2024 Italian Sojourn CROTONE May 23

Archeological Museum

The Viking Jupiter docked at Crotone, Italy around breakfast time. There were two oil rigs outside the harbor. After breakfast we took a bus to the center of town, then walked around on our own, to a church and the castle of Crotone, where there were storytellers and snack tasting and lots of steps.  Quite a view from the top of the fortress.  

We walked back to the ship before lunch and had time to relax. After lunch we took the guided tour bus to La Castella- which is a very small town where we saw another fortress, but this one was on an island and we could not go in.  Guys were disappointed.  Larry and Marilyn stuck their toes in the Adriatic Sea. The town was very quiet- we were there during siesta time so not much to see or do.  

We got to watch a ceramic demonstration by a shopkeeper who makes masks and pottery.  It was very interesting. We were given snacks and then a little time to shop.

We went back to the ship and sat on the aft deck to watch the ship get underway.  Then we ate supper at the buffet- it was seafood night. Brisket, shrimp, crab legs, and wonderful sides.  We went to the pool deck to dance to the Viking band, it was a lot of fun and felt good to dance again.  Sunny, calm day, 77F.

2024 Italian Sojourn- Puglia Region, Italy May 22

Wednesday- our ship docked in Bari, Italy and we took a tour bus 1 1/2 hours to Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic Sea. We saw lots of olive and cherry trees on the way.  

We had a short walking tour then some free time to walk around the town where all the white stucco buildings are perched on cliffs where they do cliff diving.  I had to stop in to see the church which was very impressive for such a small town.

Life size nativity in the church

We then took a bus to Castella Cave, a very large cavern but most of the features were broken. It was very slippery. I would not recommend this tour.

Trulli house outside the cave

We were back to the ship for lunch, then sat by the pool and swam a bit. We had dinner at the buffet- it was fresh fish night. Viking tries to offer local foods in each port.  We went to the Explorer's Lounge for trivia- played with an English couple.  A military helicopter doing maneuvers hovered right next to our ship, which interrupted the trivia for a few minutes! We went to Torshavn bar for dancing to the Viking band before headed back to the room.  Kirk did a load of laundry during the night- I never even heard him leave or return! There is a free self-serve laundry on each deck which came in handy since we only brought carry-on luggage. Today was sunny and 75F.

Favorite spot in pool bar

2024 Italian Sojourn CROATIA May 21

After breakfast we took an enclosed tender (boat) to shore in Sibenik, Croatia.  Then we had a 1 1/4 hour coach ride to the town of Split. Croatia is very rocky and hilly. Maja was our tour guide to see the old wharf and Diocletian's palace.  Very interesting history. Built in the 3rd century for Roman Emperor. A lot of the palace has been preserved. 

Gregory of Lin statue

Main altar in palace, was a mausoleum

Fighting off Roman soldiers

Model of original palace

During free time we walked around the downtown and stopped at a small shop for a tuna steak sandwich in pita for lunch.  Marilyn and I did some shopping at the "farmer's market" which was more like a tourist trap market while the guys had a beer.  

Back at the ship by 3:00, we went to the spa/hot tub/sauna/cold water dump before dinner. We ate at the Restaurant again, I had crab & shrimp souffle, Caesar salad, chicken Kiev, and dessert. Very good.  

Sunset from the front of the ship was beautiful!

Wearing my new Croatian dress

We saw a show at 9:00 in the theater, then to bed by 10:00.  Busy, fun day.