Nancis Blog on RealTravel

Brisbane journal: Very nice room (Crest) within walking distance to lot's of shopping.

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:16:34 GMT

Very good location, walking distance to post office, casino, bus stops, train station, "CIty Cat" catamaran's on the river. Close shopping and restaurants. The restaurant Picasso's is good but a little pricey.

Istanbul journal: Interesing Istanbul

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:11:59 GMT

Very interesting and full of history. People were nice. Must see the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. If you get a cab to one, the others are within walking distance.

The spice market was fun, reasonable prices, very kind merchants. Bought a lot of tea, curry and of course Turkish Delight candy. Istanbul is the only city on two continents! Throughout the day you can hear the chanting during the prayers. The merchants accepted American dollars and or Euro's.

It's affordable to rent a cab just negotiate the price and where you want to go ahead of time. The port is ...

Kusadasi journal: Hard Sell Kusadasi!

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:02:48 GMT

We had planned to visit Ephisis but it was 110 degrees. Kusadasi is beautiful, but the shopping was so hard sell, we were very turned off and returned to the ship.

Turkey journal: Mediteranian Cruise

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:02:48 GMT

We visited Istanbul only for a day, but we really enjoyed it and found the people to be warm and friendly. The day began with a tour of the Blue mosque and Hagia Sophia, and Topkopi Palace. Three must see's. Lot's of history, worth reading up on before you travel so you can appreciate it more.

Following the tour, we (my family) hired a cab to take us to the spice market which was very fun and interesting. The merchants were very nice to us, and not too pushy (Kusadasi on the other hand was so hard sell we went back to the ship!). Throughout the day we could hear the broadcasting of ...

Athens journal: Acropolis

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:01:56 GMT

We loved Athens. We hired a cab and went to the Acropolis, Plaka and Temple of Zeus. Beautiful country and very nice people.

Machu Picchu journal: Beautiful rooms and views. Spa, restaurant, orchid gardens.

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:53:15 GMT

This hotel is in a beautiful setting, and has a very peaceful feel. Our room had a fireplace and a patio with french doors, a large bathroom with natural oils and soaps, a robe and slippers. There are guided tours available for the orchid gardens. Also there is a gift shop and spa onsite.

The hotel staff was at the train station to take our luggage on arrival so we could continue up to Macchu Picchu. Then when we were to leave, they met us at the station with our luggage so we could shop and explore in the morning without dragging our luggage around.

I would love to stay here ...

Koror journal: Beautiful rooms and views. Spa, restaurant, great diving and snorkling right off the beach.

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:28:55 GMT

Beautiful resort with landscaped gardens and beach. Very polite staff, restaurants and spa on -site. Free bus to town in the evenings. Rooms were spacious and comfortable. Each room has a patio or balcony. Dive and photo shop on site however I didn't use this operator.