Buzz’s comments on his Cruise from
Athens to Venice on the Seabourn Encore July to August 2025
Since I
was in Athens for a week last year, I only stayed in the area for one night to
help deal with the jet lag before getting on the cruise. This trip consisted of
three segments: Athens to Istanbul, Istanbul to Athens and Athens to Venice. The ship was nearly full on all of the segments.
The average age of passengers was younger than any of my other Seabourn
cruises. I only recognized 2 passengers
that I sailed with before. Another
great trip on Seabourn!
WED 16 Jul AA
758 PHL- Athens 4:40 PM Thu 17 Jul 9:15 AM The new AA business class lounge was
comfortable. The flight on the Boeing
787-800 was comfortable and uneventful.
THU 17 Jul – 18 Jul Hotel AVR Deluxe
Suites. Located in a small town near
Athens, in Markopoulo. Free transfer from the airport. Only six rooms, no lobby or front desk. Check in/out was handled by the owner who
picked me up at the port. Booked using
booking.com. It was a bit noisy. Nice hotel room with a double bed, free WiFi, a TV, a stall shower, a refrigerator, microwave,
coffee maker (with coffee) and a mini kitchen but no tub or safe. A short walk to a bakery/restaurant/mini
mart. A ten minute
walk to the center of Markopoulo. Not close to the Athens
tourist attractions, but for one night before the cruise, it was great.
FRI 18 JUL Sail
from Piraeus (Athens), Greece. I went to
the solo travelers get together. I was
at a hosted table with Derek Engler, Seabourn Musician and Georgia Flax,
Entertainment Manager.
SAT 19 JUL Gythion (Sparta), Greece, Tender port – I booked a 6 hour excursion: The Best of Sparta & Mystras. From the
pier, we travelled north to the village of Sparta. Although it was once
among the most powerful of city-states, today Sparta is an unimposing town. The
original Spartans lived in barracks -- an austere existence for which they are
still quite famous. They cared little for buildings, monuments and the other
"soft" trappings favored by their rivals; consequently, scarcely a
trace remains of their city to testify to its former might. We entered the upper gate to visit the
remains of a byzantine church with partial frescoes remaining and an overlook
of the palace. We entered the lower gate to visit another byzantine church with
beautiful frescoes and views of the still operating nunnery. We entered the lower gate for We stopped for
photos at the statue of Leonidas -- the legendary King of Sparta who
fought the Battle of Thermopylae with just 300 Spartan warriors. We stopped at a local restaurant for a typical
Greek lunch. I played team trivia. I was at a formal night hosted table with
Andrew Pedder, Captain. I went to the
show Skylines performed by the Seabourn Six.
SUN 20 JUL Chania,
Crete, Greece, Tender port – I booked a 6 hour
excursion: Rethymnon
Town & Arkadi Monastery. We
went on a 1.5 hour bus ride to the
historic Venetian-Baroque Monastery of Arkadi -- important due
to the active role it played in the Cretan resistance to Ottoman rule.
Life has
seldom been restful and quiet for Crete, so next, we took a 25
minute bus ride to visit the city of Rethymnon,
which was established during the Venetian occupation. With buildings dating
back to the 16th century, a small Venetian-style harbor and narrow streets, Rethymnon offers a charming and very peaceful encounter
with the island's turbulent history. I
played team trivia. I had an excellent
dinner at Earth and Ocean.
MON 21 JUL Santorini,
Greece. Tender port – I booked a 4.5 hour excursion:
Discover Ancient Akrotiri. In
prehistoric times, the people who inhabited what is today known as Santorini called
the island Strongyle -- meaning 'round'. They enjoyed a high standard of living
-- they built two-story houses, tilled the earth and were skilled artists,
recognizing the beauty of color. Around 1650 BC, a volcanic eruption caused the
center of Santorini to sink, leaving a caldera surrounded by high cliffs. This
is now one of the world's most dramatic geological sights. We visited the famous antiquities at Akrotiri.
