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Also included in our combination ticket at Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town was a visit to Hexin Garden, also known as "The Garden of the Inseparable Hearts." This garden had some beautiful interior furniture on display as well as interesting statues!
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We purchased a combination ticket in the Zhujiajiao Ancient Village that included several attractions to visit. The first we went to was Kezhi Garden. The garden is located in the northwest of Zhujiajiao ancient town, covering an area of almost 200,000 square feet. It was built in 1912 by Ma Wenqing, the owner of the garden. It took 15 years and cost more than 300,000 taels of silver to complete. Kezhi implies the meaning of "do not forget studying and farming." The "Library," "rice fragrant village" and other landscapes in the garden all echo the garden name. The whole garden consists of three parts: the residential area, the rockery area and the garden area. It not only integrates the essence of the gardens in the area of southern Yangtse River, such as the imitation of Yu Garden Zigzag Bridge in Shanghai, the lion pavilion in Lion Grove Garden in Suzhou, but also integrates Chinese and Western architectural culture. It has become a manor-style private garden with Chinese and Western elements. We loved walking around as it was just so peaceful! We even got to feed the coy in 2 different areas!
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Run friends!! Ready? Set. Go! As Athens prepares to host athletes for the most significant running event in the history of sport, I would like to offer you an opportunity to join them and participate in the race that started it all — the Authentic Athens Marathon.
The namesake of one of the toughest endurance competitions all over the world, the Marathon Race became one of the most competitive events during the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896, and is perhaps the most challenging major marathon race in existence.
Yet, the Athens Marathon is more than just a showcase of athletic prowess, it is a unique chance to breathe in the same air and walk the same ground as the heroic soldier Pheidipiddes, who first ran the 26.219 miles from a battlefield in the town of Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. to deliver news of a Greek victory over the Persians. With the energy of this unique occasion fuelling your travels and milder Autumn temperatures offering better conditions, you will be able to discover Mainland Greece like never before and experience Olympia, Delphi, and of course, Acropolis in the most immersive and spirited of ways.
Explore Athens and the gems of Mainland Greece through the resilient spirit of one of the most iconic feats in human history. Join the capital city as it celebrates its triumphant victory at the Battle of Marathon and the momentous act of the heroic soldier who brought news that would go on to echo throughout millennia. During this stunning 8-night journey you will get to embrace the Peloponnese and Mainland Greece in all their glory, exactly as they were on that fateful day in 490 B.C.!!
Just check out this amazing itinerary! The race itself is on November 10, 2024. If this is too soon for this year, let's make it happen next year! This is the most epic of all marathons!
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After about a 15-20 minute walk from the train, we arrived at the old water town of Zhujiajiao! It is free to walk around the town, which has many shops and restaurants. First order was to take a short boat ride, powered by a gondolier! We enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the river!
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Wishing all of you hard-working people a very Happy Labor Day! Enjoy your day off! And, just a reminder, there are only 114 sleeps until Christmas!! And Summer Break 2025 starts in only 8 or 9 months, depending on where you live! Believe it or not, it is not too early to start planning your next vacation!! Christmas flights, cruises and resorts are starting to fill! And right now is the best time to get a good deal on your Summer vacation for next year! Don't wait or you'll be disappointed!! Not sure what you want to do yet? Reach out and we can brainstorm some great ideas!
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Hey, my friends! Yes - in this age of the internet, you can buy your own travel... So why come to me for your travel needs? First off, it doesn't cost you anything! Second, when things start to go downhill for whatever reason, you are the one stuck on the phone for hours and trying to reach a live person who can help you! Use a travel agent, and it's one simple call to me, and I will handle your mess! Third, I have access to a lot of different sources - generally only available to travel agents, so I can find the best deals for you and inventory that is not available to the general public if you try to book it yourself! Lastly, I have a lot of personal experience traveling (42 states and 40 countries) and have completed dozens of cruise and destination specialist courses as well as attend webinars daily to learn about new destinations and products as well as keep current in industry news!
