This trip was a cruise that left from Venice and traveled to four locations Mykonos, Corfu, Santorini, and Katakolon (Olympia) within Greece. The cruise was great. The getting off the ship, busing to the locations, spending a few hours at the location, getting back on the bus, getting back on the ship was not so great. IE Not sure I will be doing big cruise ships in the future to visit locations. It’s like an appetizer for each destination. You get a little taste and that is all.
Corfu excursion didn’t prove out to be the best thing. It started with a trip to Achillion Palace which was interesting from a history point of view, followed by a museum tour of an old olive press building (skip it), and then a nice local restaurant lunch. Following this a bus ride to the downtown area where the old fort is. However, there wasn’t enough time to do anything except get a cup of coffee and 15 minute shopping spree. If I had to do it over, I would either go to the beach which looked very nice or just go downtown and not pay the extra money for the excursion.
Mykonos was the beach island trip. Well, sorta. The beach we were bused to was on the other side of the island and was totally tourist trap. Want a chair, you pay 20 Euros. Want alcoholic beverage? 12 Euros. No thanks. So you poor souls that do pay for the chair get constant hounding from Asian ladies want to give you a 50 Euro massage and when they know that your time is getting close to leaving, the price drops. The beach was no very smooth sand but very tiny pebbles so be ready to wear flip flops. For the scenery that would be the highlight. Overall, not worth the excursion price.
Santorini was by far the prettiest village on the island trip. Just not long enough to properly see it for photo taking and shopping before it was back to the bus for a wonderful Opa meal trip. The excursion cost was worth it but I just needed more time!!!!
Last stop was Katakolon for visiting the original Olympics. Very nice after a long bus ride. The museum included is also nice. This excursion also was worth the expense. So overall half good, half not so good but don’t expect to get to see it all when the cruise limits your trip to a half day and half of that is getting to the excursion and back on the boat. Next time, plane.
Olympia stones
Olympia arches leading to track
