Does anyone remember Deek?

[Noel Mugavin]

Time to again move on, this time to the Beaujolias region, where Contiki own a chateau. A stop on the way at Fontainebleau, where a few of us found an amazing bakery and sampled a few pastries.
Arrived at the chateau, then walked to a nearby winery where we had a tour and some tasting. I'm not a wine drinker, but as they say 'When in Rome'.
As contiki own the chateau, there was about 5 bus fulls staying, so quite a big party at there downstairs bar. Mood was somewhat dampened when a fella from another bus fell off a balcony and had a cut above his head as well as a broken wrist.

Next day was a relaxed day at the chateau, with a picnic overlooking the town of Thieze. Didn't take any pictures as we walked through the town, which looking back is quite a shame.



Rest of the day was quite relaxed, sitting around the pool yarning. We were the only bus left that night, so was a very subdued evening.

Next day we were journeying to Barcelona for 2 nights.



Pont de Gard along the way

Long driving day and didn't get into Barcelona until early evening.
Bus took us into the city the next morning, via the Olympic stadium and then down to Sagrada Familia



Few other sights, then free time in the afternoon. A stroll down Las Ramblas and wandered around the watefront.



Visited the National Palace early evening. then to dinner and a display of flamenco dancing

 

[love_the_life]

Makes interesting reading and I realise how things change - organised bus tours still occur but they are not nearly as popular these days as it’s much easier to make independent arrangements.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Fairly uneventful next day as we drove to Antibes, sits between Cannes and Nice. Accommodation was really good here, wood cabins with 2 comfortable double beds and shower/ensuite in each one.
Next day was free, so on the train and out to explore Nice



Back on the train and then the afternoon spent in Cannes, and a bit of a swim.
Evening was to Monte Carlo, very picturesque drive



Had about $20 worth of French francs left, so thought I'd get rid of it at one of the casinos . Of course I couldn't lose. ended up with about $200 at the time of leaving, which was fortunate as we had a stop at a perfumery next day and was able ti pick up something to give to someone back home.

Off to Venice, a stop at Verona along the way


Verona coliseum, Pearl Jam were playing there that night, pity couldn't hang around to see them.

Arrived at the camp ground early evening, dinner than an early night

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Water taxi into Venice, where we are all taken to a lace making then a glass blowing display. Very commercial, but what can you do. After this we were released for some free time.
Day spent wandering, walked through the basilica and Dodges Palace, up to the top of the Campanile, pizza lunch, Stopped later in the afternoon for a spell, bit of a shock to pay $8 for a glass of coke. Was a good view of the Rialto Bridge though.
Finished with a gondola ride, and then back to the camp for a BBQ dinner.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Drive through the Tuscany region to Florence


Stop at Pisa along the way

Into the camp site early evening, my notes say it was in stunning scenery, and the accommodation was outstanding, but I have no recollection of it all.
Next day into Florence, wandered. Florence really didn't do much for me to be honest.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks posting it was a fascinating time capsule of a trip. Interested to see fewer tourists and all the details.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Early start and as a result into Rome with most of the day still in front of us.
An organised tour of the Coloseum





Then a stroll through the fascinating Forum





Around the corner to the Wedding Cake building


Eventually found our way to our meeting point of the Spanish Steps which were a bit busy. No doubt I would have sampled a gelato or 2 along the way


Train to our camp which was another one run by contiki, and therefore quite busy and rowdy that night.

Next morning was a visit to the Vatican, couldn't help thinking if they sold a fraction of their art they could feed a fair proportion of the starving in the world.
More wandering, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and bit of relaxing back on the Spanish Steps, which were a lot less crowded than the day before.


Eventually back on the train, which I must say where the dirtiest and seediest that I have been on in my travels.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

On towards Naples, and more specifically Pompeii





Long drive to Brindisi and an overnight ferry to Corfu

Went to some beach, where there were watersports on offer. Rode the donut then relaxation on the beach. That night out to a restaurant for a roast lamb and had way too much to drink.

Next day was on Georgie's boat for a cruise and swim at some beautiful spots, as well as another greek lunch cooked and prepared by Georgie himselg



Quieter night, and off to Athens the next day. Short stop at the Corinth Canal

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Hotel was in Glyfada so a pretty quick and easy drive into Athens proper.
A the Akropolis well before the crowds turned up






Down to the Panathenaic Stadium

Had moussaka for lunch, then off for my exploring.
Changing of the guards, one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen




Late afternoon back to the meeting point and on the bus, short stop at the airport where we dropped off around half of our group who would be spending the next 5 days in Egypt. For the rest of us, another night in Athens then our 5 days would be spent on Santorini

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Earlyish exit from the hotel to get to the ferry to Santorini. We were the end of the line after stops at Paros, Nexos and Ios, couldn't tell you which is which.







