Koper, Slovenia and Split Croatia

Koper, Slovenia Dober vecer or good evening! Silhouette docked in Koper is a sight to behold! A beautiful modern ship rising out of the Adriatic Sea against the backdrop of the ancient walled city made for a perfect photo op. Upon disembarking a large group of Slovenian travel agents were waiting to embark for a tour of our ship. Slovenia is officially and culturally bi-lingual; Slovene and Italian are the official languages. Koper is clean and non-touristy. We had a do it ourselves day which was perfect as we like to be "unstructured" and unherded. Our self guided Koper Stroll was fun. We saw the ancient 7th century Cathedral of St. Nazarius with it's 5th century bell tower dominating Tito Square. The architecture is primarily Venetian. I discovered an interesting local handicraft shop with a lovely owner/ artist where I purchased a couple of treasures. Atelje Terracotta was the best shop in old town! As we were in town on Saturday, the flea market, fruit & vegetable market, and antique vendors were in full swing. I found a beautiful antique wooden bread board but it must've weighted 5 pounds & was large and bulky so I had to sadly leave it at the antique market for someone else. There was a HoHo bus that took you from Koper to Izola, Piran, and Potoroz and back to Koper. Some of the cruise critic group went to Lake Bled and some went to the Capital, Ljubljana. Our weather has held.. Rain was forecast, but it didn't rain on us! Following cocktails and appetizers for sail away in sky lounge, we had dinner in Blu.. Braised short ribs, lobster salad and coconut sorbet. By the way, those dining in the main dining room, Grand Cuvee are raving about the food too. Today we are in Split, Croatia, so dober dan (good day)! Sunny weather but rough seas made for tender problems... From the time we got our tender ticket until the time we boarded was almost 2 hours. Nonetheless we had another memorable day in gorgeous Split. This area is known as the Croatian Riviera and i can see why. Palm trees, seaside promenade, sidewalk cafes, azure sea along with the ancient walls make for a sort of a storybook feel. Speaking of story books, I searched all over for those 101 Dalmatians but never found even a single one! The focal point of Split is Diocletian's Palace, built in the 4th century. The entire of Old Town is within the palace walls! We found a lovely typical local restaurant for lunch. Croatian specialties are seafood, Dalmatian brodet (fish stewed with rice), pasta and pizza. Croatia is also known for wine...which we enjoyed with our lunch. Back on board Silhouette we stopped by for a spot of afternoon tea and relaxed a bit by the pool...oh yeah the pool band was just playing "Black Magic Woman" really loudly!! In my opinion, not the kind of music I want to hear in beautiful Croatia! Looking forward to tomorrow in Dubrovnik! Love ya, miss ya, Me