Next time you're thinking about planning your next dream vacation, why not reach out to me and let me help you get there!!
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We woke up excited for our first full day in Shanghai and went to have breakfast, which was included in our hotel rate! We were not disappointed at all!! We love Asian breakfasts, and even though they had American foods available, I was too happy with the selection of Asian foods to even think about trying the American ones! Such a yummy way to start the day! And the coffee was amazing!
We headed over to the train afterwards to make our way to Zhujiajiao. Zhujiajiao is an ancient town located in the Qingpu District of Shanghai. The population of Zhujiajiao is 95,536. Zhujiajiao is a water town on the outskirts of Shanghai, and was established about 1,700 years ago. Archaeological findings dating back 5,000 years have also been found. It was about a 15 minute walk from the train to the town, but there were places like Family Mart (similar to 7-11) to stop and get a drink (temps were well over 100°) and the public bathrooms are super clean as they have attendants. Similar to other Asian places I have been with public toilets, you need to bring your own toilet paper!
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After we arrived at our hotel, we were able to drop off our luggage and headed out to explore! Here are some pics from us just wandering around! We made sure we stopped for ice cream, and later, for dinner, I had a delicious seafood noodle soup!
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Rewinding a bit! When Joe & I initially left for China, we were going to fly stand-by on Delta, Tampa-Detroit-Shaghai. This meant an overnight in Detroit because there was no way to get there early enough to make the Shanghai flight. Since we were not getting in until after 9pm, I wanted to find a hotel close by. Well, with a little research, I found that a Westin actually located in the NcNamara terminal in Detroit, which is the terminal where Delta is! The room was very nice! Comfy beds, amazing shower and beautiful lobby with a restaurant and lobby bar! And, their own TSA entrance! You will check out of your room and walk right over to TSA! NO dealing with the airport lines!! Breakfast was very good, but a little pricey. But nothing unusual for airport hotel prices. I had a great night sleep at the Westin! I've been trying different Marriott properties lately and have not been disappointed with any of them!
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We woke up early on Friday morning, as we had a 7:30am flight out of Athens. Unfortunately, the direct Athens flight on Delta was oversold, so our best hope for getting home was to get an Aegean Airlines standby flight to Paris. The 3.5 hour flight was pretty nice! We had an egg breakfast and the coffee was good! Once we got to Paris, we saw that the Delta flights were full from there, but there was room to stand by on Air France to Raleigh-Durham. Luckily, we scored seats in Premium Select! The food was very good and the seats have a great recline!! Almost nine hours later, we arrived in the United States! It seemed that every flight was either delayed or canceled, though... Apparently, there was severe weather all up and down the East Coast. Our flight from Raleigh to Tampa was delayed an hour, and by the time they were boarding, there were no more standby seats available. Since it was early enough, we decided to get a hotel, so we could get a decent night's sleep, a shower and a good meal. The Sheraton Imperial Hotel at Research Triangle fit that bill perfectly! They had a 24 airport shuttle that picked us up and would bring us back early the next morning! The room was clean, the bed was so comfortable and the shower was amazing! We had a light meal and a beer at the bar! One more sleep until home!
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Wanted to go back and mention our hotel in Athens - Attalos Hotel! We had an amazing stay there pre-cruise! It was in a good section of Athens (yes- you need to be careful as there are some not so nice areas that you definitely want to avoid). We were walking distance from the train that runs to the airport and to the cruise marina. Walking distance to the Acropolis and so many excellent restaurants and shops. There were many sites and churches in the vicinity! I was also able to get my nails and laundry done nearby! The breakfast buffet was one of the best I've ever had - a great mix of Western and Greek foods, sweet and savory! Excellent coffee too! No need for lunch after this breakfast! But the best part was the rooftop bar! With a view of the Acroplis all lit up at night and some cold beer and a shot of ouzo, it was the perfect Greek ending to our perfect Greek days!
