{"id":25711,"date":"2010-11-14T14:54:14","date_gmt":"2010-11-14T12:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.turkishforum.com.tr\/en\/content\/?p=25711"},"modified":"2010-11-14T14:54:14","modified_gmt":"2010-11-14T12:54:14","slug":"the-world%e2%80%99s-greatest-cruise-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/2010\/11\/14\/the-world%e2%80%99s-greatest-cruise-route\/","title":{"rendered":"The world\u2019s greatest cruise route"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An itinerary based around the jewels of the Mediterranean leaves Jonathan Grun with a lifetime of memories<\/h4>\n

Published:\u00a013\/11\/2010<\/p>\n

Sorrento, Italy<\/p>\n

More PicturesIT HAD been a week of champagne, steak and lobster, but right now the tastiest thing on the menu was a carrot.<\/p>\n

The slightly grubby vegetable nestling in the palm of my hand was being eyed up by a hungry horse. Seconds later, there was that moment of almost indescribable pleasure as its soft, warm mouth plucked the morsel away from me.<\/p>\n

The horse had certainly earned its treat \u2013 it had just pulled a carriage and us through a vista of vineyards and sunflower fields, while a yellow Tuscan sun burned down from a bright blue sky.<\/p>\n

We left him to enjoy a richly-deserved bucket of water, while we sampled some of the wines made at a nearby vineyard in rolling hills between Pisa and Florence. They were so good that a group of Americans had a stab at singing the Italian ballad Volare before the morning was over.<\/p>\n

This was just one excursion during a 12-night cruise on board the Ruby Princess, as part of what could be described as the greatest cruise itinerary available anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n

If someone asks you where you went on your holidays, it seems almost boastful to answer: Venice, Athens, Ephesus, Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples, Rome, Florence, Monte Carlo and Barcelona.<\/p>\n

No wonder this route \u2013 or variations of it \u2013 is so popular with cruise travellers. You come home with enough memories to last a lifetime \u2013 and every destination provides a unique snapshot of a place or people.<\/p>\n

It is impossible to forget the enchantment experienced on seeing Venice for the first time, Rome\u2019s Colosseum or the ruins of Pompeii.<\/p>\n

The Acropolis in Athens, the timeless beauty of Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are also must-see destinations. And, for an insight into a different culture, visit Istanbul for Friday prayers.<\/p>\n

Such a holiday also offers the chance to rub shoulders with a huge range of local people.<\/p>\n

We left the Turkish port of Kusadasi on an official tour and wound our way past the historic ruins of Ephesus and up into the surrounding hills. There, we found a remote village where peaches were being brought to a busy market by farmers on rickety motorcycles.<\/p>\n

Male stallholders, many sporting several days\u2019 growth of beard, sat round shaded tables drinking apple tea and setting the world to rights in loud voices.<\/p>\n

A week later, the Ruby Princess glided past millionaires\u2019 yachts in the harbour at Monte Carlo. After a stroll up the hill to a casino, we paused on a baking-hot pavement by a blood red Ferrari and watched the super-rich floating by in air-conditioned limos.<\/p>\n

The two settings were a world apart, but each in its own way provided a precious memory to file away.<\/p>\n

The beauty of cruising is that you can visit so many varied places, but unpack only once.<\/p>\n

Although seeing exotic locales is arguably the main reason for taking such a holiday, many people on the Ruby Princess preferred to spend a significant amount of time on board, too.<\/p>\n

The 113,000-ton floating palace allows you to be active, or chill out; watch a movie under the stars, or read a book in the library, sit in a hot tub, or enjoy a show.<\/p>\n

And, of course, you can eat.<\/p>\n

It is a common misconception that cruises are about gluttony. You simply do not need to eat around the clock. However, when you do give in to temptation, on the Ruby Princess, it\u2019s a rewarding experience.<\/p>\n

We signed up to anytime dining, which meant we could use one of the three dining rooms whenever it suited us, rather than attending traditional sittings.<\/p>\n

Some main dining room meals were simply brilliant \u2013 roast pheasant with caramelised onions was one of the highlights.<\/p>\n

But, if you tire of formal eating, you can sit down at a sushi bar and watch your meal being prepared in front of you while you enjoy a glass of wine.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, take a stroll and watch the sort of pizza you normally only dream of being prepared on deck.<\/p>\n

Most food on board is included in the price of the holiday, but you are asked to pay a small supplement to dine at one of the two speciality restaurants. There is an Italian with a special tasting menu, and a grill where they serve gigantic lobsters and steaks the shape and size of Texas.<\/p>\n

For the ultimate dining experience, however, pay a supplement and sit at the chef\u2019s table. After a champagne aperitif, waiters serve a meal of serious opulence and extravagance.<\/p>\n

OK, that does smack of gluttony \u2013 but you are on holiday and can repair the damage in The Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

This is an exclusive area perched high up on the ship, where, after paying a small supplement, you can relax under a canopy which filters out the fiery midday sun.<\/p>\n

Here, you can sip cucumber-flavoured water and eat light snacks, including gorgeous fresh fruit kebabs \u2013 the perfect antidote to any overindulgence.<\/p>\n

Of course, the cuisine in the places you visit can also be fascinating, and once ashore you can head for places where delicacies we buy in the UK are actually produced.<\/p>\n

All in all, cruising can provide unforgettable moments.<\/p>\n

In the cool shade of a lemon grove in Sorrento, Italy, we watched a delightful lady named Rosa make mozzarella cheese.<\/p>\n

It tasted unbelievably good; so much better than anything you can buy in almost any British shop.<\/p>\n

Add a splash of olive oil from the ancient trees we wandered among on a gloriously sunny day in the Bay of Naples, and you have a true, once-in-a-lifetime experience.<\/p>\n

TRAVEL FACTSJonathan Grun was a guest of Princess Cruises which offers 12 nights on board the Ruby Princess travelling from Venice to Barcelona via: Athens, Ephesus, Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples, Rome, Monaco and Livorno.<\/p>\n

Prices for 2011 start at \u00a31,649.<\/p>\n

For reservations and further information, call 0845 3555 800 or visit www.princess.com<\/p>\n

Read more:\u00a0http:\/\/www.pressandjournal.co.uk\/Article.aspx\/1890366\/?UserKey=#ixzz15FtdEujj<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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