All good things have to come to an end, it’s said! Oh, how I didn’t want this vacation to ever end! We had a fabulous time in our month aboard the Voyager! So for a re-cap of the countries we were in………we started in Barcelona, Spain, then went on to France, Monaco, Italy, Montenegro, Croatia,…
Category: Cruising
Thursday Doors in Forza d’Argo, Sicily
Good morning Thursday Door friends! Today we are in Forza d’Argo for our door review……….We have been following the footsteps of the Godfather in Sicily, meaning we have toured two of the villages where scenes from the Godfather films were made. The village of Forza d’Argo was used to represent the Corleone family village before…
The Movie Set of Forza d’Agro, Sicily
We’re climbing higher up the mountain in Southern Sicily, to view a Norman Castle, where the people sought shelter on higher and higher ground to escape plunderers. The castle and fort overlooks the village of Forza d’Agro. So, leaving the port at Taormina, let’s go! a castle here, a castle there……. Let’s look at some…
Going to the Godfather’s Wedding…….Savoca, Sicily
We’ve been to Vitelli’s Bar, so we have re-lived one scene from the Godfather II movie. Our guide told us to meet her under the tree in the Piazza, so we can all walk up, up, up the hill together. We are to follow the footsteps of Michael and Appollonia, when they were married in…
Thursday Doors in Savoca, Sicily
Why are we on a mountain in Sicily in a small village named Savoca, this beautiful, hot morning, you ask? Well, this week it’s all about the filming of Godfather II. Francis Ford Coppola thought the town of Corleone in Sicily was too big for parts of the movie so he chose the little mountain…
The Godfather in Savoca, Sicily
Good morning! We have reached the port in Taormina, Sicily and what a day we have planned! Today it is all about the Godfather! First, we are going to the tiny village of Savoca, (population less than two thousand) and Vitelli’s Bar, where Micheal asked permission to marry Appollonia, in the movie, Godfather II. And,…
The Old Historic Quarter, Corfu, Greece
Another day in beautiful Corfu! This morning we are going to the Old Historic Quarter to do some shopping! Won’t you join me? Here’s the map, so let’s go. Between Old Town Corfu and the Unesco World Heritage Site, the Venetian-era Old Fortress, we find the old cricket grounds of the Royal Palace of St…
Inside the Achilleion Palace, Corfu, Greece
As promised, we are touring the inside of the Achilleion Palace today, located in Gastouri, on the island of Corfu, Greece. This palace was built for the Empress of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, known as Sisi. If you would like to follow along with the background of Sisi’s life, start HERE. It makes for a…
Thursday Doors: Corfu, Greece
It’s 7am. It’s hot. We’re on a bus. In Corfu, Greece. The new day of adventure has started. Where are we going first? The bus driver is making an impromptu stop. One of our fellow riders has made a suggestion for a stop, before we move on to the scheduled highlights. Hmmmm………..anyone up for a…
The Gods and Goddesses at the Achilleion Palace, Corfu, Greece
Day is breaking in Corfu, Greece! It’s going to be another hot day, so let’s get going! People are already on the ferries! We’re on the bus to our first destination, the Achilleion Palace. The drive is very nice! Up, up and around we go on very narrow roads………..looking at all the lush scenery! The…
Thursday Doors at The Çobo Winery, Ura Vajgurore, Albania
On the way back to the port in Durrës we had the opportunity to stop at the Çobo Winery. Today, I would like to stress the DOORS that have been opened since the fall of 45 years of communism in Albania. It has taken another 20 years for Albanians to prosper from their private endeavors!…
The Hotel Mangalem, Berat, Albania
I promised to show you our Hotel in Berat, Albania. This is the Mangalem Hotel in the historic district, on the main street, so to speak. It is across the street from the Infopoint, where you can sign up for tours, pick up your audioguides and buy your postcards, all in one stop. First, some…
A Feast in Berat, Albania
Albania is rising from the ruins. After shaking their communist yoke of forty years the country is in a state of growth and renewal. That was very evident in historic Berat, “City of a Thousand Windows.” To learn more about the history of Albania and Berat look at my two previous posts, HERE and HERE,…
Thursday Doors in Berat, Albania
If you have not read my post introducing you to Albania it is HERE. That will bring you up to date and make sense of what you will be seeing today. We are headed from the bottom of the Hill in historic Berat to the fortress at the top. It would be quite a hike…
The Eye Opening Look of Albania
I knew Albania was going to be a special place when we got off the boat. There was a group of school children on the wharf singing! I looked around to see who they were singing to because we had not had this occasion at any other port. Then they reached out their hands and…
