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My Greek Adventure
Start of my Greek Adventure- ThesslonikiWe have been here in Thessloniki for 4 days, I’m just getting around to starting a trip report. Getting here from California was - let’s just say an adventure. I was originally scheduled to fly from SNA-DFW-JFK on Sunday April 30 to meet up with my daughter. On Sat. 4/29 I started getting weather alerts from American Airlines about severe weather in New York. Ok so I quickly punted and changed my flight to the first flight out of LAX on Sunday morning. Good thing I did, about 1 hr after I landed the weather turned really bad, thunder lightning and streets flooded everywhere. A lot of flights were canceled.
My daughter and I had reserved seats together so I could help her w her baby, at the last minute Delta split us up. We had called ahead of time to plead our case, but they didn’t care. I was stuck three rows back in the middle of the plane. I couldn’t really help her. Luckily she was seated between two nice ladies who helped a lot. The good news was that the entire Greek Presidential Guard was on our plane!, they are the troops that march in Syntagma Square. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fdc73e28f.jpeg |
And I still don’t know if my husband is going to join me😞
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That is such a wonderful photo. Off to a good start!
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Greece is on my bucket list. Getting there does seem to be a challenge and it's one reason we haven't been there yet. Definitely will follow along with interest and I love that photo!!
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Awesome photo! Should be on the cover of a guidebook!
Is it cold there? I notice you are wearing a jacket. |
Thessaloniki updates
Yes it was cold with some rain the first three days were here- Tues May 2;- Thurs May 4. The weather has turned really nice sunny low 70’s. I should share the lovely apartment we are renting- great location on the walking street Dimitriou Gounari. Two blocks from the water. We rented it on Airbnb, the owner is Marina. This place is wonderful, she has everything you will need for your stay. Super nice lady. I’ll attach photos. Sorry I’m having problems uploading photos.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4e45a0c1e.jpeg This is the desk area, lots of interesting travel books https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b781673e3.jpeg View from our balcony Thessaloniki Bay https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...be3bfbee0.jpeg Looking up the pedestrian walkway |
Originally Posted by uppsala30
(Post 17461123)
Yes it was cold with some rain the first three days were here- Tues May 2;- Thurs May 4. The weather has turned really nice sunny low 70’s. I should share the lovely apartment we are renting- great location on the walking street Dimitriou Gounari. Two blocks from the water. We rented it on Airbnb, the owner is Marina. This place is wonderful, she has everything you will need for your stay. Super nice lady. I’ll attach photos. Sorry I’m having problems uploading photos.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4e45a0c1e.jpeg This is the desk area, lots of interesting travel books https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b781673e3.jpeg View from our balcony Thessaloniki Bay https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...be3bfbee0.jpeg Looking up the pedestrian walkway Your photos give us a clue..you did well with your decision! I will be along for the ride....wishing you the best!! |
Marina’s apartment in Thessaloniki
Ok more apartment photos
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8e75e42c3.jpeg Living room https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b34032626.jpeg Dining room https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d01bb2671.jpeg 2nd bedroom has a small 1/2 bath https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f0f7df4e0.jpeg 2nd bedroom has small 1/2 bath https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4cee7bb62.jpeg Hall bathroom |
Macedonia
Yesterday we traveled out to several archeological sites. The first, Veria, was in a beautiful hillside town. The museum was really quite nice, lots of historical exhibits about Macedonia and the town itself.
we then ventured on to the tomb of tomb of Phillip the II in Vergina. He was the father of Alexander the Great who was assassinated by one of his guards. One theory is that one of his seven wives was behind the plot to assassinate him because she hated him and wanted her son Alexander to be king and ruler of Macedonia. Our last stop was a new museum which held a lot of items from Macedonian royalty. The whole area around Vergina is where the Macedonian royalty were buried . I’ll try and attach some photos https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b5bbf7068.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...84c9ca8eb.jpeg The tomb was in a huge underground vault https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6b8700a3c.jpeg Body armour https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2ce1913a2.jpeg |
More photos
I’m going to add more photos, I haven’t been feeling great, I have caught a cold. Probably from the airplane. Yesterday- Sunday- we slept in and then walked around town. Went to the flower market and large food market. Lots of things were closed. We had a lovely lunch on the waterfront.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8fab72f44.jpeg Aristotle Square https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3f084b431.jpeg Lunch https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b8b1ad4d9.jpeg Beautiful day on the bay |
Following along and enjoying your photos. Hope you overcome your cold quickly.
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What a super first shot, uppsala30! The flat and views are great also.
Denisea, many years ago, DH and I took a guided 2-week trip to Greece that included one week in Athens with day trips, then another week cruising islands. It was a good idea for us as newbie travelers. As a seasoned one now, I'd still appreciate someone else schlepping for ferry tickets, cars, tours, etc. This TR should help with DIY travel mechanics. |
Today we spent some time visiting local churches. First we went to Hagia Theodora monastery, which I believe is affiliated with Mt Atnos. Second we visited Hagia Sophia one of the oldest churches in the city still standing. It was built in the 7th century. When the Ottomans took over in 1430 it was converted to a mosque. Converted back to a Greek Orthodox Church in 1912.