Finally got to Santorini late afternoon, had become extremely cold with the wind coming off the water

Star Hotel in Megalochori, a short bus or taxi ride into Fira, and extremely friendly and accommodating owners



5 days in Santorini was magical. Lazy days at the pool or beach, strolling through the towns, eating gyros and lingering dinners. Would love to get back there at some stage


To soon, back on a ferry and back in Athens. Bus picked us up and back tot he hotel where the group from Egypt was already there waiting, having arrived a couple of hours earlier.
Had a pasta dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants, then another early night.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Very early start for a long driving day.
Roadside monument to the Spartans taken from the bus


Stopped at Thessaloniki for lunch, was absolutely scorching. Went into a tiny little hole in the wall place for gyros. Big Greek fella working the grill, hairy back sprawling out from under his singlet, sweating like a big, no doubt into the food. Tasted great though.

Night stop was at Kavala, picturesque town, rooftop bar on the top of the hotel. Early and quiet night for me, tomorrow was what I wasmost looking forward to on my travels.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

To the Turkish border, payment of $20US and again we were on our way, this time to Gallipoli.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Ataturk


Suvla Bay

We had 2 - 3 hours at Gallipoli, not nearly enough time. A very sobering experience and also a stunning location scenery wise.

Visited Troy next up



Hotel was at Canakkale, dinner provided tonight. Recall it was fish, smallish and slim, head attached. I'm not a seafood eater at the best of times, so these things were a no go for me. Ended up eating salad and bread and probably would have had a chocolate bar and some pringles.

 

[Irishbazz]

Looks and sounds like fun!

Thanks for the effort.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

On the ferry at Cannakale and crossing the Dardanelles on our way to Istanbul



Short stop at a shopping centre a little outside of he city, had to go through security to get in, and a lot of heavily armed soldiers wandering around

Into Istanbul, into the Blue Mosque and then to Hagia Sophia


Checked into the hotel, and a few of us went for a stroll to an internet cafe. 30 minutes or so I'd had enough and decided to walk back to the hotel. Obviously took a wrong turn somewhere, was getting a little anxious but fortunately back tracked and found my way back to the cafe, and with safety in numbers found my way back to the hotel.
Pat Rafter playing in the Wimbledon Final that night, unfortunately went down to Sampras

Next day back into the city and to the obligatory carpet selling session




No purchase, did have some nice apple tea though.

Off to the Grand Bazaar

Turkish bath later in the day



Finished with a haircut and a shave, back to the hotel early evening and another early night

 

[docjames]

Fabulous (historic) TR, thanks for posting.

Did you count how many currencies you had to exchange? I think in the era of the Euro we forget how painful it was having to deal with multiple currencies....

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Fabulous (historic) TR, thanks for posting.

Did you count how many currencies you had to exchange? I think in the era of the Euro we forget how painful it was having to deal with multiple currencies....

I hadn't, but your post pushed me to do it. All up 23.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Left Istanbul, and another long driving day, this time to a Black Sea resort in Bulgaria.


Can't remember the name, but it was a late afternoon arrival, early morning departure, and not a great hing was the display of public nudity by the majority elderly guests throughout the hotel. We had a bit of a get together on the beach that night.

Back on the road, and a short stop at Varna






After Varna we continued on and into Romania, and to Bucharest. Unfortunately I've misplaced some photos somewhere along the line, so no picture of the Palace of Parliament.
Hotel of sorts, was some old grimey ex mansion, dinner at a beer hall somewhere in the city

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Heading from Bucharest to Brasov and fields and fields of sunflowers.





And with currency was surprised to find that Romania were on to plastic notes, also the most aesthetically pleasing of all the currencies. Currency below a special edition for the 1999 solar eclipse. Bit of research, thought I may have had a collector's item. Alas going for between $1.50 and $5,25 on ebay.





On towards Transylvania, and the weather started to come in, setting the atmosphere nicely for the visit to Bran Castle.






More impressive outside than in, and a bit of a trek up and down the steps to get to it. Vendors down the bottom lapping up the dracula angle, did buy and still have my bottle of dracula vodka. Small bottle of vodka with red dye no doubt.

On to Brasov, and the weather was just right, again continuing with the eeire atmosphere. Went for a stroll with my Kiwi mate, few gypsie kids around. Few more around, then started hassling us, no dramas until a couple started to get a bit grabby. A short clip under the ear gave us a bit of breathing space, but thought we'd better get out of the area.

Hotel was quite grand, 2 people in what were suites more than rooms. Very impressed.

 

[love_the_life]

Boy, &NoelMugavin, it was some trip you did. A marathon effort to undertake.