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Carnival Freedom, 12n Mediterranean Cruise
With a maiden voyage of May 2007 and 2974 passenger ship, she alternates between 2 itineraries covering the Mediterranean Sea. Service on the ship was quite fantastic, although nightly Broadway style entertainment was marginal. The dinners were quite superb and restaurant service was exceptional. Having a large movie screen on the Lido deck (pool deck) brought lots of entertainment during the afternoon & late night evenings.
Due to the many interesting ports of call, the12 night sailing did not seem long at all. The weather was averaging 89-100 degrees in the month of July; somewhat-humid-to-very humid; no rain; and beautiful sunny days for the entire trip. Below are some highlight locations to know:
NOTE: Shoulders & legs must be covered when entering many religious buildings. Italy is known for their delicious Gelato ice cream
NAPLES, ITALY:
- Mt Vesuvius (a volcanic mountain which erupts every 50 years & is late for its last eruption). At a height of 3,000 feet, the mouth of the crater walls can be reached on foot by a a narrow path that zigzags up for approximately 1,000 feet.
Once at the rim of the crater walls, and with an official alpine guide, there are hot spots in the wall. If you scrape a small hole, push some paper into the hole, you may find that it will ignite.
- Capri – from Sorrento Marina, take a 25 minute jetfoil ride to Capri. A tiny island with an area of 5½ square miles, has a wondrous beauty lined with narrow streets and fun shopping.
- Sorrento – this delightful town has a wonderful climate and marvelous views of Naples Bay.
- AmalfiCoast – enjoy a breathtaking coastal drive of Amalfi Coast.
ROME, ITALY:
- Colosseum -where the Gladiators fought & view the Arch of Constantine
- Pantheon & Roman Forum
- Trevi Fountain - beautifully sculptured marble fountain where King Neptune’s Triton guards the beautiful waters of Rome.
- Spanish Steps
- Vatican City (Balcony of Blessings, St Peter’s Square, Vatican Museum
- The Vatican – can be very busy and may experience long lines. The Vatican can change its hours at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
- St. Peter’s Basilica - is located within the Vatican City. It occupies a "unique position" as one of the holiest sites and is where St. Peter is buried.
- View 2 masterpieces of Michelangelo; Conversion of St. Paul & Crucifixion of St. Paul)
- Sistine Chapel – view the Genesis & Last Judgment by Michelangelo. Also, his famous ceiling paintings has been restored to its original colors & glory.
- Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa constructed in 1173 with 294-step climb. Beautiful Miracle Plaza consisting of the breathtaking circular Baptistery, Pisan Romansque-style Catherdral)
- Baptistry of the Cathedral
- Florence ( 15th century Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Campanile Bell Tower, picturesque Pizza Santa Croche erected in 1296)
- Tuscany(breathtaking Tuscan countryside with towers dating back to 11th & 13th centuries. Beautiful towns of San Gimignano & Volterra)
- Lerici & Portovenere (breathtaking views of Italian Riviera coastline. View medieval village & castle built in 1161 in Portovenere)
IZMIR, TURKEY - Ephesus - the site is large. In fact, Ephesus contains the largest collection of Roman ruins East of the Mediterranean. Only an estimated 15% has been excavated. The ruins that are visible give some idea of the city's original splendour, and the names associated with the ruins are evocative of its former life. The theater dominates the view down Harbour Street which leads to the long silted-up harbor.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY:
- Blue Mosque – is the most beautiful mosque for Moslem prayer. The mosque is one of several mosques known for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior.
- St Sophia
ATHENS, GREECE:
- Acropolis - the climb is not high, but marbled steps are extremely slippery even when dry
- Parthenon - built for the Greek goddess Athena. It was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC.
- Panathenaic Stadium - majestic stadium of ancient time Olympics
- NationalArchaeologicalMuseum - displays artifacts found around the base of the Acropolis
- Plaka - old charming city of Athens with ancient monuments, neoclassical buildings, small Byzantine churches & shopping
- Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion -beautiful coast of Greece
- CorinthCanal - is a canal that connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. (3.7 miles long, 63’ wide, sloping sides 173’ high
- Ancient Olympia - the original birthplace of Olympic Games, great monuments of Temple of Hera (600 BC), Temple of Zeus
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