We also stopped into the Rotunda, which is part of the palace of Galerius- those sites are further down the street. One part of the Arch of Galerius ( no longer standing) had portraits of all 4 Roman Emperors in power at the time. The mosaics inside the rotunda are amazing |
Hagia Theodora
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...69d794890.jpeg
Ceiling @ Hagia Theodora https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6eaaa16d7.jpeg Outside of chapel https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d46728ba7.jpeg Interior ceiling https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...54ebbaa33.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1d4a75e95.jpeg Hagia Theodora https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a90660397.jpeg |
Hagia Sophia
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...61055fc9d.jpeg
Outside of Hagia Sophia https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fe31007d0.jpeg Chapel https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d32c9a2c4.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...06743a634.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c6ab31397.jpeg |
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c7b03daeb.jpeg
Rotunda, the roof here has been reconstructed- it was originally lined with marble https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2270b995.jpeg Peacocks were worshipped in early Christianity- associated with paradise https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1157ce770.jpeg Mosaics https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...dde12a99b.jpeg Ancient front entrance https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...be1233c89.jpeg Chapel, added on after the Church was converted back from the Ottomans |
Amazing photos of the churches. I've never seen any photos from Macedonia. Very interesting. What is your reason for visiting Macedonia? You may have told us but I don't remember. It's not overflowing with tourists, I would assume.
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On my bucket list so on for the ride. Excellent photos.
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Karen, my daughter is an archeologist and is doing some research here in Thessaloniki at the Archeological museum. I am taking care of my grandson while she is at work. This is the slower part of my trip, and I am enjoying the pace, lots of naps for the baby. I am still battling a cold, We are going to do a couple of day trips at the end of the week. One place I would like to see is Dion, which is very close to Mt. Olympus.
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On the topic of tourists here, very few English speaking tourists. Most tourists seem to be from the Balkans, at least that’s what my daughter thinks. They used to get a lot of Russian tourists, but not now. My daughter speaks Greek so that helps us a lot. Most everyone speaks at least a little English. People seem to always speak English to me, even if I haven’t said anything. My daughter told me it’s because I don’t look Greek at all, I have blonde hair and I don’t dress in all black. Black clothing is Omni-present here. All of the kids wear baggy black pants and jackets, adults are often in all black. Even the younger people. I think it’s too hot for black so I brought my summer clothes and shorts.
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The black clothing is interesting. I wonder if it is limited to Macedonia or if this is a phenomenon across Greece. Just finished packing for my own Greek odyssey and didn’t throw any black into my luggage - hmmm…
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Make sure and bring sturdy shoes and sandals, the sidewalks and walkways are all uneven, broken concrete and tiles everywhere. Also I’ve noticed that the stairs and steps in older buildings are very uneven. A trip and fall opportunity everywhere.
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Originally Posted by tripplanner001
(Post 17461878)
The black clothing is interesting. I wonder if it is limited to Macedonia or if this is a phenomenon across Greece. Just finished packing for my own Greek odyssey and didn’t throw any black into my luggage - hmmm…
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To my observation, Greeks don't especially wear black (Yes, traditionally, widows did). I think the black clothing thing is probably related to something like 1/8 residents in Thessaloniki being college students. In general, I felt Thessaloniki seemed very "young".
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Update on my husband
You may wonder why I titled my trip report as a “Solo” trip.In a previous thread I wrote about how my husband had told me he “ didn’t think he could make this trip” about a week before I was scheduled to leave.We had been planning this trip for almost a year. Needless to say I was angry and really sad. The problem had to do with a court case that he was involved in. Well GOOD NEWS yesterday the trial date got moved until the end of summer, and they won most of the motions they had before the judge. I won’t bore you with details of the case. I wish I could go in and edit the title to this trip report as I am no longer going to be traveling solo. We are meeting up in Athens airport next Monday as originally planned. Hip Hip Hooray
The weather here in Thessaloniki has been rainy and chilly the last couple of days. I am still battling a cold, but was able to get some good cold medicine yesterday and I think I am on the mend. |
Congratulations on the happy development -- and also, don't forget or lose that boost of confidence you've discovered, in your decision to try solo travel! You might use that trait during your joint travel, when/if you decide on a day's adventure that doesn't interest your husband. Consider this bonus: it gives you something new to discuss at dinner. NOTE: as a solo traveler, I've often become acquainted with couples at sunset, in a cafe... they always seem eager to chat with someone else, and I've realized that after a week or so of two-some only company, they had run out of conversation. Time apart = fresh topics @ dinner!
