Thread: Where's The Most Interesting Place You've Been?

Every cruise I've been to interesting places, at the top I would put my latest cruise to Alaska with the helicopter to the glaciers to walk upon them and the mayan city (pyramid and homes) at costa maya mexico.

I think most anywhere I have been fortunate enough to go to are great in their own way. Places I have probably enjoyed the most are, in no particular order, the Hawaiian Islands, Neuschwanstein, Baveria, Tallin, Estonia, the Lake District, Cumbria and Harrogate, England, Monetvideo, Uruguay, Ushuaia, Argentina, Puuta Arenas, Chile, Kusadasi and Katakolon, Greece.

Originally Posted by Cruise Planner

One of the most amazing things we ever saw would have to be during our port stop in Katakolon, Greece.

Most people never heard of Katakolon, but it's known as the Gateway to Olympia. When we got to the port, they announced on the ship that the shore excursions would be delayed in departing because the archeological site was closed until 2:00pm, but no reasons were given.

We had not planned any organized excursions, opting instead to do our own thing. So we got off the ship and made our way through town about 200 yards to the other end where the train station was located. We checked the schedule and saw where the train was arriving in about 1/2 hour. It's a very nice new train and the price was about 4 euro (less than $6) for the two of us to take the 25 mile ride (about 40 minutes). When we got there, we walked towards the archeological site to find that, in fact, it was closed until 2:00pm. Why? Because they were having the Olympic torch light ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver!

We found a really nice bar on the main street that had a large flat screen TV, so we sat down, ordered a couple of beers (Greece has some really good beers), and watched the ceremony.

When this occurs every two years, you may see a 15 second clip on the news showing them lighting the torch. That's it. Well, this ceremony is magnificent. It's about 1-1/2 hours long and is filled with amazing dances and costumes, and historical traditions. Overall, quite amazing.

Our Greek hosts at the bar were constantly telling us what they were doing, what they were saying, what it meant, and why it was significant. We watched the entire ceremony in wonderment and appreciation for the significance of the place where the Olympics was born.

At the end of the ceremony, the first torch runner left the Olympic stadium and ran out of the archeological site. We left the bar and were standing right by the Olympia Town Hall as we watched him running up the main street towards us. He stopped beside the next torch runner and they paid homage to the mayor and citizens of Olympia, before passing the flame. The first runner extinguished his flame as the second runner started his journey through the town followed by the entourage of official vehicles. We took alot of pictures as well as video taping the whole event. We then walked over and got our picture taken with the first torch runner.

To see the Olympic torch up close in person is amazing. But to see the Olympic torch in Olympia with the first torch runner is a once-in-a-lifetime experience we will never forget.

Afterwards, we walked over to the archeological site, paid our admission, walked around the entire site taking pictures, and then left. As we were leaving, the buses full of cruise ship passengers on their excursions were pulling into the parking lot. We paid about $20 each for the train, beers, and admission, and look what we got. They paid $75 per person and look what they got.

Needless to say, this is why I'm not a big proponent of shore excursions offered by the cruise line. No one had any idea this was taking place. We just happen to be in the right place at the right time.


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That Olympic Torch was designed at Bombardier in fact by people on my floor

Hey Tony, our little family mfg plant makes parts for Bombardier's Benton, IL Ski-do plant.

Now I am getting excited about Katakolon too! We visit that port in October as well.

Barcelona, Spain. I think it's just a cool city because of the history, architecture, and culture. I highly recommend visiting Barcelona at least once in your life!

London. From the moment we arrived to the second we departed the sheer majesty and culture of the city impressed us. We stayed in Nodding Hill which was an adventure in itself. Our hotel was 3 1/2 stars, did not have air conditioning, had the tiniest lift imaginable, and was so full of charm that I fell in love. Our first day we took the tube into London downtown and on exiting the tube station we were greeted by a view of Big Ben. Big Ben! I have seen pictures and TV of it but To say I was actually there. The weather was perfect and we were in awe the entire time we were there. So much culture. So much history. So many things I knew about but never thought that I would see in person. The church within the tower of London. The Magna Carta at the British Library. The Rosetta stone. Wow.

The people were so friendly and we were in love with everyone and everything. My only complaint. Boy was it expensive! (But I would do it again in a minute)

Neal, I would have to agree that London is definitely a wonderful place to visit. We were there last year and, like you, we fell in love with it!

We stayed at a great little bed and breakfast about 2 blocks from MI-6, so we were conveniently located to the tube, buses, and trains.

But seeing Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. Marks, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Harrod's Dept. Store, etc, etc. was incredible. We took a ride on the Big Eye and it actually stopped while we were at the very top for about 15 minutes. Amazing!

We spent 4 days there, but would love to go back and spend some more time so we could visit more historical places and see some of the countryside.

Now, if we can only get them to speak American instead of English!!

Pete

Oh, I understand British. All you have to do is immerse yourself in a Dr. Who marathon and follow that with 40 straight hours of BBC .

We always picked itineraries by how interesting they were, so it's hard to pick. From a nature standpoint, both Iceland and Greenland were incredibly interesting. In Iceland you can see where the earth is growing at Thingvellir (the site of the Icelandic Parliament from the 800's) and you can drive to see where all the the water gets heated by thermal vents in the earth. In Greenland however, you see some of the oldest rocks in the world, and you can see where they match up on opposite sides of the fjords, as you cruise through them.

From a cultural point of view, it's hard to beat Istanbul, where it seems like many cultures are colliding. You can see evidence of Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern architecture, in a very small area. But there is an intensity there that is hard to describe. Just like in most major cities, you can hear lots of languages, but in Istanbul, it seems more chaotic, almost as if they are jostling for position with each other. It almost as if all the layers of history are being lived simultaneously.