Bit of a blog - Spirit of Adventure - Treasures of the Adriatic - Oct 2023

[NorbertsNiece]

They've loaded 2 organised tours onto the shuttle first. Glad I got here early. Don't think all those independent travellers booked on the 9am vessel got on board. We left at 9am on the dot. Next shuttle in an hour.

 

 

[Banjo an]

Great blog

[Denarius]

15 hours ago, arlowood said:

Where are you docking for the Venice port of call. Is it at Fusina or Chioggia. Hope not Ravenna as some other cruise lines have been forced to adopt. Ravenna is pushing it a bit as a "Venice" port of call.

Ravenna is an interesting historic city in its own right. I have visited there on a cruise as a featured destination with no mention of Venice, which is some distance away.

[JMMKUK]

5 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

They've loaded 2 organised tours onto the shuttle first. Glad I got here early. Don't think all those independent travellers booked on the 9am vessel got on board. We left at 9am on the dot. Next shuttle in an hour.

 

 

We were one of those tours. 

[NorbertsNiece]

3 hours ago, JMMKUK said:

We were one of those tours. 

We keep missing each other!

[NorbertsNiece]

It's been an absolutely brilliant day in Venice. Had an exceptional guide. I will do my very best to describe some of the incredible works of art I've pictured. It may take some time as Mr Google may come into play!

 

The ride from the ship was smooth. I took a pic of the place where we disembarked so I would find it easier for the return journey. I've lots of time before I have to meet the tour so go walkabout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The church of Santa Maria della Pietà or della Visitazione with a dedication to Vivaldi.

 

 

 

 

 

The equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele ll, the first king of a united Italy. I expect to take a different view on my return.

 

[mazj]

Thank you so much for your great blog.  I will be on my first solo cruise with Saga next May to the Norwegian Fjords and this blog is really whetting my appetite for the cruise, can’t come soon enough.  Pleased to see get togethers for solo travellers each evening.

[NorbertsNiece]

1 hour ago, mazj said:

Thank you so much for your great blog.  I will be on my first solo cruise with Saga next May to the Norwegian Fjords and this blog is really whetting my appetite for the cruise, can’t come soon enough.  Pleased to see get togethers for solo travellers each evening.

Hi there. Happy to answer any questions 😀

[JMMKUK]

1 hour ago, NorbertsNiece said:

We keep missing each other!

I’m very easy to spot. Drinking margaritas at the bar in the Britannia lounge before dinner in the grill. 

[NorbertsNiece]

Nightmare posting with rugby taking up bandwidth! Will catch up after Zadar tomorrow.

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 14 Zadar

 

Good morning and thanks for following.

 

Quick post to say all is good except for the rugby.

 

Venice story to continue later.

 

Google maps very confused yesterday!

 

Sadly someone remained ashore yesterday. A call was put out for him and then subsequently a crew member was dispatched to liaise with him in Venice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Zadar, Croatia

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

 

The Romans, Venetians and Hapsburg Dynasty have all had a hand in crafting Zadar, a compact yet charming city on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. The imposing Fosa Land Gate has acted as an entrance to the old town since 1543 and you can see the symbol for the Venetians – a winged lion – carved into its archway. Medieval churches, such as Byzantine St Donatus Church, are juxtaposed against contemporary artworks, the most notable of which is the Sea Organ built into the promenade steps. 

 

We're both on the same tour for a change!!

 

PAG: ISLAND OF CHEESE AND LACE

 

You’ll drive to Pag Island, where a guided tour reveals the sights of the town of Pag. The Old Town famously produces unique lace, which is created using time-consuming, intricate ancient processes, and you can learn more in the town’s Lace Museum. Afterwards, you’ll see the remains of a fortified convent and church before continuing to the New Town. This well-preserved medieval town features carved door posts on the entrances to the 

nobleman’s houses and yards, small Baroque balconies and stone coats of arms dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. In the town centre you’ll see the Church of the Assumption, which still serves as the administrative, cultural and trade hub of Pag. After some time in Pag, you’ll drive to the village of Kolan, where you will visit a local cheese factory. Since ancient 

times, Kolan has been the agricultural centre of Pag Island, breeding sheep that produce its award-winning cheese, or ‘Paski sir’. You will have the opportunity to taste some of the cheese, which has a characteristically piquant taste that complements traditional fish and meat specialties.

