Rose Cacciatore

I sailed on Windstar Cruises’ newly refurbished and renamed Star Breeze, which holds 212 passengers and boasts one crew member for every two passengers. It is an amazing yacht experience that will delight any traveler. There were balconies with double-sliding French doors, the bathrooms were all marble with double sinks and a large soaking bath tub, and the closets are among the most spacious at sea. “The ship and the crew will impress even the most discerning luxury traveler. The added bonus is that a ship this size can go many places that larger cruise ships cannot.” Shore excursions one could take in Greece, include Athens, Santorini and Rhodes. A highlight is Mykonos, a lovely island with beautiful beaches, quaint windmills and charming churches. From Mykonos, travelers can also enjoy excursions to Delos, which is the mythical birthplace of Apollo. When visiting Turkey, I highly recommends including Kusadasi from where travelers can reach the ancient city of Ephesus and stroll among the ruins where Apostle Paul walked and preached. In Istanbul, one can walk to the Hippodrome, which during Roman times held horse races, gladiator contests, inaugurations and parades. From there one can visit the Topkapi Palace Museum – the former palace of the Ottoman sultans – that is now a museum with an extraordinary collection of Chinese porcelain, art, artifacts and jewels, including the Topkapi diamond and dagger. There is also the Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered market place in the world, with more than 4,000 shops that offer an endless selection of goods that includes jewelry, fabrics, spices and local handicrafts.