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It was fitting that on our last dinner on the boat, Captain's Dinner, we had a beautiful sunset while eating! Next stop would be back to Marina Zea in Piraeus later so we could disembark in the morning...
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After lunch, we met in the lounge for one last information session about our last island stop for this cruise - the islands of Poros.
Poros consists of two islands: Sphaeria, the southern part, which is of volcanic origin, where today's city is located, and Kalaureia, the northern and largest part. A bridge connects the two islands over a narrow strait.
Poros is an island with rich vegetation. Much of the northern and far eastern/western sides of the island are bushy, whereas large areas of old pine forest are found in the south and center of the island. It has a good road network and adequate tourist infrastructure, which makes it a popular resort for short holidays.
It was quite a beautiful area! There are many cafes, restaurants and shops all along the water, so you will have a beautiful view wherever you decide to stop! We decided to walk around the back streets a bit, leading up to the highest point on the island - the clock tower, built in 1927. Being the highest point of the island, it is definitely a bit of a climb from the waterfront (around 15 minutes). When you reach it, however, the view is breathtaking and well worth the effort, as you can take in the beautiful Bay of Poros, Galatas and the shores of the Peloponnese, as well as the magnificent Lemon Forest. It is the perfect spot to enjoy the glorious sunset on the island.
We ended our short stay on Poros with a few drinks and headed back to the boat for Captain's Dinner...
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So what is your vacation style?? I'm definitely the adventure/sightseeing type! I don't know how to relax on vacation!! 🤣🤣
Reach out and I can help you plan your perfect dream vacation!!
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We had an overnight in Spetses, with an 11:30am on-board time the next morning. I was able to have a nice breakfast, then take a stroll around town. Known as Isola di Spezie under Venetian rule and Pityoussa (pine-clad) in ancient times, Spetses, at just 54 nautical miles from Athens, is a picturesque, car-free island with a unique architecture, naval history and culture. The island flourished during the early 18th century, developing into a significant naval power, dominating the major shipping routes of the Mediterranean. Today, the two-hundred year old captains’ mansions lining the coast are testimony to the vast wealth and grandeur of that time. The mansion of the Greek War of Independence heroine Laskarina Bouboulina – the only female admiral in world naval history - now houses Bouboulina’s Museum which hosts a Cultural Festival every summer with a plethora of events - while the Spetses State Museum is housed in the mansion of Spetsiot revolutionary leader Hatziyannis Mexis and contains artefacts representing more than 4000 years of history.
With its rich history and culture, museums, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, cosmopolitan nightlife, Spetses is the perfect location for a short-break or long vacation throughout the year. Visit Spetses during September, when "Armata", a truly impressive re-enactment of a naval battle, takes place ever since 1931. And listen up my running & tri friends!! If you are a sports lover, you definitely don't want to miss the unique athletic events organised every year in April "Spetsathlon" (the biggest triathlon in Greece)! You can compete in the Spring in swimming, running and cycling stand-alone events on Saturday and either a sprint or Olympic distance triathlon on Sunday! And in October, "Spetses Mini Marathon", where thousands of participants take part and enjoy running and swimming races for the young at heart!
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So you thought our eclipse this year was cool? How about experiencing the European eclipse August 2026 on a cruise ship? Virgin Voyages has just announced 2 itineraries where you can experience this! On the first itinerary, 15 nights on the Valiant Lady, you will start in the UK, visit Ireland, Scotland and Iceland - where there will be 98% totality! Itinerary 2, starts in Spain, where you will experience 100% totality! You will continue to sail to France and Italy on the Scarlet Lady. These sailings are guaranteed to sell out, so act soon! Get your deposit in and have two years to pay it off!!
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After a much needed shower, it was time to leave beautiful Nafplio and head off to our next stop - the gorgeous little island of Spetses! But first, I was treated to a birthday cake at lunch! And dinner at in Spetses at νερό της αγάπης (Water of Love) was amazing! Delicious food, impeccable service, and gorgeous views!!