Please note: The order of sites may vary. In Pag Town you will need to walk approximately 375 yards over cobblestone and flat terrain, with up to 10 steps in the Lace Museum. In Kolan, you will need to walk approximately 160 yards with up to 20 steps at the cheese factory.

 

We have been provided with packed lunches! Geoff could choose what went in his. Mine has been especially prepared so a bit of a mystery!!

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Link to Gligora Cheese & Deli

 

The drive to the factory. Crossing the bridge to Pag the scenery changes dramatically to a barren landscape created by the salt being blown from the Adriatic in high winds. This affects the cheese and meat obtained from animals, sheep and goats, who roam free eating the herbs that grow regardless. Fascinating explanation by the daughter-in-law of the innovator of Pag cheese. 500 tonnes of cheese produced annually of their international gold medal award winning hard cheese, which is delicious. They also produce cows milk cheese. Little drink of ratza (sp) made from honey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Pag. It's Sunday. A couple of bars, two small tourist shops, the church and the lace museum are open. Apparently in July and August this is the place to be. By Government decree no other businesses may be open on a Sunday. Will do more research on my return to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I sat for a while by the water trying to see what kept making splashes.... didn't see.... went back to bus to see that the driver had been 'fishing'! 

 

Love the sweets for heading back to port on Saga! 🍬

 

Back on board. Hadn't eaten lunch as the cheese and prosciutto had filled me up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[FannyLiz]

Thanks once again for this blog. I feel as if I am there.

 

I’m intrigued by the fate of the person left behind in Venice. I thought anyone who missed the ship had to sort it out themselves or with the port agent. Does that mean a Saga crew member was left behind in Venice to make sure they were OK?  Impressive and really above and beyond service if it does.

[NorbertsNiece]

3 hours ago, FannyLiz said:

Thanks once again for this blog. I feel as if I am there.

 

I’m intrigued by the fate of the person left behind in Venice. I thought anyone who missed the ship had to sort it out themselves or with the port agent. Does that mean a Saga crew member was left behind in Venice to make sure they were OK?  Impressive and really above and beyond service if it does.

An announcement was made earlier today to say the full complement of passengers this trip is restored. I have only heard gossip and am not about to speculate as to what happened, just glad there's a happy ending. 

[NorbertsNiece]

@JMMKUK lovely to meet you finally! 

[NorbertsNiece]

Information about the salt worker statue can be found here 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

This is Bartol Kašić, August 15, 1575 – December 28, 1650. He was a Jesuit clergyman and grammarian during the Counter-Reformation, who wrote the first Illyrian grammar and translated the Bible and the Roman Rite into Illyrian (a name used for early Croatian or proto-Serbo-Croatian).

(Wikipedia)

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 15 Sea day

 

Good morning and thanks for following!!

 

Am jewellery making this morning. Will catch up with Venice after. Thanks for waiting 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Little quiz for the Saganauts. Where are these cabins?

#spiritofadventure

 

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Continuing in Venice.

 

In the time before the tour starts I walk around St Mark’s Square. Fabulous shops and very expensive dining establishments 😯

 

I'm offered a 'discount' in one Murano glass establishment. When I try to barter my offer is rejected. Losing my touch!

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Thank you to whoever invented the gizmo guided tours now use so everyone can hear the guide! What a revelation for the hard of hearing! I don't have to stand next to the guide to hear what's being said! 

Our guide is Marie Thérèse from 'Walks'.

 

Interesting info about the 12th century (designed as a lighthouse) Campanile here

 

We walk inside the Doge's Palace into the courtyard. The facades of the courtyard of the Doge's Palace were built during the Dogat of Marco Barbarigo and Agostino Barbarigo, that is to say between 1485 and 1501: the dating is so precise that there is the coat of arms of the Doges who reigned then on either side of the lion of St. Mark above the giant staircase. The facade is characterized by a Renaissance-style marble decoration, designed by the architect Antonio Rizzo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A freshwater well. One of two.

The number of windows in your ball room indicated your wealth.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

What did the Doge of Venice do?

 

While at first, the Doge of Venice had great power, it was not until 1268 that their power was dramatically reduced. Eventually, the Doge became a figurehead in the city. The Doge represented the city by visiting foreign dignitaries and held many symbolic and ceremonial functions around the city.

 

We enter the Palace and climb many stairs with very ornately decorated ceilings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by NorbertsNiece