the crew, the muster (safety) drill occurs. It used to be a long wait as all the guests had to gather, but now done electronically by couples,or small groups, so much better! Once on board it’s up to the pool deck for a light lunch and some pool time, while waiting for the staterooms to be available. The first night dinner seems to always be a subdued affair, as guests unwind and contemplate the journey ahead.

The next day was a “sea” day. To those unfamiliar with cruising, the ship is traveling to the next port with no stops. As it is early in the cruise I explore the ship and relax. The pool is always a draw, at least for me. There is a lot of entertainment in various parts of the ship, as well as quiet spaces to relax. Today there was a photography lesson, a wine tasting and bingo, as well. Of course, a lot of dining to be done at the many dining venues throughout the day.

Chios was our first port of call. This small but beautiful island is situated only a few miles from the Turkish shores. Rich in history with small beautiful Medieval villages, castles, as well as many monasteries sprinkled around the island. This island is most famous for its mastic trees, unique in its kind in the world. It was only a short walk to have a closeup look at four traditional windmills.

Mykonos was our second port call. This island, with its iconic 16th century windmills, sitting above the city, lies in the Cyclades (part of the Aegean Sea) . It’s very touristy and known for its summer party atmosphere. I accompanied a group on a walking tour with an olive oil and wine tasting followed by a traditional lunch. All locally sourced and delicious!

Day five of the cruise took us to Patmos. This island is in the Dodecanese island group of the Aegean. It is a significant Christian pilgrimage site with its Cave of the Apocalypse where St John, the Theologian, is said to have written the Book of Revelations. A fortress like monastery, from the 11th century overlooks the whitewashed house of the hilltop capital of Hora.

Rhodes was our port call the next day. With its beautifully paved pathways through the streets of the Old town, it was a walker’s dream. Beautiful architecture, with artful mosaics, gift stores galore, and plenty of places to relax, enjoy a glass of the local wine, and for me, people watch. Our Azamazing Evening Event was held here, at the Grandmaster’s Palace. This musical tribute to the Knights of Rhodes with specially selected music and repertoire of the “Echo” String quartet sung by a soprano and tenor, was performed under a star studded sky. Beautiful!

Next stop, on day 7, was the island of Kos, also a Dodecanese island, was a new island to me. The small harbor town is dominated by the 15th century Neratzia Castle. Within a short walk one finds some Ancient Agora ruins, with a temple, shine and columns. A stop at one of the waterfront bar/restaurants made for a very relaxing afternoon before rebounding the ship.

Our next port call was Santorini, probably the most photographed island in the Aegean Sea. Another of the Cycades islands, it was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC leaving an underwater caldera (crater). The beautiful whitewashed, cubiform houses seem to be clinging to the cliffs. Very touristy with many, many shops and eating establishments its best to get there early in the day, as we did, to avoid the crowds.

Day 9 brought us to Agios Nikolaos. This name means Saint Nicholas, who is the patron saint of sailors and all of Greece. This coastal city is on the island of Crete, lying east of the island’s capital, Heraklion. It’s a beautiful seaside town, popular among tourists for its beautiful beaches. There is a lake in the middle of the city which is deep and connected to the sea by a narrow inlet. It is surrounded and overlooked by cafes and restaurants, which, unfortunately, we had limited time to explore.

Our last port of call, Chania, on day 10, was also on the island of Crete. It is known for its 14th century Venetian harbor, narrow streets and waterfront restaurants. A 16th century lighthouse sits at the harbor entrance. It’s Venetian, Egyptian and Ottoman influences makes it very interesting, architecturally. Having never visited this island, it was one of my favorite Greek Isles on this itinerary.

Athens was the end of our cruise. My last visit here was probably 20 years ago. I stayed a few extra days just to refresh my memories. Athens is both the capital and the largest cities of Greece, with a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. It was names after Athens, th Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. I stayed in the old part of the city, the Plaka neighborhood, near the beautiful Acropolis.

I spent my first full day there on the Hop-on/Hop-off tourist bus, a good way to get the “lay of the land”. There were 3 routes, my favorite going out to the beaches. The location of the hotel was within walking of historical sites, shopping, cafes and restaurants. I spend the last day inn Athens, wandering around, getting lost, then finding my way back to the hotel to get ready for my morning return trip home!