Mediterranean Cruise, 2025
I took a Princess cruise to the Mediterranean, end April. The cruise was from Rome to Trieste. Large cruise ships are no longer allowed to dock in Venice, so they now dock in Trieste. I flew to Rome and took the ship’s transfer to the dock. This was a 10 day cruise, that had 2 sea days and stopped at 7 ports. At the end of the cruise, I took the ship’s transfer to Venice, where I flew to Amsterdam for a fea days, before flying back home.
The first port was Naples. In the morning, I took a shore excursion to Pompeii. I had been to Pompeii many years earlier, but it was still an enjoyable visit. It was a clear day, and we could see Mt Vesuvius. In the afternoon, I walked around the port area of Naples. I saw Castel Nuovo, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, Teatro di San Carlo. Nearby, there was a lovely shopping center called Galleria Umberto.
The next day we stopped in Messina, Sicily. I took a shore excursion, where we drove around and then visited the Cathedral. At noon, we watched the elaborate display of the clock tower, striking Noon.
At the top, the crowned lion, the symbol of the Province of Messina, carries the flag of Messina. At noon, the lion waves the flag, moves its tail, turns its head, and roars 3 times.
Below are the figures of Dina and Clarenza, with a rooster between them. According to legend, Dina repels an attack on Messina by rolling rocks, while Clarenza rang the bells on the cathedral, to alert the city, during the Sicilian Vespers in 1282. At noon, the rooster flaps its wings, raises its head and crows 3 times.
Below is the Madonna of the Letter, the patron saint of Messina. According to legend, Messina's ambassadors were sent to Jerusalem to pay their respects to the Virgin Mary, and received a letter from her, granting the city her benediction. At noon, an angel hands the letter to the Madonna. St Paul and the ambassadors pass in front of the Madonna and bow their heads.
Below are biblical scenes. A different scene appears in each quarter of the year. Christmas to Epiphany, the shepherds bow before the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Epiphany to Easter, the 3 Kings and their servants adore the infant Jesus held by Mary. Easter to Pentecost, when I visited, 2 soldiers guard the tomb of Jesus. Pentecost to Christmas, the apostles surround the Virgin Mary, a dove flies over their heads and flames are on their heads.
Below that, the Sanctuary rises from the ground at noon.
Below, are one of 4 statues, representing the ages of Man, a child, a young man, a warrior and an old man. One statue appears every quarter.
At the bottom are scenes displaying the day of the week. Sunday, Apollo driving a horse. Monday, Diana driving a deer. Tuesday, Mars driving a horse. Wednesday, when I visited, Mercury driving a panther. Thursday, Jupiter driving a chimera. Friday, Venus driving a dove. Saturday, Saturn driving a chimera.
The next day we stopped in Vittoriosa, Malta. I took a shore excursion that went to the Inquisitor’s Palace. Then we visited the town of Medina.
Two days later, after a sea day, we reached Chania, Greece. I took a shore excursion that first went to the Suda Bay War Cemetery. Then we stopped at the Venezuela’a Tomb Viewpoint. We then went to the Venetian Harbor and the Cathedral.
Two days later, after another sea day, we reached Kotor, Montenegro. I picked up a city map, and walked around the city myself, entering through the Sea Gate, or West Gate. The Arms Square has a nice clock tower. The city has a lot of small winding cobblestone streets, where it is easy to get lost. The city is small, so eventually, you will find your way again. I saw St Nicholas Church and St Luke Church. I then walked to the River Gate, or North Gate. I saw a yellow post box. I then saw St Tryphon Church, Grgurina Palace, now the Maritime Museum, and Pima Palace. I then climbed the city walls and walked on them. I saw St John’s Fortress up in the hills, but I did not go there. I saw the Karampana Well. In the past, this was a place to gather and socialize. I then went to Gurdic Gate, or South Gate.
The next day we were in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The ship docks about 3 miles from the old town, so I took the ship’s transfer to Pile Gate, one of the entrances to the old town. I then bought the Dubrovnik Card for 40 Euros. Walking the city walls costs 40 Euros, but the city pass also includes the walls, Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery and a few other museums I did not visit. I saw Big Onofrio Fountain and the Franciscan Monastery. I then walked down the main street, or Stradum, which runs from Pile Gate to Ploce Gate. I reached St Blaise’s Church, Sponza Palace and the Dubrovnik Bell Tower. Orlando’s Column seemed to be under renovation. I then walked right, to Rector’s Palace and the Dubrovnik Cathedral. The Gunduliceva Poljana Square on the right, has the Jesuit Stairs with 137 steps. I climbed that to St Ignatius Church. I retraced my steps to the bell tower, then walked left to Ploce Gate. Along the way, I passed the Dominican Monastery. The Church of Holy Annunciation, which was next to the Domincan Monastery, also seemed to be under renovation. There are a lot of steep stairs from the Stradum, that lead up to streets with restaurants. I went back to Pile Gate and climbed up to the city walls. There are several places where you can leave the city walls, but I did the full circuit, which is 1.2 miles and involves a lot of steps, and returned to Pile Gate. The highest point on the city walls is the Minceta Tower.
The next day, we were in Split, Croatia. I walked to the Diocletian’s Palace complex and bought tickets to the Cathedral, the Baptistery of St John the Baptist, the Crypt of St Lucy and the Treasury. I did not buy tickets to the Bell Tower. I then walked around town a little, seeing Prokurative Square and the National Theatre.
