On the way to Koper, Slovenia |
Early morning on the Adriatic Sea |
Slovenia Olive Farm |
Traveling through the Slovenian countryside |
Roadwork in Slovenia |
Traveling E61 from Koper to Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Lone tree on hill in Slovenia |
Town outside of Ljubljana, Slovenia's Capital |
Path along river in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Starting a cruise on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Sculling on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Dog enjoying a swim in the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Boat rentals on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Kayaks on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Party Boat on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Dog, ducks, and paddleboards on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Ducks and paddleboards on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
1st bridge open to traffic on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Cobbler's Bridge dates to 13th Century (current bridge constructed in 1931) on the Ljubljanica River, Slovenia |
Church of the Annunciation and Triple Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Central Market in Ljubljana was built between 1940-42 |
Central Market in Ljubljana stretches between the Dragon Bridge and the Triple Bridge |
Crossing under the Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana |
View of Dragon Bridge from the Ljubljanica River |
Approaching Ljubljana's famous Triple Bridge |
Drinking water in Congress Square, Ljubljana, Slovenia |
The Pigeon Whisperer in Congress Square, Ljubljana, Slovenia |
University of Ljubljana (founded in 1919) |
Ljubljana Castle (constructed in 11th Century) was renovated in the 12th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Centuries |
The Galerija Emporium is a fashion store in a renovated Art Nouveau palace, once home to Ljubljana's first department store |
Julija Primic (1816-54) was thought to be the Slovenian National Poet's poetry muse |
Statue of Slovenia's national poet, France Preseren, in the town square of Ljubljana |
St. Nicholas's Church (Ljubljana Cathedral) was consecrated in 1707 |
Mural on wall of St. Nicholas's Church, Ljubljana |
Bronze side door on St. Nicholas's Church depicts 20th-century bishops of Ljubljana |
Bronze front door on St. Nicholas's Church depicts Slovenian history |
Fruit market in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Vegetable market in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Flower market in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Clothes market in Ljubljana |
Interesting decorations at sidewalk cafe in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Replica of the original Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers (1751) in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Ljubljana, Slovenia City Hall (1484) |
17th century Herculean statue in the Ljubljana, Slovenia City Hall |
Historic map of Ljubljana on the wall of City Hall |
Historic decorations in Ljubljana City Hall |
Old stone well in Ljubljana City Hall |
Lunch at restaurant Sokol which opened in 1870 in Ljubljana |
Doors to kitchen at restaurant Sokol in Ljubljana |
Lunch at restaurant Sokol in Ljubljana |
Ljubljana's 'Butcher's Bridge' is covered with locks from lovers who throw away the key in the river |
Ljubljana's Butcher's Bridge is unofficially known as the Bridge of Love |
Strange decorations on Ljubljana's Butcher's Bridge |
Dragons in Ljubljana are like Mickeys at Disney -- they're everywhere |
Accordian playing mechanical bear in Ljubljana, Slovenia |
Pedestrian street in Ljubljana, the Capital of Slovenia |
Pedestrians crossing the Triple Bridge in Ljubljana |
Overhead shot of the Triple Bridge in Ljubljana (from the internet) |
View from Ribja Brv Footbridge in Ljubljana |
Ursuline Church of the Holy Trinity (1718-26) in Ljubljana |
Slovenian countryside |
Slovenian farmland |
Muda gate (on left) in Koper dates to 1516 |
Boats in Koper, Slovenia |
Classic Skoda Automobiles at the port in Koper, Slovenia |
Classic Skoda at the port in Koper, Slovenia |
On the Red Carpet at the Azamazing Evening in Koper, Slovenia |
Welcome to the Azamazing Evening by Captain Carl Smith, Master of the Azamara Pursuit |
Bill, Simon, and Robert at the Azamazing Evening in Koper, Slovenia |
Susan, Mel, and Jill on the front row for the Azamazing Evening in Koper, Slovenia |
The Loggia Palace (1462) in Koper is the only preserved Gothic town hall in Slovenia |
Slovenian Food at the Azamazing Evening |
Local Wineries offered wines at the Azamazing Evening |
The stuffed roast pork at the Azamazing Evening was fantastic |
Samples of Slovenian desserts at the Azamazing Evening |
We purchased two bottles of Yellow Muscat to drink with dinner on the ship |
The 15th Century Praetorian Palace on Tito Square in Koper, Slovenia |
