The Trip of a Lifetime: Italy, Montenegro, Greece, & Croatia
Our owners Lori and Kem recently returned from the trip of a lifetime, spending two weeks in Italy, Montenegro, Greece, and Croatia. Their favorite stop of the trip was their last one: Dubrovnik, Croatia. Check out our “Photo of the Week” feature on Dubrovnik for more details on what they loved about the charming city. They traveled with three other couples, and spent much of their time exploring, eating, and taking in what these beautiful destinations have to offer. Read below for where they stayed, which restaurants they tried, and more.
Part 1: Italy: Tuscany, Cinque Terre, & Venice
Tuscany
Kem and Lori began their trip in Florence with one other couple. They made plans to meet up with the rest of their group in Venice a few days later. The other two couples decided to explore Rome, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. Florence is a city full of Renaissance architecture, monuments, statues, art galleries, and museums. Beyond the art and history scene, you’ll find amazing restaurants and quirky shops. While there, the group explored the piazza del Duomo. “The Dome” is a symbol of Florence and offers amazing panoramic views of the city from the top.
The group also spent some time in the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s infamous marble David.
The group’s favorite restaurant in Florence was Buca San Giovanni, which serves authentic Tuscan food in the heart of Florence’s historical district.
They stayed two nights at the Grand Hotel Baglioni, which is just blocks from the Duomo and other must-see sites. In addition, it is very centrally located: it is close to the train station which makes it very convenient for travel to and from many other cities and sites in Italy.
Just over an hour’s drive from Florence, the group stopped in Siena to see the Siena Cathedral. Then it was on to Chianti, which is home to the rolling hills and vineyards that you’ll associate with Tuscany.
The group spent a day at the Poggio Amorelli estate and winery. Here they had a guided tour through the vineyards, the winery and cellar, then it was time for wine tasting! The tasting included red and white wines grown entirely on the estate, and was accompanied by Tuscan salami and aged cheeses.
The final stop in Tuscany was in San Gimignano, where the group took in the history, medieval streetscapes, and enchanting rural setting.
Cinque Terre
Next stop was Cinque Terre. The five towns that make up Cinque Terre are recognizable in pictures with their multi-colored buildings built right into the cliffs overlooking the sea. They stayed in Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the five towns. Monterosso has a beautiful beach and tons of amazing restaurants. While here, they hiked from Monterosso to Vernazza. You can hike between all of the villages in order to see all five if you wish! You could also take a boat ride between the towns, or a very quick train.
Venice
The whole group met up in Venice, where they spent two nights before boarding the Norwegian Star.
Here they stayed at the Hotel Principe directly on the Grand Canal and about a block from the train.
Their favorite restaurant in Venice was Al Buso, located directly beneath and adjacent to Rialto Bridge. The location is only half of the allure, as the food is top notch as well.
While there, they spent time at St. Mark’s Square, home to St. Mark’s Basilica which is recognizable from its beautiful dome. They also walked over the Rialto Bridge, where they took time to explore the shops and get the best view of the city.
Part 2: Norwegian Star cruising from Venice to Croatia, with stops throughout Greece
Part two of this amazing trip was seven days on the Norwegian Star, cruising from Venice to Dubrovnik. This was their favorite part of the trip, stopping in Montenegro, then throughout Greece, and finally to Dubrovnik.
Montenegro
The first stop on their cruise down the coast of Greece was in Kotor, in the country of Montenegro. This destination has a raw, natural beauty thanks to the picturesque Balkan mountains and glass-like waters of the Bay of Kotor.
Mykonos
Next stop was the fun and lively waterfront town of Mykonos, which is full of great cafes, shops, and views of their famous windmills. There are over 500 beautiful churches and several great beaches. One of the best things to do is wander through the cobblestone streets and stop at one of the many coffee shops or cafes. You should also make time to explore Little Venice.
Santorini
Santorini may be the most photogenic out of all the Greek towns, with the gorgeous white buildings and blue roofs dotting the cliffs that overlook the sea. You’ll find tons of little beaches and cafes to explore, and a great place for hiking. They explored the town of Oia (pronounced ee-ah). Much of the movie Mama Mia was based in Santorini. The dramatically steep cliffs of the island are a result of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history. The volcano erupted in 1600 B.C., creating what we now call Santorini. Another result of the Minoan Eruption, as it’s called, is that the island of Thira sank to the bottom of the caldera, resulting in what is sometimes referred to as the Lost City of Atlantis. It is a heavily debated topic, but be sure to stop in the underground bookstore called Atlantis.