It's easy to imagine what life was like before the village was destroyed by the
eruption of the volcano of Thira around 1650 BC. See the remnants of buildings,
city squares, shops and working areas. Some very famous Greek frescoes can be
found in what is left of the once-prominent homes. Speculation is rife that
perhaps Akrotiri is really the lost city of Atlantis. From there, we transferred by coach
to Thira town, where a short walk brought us to
the Prehistoric Museum. Step inside the museum and back in time -- the
museum's display features fine pottery, figurines, and carvings ranging from
the 25th to the 1st century BC. Many of the items on view are artifacts
recovered from the archeological site of Akrotiri -- Santorini's own version of
Pompeii. I played team trivia. I went to a conversation by Walter Isaacson: “The Secrets of Great
Geniuses Leonardo da Vinci. Benjamin Franklin. Albert Einstein. Steve Jobs.
Jennifer Doudna. Ada Lovelace. Bill Gates. Elon Musk”. They were all smart, but
that’s not what made them great. What set them apart was that they were creative,
imaginative, thought out of the box or, as Jobs would say, knew how to think
differently. This talk looked at their secrets and what we can learn from them
that’s useful in our daily lives. I went
to the Diamond members cocktail party. I
had an excellent dinner at Earth and Ocean.
TUE 22 JUL Milos,
Greece-Tender port. I wondered around
the port area. I was at a hosted table
with Le Roux van Dyk, Guest Services Manager.
WED 23 JUL Mykonos,
Greece -Tender port. I was here last
year so I did not book an excursion. I wondered around
the port area through little Venice to the windmills and back. I played team trivia. I was at a hosted table with Troy Wheeler,
one of the Seabourn Six. I went to the afternoon sail away. I went to the show: Not your Average Joe.
THU 24 JUL Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey.
I wondered through the Grand Bazar.
I went to the magical evening in the utterly compelling setting
of Ancient Ephesus. Seabourn guests were treated to the extraordinary
experience of classical music in a private setting among the ruins of
this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following an early dinner on
board the ship, we departed the pier for the approximately 30-minute coach ride
to the upper gate of Ephesus. Upon your arrival at the
site, refreshments were served at elegant bistro tables set out along
an ancient marble road. Then, we made
our way to the Odeon Theatre, exclusively reserved for Seabourn
guests. Constructed in the 2nd century AD, the theatre served as a space for
political meetings, social events, and theatrical performances. Seated on the
ancient stones in the very same theatre as the citizens of Ancient Ephesus,
enjoy this mind-blowing evening and otherworldly atmosphere, listening to
a chamber orchestra's repertoire of beautiful classical music. Upon return to the
ship, we were greeted on the pier by the gangway by a large portion of the crew
singing and dancing. I attended a dance
party on the pool deck with a buffet for late night snacks.
FRI 25 JUL Cesme, Turkey. I
played team trivia. I attended the
conversation given by Walter Isaacson on the Triumph and Tragedies of Elon Musk
I had dinner at Solis. I attended the
show: Piano Man Tom Seals.
SAT 26 JUL Sea
Day. I played team trivia where we won
the overall for the entire segment. I
attended the conversation given by Walter Isaacson on Benjamin
Franklin’s Lessons for America’s 250th Birthday. I went to the show “Silver Screen” performed
by the Seabourn Six. I had dinner at the
restaurant with all the members of my Trivia Team.
SUN 27 JUL Istanbul,
Turkey I booked a 4
hour excursion: “The Spice Bazaar, Chora Museum & Rustem Pasha
Mosque”. There was a short drive to
the Chora Museum -- one of the most beautiful Byzantine churches in
Istanbul. The frescoes and mosaics here are part of the magnificent heritage of
Byzantine art left by the Romans. We
visited the Rustem Pasha Mosque, an early example Ottoman architecture.
The vivid colors and floral or geometric designs of the Iznik
tiles are quite stunning. At
the Spice Bazaar, we sampled some Turkish delight -- the ubiquitous local
candy that melts in your mouth. The vendors at this vast market offer all the
spices of the East, including cardamom, turmeric, saffron and rosewater. I went to the Cruise Director Introductions
and the Solo Travelers Cocktail Party. I
was at a hosted table with Joe Altamira, Cruise
Director. I went to the show “Better
Together” performed by the Seabourn Six.
