Carl & Judy's Ultimate Adventure

Zadar, a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. There’s also the grand, 12th-century St. Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus. Zadar is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. It is situated on the Adriatic Sea, at the northwestern part of Ravni Kotari region.   Because of its rich heritage, Zadar is today one of the most popular Croatian tourist destinations.   The earliest evidence of human life comes from the Late Stone Age, while numerous settlements have been dated as early as the Neolithic.   The people of Zadar, were first mentioned in 384 BC as the allies of the natives of Hvar and the leaders of an eastern Adriatic coast coalition in the fight against the Greek colonizers. An ...

Our only stop in Slovenia.   Tiny Slovenia may only have 29 miles of coastline, but the Slovenian Riviera - and especially its jewel, the historic city of Koper - packs a big punch.   Koper was a trading post during Roman and Byzantine times.   It boasts architecture dating back 700 years. Koper is a port city in Slovenia, on the country's Adriatic coastline. Its medieval old town centers around Titov Trg, a square with Venetian-influenced landmarks such as the Praetorian Palace and a Gothic-style loggia, while nearby Da Ponte Fountain is a replica of Venice's famed Rialto Bridge. Rebuilt many times, the circa-12th-century Cathedral of the Assumption features a tall campanile with sweeping bay views. After a circuit of the old town we are off to our destination for the day ... Lake Bled. A 2-hour drive, finally we arrive.   The drive was well worth it!   The tour highlights describes it as: Experience a piece of European paradise with a trip to the magnificent L...

Vague memories of Trieste from my first deployment cruise.   I remember Trieste as a city that reminds very much of Vienna; and that is precisely what we find today. It should not be surprising, as much of its history was spent as an important Adriatic port for the Hapsburg, later Austrian-Hungarian, empire of which Vienna was the capital.   Streets are very similarly laid our and the architecture is similar.   Like Venice, Trieste has a grand canal that shows off the city’s unique architectural style.   Trieste is a place where you can find goulash on the menu alongside Italian favorites and local wines. But its history goes back much further than the Hapsburg’s.   Trieste was also an important Roman port and capital of its eastern districts.   Remnants of Roman times are being excavated throughout the city, including the Amphitheater built right into the hill. Our first stop today is the Castello di Duino, ancestral home and still the private residence of...

We are finally, after 46 days off, back on Serenade.   It feels like home!   Our cabin was just as we left it .... and there were our dive bags exactly where we hoped to find them! The day is spent catching up with all the others; those that did their own diversion and those that stayed on the ship.   I can only imagine what getting back to Texas will feel like! Bon voyage ... again!

A leisurely morning.   We have a private transfer scheduled for noon at Roma Piazza.   It will take about 40 minutes by water taxi to get there, so we plan on checking out and departing at 11:00.   We agree to meet for breakfast at 9:30, which means an opportunity to sleep in a little.   I don’t roll out of bed until 9:00! Later, a short walk to the taxi stand, and we are off down the Grand Canal.   Arriving at the appointed place, we meet our driver for the 2 hour journey from Venice to Ravenna. The last time we took this journey, a little more than a year ago, we were so impressed with the Italian country side.   It is what you would imagine you would see on postcards.   The beauty of the landscape has not diminished at all with another year. In Ravenna, we are deposited in front of our hotel, Santa Maria di Force hotel.   Not very impressive outside, but the outside belies the treasure this place is inside.   Initially built as a church, l...

A reasonably early day.   We meet for breakfast at 8:00 as we have set up a pick up for 9:00.   A complimentary tour of a Murano glass factory.   I should know by now what a “complimentary tour” actually means:   they are going to literally kidnap you and take you to the factory to see how X is made and then guilt you into a purchase you otherwise wouldn’t make.   Based on past experiences, my odds aren’t good! First stop, the island of Murano.   World renowned glass blowers, it’s been on Judy’s bucket list for ages.   We arrive at the factory and showroom of BF Signoretti and we are met by Alena, our guide.   First the smelting room where we observe the Artists at their craft.   They are working on a chandelier for a custom order.   it is amazing to watch the skill of the Master blower ... he has been a Master for 40 years.   He works with 2 apprentices.   We learn that an apprentice often works with a Master blower for up to ...