With about 25 weeks until I wanted to travel – I thought I had better start doing something – anything – on my next adventure.
After tossing around a few ideas, Greece always came back to the top of the list.
I have been to Athens and Cape Sounion – way back in 1998 (see journal for that little jaunt) but no further. Taking a giant leap, I contacted the trusty Lea the travel agent (who goes to Greece at the drop of a hat) and who became just as excited as me. I told her where, how and what and she has come up with 4 and a half weeks of land travel, island hopping, sometimes sailing around islands and definitely swimming in the Aegean. Of course, in addition, there will be wonderful food, feel good music, spectacular sunsets and loads of history. Not to mention a little Zorba the Greek dancing along the way.
I will give you a skeleton itinerary now, and then I will add the details with hotels when everything is confirmed. You may think it does look rushed and I suppose on some days it will be a bit, but then there are lots of days to just relax and sit in the Grecian sun sipping on a glass of ouzo before splashing around in the sea or the hotel infinity pool.
Flying Emirates Business from Sydney to Dubai to Athens and return, it will take me around 23 hours each way. That is a good reason to have a lie flat bed. Not to mention the Business Lounge at the airport and the on board bar. My days of cramped cattle class Economy travel are long gone. Even get a chauffeur from home to the airport. How exciting is that!
OK – here we go – are you ready?
ATHENS – 3 nights – all that wonderful history; including a late afternoon tour to CAPE SOUNION and an evening photography tour and then time to pack my bags –
CORINTH – MYCENAE – OLYMPIA – 2 day tour
BACK TO ATHENS – 2 nights
DELPHI – METEORA – 3 day tour. Temples and monasteries
BACK TO ATHENS – 2 nights
Fly to THESSALONIKI – 3 nights – DION – MOUNT OLYMPUS – PELLA & VERGINA –
Fly to RHODES – 3 nights – LINDOS VILLAGE & 7 SPRINGS
Fly back to ATHENS and transfer for flight to HERAKLION (CRETE) – 3 nights
Fly to SANTORINI – 2 nights – and those wonderful sunsets
Fly to MYKONOS – 3 nights including day tour to DELOS – breath taking ruins and mosaics.
Fly to NAXOS – 4 nights – total relax including full day sailing to POROS – HYDRA – AEGINA – finishing back in Athens and flying home on 14th October.
This time I have SLR digital cameras – not like before when film was the only way to go. I am sure that something around 10000 photos (yikes) will be on the cards but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
Stay tuned for more excitement – –