The Acropolis a Journey Into Antiquity

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 Athens, Greece

The greatest of all archeological sites, the Acropolis dominates the Athenian landscape. Ascend 80 steps, take in the views, and marvel at such glorious monuments as the Parthenon and the Erechtheum.

Propylaea or Propylaia,  the monumental gateway that serves as the entrance to the Acropolis, is now in our sights as we walk along the path from our motorcoach.   We leave the modern world behind us as we enter ancient Greece through that doorway.

The Propylaea survived intact through the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods. Today the Propylaea has been partly restored, and serves as the main entrance to the Acropolis for the many thousands of tourists who visit the area every year.

Erechtheum

Upon entering the complex, we see the Erechtheum or Erechtheion, an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis. This image shows a general view of the Erechtheion from the southwest, showing the North Porch (at left), the "Olive Tree of Athena" (modern replacement!), and the Caryatid Porch ( "Porch of the Maidens").

One of the caryatids was removed by Lord Elgin in order to decorate his Scottish mansion, and was later sold to the British Museum (along with the pedimental and frieze sculpture taken from the Parthenon).

The Parthenon

is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. It is one of the greatest monuments of ancient civilization and a perfect representation of Doric-style architecture.

The white Pentelic marble temple was built 446 - 437 B.C. and has served as an enduring symbol of ancient Greece.  The Parthenon has survived the passage of time, and its architectural sophistication still impresses all who study it.  A restoration project was begun in 1983 and continues today.  If you are ever in Nashville, TN, you can see a replica which is in pristine condition, unlike the real temple in Athens.

Preservation for the Future

After a century of excavations and improvements of the site, the Acropolis is now a testing ground for the most innovative open-air conservation techniques aimed at safeguarding the marble sections, which have been affected by heavy atmospheric pollution.  UNESCO World Heritage Centre is working to help protect and preserve the world's greatest landmarks.

We could easily have spent the entire day at The Acropolis, but there was much more ahead.  Read about the rest of our day in Athens and view our pictures on our Facebook Fan Page as we continue our  12 Night Greek Isles & Mediterranean cruise on Star Princess.

Additional photos can be found on our Facebook Albums.




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Exploring Palatine Hill and Roman Forum

Have You Seen This Before?

Another recognizable ancient monument is shown here.   Do you know what it is?   Hint:  we saw it a short distance from the Roman Colosseum.   Read on to learn more about more of our Day 1 explorations of Rome.

The Arch of Constantine stands a short distance away from the Roman Colosseum.   As we continued our day one Roman adventure, we passed this triumphant arch which was built to commemorate the victory over Constantine's co-emperor, Maxentius.

Next we continued our exploration of the Palatine Hill, which is an open-air museum with views of the Roman Forum on one side, and the Circus Maximus on the other.  Click the link to learn more about the history of Palatine Hill.  

The entry lines were shorter at Palatine Hill, so if the lines are too long for tickets at the Colosseum, you might want to consider starting here.   The ticket you purchase is a combined entry ticket, so it doesn't matter where you make the initial purchase or entry.

Near the entry of Palatine Hill you'll find WCs and a fountain with constantly running water.   Did I mention that it was quite warm, and cold water was something that was very welcome?   Keep a water bottle of some sort with you and refill it at one of the fountains as you walk through Rome  or purchase refreshments from one of the street vendors if you are more comfortable.   But whatever you do, be sure to keep hydrated.

This Stadium was seen along our journey.   As you can see much of the structure is no longer standing, but you can still imagine yourself there in the crowds to watch some event.

There are many more sites along the pathway that can be explored.   If you'd like to relax, something we didn't really do much of, there are some benches and grassy areas where you could rest and take in the surroundings.

Our exploration continued with the Roman Forum.

The Central Square of this Roman settlement was known as the Forum.   Here is where people would gather for meetings, trials, political discussions, and other activities.  Markets, shops, and taverns were nearby as well as the stadiums for games and races, which the Romans enjoyed.

Learn more about the Roman Forum here, or by searching other references on the web.

Palatine Hill - Roman Forum Photo Album


We have a photo journal of our visit to these ancient outdoor museums on our FB page.  We were starting to drag a little due to jet lag and the warm temperatures, so we moved on to other parts of Rome from here.   Also, we were starting to get hungry, so it was time to find some pizza and gelato.

Learn More

Italy Guides - Rome

Rome Tours

Hopefully you are enjoying Rome through our eyes.   There is still much more to come, so be sure to monitor our blog and FB page.

Additional photos can be found on our Facebook Albums.