The bay where the ship anchored was once the highest point of the island and is now 1300 feet deep in some places. It currently measures 32 miles square. The cliffs rise dramatically above the caldera, and the stunning white cliff towns of Fire and Oia are what first greeted the ship when it arrived.
You can take a gondola or donkey, or walk the 600 steps up and down the cliffs to explore the town from your boat. Kem and Lori walked even though they did not recommend that as the donkeys are on the same path and seem to have the right of way. Santorini definitely lives up to the hype as it is beautiful and is best described as “dreamy”
Corfu
In Corfu, the last stop before the final destination of Dubrovnik, the group toured the Castle of Sissi.
Dubrovnik
Finally, the group disembarked the Norwegian Star ship for their final destination: Dubrovnik. They definitely saved the best for last, because Dubrovnik is breathtaking! You may recognize it as the frequent setting for many films and television shows. Most notably, it is the setting for the fictional city of King’s Landing on HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones.
Dubrovnik is known for its famous imperious walls. The imposing walls surround the city and are up to six meters thick in some areas. They have never once been breached by a hostile army. It takes about an hour make the full circuit along the battlements of walls. This hour also gives you time to stop for the stunning panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic Sea.
Here they stayed at the Grand Hotel Argentina, which had an amazing location built into the cliffs and directly on the water.
They ate at Buza Bar, which absolutely cannot be missed! The bar is literally built into the cliffs and overlooks the water with stunning views.
To book your own Italian getaway, call us and ask to speak to one of our Europe travel specialists at 402-281-3022.
Josh and Sara had an amazing time on their trip to Greece over the summer. They spent two nights in Athens, four nights in Mykonos, and four nights in Santorini. Read on for more information about where they stayed, their favorite bars and restaurants, and more!
Josh & Sara’s Greece Trip: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini
Stop 1: Athens
Where they stayed: Academias Hotel, Autograph Collection
For their first stop in the city of Athens, Josh & Sara checked into the Academias Hotel. This hotel sits on Akadimias Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares in downtown Athens. The hotel is within walking distance of the cafes and shops of upmarket Kolonaki, several museums, as well as the metro station.
Academias Hotel welcomes its guests with a glamorous lobby and amazing style and character throughout. With just 57 rooms and three suites, Academias Hotel is the perfect mid-size, mid-range hotel in Athens, Greece. They also have amazing staff and service!
Favorite Restaurant: NYX Rooftop Bar at Academias Hotel.
NYX Rooftop Bar is located on the top floor of the Academias Hotel. They serve elegant Japanese-influenced dishes and amazing signature cocktails. However, the view is easily the most enticing thing that NYX Rooftop Bar has to offer. It has a stunning view of the Acropolis and the overall vibe is upscale and glamorous.
Stop 2: Mykonos
Where they stayed: Villa Konstantin Mykonos
Josh and Sara left Athens and headed to Mykonos, where they stayed for four nights at the Villa Konstantin. This locally owned and operated hotel is intimate and charming with a home-away-from-home feeling. Villa Konstantin is within walking distance to the Old Town of Mykonos and offers stunning views of the Aegean Sea. One of the biggest selling points of this property is the pool. The pool deck has stunning views – especially at sunset.
Favorite Restaurant: Phos in Platis Gialos
Phos is a gorgeous waterfront restaurant just steps away from the famous Psarou beach and the beach of Platis Gialos. The setting is serene and peaceful. At Phos, visitors are surrounded by the unspoiled natural beauty of Mykonos. This is an unbelievable place to take in a Mykonian sunset. Phos serves seafood and Mediterranean dishes from 1:00 PM to 11:30 PM daily.
Stop 3: Santorini
Where they stayed: Antrum Villa Santorini
Next stop: Santorini! Josh and Sara checked into Antrum Villa Santorini for four nights to end their incredible trip to Greece. Antrum Villa is a traditional cave house that has been meticulously restored into a luxurious, modern villa. The villa has two spacious bedrooms with king-size beds and luxurious bathrooms, plus two sofa beds. Antrum Villa also has a kitchenette and living room space. However, the best part is the amazing views from the private balconies and the vast rooftop terrace. There is also a private pool on the rooftop. The rooftop is an incredible place to experience the sunset each night!
Favorite Restaurant: Sunset Taverna in Ammoudi Bay
Sunset Taverna in Ammoudi is located right at the edge of Oia’s old port, and the seafood is fresh and local! Sunset Taverna is famous for its lobster spaghetti and other amazing fresh fish dishes. And of course, the view is stunning with the red cliffs and picturesque port of Ammoudi.
