Setting Sail on the Adriatic - Venice, Croatia & Greece - Part II

Quick Stops in Italy & Greece (Sep 3-6) The Wonders of Matera (via port of Monopoli): We stopped at the port of Monopoli as a gateway to see Matera which was an hour and a half bus ride away. The Sites: Casa Grotta Narrante, Palombaro Lungo, James Bond - No Time To Die: Bike jump onto square, Matera Matera is like a storybook town carved straight from the heart of a limestone dream. Nestled in the hills of southern Italy, it’s famous for its ancient cave dwellings—called Sassi—that tumble down the cliffs like honey-colored puzzle pieces. It’s the kind of place where you half expect a friendly donkey to trot past a bakery, or a grandmother to wave from a balcony with fresh pasta drying in the breeze. Matera feels timeless—equal parts magical and mysterious, with a dash of rustic charm and a whole lot of heart. And yes, I found some lovely images to match the vibe in addition to a lunch that was beyond amazing!! —take a peek below!   The Tastes: Gran Caffe, Burro Salata Greek Welcome in Corfu: Did we just hit Venice again? Corfu has a strong connection to the Venetians and it showed through the architecture – but first we needed to see some brilliant caves. The Sites (or not???): We began our day on a boat to the Paleostriata Hidden Caves in western Corfu, where the water was strikingly blue and turquoise. When sunlight reached the caves, they shone brightly. This must be why Chris lost his footing on the walk back to the bus and fell, hurting his right foot and rendering him immobile. We skipped the second part of the tour which was walking through the Old Town of Corfu. Meghann walked to a pharmacy to get instant ice packs while Chris stayed on a park bench right where the bus dropped us off. Upon returning to the boat, Xrays were taken and luckily he just has a swollen bruised foot and ego. The Tastes: Mythos and Grill (Soutzoukaki Sandwich – forgot to take a picture!) Day at Sea (Sep 5): Relaxing by the pool and icing a foot, enjoying food and white party on the boat – and doing laundry! Island Life, the laid-back feeling of Lipari Island: Lipari is where time slows down and stories rise from the stones. Whether you're chasing history, sunshine, or just a good beer and arancini with a view, this island delivers. And the best part? It’s still under the radar enough to feel like your own Mediterranean secret which was a nice change of pace. Plus, Chris was able to get a haircut a local barber shop! The Sites: Castello Di Lipari, Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano, Cattedrale Di San Bartolomeo, Barber by Franco, Vulcano (volcano which is active)   The Tastes: Ascialati