Godfather Tour in Messina

When we booked this trip we discussed what to do in ports.  Bernie was interested in the Godfather tour.  He has watched the movies numerous times.  Me, I had never seen them.  But we booked the ship's tour here.

A week before coming we watched both the first and second Godfather movie.... queue the music.  

First let me apologize with references here, I am not an expert on the movie franchise so I am sure I will get something wrong.

Our first stop was Savoca.  Two towns were used in the movie.  Savoca is the home of the bar Vettelli and the church.

We got lemon granita and biscotti.  We went over and had two glasses of wine just to say we have been to the bar Vitelli.  It is definitely a tourist trap.  12.50 E per glass!   

We were guided thru the town to a few spots.  Including the church that Michael and Appolonia got married at.

We even met the woman who played Applonia's mother.  She is still alive and lives in the town.  Out of respect I didn't take a picture as sje was in her window and feeling under the weather.

We then drove to the next town where a few more sites were filmed.  Especially from the 2nd and 3rd movie.

The path where little Michael was hid under the donkey and sent to the US.  

It was a very Good tour.  The guide was very knowledgeable and we learned not only the movie sites but also about Sicily

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Night In Messina

When the Captain mentioned we would arrive early in Messina we were excited.  Dinner ashore!

The day while at sea was very lazy for me.  I finished my book, lunch at O'Malley's Irish pub.  Actually Bernie and i shared the meal there.  Had a nap, and woke to the excitement of heading ashore.

We head ashore around six. 

It is always nice to stroll and explore in the evening.

The clock tower.

The Cathedral which was open so we strolled inside.

Now this is where it gets interesting.  The restaurant we chose was about 15 minute walk away.  But it doesn't open until 730 so we take ourr time.

We stroll and stop in a few shops that are still open.  It is a Monday and many restaurants are closed today. 

With time to kill we stop for a prosseco and a glass of wine.

It is now 730 so we head to the restaurant.  But the lone guy inside says not open until 8.

Oh darn!  Even their website said 730.  But when in Italy you learn to go with the flow. We are tired of killing time so we decide to walk back towards the ship and maybe find another spot.  

But most nice restaurants are closed today.  Lots of bars and pizza places but that isn't what we want.

In the end we come back on board.

We enjoy dinner at the Ocean Terrace.  Which was very good.

Day In Corfu, Greece Part I

This is my first time here.  Many of my followers helped me today with information I put to use too.

First we put our clocks forward one hour last night so we are on the same time as Greece.  Note tonight after we leave we put the clocks back one hour so we are on Italy time.

We arrived early and we don't leave till 930 pm.

There is a shuttle you can purchase for $15 US.  But after checking the map we realized it was easy to walk and since we are started at the Archeological Museum the shuttle really wouldn't save us much time.

We walk fo the museum.  It is 3 Euros to enter each.   It is not huge but we probably spent 45 minutes there.

We walk along the water with stunning views to the old Fort.  Note this is where the Princess shuttle would drop you off.  

We decide to go into the old Fort.  3 Euros entrance fee.

Church of st George.  Located at the Fort.

We exit and walk the streets of Old Town.

Read next blog for part 2. 

Day In Corfu Part Two

We wander the streets of old town.  The bouganvillias are stunning.

We stop into the Holy Church of Saint Spyridon which Isa Greek Orthodox Church.

We light four candles in honour of our parents.

Did some shopping. Bernie ends up buying two lovely cotton shirts, which will be perfect in the warm weather.

We are hungry and look for a spot to eat.  It needs tk be jnside as there is just too much smoke outside.  Which is the case all over Europe.  Are other rules for picking a spot.  No signs with pictures of the food, that screams tourist spot.  We also always walk away from big squares or tourist hot spots.

We find a spot that is a basic family run restaurant. It is busy and mainly with locals.

We get the house wine, 5 E for half a litre and two sparking waters.

Our goal is to enjoy what we like but to also be adventurous.

Bernie's favorite, Greek Salad.  

Pita with tazziki.  Then fried cheese.

Then we enjoy a perfectly grilled octopus. 

We shared everything.  We were completely stuffed.  And the entire bill came to 46 Euros.  Very reasonable considering wine, water, salad, 2 appetizers and a main.  

We leave and start making our way back to the ship.  It takes about 20 minutes to walk back.  

Once in the cabin we note we logged 18,000 steps.  Time to ice the knee.