Doc Strines Explores

Very blustery first thing this morning, fortunately just within the limits for docking. Dashed to the buffet for breakfast before disembarking at 7.30 for today’s excursion. Lovely early morning drive through Tuscany to the Cinque Terre. First stop Portovenere. Unfortunately due to choppy seas the ferry wasn’t running so we boarded the train to the…

After a leisurely sea day sailing across the Tyrrhenian Sea, Azura docked in the early morning at Civitavecchia, Italy. Having visited Rome made times previously I chose an excursion away from the city to explore rural Lazio. Quick breakfast in the buffet then disembarked to join my excursion to Civita di Bagnoregio. Located about an…

An early start for the 6.10 flight from Manchester. Smoothly through check in and security, a bit of breakfast then onboard for departure, only to be delayed due to French Air Traffic control being on strike. Fortunately half an hour later the flight took off. The journey to Malta is just 3 hours. Once in…

Having visited Copenhagen previously with Kevin during our interrail days I really wanted to do something very differently when we docked in Copenhagen, hence my sojourn over the Øresund bridge into Sweden. Many years ago we had watched a Nordic noir ‘broen’, based on a murder on the bridge at the point where the two…

Today was a day full of surprises. My perception of Gdansk was clearly influenced by memories of Lech Walesa and the Solidarity movement. I’d expected a port town akin to Immingham (not that I have anything against Immingham). The ship docked in nearby Gdynia, again more pleasant than expected. I joined 10 other passengers for…

This morning we docked in Skagen, from where I had booked a rather sedate tour around Skagen including time at the point where the North Sea and Baltic meet. Yet again the weather was very hot. I had researched this port and usually it is incredibly windy. First stop was the highlight of my trip…

After a day sailing around the coast of Norway, I arrived in Oslo. An early breakfast before disembarking to find Viking Cycling Adventures and my bike and guide for the morning. The tour lasted about three hours riding around the empty streets in glorious sunshine. First stop the ministry of defence park, where the resistance…

Awoke to a very tranquil North Sea. Popped into the gym before enjoying breakfast alfresco. The sun was shining and just a light breeze, perfect conditions for a game of tennis on the sports deck at the top of the ship, A quick bit of lunch in the buffet and then time to enjoy the…