Ionian Immersion 2022

Our driver for the ride from Bologna to Ravenna was a cheerful fellow who once had worked at a Pizza Hut in Franklin, VA. Small world, eh? We stayed at the Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi, a boutique hotel originally the home of a Ravennati noble family. The Ravenna weather was still a bit gloomy, but didn't dampen the charm of the palazzo. Main staircase Murano glass chandelier P alazzo chapel Sitting room Palazzo courtyard Our time in Ravenna allowed for a visit to the main attractions: the Tomb of Dante (father of the modern Italian language) and a few of the great mosaic basilicas of the 6th century. T omb of Dante (with Alpini veterans on holiday) Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo Basilica grounds Christ mosaic We would be remiss if we failed to mention the vintage hand-powered Berkel & Parnall's meat slicer tucked away in the corner of the hotel dining room. It was made in England likely before World War I. Emilia-Romagna celebrates its cured meats, most famously mortadella.

Our taxi ride from the Palazzo to the port was a short one, about 20 minutes. And as is often the case in Italy, we were entertained by a cheerful and chatty driver who loves to draw out details about us. Ravenna is relatively new to the cruise industry. Modern facilities are still to be constructed. Oceania constructed a semi-permanent tent structure the size of an aircraft hanger to make the boarding process pleasant. The Riviera was last refurbished in spring 2022. It provides for 1,238 guests and 776 staff. Owing in part to Covid, our cruise had fewer than 800 passengers. Oceania Riviera  Beaches and pine forests surround the future cruise port complex.                            

Split is a busy commercial and ferry port servicing nearby islands, Italy, and Greece. It enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is one of the sunniest places in Europe. Split is best known for Diocletian's Palace, which dates to the 4th century and takes half of Split's old city. Residences still exist inside the Palace's wall; however, property values are making the residences affordable only to the wealthy. Split's port promenade is abuzz with cafe life and lined with palm trees, which were originally brought to the Balkans by Napoleon. Coastline near Split Ever present Jadrolinija ferries Along the promenade In the Palace, a 4,000-year old Egyptian sphinx  Palace wall

Dubrovnik is a city of ancient streets lined with palaces, Venetian-style buildings, and bell towers, all cut from the same pale stone. The well preserved old town surrounded by medieval walls dating to the 13th century is a UNESCO world heritage treasure. Walking through the old town gives one a real sense of medieval life. A Franciscan monastery holds artifacts of  the  world's third oldest  pharmacy. Dubrovnik served as one of the primary filming scenes for the TV series Game of Thrones. Bell tower, old city Overlooking the old city Just inside the entrance to the old city Monastery cloister Old city Bridge near cruise port

Piraeus is the seaport for the city of Athens. The cultural center of Greece since the 8th century BC, Athens was not made the capital of the Greek nation until 1834. Now a bustling city of 4.5 million, it holds an abundance of treasures of Europe's first great classical civilization. (That is, if one excludes the Minoan civilization which predates Greece's Mycenaean founders.) It is believed that the massive volcanic eruption centered at Santorini weakened the Minoans to such an extent they were vulnerable to Mycenaean incursions from mainland Greece. The Acropolis and Parthenon are and always will be the centerpiece of Athens and a reminder of the glory of the classical Greek period. Parthenon atop the Acropolis (in a state of continuous preservation) At the Parthenon The Erechtheion and porch of the Karyatids The sprawling city of Athens below The original olympic stadium Giant video displays at Piraeus port

Mykonos looks like a scene straight from a postcard: Whiter-than-white houses with brilliant blue shutters, vibrant bougainvillea, and a blue harbor bathed in warm sunlight. Iconic 16th century Venetian windmills stand in a row, their paddles spinning in the wind. Mykonos is vibrant and cosmopolitan, with a penchant for all-night parties and hedonistic good times. The island originally gained popularity from visits by Aristotle Onassis and Jackie Kennedy. If the traveller is looking for fine linen garments in vibrant pastels Mykonos is a shopping paradise.  Approaching Mykonos by tender Catholic church Typical alleyway Panagia Paraportiani consists of five joined churches. The iconic windmills Filozoiki the cat