Department Heads from Azamara Pursuit at the Azamazing Evening |
Azamazing entertainment provided by Perpetuum Jazzile, a Slovenian a cappella group |
Perpetuum Jazzile has won many international awards and is best known for their version of Toto's song Africa |
Four volunteers from the ship to interact with Perpetuum Jazzile |
Volunteers directing Perpetuum Jazzile |
Bill onstage to direct the tenors in Perpetuum Jazzile |
Finishing up onstage with a dance |
Azamara Pursuit on the Azamara Evening in Koper, Slovenia |
Headed back to ship from Azamazing Evening |
Next stop is Sibenik, Croatia |
Lots of sailboats on the Adriatic Sea |
Another Bon Voyage gift from Concierge and VIP Travel |
Sailing along the Croatian Coast |
Small Shrine on rocky outcrop in Croatia |
First look at Sibernik, Croatia |
Sailboat just outside our balcony |
Panoramic view of Sibernik, Croatia |
St. Michael's Fortress (left) and St. John's Fortress (top right) overlook Sibernik, Croatia |
St. Michael's Fortress dates to the early 15th Century in Sibernik, Croatia |
St. John's Fortress was started in 1646 and completed in 58 days |
Captain and Staff Captain of the Azamara Pursuit supervising docking in Sibernik |
Croatia written in Serbo-Croatian |
Vinplod Winery in Sibernik, Croatia |
Wind Farm on the hills of Croatia |
Roadside restaurant in Croatia |
Krka River is part of the 35,000 acre Krka National Park in Croatia |
At the first stop in Krka National Park in Croatia |
1 of 17 Waterfalls in Krka National Park in Croatia |
Watermills on the Krka River provided milled wheat to the Adriatic Coast in the 14th and 15th Centuries |
Krka River slows and spreads at some places in Krka National Park |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
Clear water in Krka National Park makes it easy to spot fish |
Interesting tree in Krka National Park |
Water plant and fish in Krka National Park |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
Well-camoflauged frog in Krka National Park, Croatia |
Another frog in Krka National Park, Croatia |
Fish in Krka National Park, Croatia |
Marasovika Lake in Krka National Park, Croatia |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
A few of the steps in Krka National Park, Croatia |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
Krka National Park, Croatia |
Food and Souvenir stands in Krka National Park, Croatia |
Beer and French Fries in Krka National Park, Croatia |
Ozujsko is the most popular beer in Croatia, with 10 bottles being consumed every second |
Skradinski buk is the longest waterfall in Krka National Park |
Skradinski buk (waterfall) is the highest gypsum barrier in Europe at 150 feet high |
Skradinski buk (waterfall) is one of the places that allows swimming in Krka National Park |
Local Croatian products for sale in Krka National Park before starting to climb 80-100 steps back to the bus |
The Church of St. Nicholas (1761) is mostly built of dripstone (deposited calcium carbonate) |
A final look at the Krka River in Croatia |
The town of Skradin, Croatia is over 6,000 years old |
Church of Our Lady (18th Century) in Skradin, Croatia |
Arches and small street in Skradin, Croatia |
Bill just had to prove he could climb this in Skradin, Croatia |
Coming down seemed more treacherous than going up |
The Church of St. Spiridon (1878) in Skradin, Croatia |
Entrance to the Church of St. Spiridon in Skradin, Croatia |
Inside the Church of St. Spiridon in Skradin, Croatia |
Watching momma cat and kitten in Skradin, Croatia |
On the boardwalk of the Skradin Marina |
Skradin Marina is a popular place for sailboats |
There are a few yachts anchored in Skradin Marina |
Looking down on Skradin, Croatia |
The Azamara Pursuit Band and the Signature Singers performing in the Cabaret |
The Signature Singers performing popular songs about love |
Tony Markey, Cruise Director, joins the group and has an excellent voice |
Lokrum is an island 600 meters off the coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia |
The Woodsman's Lodge on Lokrum Island was built in the 1860's as part of the summer villa of Maximilian I, the Emperor of Mexico |
Fort Royal on Lokrum Island was started by the French army in 1806, and completed during the Austrian administration around 1835 |
View of Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia from our balcony on the Azamara Quest |
Modern Dubrovnik, Croatia and Sea Cave |
Launching Tender Boats below our balcony off the coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia |
Enjoying our balcony with Dubrovnik, Croatia in the background |
Entering the Old City Harbor of Dubrovnik by Tender Boat |
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Virgin Mary (1673-1713), Dubrovnik, Croatia |
The Assumption Cathedral is also known as the Dubrovnik Cathedral |
The Dubrovnik Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Dubrovnik |