MON 28 JUL. Canakkale, Turkey. I took the free shuttle into the city
and back. I went to the wooden Troy
Horse and wondered through the downtown area. I played Team
Trivia. I attended the show performed by
Tom Seals. I was at a hosted table with
Star Lydster, one of the Seabourn Six.
TUE 29 JUL.
Izmir, Turkey. I played Team
Trivia. I attended the Conversation
given by Sharon
Torres: “Domination – The Ottoman Style.
I went to the Diamond cocktail party.
I went to the show Skylines performed by the Seabourn Six.
WED 30 JUL Patmos,
Greece - Tender port. I wondered around
the port area. I played social bridge.
I had the formal night
dinner at the Sushi Restaurant. I
attended the show performed by Tom Seals and Friends.
THU 31 JUL Rhodes,
Greece. I booked a 4
hour tour: “Rhodes In Focus: A Photography
Tour” - A local photographer mentored us, offering practical hints on framing
the best shots of the fascinating architectural features. Via the new city, our minibus transportation
drove us past Mount Smith. This was the Acropolis of Ancient Rhodes. From the
massive (and very photogenic) tumbled pillars of the ruined temple of Athena,
we saw the Temple of Apollo, the stadium of Diagoras,
and the port area. We continued to the
D'Amboise Gate -- one of the main entrances of the Medieval Town -- and make our way to the imposing Palace of the Grand
Masters. For centuries, the Palace was used as a residence for the Knights of
St John. Later it became a fortress during the Ottoman occupation, a vacation
home for the Italian kingdom, and nowadays operates as a museum.
We took a
leisurely stroll along the Knight's
Street -- a cobblestone lane lined with inns. These are the 15th- and
16th-century buildings in which the knights lived. The tour will conclude with
a visit to one of the island's best Greek tavernas, where we
enjoyed local specialties and a tranquil atmosphere before returning
to the ship. I was at a hosted table
with Raquel Santos, one of the Seabourn Six.
FRI 01 AUG Sea
Day. I played team Trivia. I attended the Conversation
given by Sharon Torres: “The Stories of the Knights of St. Johns and the Knoghts Templar”. I played social bridge. I was at a hosted table with Kristy
Marucchi-Chierro, the Assistant Destinations Manager. I went to the
concert performed by Panos Karan,
classical pianist.
SAT 02 AUG Spetses, Greece – tender port. I booked a 3.5 hour excursion “A Stroll Through Spetses”. Spetses, an island
boasting a long maritime tradition, is famous for its significant Naval
contribution to Greece's 1821 War of Independence. The island has managed to
retain its individual traditional character thanks to its well-preserved grand
mansions, once owned by seafaring Captains and still bearing eloquent witness
to the island's glorious past. Our guide
gave us a description of the history of the island and its relationship with
Greece. We visited the Museum of Bouboulina, named for a female warrior who played a
significant role in the War of Independence. Her house contained carved, wooden
Florentine ceiling, 18th- and 19th-century furniture,
an interesting collection of old weapons, fine porcelain, and rare books. We walked to the main church and admired the
decorations. We had a snack on the
waterfront. I played team trivia. I was at a hosted
table with Sharon Torres, Guest Conversationalist. I went to the show Can’t Stop the Music
performed by the Seabourn Six.
SUN 03 AUG Piraeus
(Athens), Greece. Since I was in Athens for a week last year, I did not book an
excursion. Instead, I just wondered
around the pier area. I went to the solo travelers get together. I was at a hosted
table with Joe Altamira, Cruise Director.
I went to the show “Silver Screen” performed by the Seabourn Six.
MON 04 AUG Monemvasia, Greece – tender port. I booked an 8.5 hour
tour: “Mystras & Monemvasia
In Focus: A Photography Tour” - A local
photographer joined, offering practical hints on framing the best shots of the
fascinating architectural features.. Driving north from Monemvasia
toward the village of Sparta, we reached the photogenic ruins of
the ancient city of Mystras. Its strategic
location on the steep slopes of Mount Taygetos and
its robust city walls kept enemies at bay, inspiring William II to erect a
citadel here in 1249. The city had two entrances: the Monovasia
Gate and the Anaplon Gate. This is Greece's
best-preserved Byzantine city.
