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Greece - 20 glorious days
Greece, May, 2025, 2 active, well-traveled, but with some minor back issues, 75 year olds.
Itinerary: Athens - 3 nights Journey to Mycenae - 2 nights in Nafplio Head to Delphi - 1 night Transfer to Kalabaka - 1 night Return to Athens - 1 night Flight to Crete - 1 night Heraklion Chania - 6 nights Paros - 4 nights |
Athens--Day 1 - Flew from Newark to Athens, arriving about 9am. Picked up at airport and checked into Athens Gate Hotel, located in the historic district of Athens, opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Had lunch on the rooftop restaurant, with a view of the Acropolis. Walked to see the changing of the guards in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which, at 11 am on Sundays, has a whole marching platoon accompanied by a band. There were throngs of people and, even though we were at the front on a curb, people gathered in front of us, making it hard to see well. It was festive, and the platoon and band were visible. We returned another day and more clearly saw the actual changing of the guards. We then walked around the Plaka neighborhood. After a brief freshening in our hotel, we took a taxi to an early, wonderful dinner at Jonah's, followed by going up the Lycabettus Hill via the cable car. The view from this, the highest point in Athens, and the sunset, was breathtaking. Taxi back to the hotel and viewed the Acropolis lit up at night from the rooftop with dessert.
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Following, I love love Greece! We have four nights each in Iraklio and Chania at the end of the month, then four nights in Athens on the way back. Our first visit to Crete, so I am particularly looking forward to hearing about that part of your trip.
Would also appreciate recommendations for rooftop restaurants in Athens. Thanks! |
The rooftop restaurant in Athens was at our hotel, Athens Gate Roof Top.
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Athens--Day 2 - took another walk in Plaka along the perimeter of the Acropolis to the Anafiotika neighborhood, within Plaka that is like a Cycladic Island. It was built by laborers from the island of Anafi, who were working on King Otto's palace.On our way down, we came upon a delightful restaurant, Thespis, and had a great lunch-fabulous food with a beautiful setting. We took a taxi to the Palaio Faliro marina and took a stroll along the promenade. At 5:30, we began our next 12 days with our Greeking.me tour Greece's Timeless Treasures, meeting the other 2 people on the tour as we had come the day before with a couple who were friends of ours from home, so the total number in the group was 6. We had a private Evening Highlights Tour and Meze Dinner. It was an overview tour, we saw the changing of the guard more closely than yesterday, and landmark sights such as the National Gardens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, walked through historic neighborhoods, Monastiraki Square, saw Hadrian's Arch, Roman Agora, etc., while learning about the history and culture, We had a Greek tapas dinner at Ella's Restaurant. The stifado (chestnut stew) was one of the highlights, as our guide had us sample so many Greek dishes!
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Thanks for the report, following.
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Athens- Day 3 - We met with the group at 8 am after a lovely breakfast at the hotel and met our tour leader for our 4 hour Mythology Tour of Acropolis and Acropolis Museum. The walk/hike up was slightly challenging. The elevators were broken, as were the restrooms on the top. There are few places with handrails. I say all of this, because I was recovering from a compression fracture in my spine and my husband has some back issues. Our guide was captivating and thorough! We walked through the Odeon and Herodes, We visited the Acropolis sights such as the Propylaea, Temple of Nike, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion, hearing fascinating stories along the way. We were guided through the museum, a great help. Aferwards, the 2 of us had a lovely lunch at Arcadia Restaurant, close to the Acropolis and headed back to the hotel for a nap. At 5pm, we met our fabulous tour leader, who would be with us for the rest of the tour days--Niki, an energetic, caring, knowledgeable Greek native who was the backbone of the rest of our time with our Greeking.me tour group. We were off for an excursion to Cape Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon. Stopped for a delicious dinner at seaside Labros Restaurant. We rode along the Athens Riviera, gazed over the Doric-column Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.
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Labros Restaurant
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cb5573056.jpeg Saronic Gulf https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c5b2843ce.jpeg Temple of Poseidon https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...242c706ba.jpeg |
Due to time constraints, the remainder of this trip report will be brief, but I am happy to fill in details and/or answer questions.
Mycenae tour and Semeli Winery - Day 4 -visited citadel of Mycenae with a private tour with an archeologist. Visited Semeli winery-great tour, fabulous food & wine. Arrived in Nafphio, Decadent, delicious dinner at Wild Duck, Nafplio. Epidaurus and Nafplio - Day 5 - Visited Epidaurus with a wonderful private tour, free afternoon in Nafplio following seaside moussaka lunch in the Port of Nafplio , walked, enjoyed ice cream, sunset tour of Nafplio with our wonderful leader, Niki and dinner. |
Great itinerary. A Few Light Suggestions: |
Great itinerary. A Few Light Suggestions: |
I hear your suggestions, which are wise, but luckily we had a driver and could relax during the long rides. The reason we went back to Heraklion for the ferry to Paros is because (as you will see when I finish the trip report) our Greeking.me group tour ended after 12 days with them and we extended another week, desiring to visit Paros.