The Dubrovnik Cathedral was built on the site of 7th, 10th, 11th, and 12th century places of worship |
Inside the Dubrovnik Cathedral |
Stained Glass in the Dubrovnik Cathedral |
Pipe Organ (1690) in the Dubrovnik Cathedral |
Entrance to the Rector's Palace (1467) in Dubrovnik and used in filming Game of Thrones |
Stradun is the main street in Dubrovnik and very quiet at 9 AM on Wednesday morning |
The Dubrovnik Clock Tower dates to 1444, but had major repair in the 18th Century |
The Dubrovnik Clock Tower shows the hour in Roman Numerals and the minutes in the Decimal System |
Big Onofrio's Fountain (1438-40) in Dubrovnik is a sixteen-sided container with faucets projecting out of the face of masks |
15th Century Pile Gate was the main entrance to Old Town Dubrovnik |
Ancient Statue-Fountain of Nymph and Pan in Dubrovnik |
Bougainvillea along road in Dubrovnik |
Panoramic view of Dubrovnik, Croatia |
Azamara Pursuit at anchor off Lokrum Island, Croatia |
Duboka Cove, Croatia |
The Konavle Valley in Croatia is separated from Bosnia-Herzegovena by a mountain range |
Large flock of sheep in the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
Mediterranean Cypress trees in the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
Life in the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
Ljuta River in the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
Welcome liquor shots at Izletiste Mill in the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
Sugary snacks at Izletiste Mill in the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
Pieces of 15th Century aqueduct used as planters at Izletiste Mill in the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
16th Century flour mill on the Ljuta River in Croatia |
Grinding corn using a 16th Century Mill in Croatia |
History of mills in Croatia |
Fulling mill for wool on the Ljutja River in Croatia |
Water wheel for wool fulling mill on the Ljuta River in Croatia |
Large mallets hammer the wool to compact the fabric (called fulling or felting) |
Fulling is the fourth step shown in this diagram |
Wool on the right after the fulling process is almost waterproof |
Ljuta River in the Konavle Valley of Croatia |
Old stone aqeduct and olive trees in the Konavle Valley of Croatia |
Lunch in Cilipi, Croatia |
Flowers in Cilipi, Croatia |
Welcome drink at lunch in Cilipi, Croatia |
Musicians in Cilipi, Croatia |
Old mill for grinding olives to make olive oil in Cilipi, Croatia |
Garden where the restaurant grows all their own vegetables |
Stalk cabbage is used a lot in Croatian cooking |
Family home and restaurant in Cilipi, Croatia |
Old still at restaurant in Cilipi, Croatia |
Lunch companions at restaurant in Cilipi, Croatia |
Dalmatian prosciutto, cheese, and bread for starters in Cilipi, Croatia |
Beef and a kind of gnocchi for lunch in Cilipi, Croatia |
Toilet sign at restaurant in Cilipi, Croatia |
Kittens in Cilipi, Croatia |
Fascinated by a small branch in Cilipi, Croatia |
Traffic jam added an hour and 15 minutes to our return from the Konavle Valley, Croatia |
Almost back to Dubrovnik |
Looking at Dubrovnik from the motorcoach |
The walls of Dubrovnik were constructed between the 12th and 17th centuries |
The walls of Dubrovnik are 6,360 feet long and were never breached by a hostile army |
The Minceta Tower (1463) is the highest point on the walls of Dubrovnik |
A lion fountain on Gundulic Square inside the walls of Old Town Dubrovnik |
Christmas in July in Old Town Dubrovnik |
Bill found one of Santa's elves in Old Town Dubrovnik |
Last look at St. John's Fort (14th Century) protecting the entrance to the Old Town Port of Dubrovnik |
View of Dubrovnik, Croatia at dusk from our balcony |
Dubrovnik, Croatia sunset |
Deck party on the Azamara Pursuit with Cruise Director, Tony, and his wife, Christine |
Deck party off the coast of Dubrovnik, Croatia |
Tony, Christine, and the Azamara Pursuit Band |
Bill's attempt to photograph fireworks over Dubrovnik from rocking ship |
Internet photo of fireworks over Dubrovnik celebrating Summer Festival |
Another internet photo of Dubrovnik fireworks celebrating Summer Festival |
Susan and Mel in the "Living Room" of the Azamara Pursuit for a nightcap |
Sailing along the coast of Montenegro |
Dobrota, Montenegro, is adminstratively a separate town, but encompasses most of Kotor's residential area |
The Church of St. Matthew in Dobrota, Montenegro |
The Bay of Kotor (Montenegro) has been inhabited since antiquity |
Freedom Park and the Monument of Freedom in Kotor, Montenegro pays tribute to citizens who died in WWII |
Kampana Tower and Citadel (13th-14th Century) in Kotor, Montenegro are situated on the Skurda River |
The view of Kotor, Montenegro from our balcony |
Traveling up a narrow mountain road in Montenegro with 25 switchbacks |
Here's why Susan sat in the inside seat |
Looking at the road below you can see the first 3 switchbacks |
Kotor, Montenegro, from a scenic overlook |
Overlooking Kotor, Montenegro |