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After an overnight sleep at the dock, I woke up on my 58th birthday feeling so overwhelmed that I actually spending my birthday in Greece with hubby! We got up, had a yummy breakfast, then I headed out early to visit the Fortess of Palamidi! The Fortress was a very large and ambitious project, but was finished within a relatively short period from 1711 until 1714. It is a typical baroque fortress based on the plans of Venetian engineer Antonio Giancix and built by French military engineer Pierre de la Salle. In 1715, it was captured by the Ottomans and remained under their control until 1822, when it was captured by the Greeks. The eight bastions of the fortress were originally named after the Venetian provveditori. However, when it fell to the Ottoman Empire, the bastions were given Turkish names. Lastly, when the Greeks overthrew the Turks the bastions were renamed after ancient Greek leaders and heroes (Epaminondas, Miltiades, Leonidas, Phocion, Achilles, Themistocles. The two remaining bastions were named after St. Andrew (Agios Andreas) and the French Philhellene Robert who died in battle on the Acropolis of Athens. The "Miltiades," was used as a prison and among its walls was also held Theodoros Kolokotronis, hero of the Greek Revolution. The Fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country. There are 913 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress, there are over one thousand. Locals in the town of Nafplio will say there are 999 steps to the top to catch the tourist's eye!
I started my climb rather early, at around 9am so as to avoid the heat and crowds and that was a good decision! For at least the first hour, there were very few people and the breeze made it very nice! I can't think of a better way to start my birthday!!
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After our swim stop and lunch, we had a 6pm arrival at Nafplio. There is so much to see when on a Nafplio shore excursion. All the sights are so beautiful that once you visit, you cannot help but come back to relive its charm; its narrow streets, magnificent squares, Ottoman fountains, neoclassical buildings, and all its architectural jewels. The Peloponnese town of Nafplio is considered one of the best getaways in Greece. Impressive castles, museums with invaluable treasures, historic churches, beautiful neoclassical buildings and paved cobbled paths decorated with bougainvillea bear the grandeur of bygone days of yesteryear. A mystical place, blessed with natural beauties and culture, which for centuries now continues to bloom and fascinate the visitor.
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Tuesday morning, we had a swim stop at beautiful Fokianos Beach, on the Peleponnes. It is not close to any major city, so it is relatively quiet and unspoiled. There were two nice tavernas available, but I just chose to stay in the water and swim laps back and forth to the boat. After the swim, it was time for lunch and to head to our next location!
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After we boarded that evening after an amazing day in Rethymnon, the fun began! If was finally time for Greek night! We were treated to ouzo and octopus and Greek dancing! The party ended with a Greek dancing lesson and a Greek conga line going around the boat! So much fun!! 🇬🇷 🇬🇷 🇬🇷
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We were back to the boat by 3pm, and with dinner not until 7pm, I wanted to check out some of the sights of the old city. Rethymnon is definitely worth visiting! It’s everything a Greek town should be and more. It’s also one of the best preserved medieval towns in Greece with many intact historical buildings, and it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Crete. Rethymnon city was once a bastion of the Venetians who left a mighty legacy of beautiful old buildings. The large Fortezza (fortress) guards Rethymnon from the top of an imposing headland of natural beauty. The town was also ruled by Turks for a time, so you’ll find a scattering of Ottoman domes and minarets peeping from behind 16th century buildings. There are also beautiful beaches nearby and opportunities for wine tasting and, of course, fabulous Cretan food!
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The next morning, we arrived in beautiful Rethymno on the island of Crete! We boarded our van for about an hour ride for an arranged tour to Knossos Palace. Knossos is a Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete. The site was a major center of the Minoan civilization and is known for its association with the Greek myth of Theseus and the minotaur. It is located on the outskirts of Heraklion, and remains a popular tourist destination. Knossos is considered by many to be the oldest city in Europe. The birthplace of Europe's oldest civilization, the Minoans, the site dates back more than 4,000 years! The tour and ruins were fascinating! Afterwards, we had lunch in the town of Archenes, where we were treated to authentic dishes of the region! We then boarded the van and headed back to the Port of Rethymno.