Contact Enchanted Honeymoons today to speak with Josh and book your next getaway to Greece!
Enchanted Honeymoons Travel | Destination Travel | Travel to Greece
Call us today to speak to one of our Travel Specialists. You can reach us at 402-390-9291 or get started here. In addition, you can email us at info@enchantedhoneymoons.com.
Join us on one of our exclusive Europe group travel opportunities with Collette Tours! Choose from three amazing itineraries: Greece Island Hopper, Best of Italy, or Shades of Ireland. We are hosting Collette at our office on Thursday, October 5, 2023, for more detailed information on all three itineraries. Ask questions, start planning your trip, enjoy a few snacks, and mingle with others who are interested as well! Additionally, our Europe Travel Expert Team will be there to help you get started!
Read on for more details on these three amazing Europe group travel itineraries with Collette Tours!
Greece Island Hopper: April 3 – 13, 2025
Join this 11-day trip through Greece with Collette Tours! Book now and save $100 per person on this Europe group travel package. Highlights include Athens, the Taverna Dinner Show, Acropolis, and the Parthenon. The itinerary also includes Mykonos Old Town, Santorini Island, Oia Village, Ancient Akrotiri, and wine tastings!
This package is available with an optional three-night Istanbul post-tour extension.
Base per person rates: Double $4,949; Single $5,949; Triple $4,899.
This price includes flights from Eppley on April 3, 2025. It also includes 14 meals, nine breakfasts, one lunch, and four dinners. In addition, all of your tour entrance fees, transportation, and hotel accommodations are included.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Day 2 & 3: Titania Hotel Athens, Athens
Days 4 – 6: Porto Mykonos, Mykonos
Days 7 – 9: El Greco Hotel, Santorini
Day 10: Titania Hotel Athens, Athens
*On some dates, alternate hotels may be used.
Best of Italy: September 8-19, 2024
Join this 10-day trip through Italy with Collette Tours! Highlights include Venice, a gondola ride, a classical music concert, Po River Delta Wetlands, Republic of San Marino, and the Culinary Arts & Agriculture Vocational School. In addition, the itinerary also Florence, Chiusi Etruscan Museum, Labrynth of Porsenna, Rome, and the Trastevere Food Tour.
Base per person rates: Double $6,649; Single $7,749; Triple $6,599.
This price includes flights from Eppley on September 8, 2024. It also includes 17 meals, 10 breakfasts, two lunches, and five dinners. In addition, all of your tour entrance fees, transportation, and hotel accommodations are included.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Days 2, 3: Maison Venezia UNA Esperienze, Venice
Day 4 – 6: Borgo Conde Wine Resort , Forli
Days 7, 8: Grand Hotel Cavour Florence, Florence
Days 9 – 11: Ponte Sisto Hotel, Rome
*On some dates, alternate hotels may be used.
Shades of Ireland: June 27 – July 6, 2024
Join this 10-day trip through Ireland with Collette Tours! Book now and save $450 per person. Highlights include Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Blarney Castle, and Killarney. The itinerary also includes the Ring of Kerry, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, a Sheepdog Demonstration, Galway, and Castle Stay!
This package is available with a three-night London pre-tour extension. Additionally, it is available with a three-night Edinburgh post-tour extension. You can’t go wrong with either of these two great extension options!
The base per-person rate is $4,399 for a double occupancy. Additionally, single and triple rates are also available. Single $4,999; Triple $4,369.
This price includes flights from Eppley on June 27, 2024. It also includes 13 meals, eight breakfasts, and five dinners. In addition, all of your tour entrance fees, transportation, and hotel accommodations are included.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Days 2, 3: Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin, Dublin
Day 4: Granville Hotel, Waterford
Days 5, 6: Killarney Avenue, Killarney
Days 7, 8: The George Hotel Limerick, Limerick
Day 9: Cabra Castle, Kingscourt
*On some dates, alternate hotels may be used
We are excited to welcome you to our office on October 5, 2023, to gather more information about these exclusive Europe group travel itineraries! Lastly, please reach out to our team with any questions. You can reach us at 402-390-9291. In addition, you can RSVP for the event by emailing support@enchantedhoneymoons.com. We look forward to meeting you and getting started!
Enchanted Honeymoons Travel | Family Travel | Europe Group Travel
Call us today to speak to one of our Travel Specialists. You can reach us at 402-390-9291 or get started here. In addition, you can email us at info@enchantedhoneymoons.com.