Trip report on "4 active seniors with 4 weeks in Greece"
Oct 29th, 2023, 06:59 AM
#41
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I love your photos and report about Athens! I first visited Greece in 1972. At that time, we were able to actually walk into the interior of the Parthenon. That has not been allowed since 1977 because of worry that millions of people walking across the Parthenon would slowly destroy it. And the original Caryatids were still on the Erechtheion! I love your photo of the hair braids on the Caryatid. You have a good eye for details.
Love your food photos, too! I had the best stuffed grape leaves and the best lamb baked in parchment on Naxos!
Agree with travelerjan. You did Greece right!!!
Love your food photos, too! I had the best stuffed grape leaves and the best lamb baked in parchment on Naxos!
Agree with travelerjan. You did Greece right!!!
Oct 29th, 2023, 10:39 AM
#42
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Congratulations ... you "did Greece right" !! You allocated enough time, you did your homework, you didn't rush from place to place ... you didn't lock yourself away in superluxe "international hostelries" where no one interacts with anyone but other "elite guests" ,.. instead, you encountered and enjoyed locals at each destination. You ate everything on the menu. You saw all the Major Highlights, and found and took pix of your personal favorite things there (like the hairbraids of the Caryatids). I felt the same way on my very first trip to Greece. I fell in love with Greece as a teen --- but life got in the way, and I was only able to get there at 65 ,... so I took a full month... visited many islands, the Peloponnese, Athens.. As I wrote then, when I went I was full of knowledge about the Golden Age of Greece, the myths, the history, the art and architecture ... but what I didn't know about, was -- the Greeks of today.. their flair, their ability to live in the moment, take joy in the beauty of their surroundings, appreciate good food & good company, and share all this with strangers. Philoxenia... look it up. I liked it -- so I went back 12 more times -- the last time in 2019, just before Covid shut us all down for a time. But hope springs eterrnal.. It gives me joy to hear of your good experiences.
I hope you get the chance to visit again. I know that I hope to get back too. We saw a lot but there is more would like to explore!
Oct 29th, 2023, 10:43 AM
#43
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I love your photos and report about Athens! I first visited Greece in 1972. At that time, we were able to actually walk into the interior of the Parthenon. That has not been allowed since 1977 because of worry that millions of people walking across the Parthenon would slowly destroy it. And the original Caryatids were still on the Erechtheion! I love your photo of the hair braids on the Caryatid. You have a good eye for details.
Love your food photos, too! I had the best stuffed grape leaves and the best lamb baked in parchment on Naxos!
Agree with travelerjan. You did Greece right!!!
Love your food photos, too! I had the best stuffed grape leaves and the best lamb baked in parchment on Naxos!
Agree with travelerjan. You did Greece right!!!
Oct 29th, 2023, 11:53 AM
#44
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On to the final leg of our trip: Delphi and Meteora.
We had 5 nights in Athens and, like every other location, we could have stayed longer. There are so many museums\ and neighborhoods to explore, the marina (we did have an afternoon there) and so much more. The islands close to Athens, etc...
Hopefully there will be a next time...
We arranged for an overnight tour with a company called cattaxi. https://www.cattaxi.gr/
They were excellent and I wish we had scheduled one or two other tours with them as well. We took the 2 day/one night tour with them. It was a private tour, just the 4 of us with a driver and a translator. Finnis and Sophia. They were so gracious and kind and treated us so well. They picked us up at 7am in front of our Airbnb in a very comfy van and we were off. The tour included a private tour of the museum and ancient sites in Delphi and a few other stops on our way to Meteora. The goal was to get us to Meteora before sunset. Delphi was amazing, the museum was filled with beautiful artifacts form the past. I love how most modern day Greeks can read and understand the ancient tablets found throughout the country. What pride they have in their language and history!
On our way to Delphi we made a stop in Arachova, a beautiful ski resort in winter. It's lovely and a more "upscale" place to stay for visitors enroute to Delphi. It was very clean and surrounded by green mountains. It was also calm because we were there in the off season.
We made it to Delphi and our guide was fantastic but I can not remember her name! having a guide helps take the burden off the visitor to read every single post next to the art and to just take it in. for me, the museums can be overwhelming and after a while, my brain can't take in another fact! There are wonderful photos of some of the discoveries made where the complete statues were found intact!
-"Two identical Kouros Statues. They are the oldest monumental votive offerings at Delphi, and one of the earliest examples of monumental archaic sculpture. Early 6th c. B.C. (circa 580 B.C.) Over life size (6.15m) each. Made by Polymedes of Argos." -quoted from :
https://ancient-greece.org/museum/muse-delphi.html
and the statue of Marble statue of Antinoos.130-138 CE. Companion to Hadrian, rumored to be his lover. Hadrian had him immortalized as a semi-god.
Photos will follow.
I learned that there was more than one Oracle over the years in Delphi. At first they were young girls, virgins, until one ran off with a priest (rumor has it)
Change was made and the Oracles were older women maybe in their 40's or 50's who had had children and would not be distracted...