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Some beautiful shots of sunset at Santorini from our boat as we were leaving!
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After our tour of Akrotiri was concluded, our guide returned us to our start point. We still had time, so we decided to have a snack of Greek red wine and tapas! The food was delicious and, as you can see, the view was amazing! As on-board time approached, we headed back to the cable car and found no line as the two large cruise ships had already departed the port! Without a vehicle, there are 3 ways to get to and from the dock up to the top: cable car, walk and donkey. Cable car is the cheap, easy and fast - if there's no line. Walking isn't bad - it's an 800 ft. climb, and the steps aren't too steep. Keep in mind, though, that you are sharing the same path with the donkeys, and your walk may turn into an obstacle course as you dodge donkey 💩!
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After a little exploration of the port area was done, we got in a van and headed to Akrotiri. One of the main attractions on the Greek island of Santorini is the archaeological site of Akrotiri. The extensive ruins of this Bronze Age settlement have been enclosed within a substantial structure. With walkways that enable visitors to walk among the excavated section of the Minoan port town, covered in volcanic ash in the 16th century. We were fortunate that our tour guide was an archaeologist that worked on this project. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, this, and many other important restoration projects, are on indefinite hold, which is why he is a tour guide now. He explained that what were seeing was only 8% of what exists. There is so much work still to be done! He had great insight into this discovery and it was a fascinating tour!
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After the swim stop and lunch, we ported in the afternoon at the beautiful island of Santorini! We are fortunate that our captain timed our stop there so as not to conflict with the other cruise ships that were there! We had only a 2 min wait for the famous cable car in each direction!
Undoubtedly, the most popular destination in Greece, often topping out at over 17,000 visitors daily, there is a wealth of reasons why Santorini is considered the best Greek island and one of the top travel destinations in the world. If you have a quick dip into the island, it is enough to make you realize its uniqueness and become deeply fond of it. Besides the ideal climate of Greece with hot summers, a bright sun and the temperament of its people that captivates tourists in every part of Greece, Santorini has its distinctive characteristics that make it stand out and deservedly popular all over the world.
First of all, Santorini is a natural wonder of the world. Its world famous volcano, which constitutes a magnificent sight and attraction of Santorini, formed the island and gave it its current shape and geomorphology by a massive volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. The rare natural beauty of Santorini, the breathtaking caldera, the views, the extraordinary volcanic beaches and the lunar landscapes are the wondrous results of this eruption that can only be admired in Santorini.
In this incredible “canvas” everything is totally harmonious. The architecture of Santorini ‒whitewashed edifices, blue domes, candy-colored houses and paved paths‒ blend in perfectly with the spectacular surroundings, creating jaw-dropping images that look like picture postcards. A stay in a world-class hotel, suspended on the caldera cliffs with an infinity pool and a whirlpool bath, will arouse your senses and turn your trip into a lovely experience. Santorini it the perfect place to unwind and have a dreamy holiday. Don’t forget that Oia village is known for the best sunset in the world!
To be continued!
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Day 3 started with our first swim stop! Tris Klisies Beach in Ios is a wonderful shore featuring fine golden-colored sand and unique, awe-inspiring deep blue waters! This remote beach destination is a fantastic choice for sunbathers, while it is also frequented by naturists! Also, it is highly recommended for anyone who wants some privacy during their beach visit or for those who would want to photograph the rich underwater ocean life! I had a beautiful open water swim and loved seeing all of the fish and beautiful rocks beneath me!
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After we boarded that evening after an amazing day in Rethymnon, the fun began! If was finally time for Greek night! We were treated to ouzo and octopus and Greek dancing! The party ended with a Greek dancing lesson and a Greek conga line going around the boat! So much fun!! 🇬🇷 🇬🇷 🇬🇷 #Greece ##varietycruises
Pics from my safari in Pilanesberg, South Africa!
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