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Heading to Delphi - Day 6 - Left Nafplio and drove to our hotel in Delphi. We had lunch at Agora Cafe overlooking the Corinthian Gulf (wonderful pizza) and then walked viewing beautiful mountain scenery to meet our tour guide for Ancient Delphi and the Museum. A wonderful dinner followed, but
Delphi to Kalambaka - Day 7 - Driver took us to the lovely Divani Meteora Hotel in Kalambaka. We embarked upon a 4pm sunset tour with a private guide viewing 6 monasteries, visiting the Assumption of Mary Byzantine Temple and enjoying the sunset. Spectacular views. Delicious dinner followed. Our leader, Niki, knew all the perfect restaurants to take us to and the best food on which we could feast. Meteora visit and drive back to Athens - Day 8 - Amazing tour of lofty rock formations creating an eerie scenery, explored the monastic region with the help of an expert local guide, visiting 3 monasteries. Stopped for a quick gyro and headed to Athens. Returned to one of our favorite restaurants, Thespie, for dinner. Crete - Day 8 - Early morning flight to Crete, after viewing sunrise from our room. Bakery lunch and toured Knossos Palace with a private guide. Checked into Olive Green Hotel. Dinner with view of the port. Heraklion Food tour and transfer to Chania - Day 9 - after a morning stroll, 4 hour walking food tour with delicious tastings and lunch with a local guide after which we were driven to Chania and checked into the Avra City Hotel where we were staying for 5 nights. Niki took us to a local fish restaurant. |
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Chania https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5d90ddd69.jpeg Bougatsa https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...efc62745f.jpeg Knossos https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a8d170386.jpeg Meteora https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6cf42b4f1.jpeg Nafplio |
Beautiful photos. Enjoying joining you on your Greek adventure.
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Awesome view of Holy Trinity at Meteora. You also had a great view of the Roman Forum with the city and hills behind. Looking forward to hearing more about Crete.
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Chania - Day 9 - Hotel has a fabulous breakfast and a lovely golden retriever. We embarked on a 7 hour private tour in the region of Apokoronas, located in the eastern province of Chaniawith a local guide. Our first stop was a cafe for Greek coffee where we also saw sheep being herded through the village. Next, villages of Aptera and Stylos, where we took a nature walk learning about vegetation that grows in this region.We then experienced the art of Cretan cheese-making with a visit to a local cheese factory in Vryses where, after touring the process, we can sampled traditional varieties such as 'Graviera,' 'Mizithra,' and 'Anthotiros. In Emprosneros, we had freshly baked bread with olive oil, along with cookies and biscuits from a local bakery. In Fres, lunch at a traditional, family run 'Kafeneio'. Dinner was along the waterfront in Chania at sunset @ Ta Chalkina.
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That sounds like a great up-close tour. How did you arrange/find it?
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Originally Posted by shelemm
(Post 17660776)
That sounds like a great up-close tour. How did you arrange/find it?
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Following along with great interest. In fact, your report has inspired us to consider Greece for spring 2026! Curious to know if Greeking.me arranged for your hotels, as well as drivers and tours?
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Originally Posted by PJTravels
(Post 17660808)
Following along with great interest. In fact, your report has inspired us to consider Greece for spring 2026! Curious to know if Greeking.me arranged for your hotels, as well as drivers and tours?
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Chania - Day 10 - After breakfast, we went to Alikianos for an experience of Cretan folklore, music and dance. We visited a Greek Folk Dance Troupe where we dressed in the traditional costumes and had a private dance lesson with an experienced dance teacher, dancing to Greek music. Afterwards, we had local, Cretan meal. This was our last meal as a group on the tour and our goodbyes were shared, with lovely presents from our leader, Niki, and the dance instructor. The afternoon was free, but we spontaneously reassembled as the group of 6, with Niki, for a delicious repass at a cafe on a side street in Chania for another goodbye. She had made an informal invitation and we all took her up on it! A special last day of the tour.