The oracle only was available to tell your fortune one day a year so you could imagine the crowds vying for an audience! Temples were built, the winged Sphinx was delivered from P and monuments were built all in an effort to get a "skip the line" access to the Oracle. There are carvings on the walls of those too poor, like the slaves who accompanied their masters, asking for when they will gain their freedom, in the very off chance the Oracle would find their requests.
There is so much interesting data about this site but no one knows who chose the Oracle, or how.
The remains of the temple of Apollo are there and a theater and stadium. Climbing to the top, there is a beautiful view of the site and the surroundings. Athletes and the games were an important part of Ancient Greek life and culture...
On our way out, we stopped at the temple of Athena-it is beautiful. Her temple became a "welcome to Delphi" stop. Her temple was relegated there after Apollo became the most important god.
We continued on and arrived at Meteora at 6pm with lots of time to take in the views and settle in to watch the sunset. Meteora is magnificent with these tall granite rocks with monasteries built impossibly on top. Monks still occupy them, sometime one or a few. We enjoyed the sunset (there were a lot of people doing the same! One woman was climbing on these slippery rocks with a glass of wine! LOL)
Sophia and Finnis drove us to our Airbnb and came back t get us to take us to eat. We had a great meal and then turned in for the night.
We had an early start the next day
We were picked up at 7:45 and driven to meet our guide for the day Harry. We visited 2 monasteries with him and learned a lot about the history of the place. He explained why the Greek orthodox church is built as it is and explained all the symbolism. The dome roof-Jesus, protector of all. Below the dome, a fresco of Mary symbolizing the connection between the spiritual and human world. Mary is surrounded by the angels and saints. Those beautiful little hanging lamps? They signify the stars in heaven.
The views were unmatched. We had time to explore more monasteries on our own. Finnis and Sophia said there was no rush to get back, to just take our time. We did stop at a few places on the way. I will post photos.
We stopped for dinner at a town with a name I can't remember or pronounce along the water for a very local meal. We were finally dropped off at the airport hotel around 9pm and said our good byes to our wonderful hosts.
We left for home the next day and I had tears in my eyes saying goodbye to Greece. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit and get to know such a beautiful place.
The monks have vineyards, bee hives and olive orchards.
WWII monument Greeks fighting the Nazis
Yes they are everywhere!
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Original winged Sphinx from Paros...
Description
it's huge!
Imagine the joy in discovering this treasure!
The twins...back.They are near perfect!
The twins
The history
Another incredible find!
Antinoos
Gold headdress
The Charioteer of Delphi. 470 BC., 1.80 cm tall (5' 11") Cast in Bronze (also copper, silver, and onyx are present, see below) Delphi Museum https://ancient-greece.org/art/chiarioteer.html
Delphi Ruins
Theater at Delphi
Delphi-View from the top
Stadium Delphi
Grand view
Delphi
Delphi
Temple of Athena
Temple of Athena
Temple of Athena
First site-Meteora
Yes that is a Monastery
How did they do it?
We had 5 nights in Athens and, like every other location, we could have stayed longer. There are so many museums\ and neighborhoods to explore, the marina (we did have an afternoon there) and so much more. The islands close to Athens, etc...
Hopefully there will be a next time...
We arranged for an overnight tour with a company called cattaxi. https://www.cattaxi.gr/
They were excellent and I wish we had scheduled one or two other tours with them as well. We took the 2 day/one night tour with them. It was a private tour, just the 4 of us with a driver and a translator. Finnis and Sophia. They were so gracious and kind and treated us so well. They picked us up at 7am in front of our Airbnb in a very comfy van and we were off. The tour included a private tour of the museum and ancient sites in Delphi and a few other stops on our way to Meteora. The goal was to get us to Meteora before sunset. Delphi was amazing, the museum was filled with beautiful artifacts form the past. I love how most modern day Greeks can read and understand the ancient tablets found throughout the country. What pride they have in their language and history!
On our way to Delphi we made a stop in Arachova, a beautiful ski resort in winter. It's lovely and a more "upscale" place to stay for visitors enroute to Delphi. It was very clean and surrounded by green mountains. It was also calm because we were there in the off season.
We made it to Delphi and our guide was fantastic but I can not remember her name! having a guide helps take the burden off the visitor to read every single post next to the art and to just take it in. for me, the museums can be overwhelming and after a while, my brain can't take in another fact! There are wonderful photos of some of the discoveries made where the complete statues were found intact!
-"Two identical Kouros Statues. They are the oldest monumental votive offerings at Delphi, and one of the earliest examples of monumental archaic sculpture. Early 6th c. B.C. (circa 580 B.C.) Over life size (6.15m) each. Made by Polymedes of Argos." -quoted from :
https://ancient-greece.org/museum/muse-delphi.html
and the statue of Marble statue of Antinoos.130-138 CE. Companion to Hadrian, rumored to be his lover. Hadrian had him immortalized as a semi-god.
Photos will follow.
I learned that there was more than one Oracle over the years in Delphi. At first they were young girls, virgins, until one ran off with a priest (rumor has it)
Change was made and the Oracles were older women maybe in their 40's or 50's who had had children and would not be distracted...