Venice and Ravenna, italy

After a long and cramped overnight flight we arrived in Venice on time and safely.  Our USAirway flight did not make Ken smile..though we had a 2seat row and he was on the aisle, there was little room between the rows.  After 8 hours though we were in Venice and made it through customs, onto our transfer bus, and on to the ship in about an hour.     We booked an aqua class room as we really enjoy dining in Blu, the specialty restaurant reserved only for aqua class passengers.  Did I mention that aqua class staterooms also enjoy special spa perks?  To add to our delight we are also Celebrity Elite passengers so we get lots of perks for this status as well.  Complimentary cocktails from 5 to 7 daily, special breakfast each morning in Tuscan Grill, free laundry(this one really brings a smile to Ken's face as he is my laundry man!) are only a few of the elite benefits.     A couple of notes about our time in Venice.  New since we were last in Venice a couple of years ago is the "people mover".  This makes it both convenient and inexpensive to get from the cruise terminal to Venice proper.  It's about a ten minute walk from the ship to the people mover monorail train.  Fare is one euro and the ride takes about four minutes into the Santa Croce area.  We happen to love Santa Croce, but you can walk to Rialto and San Marco in about 15 to 20 minutes.   I can hardly wait to get home to get my photos organized!! I took lots of photos of Venetian doors & door hardware, laundry hanging and dangling from windows and verandahs above the canals, flowers, gondoliers flexing their muscles, and of course food and wine!  Pizza, pasta, wine, and gelato in Venice did not disappoint.  We shared a pizza at Trattoria da Silvio, the Venetian pizza - tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, ham, and artichokes.  It was yummy.  We had fun in a little glass shop and got to know the owner and his daughter.  Then it was off to the Coop grocery store near Piazzali Roma to get those provisions that I didn't pack trying so hard to stay within the allowed airline luggage weight limit.   Sail away festivities were to begin at 4:45 pm at the sunset bar for our CruiseCritic group of 165.  We all retrieved our name tags and got acquainted.  Beautiful scenery, great Italian music (Andrea Bocelli), and new friends made for a memorable time.  Next on the agenda  was the elite cocktail party, then shower time, then the cruise critic party with our large group and the senior officers, followed by dinner in Blu with 6 new friends.     Just a little note about our cruise critic group:  countries represented are US, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Singapore, UK,  and United Arab Emirates so we are quite a diverse group.     My favorite from last evening's menu was the pistachio encrusted grilled scallops!  Being daring, I also had pheasant and yes it tastes like chicken.  We didn't finish dinner until after ten pm and were still a little jet lagged from our travels so I didn't hit the karaoke bar.   After a great night of sleep we awakened in Ravenna, Italy.  Breakfast of spinach tomato omelet and fresh squeezed orange juice fueled us until lunch time!  We hopped on the shuttle bus (14 usd round-trip per person) and were on the streets of old town Ravenna.  Ravenna is considered the gateway to the Emilia Romagna region.  There have been three recent earthquakes here, each resulting in some deaths so I was a bit concerned but all went well and we felt no tremors.     We saw the highlights of Ravenna, the beautiful mosaics in basilica San Vitale and the mausoleum di Galla Placidia,  Dante's tomb and then I was on a mission to find Ca' de' Ven for a lunch experience with local cuisine and wine.  I think Ken was ready to give up  but I finally found it and it was worth every moment of the search!  It's in an ancient building..enoteca vine di romagna .. Ken opted for the seafood pasta which he declared as the best he has ever had!!  Tagliatelli with clams, mussels, shrimp, calimari, langostino in a light tomato sauce.  I ordered another regional specialty, ravioli!  Yes, both seafood and stuffed pasta are both superb here.  Ken ordered local red and I had local white wine.  Oh me oh my!  I had come across this restaurant in my research so it was top of my to do list in Ravenna.     Now we are back on the Silhouette and will depart at 6 pm for Koper, Slovenia.  I'm going to zumba at 4 and then we will go to elite cocktail time, and meet our new friends for dinner in Blu at 8:30.     Love y'all, miss y'all, Hugs and kisses,  Me  

A Day of Airports

Yippee!! We are on our way! We stayed at the Residence Inn in Morrisville near RDU Airport last night. It was fine.. Staff was great, service was great, we are able to park our car there free for the entire time we are away (15 days!), complimentary shuttle to and from airport, breakfast, and clean rooms. It's not the newest Residence Inn but certainly met our needs. Our first flight from RDU to PHL was on time and just fine. We are now enjoying vino and snacks in the USAirways Club before we grab a bite at perhaps Chickie & Pete's for dinner. Then we will board our flight for Venice. There about 160 cruise critic "friends" on this cruise and we have been a planning and corresponding for months so it will be nice to put some names with faces. Ok, signing off for the moment.. But I'll be blogging next from venezia!

I am packed and ready to travel!

