Avra hotel - terrace overlooking the water


Lovely port with many restaurants along the waterfront


Ferry coming in


Drive to the airport from Avra Hotel

And the perfect ending to what was a fascinating, excellent, beautiful and sometimes challenging and occasionally disappointing trip...


Rafina sunrise

Thanks so much, Adelaidean! I so appreciate knowing you're there! And I'm done with this TR just in time as we're off on our Next Big Trip tomorrow!

Wow! What an excellent trip report, make me wanting a trip back to Greece. Sorry to hear that Covid caught you in the end but the bad was in the past. Looking forward to hear your new adventure in Asia! All the best.

Thanks so much, Cherthor!

Yes, the ending to the trip wasn’t exactly what we planned, but we were in good shape for most of it, so I’m very grateful for that. And on to the next trip!

I love the evening photo you got from 'our' hotel room in Kastraki. The two things I loved most about the breakfast at Doupiani House was the spanikopita and a kind of noodle pudding.... Among many offerings over two heavily laden tables.

Hi, shelemm,
Looks like we were on much the same path! Nidimos, Doupiani - where are you off to next?

We’re off to Taiwan and Japan (mostly Kyushu) in a short while - now that I finished my Greek TR, I can leave feeling relieved since did what I promised to do!

Really enjoyed your photos of Delphi and the museum. In the many times I have been in Greece, I have yet to go there. Will try to plan a visit next time we go. Glad you made it to Meteora. Too bad you weren’t able to see any of the other monasteries. I love to visit there. On our last trip we also went to St. Stephan’s, also because it was easy to get to and not many steps. Isn’t the area there just so unusual and remarkable!!??

On our honeymoon in 1978, we spent a few days in Kamena Voula. At that time it was very popular but its heyday has passed. We stopped there again in 2006 and it was a shadow of its former self. I think moving the highway outside the city had a lot to do with the changes. Now the road bypasses the town.

Have a wonderful time on your next adventure. Bon voyage!

I'm off to wherever the wind blows. Can't say I lack for direction.

I don't take these big trips often. I am still working, which I love. At some point my wife and I will discuss the possibility of Vietnam with maybe also a stint in Siem Reap. She even allowed that she might find Thailand acceptable I can only hope she doesn't ask how long the plane flights are. Aside from our trip to Armenia, she has not visited anywhere in Asia, though I have.

Progol - I really enjoyed reading this TR. So much interesting information and descriptions, beautiful! Meteora looks like a wonderful place and is on my list. I hope one day I can visit. You got fabulous pictures there! It is such a unique place.

Sorry to hear that you ended up with covid on this trip. I also got covid for the first time on the day after I returned from Italy in Sep/2023.

Have a wonderful time on your trip to Asia!

Hello, leifields! I’m so glad you enjoyed this TR! And you’re so right, Meteora is amazing! I’m sorry we didn’t get to explore more but we managed to see enough to get a good taste.

Yes, covid is still making the rounds and is keeping us all on our toes. We both caught covid 2 years earlier when we returned from an overseas trip, and I’ve no doubt it was from sitting on the plane for a zillion hours. I’m hearing about a lot of folks getting sick on recent travels, not necessarily covid, but a good range of respiratory illnesses, too. Travel is great but it is definitely has some risks.

But illness aside, the trip was wonderful!

Progol, I just finished booking our first trip to Greece next year and largely credit your trip report for finally making it happen. Your wonderful pictures really helped us see how great a trip it could be. We are doing Athens - Kastraki - Nafpaktos - Nafplio. Thanks so much for taking the time to help other travelers.

Wot Brian said. Such a complete TR Progol. You guys really got around. Your final photo with the sun reflection is a sign from the Gods that you'll quickly recover from covid and go onto more great Travel.
* 'recent bouts of travel-acquired respiratory illnesses' - hell yeah.
I am done. the hack coughing at the symphony hall

Brian, It sounds like a fabulous trip you’re planning and it pleases me no end that my TR photos really inspired you. I hope you have a great trip! And a healthy one, too!

Hey, zebec, thanks for the kind words! And I like the interpretation of the photo as a sign from the Gods - perhaps it’s a little bit true! We’ve just returned from a 5 week trip to Taiwan and Japan, so we’ve continued to travel - but have once again gotten some kind of bug, but at least it waited until we returned. Sounds like you could use a health-inspired sign from the gods, too. Feel better!

Progol: Thanks for another wonderful trip report! We are going to Greece May 10-30. After doing our own driving adventures that last few years in Portugal, Italy, Sicily, Ireland and Scotland, we decided we needed this tour. Our bodies are not quite the same at 75 and renting a car gets a little dicier. After a few days in Athens, we are going with Greeking.me on a small group trip for 12 days and then on our own for a week in Crete and Paros. We will try to go to the restaurant you recommended in Athens. Hope you are both doing well and planning your next trip?

virginiafish,
Believe me, I understand about those aging bodies and not wanting to drive! I think this was our last trip with extensive driving! It only worked because I did include many breaks and, even so, it was tiring. I’m glad we did what we did, but I think that kind of trip is a thing of the past. So I hope the group tour is a congenial one that you’re on - that’s sounding more and more appealing to me! I’m recovering from shoulder surgery right now so I’m with you 100% on easy!

Next big trip will be to Malta, Marseille , Nice, Paris in the early fall - about a week in each place (more or less), no car rental! Day trips by public transportation.

Enjoy your trip - it sounds great!

progol, I hope your recovery goes well. There will be one other couple, friends of ours, and the whole group is about 12 people. Going with Greeking.me. I will keep everyone posted. Friends who travel like us used them and were pleased. Be well!