Greece is where Olympic games originated, a cradle of western civilization, and the birthplace of democracy. We are reminded about it every Olympic games, and we are referred to it once in a while in discussions. It had been a place in pictures, videos and TV screens until we visited Greece during this Thanksgiving week.
We visited 5 places in Greece: Athens, the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire, and the current capital, Nafplio, a coastal city, the ancient Olympia archeological site, Meteora Kalabaka, where Eastern Orthodox monasteries were built on top of rock pillars, recognized as a World Heritage site because of its outstanding architecture and natural beauty, combined with religious and cultural significance, and Delphi, ancient town and seat of the most important Greek temple and oracle of Apollo.
We used public transportation and our feet at Athens, we walked over 23km at Athens in one day. We drove outside Athens, we drove over 2000km!
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| Our driving trail at Greece |
Day 0 - arrival at Athens
Arriving at Athens behind schedule due to flight delay. Go to Hotel from Airport by Train without transfer. Walked in the street, and visited a market.
Old town city streets are narrow, buildings are old, and food are cheap.
Day 1 Acropolis and other archeological sites at Athens
Acropolis of Athens is a must visit site...many ruins of ancient temples
Philopappos Hill - short hike from Acropolis with Views of Athens & the Acropolis, a stop by
Prison of Socrates.
Mount Lycabettus - 277 meters above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens, a stop by unknown soldiers tomb. A great place for viewing Sunset!
Public transportation from hotel to Acropolis, and walked the rest of the way - 30k steps, about 23km!
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| Acropolis viewed from afar |
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| Heroon of Mousaios |
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| Athens' costal side |
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| Change of Guards at unknown soldiers tomb |
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| Mt Lycabettus - viewed from Acropolis |
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| Golden glow over Athens - viewed from Mt Lycabettus |
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| Sunset at Athens - viewed from Mt Lycabettus |
Day 2 - Nafplio, a coastal city, with two scenic stops on the way
About two hour drive from Athens. First Stop is Corinth Canal, second stop is Archaeological site of Mycenae. Nafplio itself is a neat coastal city, with side streets perpendicular to coast, many small restaurants. Great food!
Drove to Olympia, 200km away, arrived at Olympia in the afternoon - but late for the Archeological site
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| The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Completed in 1893, it cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth |
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| In the second millennium BC (2000BC - 1001BC), Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization |
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| a yacht by the shore at Nafplio |
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| Bourtzi Fortress @ Nafplio |
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| A side street at Nafplio |
Day 3 Olympia Archaeological site and Olympia Museum
Olympia is an ancient site and a modern town, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring extensive ruins such as the ancient stadium, the Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Hera.
The museum is good place to visit after the visiting the ruins.
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| Temple of Zeus - destroyed by an earthquake in 500AD |
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| The ancient stadium |
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| Temple of Hera - the queen of all gods |
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| Olive trees and olives |
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| disc thrower |
Day 4 Meteora Kalabaka
The Meteora is a rock formation in northwestern Greece, hosting one of the most prominent complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, the most uniquely beautiful landscape on this trip.
We arrived the night before in the light rain, and saw the silhouette.
On the morning of day 4 we hiked around the hotel in the early morning before going to the Monasteries. We thoroughly enjoyed the landscape and the amazing monasteries on top of the rock formation.
Day 5 Delphi, Temple of Apollo and the museum
Delphi served as major site during classical times for the worship of the god Apollo - Apollo has been recognized as a god of archery, music and dance, truth and prophecy, healing and diseases, the Sun and light, poetry, and more.
We visited Delphi, the Temple of Apollo and museum in the rain.
Drove back to Athens and arrived at Athens in rush hour to return the rental car. Left for home early next morning
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| The Temple of Apollo -Ruins |
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| The best preserved ancient Greek theater at the Temple of Apollo |
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| The well preserved ancient stadium at the Temple of Apollo |
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| Sphinx at the Temple of Apollo museum |
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| Apollo - God of Oracles (Picture taken at Vatican Museum) |