The walking tour commenced in Mystras,
where we gained insight into its impressive churches, restored palaces, vaulted
alleys, and city walls. I admired the magnificent fresco-adorned churches,
including Aghios Dimitrios, the Evangelistria and the
Pantanassa. We
returned to the coast and visited the small island of Monemvasia --
one of Greece's best-kept secrets. The medieval town was carved from a sea rock
and is accessed by a single causeway. We walked through the narrow castle gate
to be transported into a bygone era. We followed the guide along the well-trod
cobblestone main street to the very heart of the citadel. We enjoyed a refreshment at a coffee
shop before returning to the ship. I had an excellent Formal night dinner
at the Sushi restaurant. I went to the concert performed by Panos Karan, classical pianist.
TUE 05 AUG Katakolon (Olympia), Greece. Since I had been to the site
of the original Olympic games before, I did not book an excursion and just
wandered around the ort area. I
played team trivia. I went to the
predinner conversation given by Sharon Torres: “Greece: The Cradle of Western
Civilization”. I had an excellent dinner at Earth and Ocean.
WED 06 AUG Sea
Day. I played team Trivia. I attended the Conversation
given by Sharon Torres: “Mohammed: Hist Life and His Legacy”. I went to the Diamond members cocktail
party. I went to the
concert performed by Panos Karan,
classical pianist. I went to the show
“Better Together” performed by the Seabourn Six.
THU 07 AUG Dubrovnik,
Croatia. I booked a 7 hour tour: “The Best of
Dubrovnik & Cavtat: A Small-Group Experience” –
We explored the Old Town of Dubrovnik, entering the 13th-century
city via the Pile Gate. On
a walking tour we saw the Sponza Palace
with its elegant courtyard and elaborate stone carvings, the Dominican church
and monastery, and the Church of St Blaise.
We walked along the city's main thoroughfare, the Stradun, whose graceful stone palazzi now house shops and
residences. Just 30 minutes south along
the Adriatic Riviera, we went the small town of Cavtat, with its palm-lined seashore and numerous cafés. In
the nearby Konavle region, we visited a
traditional family home producing brandy, wine and olive
oil. Lunch here includes traditional Croatian specialties, locally
produced wines, brandy, and delicious desserts as local
musicians entertain you. I played
team trivia. I went to the Abba &
Caviar Sail away. I was at a hosted
table with Star Lydster, one of the Seabourn Six.
FRI 08 AUG Hvar,
Croatia – tender port. I booked a 4.5 hour tour: “Hvar
Highlights” - Stari Grad Plain on the Adriatic island
of Hvar is a cultural landscape that has remained essentially intact since it
was first colonized by Ionian Greeks from Paros in the 4th century BC. The
original agricultural activity of this fertile plain, mainly growing grapes and
olives, was initiated in Greek times and continues today. The landscape
features ancient stone walls and trims, or small stone shelters, reflecting the
ancient geometric system of land division used by the ancient Greeks. Hvar is a favorite destination for
visitors to Croatia, thanks to its mild climate and lush subtropical
vegetation. We took a short bus ride through the tunnel to the village of Vrisnik. Here, a local host welcomed you with brandy
and dried figs, followed by a special wine and grappa tasting and a
Hvar-style snack. The island's wines range from light whites to
full-bodied reds, all made locally and produced only in small quantities. Then we proceeded to Starigrad --
dating back to the 2nd century BC and once the largest settlement on the
island. After to walk through the
historic narrow streets, we saw the cathedral and visited the Dominican
Monastery, with its rich library full of priceless books and paintings. We
walked through the waterfront area before boarding the bus to head back to Hvar
town, with a brief stop at the fortress above the town to see the
magnificent view of Hvar and Pakleni Islands. I played team trivia. I had an excellent dinner at Earth and Ocean
accompanied by Star Lydster, Derek Engler, and Troy Wheeler (ship
entertainers).
SAT 09 AUG Rovinj,
Croatia – tender port. I wandered around
the port area and returned to the ship to pack.
I played team trivia and we won for this leg of
the cruise. I had an excellent dinner at
Earth and Ocean. I went to the show
performed by Kalon Rae.
SUN 10 AUG Debark
Ship Fusina (Venice)
SUN 10 AUG AA
715 VCE – PHL 12:15 PM 3:30 PM
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