Blogs from Athens, Attica, Greece, Europe - page 4

Reality is created by the mind, we can change our reality by changing our mind… ~ Plato, Greek Philosopher HE SAID... Today we were travelling southeast from Delphi to Athens. After returning from a brisk walk and visit to the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia in the early morning, we grabbed a quick cup of tea from the downstairs breakfast room at Hotel Varonos, then prepared our packs for the three-hour road trip to Athens on a public bus. As we waited at Delphi’s bus interchange, I breathed in the extraordinary view from this diminutive hillside town for the last time – the Pleistos River valley stretching to the shimmering Gulf of Itea. It was a spectacular setting, and one I’d never tire of. When our bus arrived, we climbed on board with little room to spare ... read more

The eyes are more exact witnesses than the ears… ~ Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher HE SAID... Today we were continuing to explore the ancient city of Athens, before catching a train northward to Thessaloniki in the mid-afternoon. We woke early and headed down to the intimate breakfast room at Hotel Attalos. As always, I opted for Greek yoghurt with muesli and cranberries, and we hydrated with endless cups of tea and juice. This comfy, compact and welcoming hotel in the heart of Athens was nothing short of exceptional, and we especially loved its breakfast offerings. We had a scheduled walking tour of the Acropolis at 9:30am, and we were looking forward to it. We had been skirting the perimeter of this extraordinary ruin since arriving in Greece a few weeks earlier, but we were yet to enter ... read more

The unexamined life is not worth living… ~ Socrates, Greek Philosopher HE SAID... Today we were travelling northeast from Kardamyli to Athens. We woke early and headed down to Kardamyli Beach Hotel’s breakfast area, only to find the electric roller doors locked and the lights off. At precisely 8am, following the flick of a switch from the hotel’s grumpy manager, the doors slowly began to open. This hotel was run with military precision, and we had become used to its idiosyncratic ways. We cautiously entered the breakfast area and lined up in an orderly queue to receive our breakfast items. There were no self-serve options here. The grumpy manager stood behind a glassed-in buffet and placed whatever items we asked for onto a plate. Only the very brave asked for multiple items. It was imperative to ... read more

A heart that loves is always young… ~ Greek Proverb HE SAID... Today we were continuing to explore the ancient city of Athens. Wide awake at 5:30am, our bodies still adjusting to the eight-hour time difference between Greece and Australia, we used the early morning stillness to prepare for a self-guided walking tour of central Athens. This time there would be no disgruntled tour guide. Armed only with a small map and endless enthusiasm, we were looking forward to a day of fortuitous adventure. But first there was breakfast. We loved the breakfast room at Hotel Attalos, not only for its fabulous and slightly eccentric array of breakfast provisions, but also for the unexpected (and entirely free) entertainment provided by hotel guests – especially the grumpy ones. There’s nothing more amusing than an unhappy camper who ... read more

The learning and knowledge that we have, is but little compared with that of which we are ignorant… ~ Plato, Greek Philosopher HE SAID... Today we were travelling from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to Athens (Greece). As we lifted off from Dubai International Airport in the late afternoon, I stared down at the surreal Dubai landscape below as our plane climbed steeply into the sky on its northwest route to Athens. The plane was virtually empty, so we had plenty of room. Dinner was served within the hour, and it was nice to enjoy a cold beer after Dubai’s relentless 40+ degree afternoon heat. When the pilot informed us that our flight would take just over four hours, it dawned on me that I finally had time to start my travel writing! I typed feverishly between ... read more