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Azamara Autumn Voyages of Distinction

Enjoy Ocean Views of the Mediterranean this autumn from $1,549*

Savvy cruisers know one of the best times to explore the Mediterranean is fall. With inviting weather, fewer crowds, and enticing prices, you'll enjoy so much more, especially aboard an Azamara® cruise.

Azamara is a true departure from traditional sailing. Award-winning itineraries, exceptional cuisine, outstanding service, and a masterful spa and wellness center are a few of the riches you'll discover.

Featured Sailings this Autumn:

Azamara Journey
14-night Mediterranean Sept. 27 from $1,699*†
Barcelona to Athens

Azamara Journey
14-night Holy Land Oct. 25 from $2,599*†
Rome to Athens

Azamara Quest
14-night Ancient Empires Nov. 14 from $1,549*†
Rome to Athens

†AZAMARA CRUISES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE A FUEL SUPPLEMENT ON ALL GUESTS IF THE PRICE OF WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE FUEL EXCEEDS $65.00 PER BARREL. THE FUEL SUPPLEMENT FOR 1ST AND 2ND GUESTS WOULD BE NO MORE THAN $15 PER GUEST PER DAY, TO A MAXIMUM OF $200 PER CRUISE.

If you've not sailed on Azamara before, you'll love the Unique Stateroom Experience:

All staterooms on Azamara come with complimentary butler service, a daily fruit basket, fresh cut flowers, 24-hour room service, a sweet surprise on your pillow each evening, afternoon canapés, complimentary shoe-shine service, a 23" plasma television, personal stationery, Elemis bathroom products, two nights of complimentary specialty dining, one complimentary large bottle of water, new European bedding, and complimentary use of binoculars, umbrellas and plush robes; and of course, it has been newly decorated to exceed your expectations.

All suites come standard with all of the above, plus priority check-in and departure; priority luggage delivery at boarding; three nights of complimentary specialty dining, complimentary garment pressing (limit of two items per person upon embarkation); opportunity to book in-suite spa services; private portrait sitting; priority tender service; silk-wrapped hangers; Hansgrohe® showerhead; welcome champagne; daily fruit basket; daily savories 4-6 PM; complimentary nonalcoholic specialty coffees (in-suite), sodas, and bottled water.

Let Us Help Plan YOUR Autumn Voyage of Distinction aboard Azamara Journey or Quest

MSC Cruises Welcomes Big Band Lovers

Swing and sway to a Big Band

aboard MSC Poesia

Turn the clocks back to the 1930's and 1940's. Times were tough, much like they are today. The Great Depression was in full swing and the world was about to go to war once again. It was during these dismal times that the Swing Era began and became an important part of musical history.

Enter the Big Band, a type of musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music. Big bands evolved with the times and continue today. A big band typically consists of approximately 12 to 25 musicians and contains saxophones, trumpets, trombones, singers, and a rhythm section.

Teenagers and young adults were the principal fans of the Big Bands in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. They danced to recordings and the radio, and attended live concerts whenever they could. You'll probably remember greats like Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington.

Big Bands played a major role in lifting morale during World War II. Many band members served in the military and toured with USO troupes at the front, with Glenn Miller losing his life while traveling between troop shows.

MSC Cruises rekindles the music of the 30's with two Big Band themed cruises aboard MSC Poesia. Whether you want to hear Big Band music for the first time, or if you are a lover of this era gone by, you will enjoy this special themed cruise.

Featured Musicians:

The 15-piece Les DeMerle Orchestra, featuring vocalist Bonnie Eisele, is sure to have toes tapping, bodies swaying and guests singing along to the sounds of Ellington, Basie, James and Miller, plus the biggest Broadway hits, rock ‘n’ roll classics, hot Latin grooves and show-stoppers from the 40s through today. In addition to their regular appearances, the band will perform a Big Band Jazz Concert and conduct a lecture on the Big Band Era.

Chose one of the following cruises:

REMARKABLE RAINFORESTS & THE PANAMA CANAL
DECEMBER 10, 2009 11 days 10 nights
Fort Lauderdale • Grand Cayman • Cartagena • Cristóbal • Puerto Limón • Playa del Carmen • Fort Lauderdale

ISLAND TREASURES & ANCIENT TEMPLES
FEBRUARY 27, 2010 8 days 7 nights
Fort Lauderdale • Key West • Playa del Carmen • Grand Cayman • Montego Bay • Nassau • Fort Lauderdale

For more information about MSC Poesia and these cruises, see my website or give me a call. Don't forget that Kids 17 and under Sail Free (in same cabin).