DUBROVNIK: A CROATIAN OVATION

BY JANET STEINBERG

 "If you want to see heaven on Earth, come to Dubrovnik". George Bernard Shaw

Henceforth, when I hear the word ‘Dalmatian’, I won’t think of that regal white dog with black spots.   Instead, I will think of that exquisite Dalmatian Coast which I recently had the pleasure of sailing along on two different Crystal Serenity cruises. 

The jewel in the crown of this impressive Croatian coast, with its 1185 islands, islets and reefs, is Dubrovnik, affectionately dubbed “The Pearl of the Adriatic”.  

Dubrovnik is a city where every stone is steeped in history.  Yet, it is a pulsating city that is alive in the present.  In this ancient walled city, perfumed by sea air, there is a confluence of the past and the present.   

THE ANCIENT WALLS OF THE OLD CITY HUG THE CROATIAN COAST

EPHESUS, TURKEY: A SPLENDOR OF ANTIQUITY

BY: JANET STEINBERG 

"So much of Ephesus remains that, no one in one lifetime with the volumes of knowledge could absorb it."   S. Turkoglu - E. Atalay      

On our recent Crystal Serenity cruise, Kusadasi was the port of choice as its gateway to the ancient archaeological site of Ephesus. Kusadasi, (pronounced koo-SHAHD-ah-sea) a lovely town on the Aegean Sea, is a 25-minute drive through the Asia Minor countryside to the fabled remains of the ancient city of Ephesus.

KUSADASI, GATEWAY TO THE ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF EPHESUS

    

CRYSTAL SERENITY: FROM THREE SEAS TO THREE 3 C’s

BY: JANET STEINBERG

THE THREE SEAS:

AEGEAN…MEDITERRANEAN…ADRIATIC…

Three majestic, magnificent seas brought me triple delights on my Crystal Serenity cruise from Istanbul, Turkey to Venice, Italy. In addition to sailing me to far away places with strange sounding names (like Kusadasi, Kotor, and Thira), these three seas afforded me a chance to enjoy three of my favorite things

THE THREE C’s

CRYSTAL… Let me make it Crystal clear that there is little wonder why the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine rated Crystal Cruises the “Best Cruise Line” (Mid-Sized) for 2011. The ultra-luxe cruise line’s score marks the 18^th time the company has won its category--more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in the magazine’s history. 

CRYSTAL SERENITY