The Greek Island of Santorini
We took the tender to the base of the town of Firá. To get from Skala Harbor you
may take a cable car, or hire a donkey for the ascent, or climb the 588 steps.
I chose the walk and then proceeded to hike to the ancient Firá on the far
southeast corner of the island near the town of Perissa and their beautiful beach.
In this photo you see the Brilliance of the Seas offshore and Firá on the far hilltop.

The bridge of the Brilliance of the Seas is an electronic marvel,
but they maintain a continuous visual watch as well.

The Isle of Capri, Italy is a popular as a day trip. We took a ferry from Naples.
The funicular takes you up the hillside where you are graced with
beautiful view of the marina below and Sorrento Peninsula across the way.

The shops on Capri are beautiful and expensive.
Some of the window displays are quite artistic and striking.

Santorini and the town of Firá offers stunning views.
They are very popular for travel stories and promotional brochures.

This is a view of the Acropolis as seen
from the old Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece.

We managed to arrive at the Acropolis in the morning before the hoards of
visitors for which we were most appreciative of our tour guide’s sense of timing.

More Acropolis views.

With Mount Vesuvius in the distance we visited the archeological site of Pompeii.
Where in 79 A.D. Vesuvius famously erupted and buried the town in
20 feet of ash and pumice.

This painting is on the wall of the home of a wealthy citizen of Pompeii
which was buried and preserved for many centuries until excavated.

Rome’s Trevi Fountain attracts tourists from all over the world. Yes, I did toss a coin
into the water. And yes, I did return seven months later as promised in the legend.

This fountain is at the base of the Spanish Steps. The umbrella vendors had
nary a nibble until the long anticipated rain came in a forceful torrent. Suddenly,
the price went up and the inventory quickly sold out. Whereupon, the sun
came out and we had a beautiful walking tour of the Eternal City.

Looking upwards in the central atrium of the Brilliance of the Seas. Stunning.

Bright lights, modern details and artistic decor set a energetic
mood onboard the Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas.