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Get ready to have your heart stolen in stunningly beautiful Chania, on the Greek island of Crete. If her beauty is not allurement enough, attractions such as shopping, museums, gastronomy, markets, castles, forts and boat tours and beaches might help settle your decision to vacation here. We recently visited, and I still cannot believe how gorgeous Chania is.
Beautiful Chania Town Square. Crete
Built in the 14th century by Venetians, who ruled Crete for 4 centuries, the architecture is simple and
Port of Call, Livorno, Italy – Time to Visit the Enchanting Medieval Town San Gimignano.
High on a Tuscan hill, surrounded by medieval walls, boasting Romanesque and Gothic Architecture, 14 Towers, several churches, many shops and endless charm lies the Italian town San Gimignano (see my photos here). Although we have visited in the past, we couldn’t resist returning to share this breathtaking town with friends!
Distant View of San Gimignano
Because we were in four and wanted to see some surrounding area, we rented a car in the port area of Livorno and were quickly on our way. Tip: If you are arriving on a Sunday, make sure you have pre-booked your car! The train takes 3 hours one way and has a stop / train change in Poggibonsi, so it was not really an option. The views on our drive were amazing. We chose to take the longer route and drive along the seafront going, and through the countryside to return.
Tuscan Dreams
San Gimignano, also known as the Town of Fine Towers is an Architectural beauty, boasting both Romanesque and Gothicarchitecture. Whether it be the churches, the walls or the private dwellings, architectural examples are at every turn! Surprisingly, almost 7,000 continue to inhabit this medieval town!
Town of Towers
Piazzas and towers, walls and stones hailing from medieval times come together to create this stunning feudal town. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although at one point in history there were 72 towers, only 14 remain. These medieval high-rises were built for the nobles and wealthy to live in, emphasising their power and prosperity.
From a tourist perspective, San Gimignano offers amazing vistas and photo opportunities. From high atop the hill, gorgeous panoramas of the Tuscan countryside stretch as far as the eye can see. Dotted with villages and vineyards, it is no wonder the patrician families built their tower houses here – room with a view!
Main Street
Of course shopping goes with every tourist attraction, and San Gimignano is no exception. The two main medieval streets are lined with shops offering their wares; postcards, cookbooks, ceramics, leather, crafts, wines, cheese, and so much more. After some sampling, we settled on some cheese, moved on to buy some bread and then found some spicy salumi which we ravenously consumed on the Collegiate Church of the Assumption of Mary stairs, watching the world go by.
After tower climbing, street wandering, crowd fighting, rain and sun, panoramic views and shopping, we make our way out of the majestic stone walls of magical San Gimignano.
The Port City of Bodrum, Turkey is a wonderful seaside vacation destination. Cafes and restaurants offering delicious International and Turkish cuisine, amazing shopping with friendly vendors, traditional Turkish Bath, a sparkling marina offering boat charters and tours, a museum of underwater archaeology, and even a castle, Bodrum blends an eclectic mix of old and new!
Siracusa / Syracuse, Sicily on the island of Ortigia, Italy, is a beautiful mid-sized city steeped in Greek history. Founded by greeks, this ancient city boasts an age of more than 2,700 years and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Views of Mount Etna, rich baroque architecture, crystal waters, amazing Sicilian food and incredibly welcoming inhabitants (Siracusans) make this an enticing city to visit.
Me taking in the view at the Piazza Duomo
A cost free pleasure, we find ourselves wandering along the waterfront, taking in the magnificent views of
Think of the perfect combination – Cruising and Dining! Celebrity Cruises has paired the two magnificently and we recently had the fantastic pleasure of dining at one of their numerous at sea delights.
Lawn Club Grill, Celebrity Reflection Cruise Ship
The Lawn Club Grill restaurant can be found on the fabulous cruise ship Celebrity Reflection which
