Adjustments for the May 11th general strike

The General Syndicate of Greek Workers has announced a strike for May 11^th. On that day most parts of the public sector will be out of service, while the private sector will probably be intact. That means passengers of “Costa Victoria” (docking in Athens on May 11^th) wishing to go ashore by themselves can use Metro Line 1 only rom 10:00 to 16:00. However, taxis usually don’t take part in general strikes. So, they will probably be available to carry passengers from the cruise port to the center of the city and vice versa.

Passengers of “Costa Victoria” should also be aware that some streets around the center of Athens (Syntagma Square) will remain closed in midday during the scheduled protest (10:00-14:00). They can ask taxi drivers to avoid Leoforos Amalias and Syntagma Square by leaving them near the Acropolis Museum in the Koukaki area. That’s the best way to reach the main tourist area of Athens by  taxi. 

Cruise guests of “Costa Victoria” should also acknowledge that there is a strong possibility that archaeological sites will remain closed on May 11^th. Announcements have not been made yet, but employees of the Ministry of Culture usually take part in general strikes. 

Closure of the archaeological sites may also cause some inconvenience to other cruise guests. Passengers of “Louis Majesty” in Rhodes, “MSC Musica” and “Louis Cristal” in Santorini and “Oceania Nautica” in Volos, planning to go ashore, should contact their companies for further info 2-3 days before.

Alternatively, they may stay in touch with our blog as updated information on who is going on strike on May 11^th will be added constantly as soon as relevant announcements are made. 

Feel free to contact us in case you need suggestions on how to avoid inconvenience on May 11^th.

“Ms Nieuw Amsterdam” crossing the Aegean

One of the newest and most luxurious cruise ships of the World, “Nieuw Amsterdam”, is about to dock at many Greek cruise ports during its Mediterranean itinerary. “HollandAmerica’s” flagship, launched on Venice last July, will visit among other destinations Corfu, Katakolon and Nafplion during the last days of April.  It will be back to Greece in the beginning of May to bring its 2100 guests to Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini and Argostoli (Kefallonia).

One of its favorite ports of call during May is, of course, the magnificent island of Santorini. Guests will get the chance to wander around the volcanic terrain, taste the local delicacies and enjoy the unique spectacular views. 

While Santorini always remains a classic in cruise itineraries, Nafplion will travel cruisers back to antiquity with visits to Mycenae and Epidavrus, whereas Kefallonia will give an alternative pinch of amazing exotic sceneries.

It is, after all, variety that matters in sophisticated cruise itineraries.

See also: A "Splendour" trip to the Aegean

Wine hopping in Santorini

Let’s say you have already been to Santorini, given that this island is among the top 10 worldwide destinations for summer vacation. Santorini is well known for its unique volcanic terrain. However, oenophiles are aware that this exceptional terrain also provides some unique wine tastes not similar to any other place in the Mediterranean and the whole World. 

Under such conditions cruisers who‘d like to have a different, sommelier-like adventure during their stay in Santorini are advised to take a wine tour. Some of the famous wineries of Santorini are situated near the port of Athinios and the town of Fira, making wineries hopping easier.

Some cruise companies offer exclusive wine tours; most of them, however, only include a quick visit to one of the wineries for a complimentary glass, as part of their shore excursions. That’s not at all the winerie hopping you were looking for!

 

Just five miles away of Fira, heading southwards, you will reach Megalochori. There, the “Boutaris Winery” offers most of the local varieties, along with guided tours (Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00). In August, visitors may have the chance to watch the wine production procedure live, since it is harvesting time.

In Pyrgos Kallistis, one miles away to the east of Megalochori, you will find “Santo Wines”, a winery which produces among others the varieties of Vinsanto, Assyrtiko, Nychteri, Νama. It is open from March till November (10:00 to 20:00), also offering guided tours.

Moving a mile from Pyrgos to the northeast, on the road to Kamari, you will reach Exo Gonia, where “Art Space Exhibition” by “Argyros Art Space Argyros Canava” is housed in an old Santorinian cave-house wine cellar and old wine distillery. Visitors will have the chance to combine contemporary art with wine making history and, of course, wine tasting (open daily  from 11:00 to sunset).

Another wine museum is situated in Vothon, 2 miles away from Exo Gonia towards Fira. “Koutsogiannopoulos Winery” offers many of the local varieties along with a tour to the secrets of Santorini’s winemaking throughout history (April till October from 12:00 to 20:00).

Keep in mind that wineries usually sell -or even serve- local delicacies, such as the famous Santorinian Fava*.

To visit these wineries you will need to either rent a car or hire a taxi (preferably a reserved one for 3,5 to 5 hours):

http://www.santorinitaxi.com/

http://www.santoriniweb.com/santorini_taxi.html

There are also wine tours to specific wineries offered by private companies:

http://www.santoriniwinetour.com

http://www.greeceprivatetours.com/santorini-Wine-tasting-tours.html

http://www.mysantorini.com/Santorini-private-Wine-Tour.html

Cheers!

*See Glossary in alphabetical order