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That's awesome news. I'm very happy for you. Fly to Greece myself yesterday and am writing from my hotel room in Athens this morning.
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uppsala30, so happy for you that your husband will be joining you.
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Dion, at the foot of Mt. Olympus
Yesterday we drove out to Dion, an archaeological Park and Nature park. Dion is a sacred place of the Ancient Macedonians. There are site of a large temple to Zeus, Demeter and to the goddess Isis. My daughter wrote her dissertation and a subsequent book on the cult of Isis in Greece so she has been to Dion multiple times to study the temple here. photos below
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c942f9cb0.jpeg More public toilets https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...284e7f316.jpeg My. Olympus peeking out https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4c211d874.jpeg Public toilets https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...97ca58c10.jpeg Roman road https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9ab9e2302.jpeg Bath house, ingeniously warmed by hot air circulating from below and pipes inside the walls |
Great photos. I’ve seen something exactly similar somewhere and am trying to remember where; it was either in Sri Lanka or Bali I want to say.
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Wow! Wonderful photos of the archaeological site.
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Karen, thank you. I followed your recent trip to Greece. On your recommendation we are staying at the Blue Dolphin on Santorini. I am looking forward to Santorini, now that my husband is joking me. I didn’t want to go by myself.
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Joking or joining? Or both... ha ha!
Actually, as someone who's been on her own for decades, I often encourage women to try Greece if they've never tried traveling solo. Unlike many other European destinations (especially Paris), I've not ever felt "sadly single" anywhere in Greece ... more a sense of adventure: More People to Meet! |
I’m enjoying your TR ! Wonderful photos - I love that first one posted with the umbrellas. It’s great to read about the area around Thessaloniki- I’d hoped to get there but it was one of several covid-cancellations.
Re: your TR title. You CAN write to the moderators and ask if they could drop the “solo”. I’d just click one of the orange triangles to get their attention. Someone corrected a title for me a year or so ago. |
Athens
I met up with my husband in Athens on Monday. His flights from California were delayed multiple times. I was waiting for him in the Athens airport when he told me his luggage did not arrive. I told him to check his AirTag to see where it was. Umm - like a complete and utter moron he had put it into his carryon bag. So his answer was “ oh it’s right here next to me”. After 2 hours in baggage area he emerged. But he could not figure out how to have the airline - Swiss Air- deliver the bag to our apartment so we ended up having to go back to the airport the following day. Good news is the bag arrived from Zurich!
We did have a very nice meal at M8 restaurant here in Kolonaki. I share photos of our lovely apartment https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b7dcfa8e4.jpeg Living room https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7270a5d20.jpeg Kitchen https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...62ab0eae1.jpeg View from our balcony https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...23f469692.jpeg Bedroom |
Kolonaki
I found This apartment on VRBO and booked it last July. Gosh it is really lovely. More photos from Athens.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8c9f70940.jpeg Finally got to wear a dress, the weather has warmed up https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...32dfb72c4.jpeg Both of us together in a photo! https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...47e804a24.jpeg Crowds at the Acropolis https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5f87ddafa.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...51171e179.jpeg |
Spectacular. Glad that the two of you are now able to enjoy Greece together. And it surely has warmed up, hasn’t it? I’m done in the southwest corner of the Peloponnese and it’s about 80 degrees here.
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I love your photos of your apartment especially the figurines in the kitchen. Your photo of the crowded Acropolis looks just like ours from last May. Athens was the most crowded of all the places we visited in Greece. And Athens was also the hottest; we were there the end of May and temps were in the 90's. Very hot! And as soon as we finished our tour of the Acropolis, we bought lemonade from one of the vendors and sat in the shade. I love your blue dress! The color goes so well against the backdrop of the Parthenon!
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Santorini
Yesterday we took the quick flight from Athens to Santorini- wow it’s gorgeous here. We left our luggage in the apartment in Kolonaki - we will be back there in a week and the owner was kind enough to let us stow the suitcases in her closet. I’m glad we only had carry on because we had to hustle to catch our flight. We left Kolonaki at 7:45 - short walk to the Syntagma metro station. But - it took 1.25 hrs to get to the airport. The trains stop a few metro stops before the airport and then you have to wait for the train that finish’s the line to the airport. We needed up waiting 22 minutes, just got to the airport in time to get through Security ( luckily there wasn’t much of a line) and get to our gate with a few minute spare. It should take about 45 min.
We are staying at the Blue Dolphins Hotels and Villas - Thank you to KarenWoo. Our room is charming, very Grecian style. Spectacular view of the Caldera. It feels very authentic. We have a large private deck, very romantic. Really good value for the money. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a63caea4c.jpeg Stunning view https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e24ca0809.jpeg Relaxing https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...da131ff49.jpeg Sunset https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...af9f9b84d.jpeg |
Your photos of the caldera views are stunning. Thank you for whetting my appetite for my own visit next week.
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