The oracle only was available to tell your fortune one day a year so you could imagine the crowds vying for an audience! Temples were built, the winged Sphinx was delivered from P and monuments were built all in an effort to get a "skip the line" access to the Oracle. There are carvings on the walls of those too poor, like the slaves who accompanied their masters, asking for when they will gain their freedom, in the very off chance the Oracle would find their requests.
There is so much interesting data about this site but no one knows who chose the Oracle, or how.
The remains of the temple of Apollo are there and a theater and stadium. Climbing to the top, there is a beautiful view of the site and the surroundings. Athletes and the games were an important part of Ancient Greek life and culture...
On our way out, we stopped at the temple of Athena-it is beautiful. Her temple became a "welcome to Delphi" stop. Her temple was relegated there after Apollo became the most important god.
We continued on and arrived at Meteora at 6pm with lots of time to take in the views and settle in to watch the sunset. Meteora is magnificent with these tall granite rocks with monasteries built impossibly on top. Monks still occupy them, sometime one or a few. We enjoyed the sunset (there were a lot of people doing the same! One woman was climbing on these slippery rocks with a glass of wine! LOL)
Sophia and Finnis drove us to our Airbnb and came back t get us to take us to eat. We had a great meal and then turned in for the night.
We had an early start the next day
We were picked up at 7:45 and driven to meet our guide for the day Harry. We visited 2 monasteries with him and learned a lot about the history of the place. He explained why the Greek orthodox church is built as it is and explained all the symbolism. The dome roof-Jesus, protector of all. Below the dome, a fresco of Mary symbolizing the connection between the spiritual and human world. Mary is surrounded by the angels and saints. Those beautiful little hanging lamps? They signify the stars in heaven.
The views were unmatched. We had time to explore more monasteries on our own. Finnis and Sophia said there was no rush to get back, to just take our time. We did stop at a few places on the way. I will post photos.
We stopped for dinner at a town with a name I can't remember or pronounce along the water for a very local meal. We were finally dropped off at the airport hotel around 9pm and said our good byes to our wonderful hosts.
We left for home the next day and I had tears in my eyes saying goodbye to Greece. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit and get to know such a beautiful place.
The monks have vineyards, bee hives and olive orchards.
WWII monument Greeks fighting the Nazis
Yes they are everywhere!
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Views of Arachova
Original winged Sphinx from Paros...
Description
it's huge!
Imagine the joy in discovering this treasure!
The twins...back.They are near perfect!
The twins
The history
Another incredible find!
Antinoos
Gold headdress
The Charioteer of Delphi. 470 BC., 1.80 cm tall (5' 11") Cast in Bronze (also copper, silver, and onyx are present, see below) Delphi Museum https://ancient-greece.org/art/chiarioteer.html
Delphi Ruins
Theater at Delphi
Delphi-View from the top
Stadium Delphi
Grand view
Delphi
Delphi
Temple of Athena
Temple of Athena
Temple of Athena
First site-Meteora
Yes that is a Monastery
How did they do it?
Oct 30th, 2023, 06:36 AM
#46
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Wonderful Photos! But -- as a commited Naxophile, i must correct you about the stunning winged sphinx at Delphi -- it was created and gifted by NAXOS and is one of the island's chief symbols (along with the island Arch) .. 2 huge copies of the Sphinx adorn the front stairway of Naxos city hall gazing out to sea.
Oct 30th, 2023, 06:53 AM
#47
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Wonderful Photos! But -- as a commited Naxophile, i must correct you about the stunning winged sphinx at Delphi -- it was created and gifted by NAXOS and is one of the island's chief symbols (along with the island Arch) .. 2 huge copies of the Sphinx adorn the front stairway of Naxos city hall gazing out to sea.
OOPS!! You are totally right! I knew that!! LOL
Thank you! We did see both!
Oct 31st, 2023, 08:14 AM
#49
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Travel_nerd I could have made an album with photos of cats! There is a cat in Paros that has an Instagram page. There is a cat in Athens in the Plaka called Titan. We saw this huge fat cat and didn’t think to take a photo. Later that same evening we met a young guy looking for him and learned that he was a legend! I guess he’s famous too!
Oct 31st, 2023, 03:18 PM
#50
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I love all of your photos! Especially the ones of Meteora. Haven't been there yet but would include Meteora if we return to Greece. Your photos of Delphi brought back wonderful memories of my trip from 1972. I remember taking a bus tour to Delphi and Cape Sounion as a daytrip from Athens. And we saw hundreds of cats everywhere when we were in Greece last year.
Taken on Naxos!
Oct 31st, 2023, 03:43 PM
#52
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Oct 31st, 2023, 05:21 PM
#53
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Travel_nerd I could have made an album with photos of cats! There is a cat in Paros that has an Instagram page. There is a cat in Athens in the Plaka called Titan. We saw this huge fat cat and didn’t think to take a photo. Later that same evening we met a young guy looking for him and learned that he was a legend! I guess he’s famous too!
