American World Traveler Summer 2018 Issue

for the senses! It is home to some of the best
restaurants in Greece and boasts wine that
rivals the rest of the world and because
Celestyal spent a night in port here, I was
delighted by the many divers, delicious dishes
of the island.
During my overnight stay in Santorini, I had
the pleasure to visit Oia, which is famous for
being the most picturesque village in all of
the Cyclades. I was not able to put my camera
down, as seemingly every corner of this
quaint and colorful village is astonishingly
photogenic. The tour ended in Fira, located
on the caldera cliffs opposite the island's
active volcano. The capital of Santorini and
its largest town, some claim that it is here, on
the bottom of the Caldera cliffs, where one
can truly soak in all of the wonder that is
Santorini.
Milos
A hidden gem within the Cyclades island
group, Milos offers the more adventurous
tourists everything that one can ask for from
an idyllic Greek getaway. Scattered throughout
are spectacular views of its whitewashed
village architecture, picturesque beaches on
the shores of the Aegean, and quaint city
centers where one can experience the warm
hospitality of the local people. Milos is the
perfect destination for those looking for a
break from the other comparatively crowded
islands in the Cyclades.
I enjoyed what was sincerely the swim of my
life at the magnificent Firiplaka beach. I took
a refreshing dip in the crystalline green-blue
seas, and drifted ashore to the silver sand
beaches, where I laid back, gawking at the
gorgeous colored rock formations that line
its coastline. I also visited the picturesque
fishing village of Pollonia, which host numerous
events dedicated to the arts and music.
The area truly feels ass the fishing boats
moored by the quay to find that perfect spot
on the beach, hidden within the tamarisk
tree-lining. Luckily, I also had the time to visit
Sarakiniko Beach on the island's north shore,
whose north-wind waves result in greyishblue
rocks that are famously compared to a
moonscape.
Ephesus
I spent a day in the life of an Ancient Greek
with a visit to Ephesus, a place frozen in time,
reliving its extensive, fascinating history by
careening through its beautifully preserved
ruins—some dating back to the prehistoric
ages! Excavations spanning almost a century
and a half have marked Ephesus as
Europe’s most complete classical metropolis
(even though 80% of the city has yet to be
unearthed!), allowing modern eyes to see its
former glory as the capital of Roman Asian
Minor, and the fourth largest city during the
Roman period.
The highlight of our excursion was a visit to
the Terrace Houses, which gives the clearest
example of how the diversity of the
Mediterranean peoples historically embedded
in this area’s ruins. Located on a hilltop,
these structures were the “Houses of the
Rich,” and gives in-depth insight into the
lifestyle and living conditions of the empirical
Roman elite. I learned about the brilliant
planning and ingenious structure of Roman
domestic architecture, with original
frescoes and mosaic cycles intact.
Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece, the fifth
largest in the Mediterranean Sea, and the
eighty-eighth largest island in the world.
Remnants of its brilliant past arrange themselves
like stage props against an aweinspiring
coastal landscape. Mythology tells
us that it was in the caves of Crete where
Rhea hid her newborn Zeus from his titan
father, but this mystical air transcends time,
and embeds itself in the bustling cities,
charming villages, splendid shores, and fascinating
archaeological sites. Celestyal
cruise excursions brought the exquisite cuisine,
delicious wine, and impossibly gorgeous
landscapes to life for me, giving me
free time to explore the island.
Onboard Experience
The Crystal boasts 476 staterooms (317 are
outside cabins and 163 are inside cabins.)
There are 15 cabin types to choose from
aboard the ship, accommodating individual
needs and budgets. Staterooms are
equipped with air conditioning, telephones,
televisions and hairdryers. Passengers may
pay for Wi-Fi to enjoy anywhere on board,
including their staterooms.
For more casual dining, guests may opt for
the 9th floor self-serve Leda Buffet for breakfast,
lunch or dinner. The two more formal
dining rooms on board, The Olympus
Restaurant and The Amalthia Restaurant, are
that perfect balance of sophistication and
authenticity. Especially being a Greek ship
and given the destinations of this particular
cruise, it is fitting that the majority of the
restaurants serve traditional Greek cuisine.
After dinner, I would often find myself in the
Eros Lounge, relaxing and unwinding among
a crowd of fellow passengers. With a martini
in hand and the onboard band's melody
in the air, I'd reflect on my day of adventures
and wander what next is in store.
www.celestyalcruises.com
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American World Traveler Summer 2018