Yep, I'm ready to go... why am I awake and blogging at 4 am?  I just can't sleep... most be excited.   My bag to be checked comes in underweight, e.g., less than the 50 pounds we are allowed for no fee.  My carry-on is packed with my Ipad, Ipod, camera, phone, sun glasses, and hand wipes!  Oh yes... my hair accessories are in my carry-on too!  Don't want to be without those... my new favorites are called "snaps"!  We will arrive in Venice at 9:15 on May 30th and will use Celebrity Cruises transfer to get from the airport to the pier where we will embark Celebrity Silhouette.  After we get checked in and find our room to deposit our stuff, we will hit the road (or should I say canals?) to find some "provisions".  What provisions will we be in search of?  Well to stay underweight on baggage, I didn't pack sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, and such.  So we will go to the Coop Market near Piazzali Roma to get those things as well as the 2 bottles of wine that Celebrity will allow us to carry onboard.  We will also find a fun place for lunch complete with gelato for dessert. 

European Travel Tips & Practical Advice

Here are some recommendations and tips to help travelers to Europe prepare their trips & enjoy them safely.

Ø  Currency:  Euros are used in most every country except the United Kingdom.  We generally get some Euros before leaving home, but we also use ATMs in Europe (where the exchange rate is better).  American Express cards are not as widely accepted as they are in the U.S., but Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere.  Be sure to have a four digit PIN number. Many ATMs in Europe, as well as subway token dispensers, require a credit/debit card with an embedded chip.  Unfortunately, this type of card is uncommon in the States.  The only card issued in our area that includes a chip is from the State Employees Credit Union.

Ø  Notify your credit card company that you will be in Europe. 

Ø  Make copies of your passports and credit cards. Leave one copy with family or friends.

Ø  Pickpockets are common throughout Europe, especially in tourist areas.  Do not keep a wallet in your back pocket; wear a secure money holder. 

Ø  Toilets: In Europe the bathrooms (or WCs aka water closets) can be a challenge. Always have a few coins of local currency with you, as you may be charged for the privilege of using the WC.  Of course, my favorite option is to locate a cafe, pub, trattoria, or bistro and stop for a glass of local wine, beer, or caffe & then there is no charge for the WC!  You may find a toilet seat or you may find a trough type toilet that you are supposed to squat over. If you are lucky you will find toilet paper, but often as not, you must provide your own. I always carry a small pouch of Kleenex with me for this purpose. Once you complete your business, it can be a challenge figuring out how to flush the toilet. You may have to push, pull or wiggle any type of handle you can find within arm’s (or leg’s) reach.

Ø  Check with your insurance company to make sure your medical insurance covers out of country expenses.

Ø  Internet service:  Internet cafes are inexpensive & easy to locate.  Wi-Fi is generally available at McDonald’s restaurants worldwide.

Ø  Cell phone:  if you plan to use one, check with your provider regarding international calls.   We purchased an international cell phone online from Mobal. The cost of an international phone is as low a $29 and there are no further fees or charges unless you make or receive calls.  Note that this phone will not work within the U.S. and calling rates are reasonable. 

Ø  Clothing:  Comfortable shoes are a must.  You could walk a lot and there are many cobblestone streets throughout Europe.  In cathedrals, knees & shoulders should be covered; open-toe shoes and sandals are fine.  I pack a shawl in my backpack. 

Ø  Baggage Allowance:  Check with your airline; most airlines allow each passenger to check one bag of up to 50 pounds each and one carry-on. 

Ø  Packing:  What to wear for the overseas flight?  Be comfortable as what you wear will also be your jammies for the night!  Wear layers so that when you arrive at your destination you can be comfy there too!  (Your hotel room may not be ready).  Wear shoes that are easy to remove when going through airport security.  I generally take a large purse and a rolling carry-on.  Be sure to pack your medications, jewelry, airline tickets, passports, camera & accessories, laptop, Ipad, and other valuables in your purse or carry-on.  Take a book to read and eyeglasses; don’t forget your sunglasses!    Mark your checked luggage well with colored tape, ribbon, etc. so that you can easily identify it & be sure that your name & address information is on the bag. Don’t take good jewelry; it’s fun to purchase locally made jewelry as souvenirs.

