3 destinations off the bucket list in one week!

 I am lucky enough to be jetting off to Venice to join the Splendour of the Seas for a weeks cruise visiting Croatia, Greece & Turkey. Now I always get excited about my trips, but this one is a little bit special as we are doing 3 things that I have wanted to do for many years-namely visit Dubrovnik & Santorini & also to sail either out of or in to Venice.

Venice

In all my years of travelling, my curiosity to experience different, cultures, cuisines & ways of life has taken me to many far flung destinations including Brazil, China, Sri Lanka, Thailand & The Maldives just to name a few, however all this long haul travel means that places that are a little closer to home sometimes get pushed to the back of the queue.

Stunning Dubrovnik

Croatia is one of those places that I have never had bad comments about from my customers. It’s not so much what they say, but how they say it. Their comments always begin with a happy sigh…’Aaah…Dubrovnik…..’ & then their faces go all dreamy. This also happens when people talk about New York, a place that was never high on my list to visit until I could stand the ‘ooh’s & aah’s’ no longer & hopped on a plane to see what all the fuss was about. When I returned I was one of the converted & I, too now do the same when talking about The Big Apple.

Times Square, New York

Dubrovnik is my first port of call & with the weather forecasts telling me it will be 27 degrees & not a cloud in the sky I can’t wait to get exploring in the sunshine.

The next destination we are visiting which is on my bucket list is the beautiful Greek island of Santorini. The pictures that adorn every holiday brochure with the volcanic hills, blue domes & white-washed buildings are iconic.

Iconic Santorini

My sister who is joining me on the cruise did visit Santorini many years ago during an island-hopping trip around the Greek Islands, however her experience didn’t quite match up with the portrayed image of sedate villages, donkeys for transport & peaceful sunsets. Their campsite was near a nightclub which was open until sunrise, full of backpackers &  noisy revelers. The lack of sleep left her & her hubby rather tetchy & they left the island with no real desire to return. I’m sure this visit will change her mind.

Venice

“If I could live in one city and do every single thing I do there, I would choose Venice. You can’t turn your head without seeing something amazing”

“Venice, the most touristy place in the world, is still just completely magic to me”

“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go”

The above quotes are just a few opinions about this truly breathtaking city. Until last year I had never been to Italy. I’m not sure how this has happened as I love all things Italian (well pizza, pasta & chianti at least). I visited Sorrento & Capri & kicked myself for not visiting earlier. It was all things I had expected it to be & much more. I think Capri is one of the most beautiful & picturesque places I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

Breathtaking Capri

Even my poor photography skills could not take a bad picture of this amazing vista on Capri.

From next year the larger cruise ships will not be allowed close to the centre of Venice, so I wanted to take in this experience whilst I had the chance. They say that sailing in or out of Venice is something you have to do before you die. On this trip I get to do both & am looking forward to seeing the beautiful skyline disappear, glass of fizz in hand as we head off on our adventure.

Click here to read the blog of day 1 on my cruise

What’s on your bucket list? Comment below.