If however you didn’t have a holiday during the winter season now is time to relax in a really wonderful cruise, on board of Costa Atlantica.

On a huge, sea-view terrace, with not less than 678 private balconies, is the ship that revolutionized the architectural concept, being the first with external openings with the superb decks being dedicated to the renowned film-maker Federico Fellini. In details, the decks are decorated with designs signed by Milo Manara and they represent the most famous scenes in Fellini’s movies.

The main hall, la Dolce Vita, amazes with its chandeliers and Murano decorations, and the Carrara marble along with the mosaic floors will make it feel like a real Venetian atmosphere. 12 elevators remarkably designed are at your disposal to move easily on board of Costa Atlantica. The ship has 1057 cabins with 58 suites with private balcony and 8 cabins for those with walking disabilities, and can accommodate up to 2680 guests in two categories of cabins: internal with AC, satellite TV, mini-bar, double bed, phone and a safe box, and external with balcony and partial view. The luxury apartments are grouped in suites with balcony, panoramic suite with balcony and grand suite with balcony.

For those that are interested for some SPA or sports on board of the Costa Atlantic Cruise, they should know that there are Ischia Wellness Center with thermal spa, Bellezza Venus beauty saloon, saunas and Turkish baths, three pools, one with retracting roof, four hydro-massage basins, one jogging track, a courtyard with multiple functions or a fitness hall (Gymnasium Olympia).

You’re concerned about what you will be eating or what you will drink? There are 12 bars like Cognac&Cigar Bar or the Wine Bar and three restaurants with the best one being Club Atlantica with a glass roof, on the highest peak of the ship. If you plan to relax here, you should know that you should also have some fun, actually this is why you went on a cruise. You have Cazino Fortuna, Dante discotheque or go to the Caruso Theater. For your kids, Club Pinnocchio, baby pools or the Mondovirtuale are places to keep them busy. You can also go shopping on the ship, on Via della Spiga.

The inhabitants of this place are very proud of their traditional product: the mastic (called “masticha”in Greek). Famous worldwide for its flavor and taste, an impressive quantity is exported every year: 20 tons.

Those that would stop in the main harbor of Chios will see the island of volcanic rock, which is situated in the Northeast of the Aegean Sea, villages built on the plains or rocks from the neighborhood surrounding, it is providing its hospitality from the mooring moment. It is the ideal place to admire the ocean, the olive orchards or the ancient monuments. The local people’s pride is however, the mastic. With its many uses such as ouzo, soap, chewing gum, shampoo or sweets.

Where to eat in Chios

Once you are in Chios it would be a pity not to taste the delicious Greek dishes, and the offer is generous: eat in the city restaurants, fresh fish served near harbors or in certain villages with local atmosphere. Pizza, gyros, souvlaki or fish, all of these are waiting for you in Chios, in places with romantic and tranquil surroundings or in a typical candlelit Mediterranean atmosphere.

More about Chios Greece

• Transportation is possible by bus, taxi (fixed rates) or by renting a car, motorbike, bicycle or boat.
• Don’t smoke in public places or transportation, and don’t drink tap water, but only bottled.
• Temperature is just great, from 11 to 40 Celsius, with around 60% humidity. Consider it a very sunny place for your vacation.

I’ve been to Rome for 6 days. Booked my plane, booked a very nice hotel for a low price of 56 euros /room /night including breakfast and there I was landing in Ciampino Airport. Three couples. Took the bus to Anagnina, and then we took the metro to Termini Station. Only a few more minutes we walked into Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore and from there directly to the hotel. Really nice, big enough rooms.

The first day was more like seeing what’s Rome about. And we did. In 4 hours we went from Piazza Republica to Porta Pia and then via the Margerita Palace we headed to Fontana di Trevi. We always walked. The thing that I was really shocked about, were those orange trees on the streets, in January. From Fontana di Trevi we walked to the Quirinale and got the bus number 40 to Termini. Went to eat at Galina Blanca. Great food.

The next day was really a rally. We had no cars and tires, but our shoes. Went from our hotel to the Saint Peter in Chains Basilica then to the Colosseum which is breath-taking, climbed the Palatine Hill and then entered Foro Romano (The Roman Forum). This is real history. Seeing buildings aging more than two thousand years is pretty incredible. After that one, Vittoriano, which is the Monument of Vittorio Emanuelle II was the next stop. Man these Italians like big buildings. This wasn’t the final stop however. We went on the most known street in central Rome, Via Del Corso. At the end of it, in Piazza di Spagna we climbed the Spanish Steps to the Basilica up there, and then we had a beer in Villa di Medici. This wasn’t however the end of the day either. We wen’t to see the Castle Sant’Angelo at night. Gorgeous. Now the day is over and I would say we walked about 15-20kms today.

As soon as I have time I will add what we did in Rome on the next days, too.

The global warming and the calm weather ruined our plans for this winter. I’m talking about the European zone. So, we are already planning our summer vacation. A holiday in Greece would be perfect. The weather is sunny all summer, the waters are clear and calm, and services are very cheap. We are looking for locations like Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Crete, Chalkidiki or others. While looking for making some reservations, I found a great website specialized in offering cheap holidays to Greece, great places with fine sands, lots of sun, great drinks and some fresh air.

I’ve been to Greece a few years ago and I felt how the Greek people are. They cherish every minute, are very religious, cook great meals and have houses full of vegetation. You shouldn’t miss Santorini, with all those white houses which honestly I am not sure how they keep so white, in the old Atlantis Island which was first mentioned by the Greek philosopher Plato or the Crete Island, biggest in Greece and one of the most popular destinations in Greece.

Greece is a great country with cultural wealth, great old buildings and famous statues, and huge cities like Thessaloniki or Athens, making it a perfect destination for the summer vacation. Traveling and accommodating in Greece is not hard at all, this being the reason for which we recommend you to book your cheap holidays to Greece as soon as possible, and believe me you are not going to feel sorry about your decision.