Had to go to the internet for aerial photo of 13 or the 25 switchbacks we just traveled |
Mid-morning snack of Njeguski prsut (local prosciutto), local cheese, fresh tomatoes, and homemade bread |
Can't have a mid-morning snack without a local 'Niksicko' Beer |
Njeguski ham requires salting with sea salt, pressing, light smoking, drying, and maturing (process takes about a year) |
Antique Montenegran baby crib |
Monument in Njeguski, Montenegro, birthplace of the royal dynasty of Petrovic (1696-1918) |
Village in the Lovcen Mountains of Montenegro |
Cetinje is the old royal capital of Montenegro |
The Court Church of Cetinje was built for the needs of the Court Prince Nikola in 1890 |
The Court Church of Cetinje sits among ruins of the original Cetinje Monastery, destroyed in 1692 |
Cetinje Monastery was reestablished across from the site of the first location |
Cetinje Monastery was rebuilt between 1701 and 1704 |
Ivan Crnojevic, also known as Ivan the Black, founded Cetinje, Montenegro in 1482 |
Biljarda (circa 1838) in Cetinje, Montenegro was built as a residence of Prince-Bishop Petar II Petrovic Njegos |
King Nikola's Palace was built from 1863 to 1867, and served as the seat of the Montenegrin Royal family for over 50 years |
A Royal Guard for King Nikola's Palace in Cetinje, Montenegro |
Dvorski square in Cetinje, Montenegro |
On the pedestrian street in Cetinje, Montenegro |
Outdoor tables from restaurant across the street in Cetinje, Montenegro |
Dvorski square in Cetinje, Montenegro |
Snake on the Well in Dvorski square in Cetinje, Montenegro |
Budva, Montenegro, is a resort town on the Adriatic Coast that dates back to 5th Century BC |
The Budva Riviera has some of the most attractive beaches of south Adriatic |
Budva is well-known regionally as the capital of nightlife and gambling of the eastern Adriatic |
Entering Kotor, Montenegro, by the Sea Gate (1555) |
Inscription above the Sea Gate acknowledges the date of the end of WWII in Montenegro |
The Lion of St. Mark on the Kotor City Walls is from the time it was a Venetian Republic from 1420 to 1797 |
Kotor, Montenegro Clock Tower (1602) leans toward the sea after 1667 earthquake |
The ''pillar of shame'' in Kotor was used to punish and publicly humiliate wayward citizens during the medieval era |
Kotor, Montenegro was founded in the 5th Century BC |
Giant lamp-bench in Kotor, Montenegro |
The Pima Palace (1667) in Kotor, Montenegro |
The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Kotor Cathedral) was consecrated in 1166 |
The fortifications of Kotor going up the Mountain of St. John |
The fortifications around Kotor, Montenegro, were constructed in the 9th-12th Centuries and are 2.8 miles long |
The Church of Our Lady of Remedy (1518) and city walls on the slope of the St. John Mountain above Kotor, Montenegro |
The Church of St. Nicholas is a Serbian Orthodox church built from 1902 to 1909 in Kotor |
The Palace Grgurina (18th Century) is now a Naval Museum Kotor, Montenegro |
Cats are considered a symbol of good luck in Kotor, Montenegro, and there is even a Cat Museum |
There aren't just cats in Kotor, Montenegro |
St. Luke's Church (1195) in Kotor, Montenegro |
Leaving Kotor, Montenegro |
Sailing out of the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro |
Dinner at Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Appetizer at Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Caprese Salad at Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Second course for Bill was pasta at Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Main course for Susan at Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Main course for Bill at Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Dessert at Aqualina Restaurant 2 hours after we started |
Looking at a hillside town on the Bay of Kotor from Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Enjoying sights along the Bay of Kotor from Aqualina Restaurant on the Azamara Pursuit |
Small beach along the Bay of Kotor viewed from Aqualina Restaurant |
Above the Bay of Kotor viewed from Aqualina Restaurant |
The only ferry on Kotor Bay (known locally as 'trajekt') leaves Kamenari, Montenegro |
Kotor Bay Ferry seemed pretty close to our window in Aqualina Restaurant on Azamara Pursuit |
And how do you get home if you live here along the Bay of Kotor? |
1 of 3 tunnels built by the Yugoslav Army along the Bay of Kotor and used to hide submarines in WWII |
The outside of the Submarine Tunnels were covered by fake rocks so they would not be visible to satellites or spy planes |
Old fort or palace near Herceg Novi on Kotor Bay, Montenegro |
More hillside villages along the coast of Kotor Bay, Montenegro |
Mamula (1853) at the entrance to Kotor Bay is one of the best preserved Austro-Hungarian fortresses |
Mamula became notorious when the fascist forces of Benito Mussolini’s Kingdom of Italy turned it into a concentration camp |