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In Venice, we boarded the Norwegian Jade cruise ship for a week tour of 4 Greek Islands.
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Ports of call:
Corfu - June arranged for a driver to give us a private tour of the island of Corfu. Here is where we traveled, starting at the port of Kerkira.
Santorini - This small island, made of a volcanic caldera, is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history which occurred about 3600 years ago. Getting OUT of the volcanic caldera is no easy feat. You can normally walk, ride a donkey, or take tram. But there was no room for us to dock. So, the cruise ship went just south of Fira and we got bused out.
Mykonos - Best known for its beaches. We rented a car and traveled to visit two beaches. Fortunately, we brought the Garmin because the few road signs were unreadable. Bruce drove while I navigated, saying simply, turn right HERE!
Katakolon/Olympia - The port of Katakolon and the town of Olympia, site of the ancient Olympics. We took a 30 min. train ride out to Olympia, then, a 1/4 mile walk up Main street to the Olympic site. The first Olympics were held here in 776 BC.
By around 300 AD (1000 years later) the site was badly damaged from earthquakes, floods, and invading tribes. Despite the destruction, the Olympic festival continued to be held here until the last Olympiad in 393 AD. The Olympic site was buried under deposits resulting from repeated tsunamis up to 8 meters (25') deep. The site was re-discovered in 1766, but excavation did not begin until 1829. It is still going on today. Learn more about the ancient Olympic games.
See
the pictures Click
to listen to music