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Chania - Day 11 - This day started at breakfast when we were surprised with a beautiful bouquet for our anniversary from our leader, Niki, who was staying another night at the hotel. We had another meaningful farewell. We were staying 2 more nights in Chania. We explored the Topanas area, and the Jewish Quarter of Chania, which is right behind the Western Part of the Venetian Harbor, a very picturesque area. We roughly followed this walking tour: https://www.chaniatourism.gr/neighbo...ewish-quarter/. We had light lunch at Steki, sitting outside. We stopped for freddo cappuccino, sitting along the harbor and people-watching. The waitress recommended a visit to the home of Eleftherios Venizelos (which we visited the next day). After some shopping, and a light snack, we attended Friday night services at the only synagogue in Crete-Etz Hayyim, where we learned about the Cretan Jewish history and participated in services which were very meaningful for us. We returned to our hotel to find that Niki had mentioned our special day to Greeking.me and they arranged for a little surprise in our room to help us celebrate! What a lovely anniversary! |
Chania - Day 12 - After breakfast we went to the Farmer's Market and walked to see the slide show along the harbor. We took a taxi to the home of the Greek premier Eleftherios Venizelos. There was a cafe and gardens
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3d0058274.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b48cb1b19.jpeg which we enjoyed before touring the home which recounts the life of a personage and there authentic items, most of them in their original position. It is a well maintained house museum. It provides a wealth of information, personal artifacts and historical exhibits on this man who was a significant figure in the history of Crete and Greece in the early 20th Century. Returning to the hotel, we rested and then returned to Steki for dinner, as we loved lunch the day before. The sunset boat tour we were booked to take had been cancelled (we had to call to find this out) due to winds. We relaxed along the waterfront, had a violin concert on FaceTime from our grandson, and returned to Ta Chalkina for great traditional music and dinner #2. As you can see, when we love the food and service, we return. |
Heraklion - Day 13 - Greeking.com had arranged a driver to take us back to Heraklion, where we had a very early ferry trip the next day to Paros. After a somewhat tiring ride, we checked into the hotel where we had stayed previously and it was suggested we eat indoors. After resting, we ventured to go to the Archeological Museum of Heraklion to see the famous Minoan artifacts which were extensive and fascinating. On the way, it was drizzling and we had brown spots on our raincoats due to the sand blowing from the Sahara and the cars, and streets, were covered with sand turning the skies orange and impacting air quality. These storms are caused by strong winds carrying dust from the Sahara Desert across the Mediterranean Sea. We ventured back to the Lions Square area to have more bougatsa - one savory and one sweet! W
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I realized the numbers of my days have been a little off. We arrived a day before our group trip started and that trip was 11 days. We were in Greece for about a week on our own (with some arrangements made by Greeking.com in terms of drivers and ferry and plane tickets) Above post shared the 2 extra days in Chania. Now, we went to Paros for 4 nights, which gave us 3+ days to visit there.
We were driven to the ferry (pre-arranged) and the trip was seamless. We stayed at Alexandros Suites and Apartments in Naousa, Paros; they had arranged for a driver to pick us up. We were pleased beyond words with how wonderful a choice this was to stay in Paros. Litsa, the owner, and her 2 sons, became our family in Paros. We were greeted https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6afcb6ab9.jpeg Breakfasts !! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...603b36953.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a55d0a69a.jpeg View from AlexandrosnSuites https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2f88fadb.jpeg , and treated, warmly and thoughtfully own whole stay! Our review on Tripadvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...th_Aegean.html shares our feelings and those of over a thousand more people. |
Our 3+ days in Paros - Litsa arranged a rental car and we had parking near the hotel. Walked around Naousa, great meal at Mare Nostrum of stuffed calamari and pasta. Drove to Lefkes after a delicious breakfast. Explored the Byzantine trail and the streets of Lefkes and enjoyed visiting with a couple from Australia at Alexandros with drinks. After another great breakfast and morning visit with Litsa, drove to Aliki. Walked, picked the fish we wanted grilled at a restaurant along the water.
To be continued |
This restaurant, Aliki ,was a wonderful waterfront restaurant in this beautiful coastal village with a picturesque port. We drove to Marpissa, a traditional Cycladic villagewith whitewashed cubic houses, standing among narrow streets, churches and windmills. Next, we visited Piso Livadi, which is quaint with a small port, beach and a number of waterfront restaurants. It is a fairly quiet little place. We had ice cream and fruit along the beachfront and rested on a beach chair. Returning to Alexandros Suites, we enjoyed a nightcap and shared stories with Litsa and her lovely son. When we said we would love to take a sunset boat ride on our last night, he said he would arrange this for us. The next day, this was set. After another amazing breakfast, we headed out to visit Parikia, the capital and the main port of Paros island. It is one of the most typical Cycladic settlements as it is distinguished by its narrow cobbled paths, the old churches, the small shops and the houses in blue and white. We visited the Church of 100 Doors, the windmill, the Frankish Castle and enjoyed walking in the town. Then, off to Prodromos, another picturesque small village where we enjoyed a meal at a taverna on a side street. Back to Naousa and our fabulous Litsa, and Theo, who took us to meet our sunset boat tour with Zeppos, www.zeppos-fishingtours.gr, when we were wined and dined with delicious food, gracious hosts and we learned about this island even more. Then, back for goodbyes to our new "family" in Paros. Litsa packed us snacks as our driver, from Luxury Paros Transfer arranged by Greeking.me was picking us up at 4:30 to get the plane.
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Woow, this is amazing! Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures!! I've been wanting to go to Greece for so long but can't find time. What would you recommend to see/visit if I had limited time on the Greek islands? Thank you in advance!
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Originally Posted by kseniiasorecie
(Post 17663128)
Woow, this is amazing! Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures!! I've been wanting to go to Greece for so long but can't find time. What would you recommend to see/visit if I had limited time on the Greek islands? Thank you in advance!
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