Remember “The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
St. Augustine

Koper, Slovenia

“My Homeland, when God created thee, he blessed thee with both Hands and said, Merry People will live here.” –Ivan Cankar, Slovenian poet and writer

 We will be in Koper on Saturday, June 2nd & plan to wander around on our own to discover this charming town.  Wandering around Koper's Old Town, all narrow streets and Venetian-style houses, you could be forgiven that you had indeed crossed the border into Italy. You are as liable to hear Italian spoken as Slovenian, there are Italian signs everywhere, and it’s all a reminder that the border between one country and another has never really mattered all that much in these parts. Always something of a blur, it disappeared forever three years ago when Slovenia joined the Schengen block.

From what I've read, on Saturdays & Sundays during the cruise season a small tourist train will transport you for free every half an hour around the perimeter of old town right from the cruise dock. There is also a narrated hop on/off bus making a loop through Izola, Portoroz and Piran, all three beautiful seaside towns.  The fare is between 15 and 20 Euro.  Check at the port kiosks.  Departure times:  10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2:45 pm.  The earlier you go, the more time you can spend in each town (about 1.5 hours in each)

 Koper, like all of the Slovenian coast, is blessed with some wonderful fish and seafood restaurants. Look out for Koper style fast food too, Okrepčevalnica bars: small, Italian-style places which serve great food of the primo, secondo piatti variety at lunchtime. You can usually eat very well here for a fraction of the cost of a restaurant.  That being said, I think we may have lunch at Skipper overlooking the marina.  The  reviews are quite good and we will get to try some Slovenia seafood dishes!  Here's  YouTube video of Skipper.  Now that I know where to sample the local cuisine, I am happy!

Ravenna, Italy

Where next after the big Italian cities?  Why Ravenna of course!

Having been to many of the major Italian cities, I am excited to be visiting Ravenna.  From what I’ve learned, we will see some of the finest mosaics in the world in some of the oldest churches.  Most everything, from Dante’s tomb to the best fast food around, is within walking distance in a pedestrian center, Piazza del Popolo.  We should be able to enjoy the best of what Ravenna has to offer… the Early-Christian and Byzantine mosaics of the fifth and sixth centuries featured in the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Museo Orcivescovile, Battistero Neoniano, Basilica di San Vitale and Mauseleo di Galla Placidia. 

A bit of trivia that I learned is that the mosaics at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia inspired the American songwriter, Cole Porter.  In the   1920’s while honeymooning in Ravenna he wrote “Night and Day” remembering the beauty of the starry sky mosaics of Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

Ravenna is in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and is sometimes dubbed “Italy’s Food Basket”.   It’s home to many of Italy’s most renowned foods:  Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and balsamic vinegar are a few.

Click here for a Rick Steves YouTube video of Ravenna... I can't wait to make my own video!

 

If you know me, then you know that I want to sample the local cuisine!  Where do I want to do my sampling?  Why Ca’ de Ven of course!    According to Lonely Planet, it’s a wonderful cavernous enoteca-cum-restaurant in a 15^th century palazzo with frescoed domes, vaulted brick ceilings and checkerboard marble floors.  We will be in Ravenna on a Friday so Ca’ de Ven will be open much to my delight!  If, however, you are in Ravenna on a Monday and Ca’ de Ven is closed, then Bizantino, located in the Mercato Coperto (covered market)  in the historic centre, has been recommended.  I also plan to make a stop at a piadinerie for piadina.  Piadina is thin Italian flatbread and it’s served with cold cuts, jam, Nutela or regional cheeses.  Tortellini and Cappelletti, Bolognese sauce, and local wines such as SanGiovese should not be missed!  Here's a YouTube video of Angela Schiavina's food tour to whet your appetite!

Ready for a quiet reflective moment?  Dante’s tomb is a quiet & restrained resting place for the author of “The Divine Comedy”.  Don’t miss the little oil lamp hanging above the tomb.  Burning permanently, it is paid for by the city of Florence in penance for ejecting the poet in 1372!