Fabulous deal and my favorite place! Turkish Airlines sounds amazing, but those queues were horrendous! I guess Istanbul has become a much more popular destination since we were there last. The Basilica Cistern is one of my favorite places--so eerie and peaceful. As there were no queues when I was there nine years ago, I went every few days just to be in its cool, mysterious atmosphere.
Glad to hear all is well in Athens! I really enjoyed reading your blog and felt as if I was right there with you. I guess I'm not the only one that looks at the other plates around me before I order from the menu.
LAST JUNE I visited Greece last June. I liked some islands, mainly the not so touristy. Athens is a nice place, mainly Plaka, the best area to walk around.
Truly beautiful place I was one of those American tourists but thankfully it was in early April and not crowded or rushed. I stayed at the same hotel in one of the corner rooms. I loved sitting on the little patio and just gazing at the amazing view. The pool was not open so no little kiddies running around. The food was a disappointment- too geared towards 'tourists'. I, too, was amazed at the monasteries and the ingenious architecture that created them. Most of them were destroyed in WW II but have been revived by groups of nuns. Enjoy Athens- if you get an opportunity dine at the new Acropolis Museum. It has stunning views and pretty good food an it is priced about the same as other restaurants in the area. I wrote a blog about Meteora in April under my blogger name' gunga'. Carolyn
Meteora's Monasteries Fabulous photos, and I'm so glad you went there and loved it! So many people go to Greece and miss Meteora, which is my favorite place of all. It's so amazing that those monks and nuns built those stunning monasteries so high on those rocks without stairways! I spent three weeks there, climbing up to each monastery, on those amazing rocks, and following hiking trails. How great that you got to visit so many of the monasteries!
Greek goodies How great that you were able to see the Mt. Athos monasteries--they look beautiful! I spent three weeks hiking around and visiting the monasteries at Meteora, but obviously couldn't visit those on this peninsula. I'm shocked that the prices were high in Greece now; I too had thought this a great time for cheap, delicious food and lodgings. When in Thessaloniki, I visited Vergina, about 45 minutes outside the city with royal tombs, including that of Phillip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Fabulous gold and silver treasures and a couple of intact tombs. The kids would love it if you return. Sweet places to walk and have a bite to eat outside too. Hope your Panda makes it to your next destination!
I've never seen the Spanish Steps so devoid of people... it must have been the high temperatures that kept them away. Anyway, gelato was definitely the right choice for food!
This blog is just short of 10 years old. We have now move to South Africa.
Why South Africa? Simple, great wine, great food, great golf and even more amazing diving! I will for once continue to blog from time to time about home. After all, this is just my fourth continent after having grow up in Europe, lived in Asia for twenty years, and even spent a full year living the life of Buenos Aires.
Come to visit....there is so much to do here! ... full info
D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
The boys
Nice photo