Blogs from Athens, Attica, Greece, Europe - page 6

This is my third trip to Greece in less than one year. I first visited on May 14, 2021, the very day Greece opened to tourists. Here are a few highlights worth noting for your trip to Greece. Panathenaic StadiumThe powerful and mythical images of Zeus and Hercules fired up the imaginations of the ancient Greeks when this stadium was built. Commissioned by the Athenian statesman Lykourgos in about 330 BC, it hosted what was called the Panathenaic Games. The facility was abandoned, however, by the 4th century AD, only to be dug up in 1869. By 1896, the place was given a total marble makeover and hosted the first modern Olympic Games, in the tradition of the games held in the time of Lykourgos. In more recent times, the venue has served as a facility ... read more

This is my third attempt to cycle in Croatia, maybe the fourth? Previous trips were scuttled due to Covid, or the reluctance of the tour operator. No matter, here we are, ready to go, despite the war in the Ukraine, and the chaos in the Balkans. I land in Frankfurt, and immediately head to Athens for a few days, to acclimate (jet lag mostly), see my friends (my Greek brothers), and move south to nicer weather. After three nights in Athens, I fly to Belgrade, Serbia, before flying to Split to start the cycle cruise. My erstwhile, good friend, Dirty Pat, says Belgrade, and the famous Hotel Moskva are must see. We shall see! This type of cycling trip is rather unique for me. We cycle during the day, and stay on a small cruise ship ... read more

From TravelPulse: Europe is reemerging as a favorite destination among Americans in 2022 as recent data from Allianz Partners found that travel to the continent from the U.S. could climb by url=https://www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/the-most-popular-summer-travel-destinations-in-europe.htmlas much as 600 percent from last year. What's more, roughly three-quarters of Americans venturing to Europe will spend at least seven days traveling. In my case, 3 weeks. A new survey of 1,000 American adults conducted for url=https://newsroom.hilton.com/brand-communications/news/hilton-survey-highlights-2022-summer-travel-trendsHilton by Wakefield Research found that more than half of pet owners (55 percent) are planning to travel with their furry friends this summer. Interestingly, 58 percent indicated that they would prefer to travel with their pet rather than a frie... read more

So we wer up early this morning and decided to go to the funicular to see if it is running as it is a Bank Holiday Monday just like at home. Anyway, thank goodness it was working so we decided not to get a return ticket but a single and we would walk down. It is the first ever funicular that I have been on that was carved through rock so there is absolutely nothing to see apart from a tunnel. However, when you get out and you see the views from the top of Lycabettus Hill they are truly amazing and take your breath away how big and sprawling Athens is. There is a chapel at the top and I went into the Chapel of Saint George of Lycabettus which was founded in 1834 - ... read more

So the day started out with Eric, Sue, Mike and myself going to find a little place for breakfast - then we realised it was Sunday and not only that but a Bank Holiday weekend so after a little stroll realised not a lot would be open so we made our way back to the hotel for breakkie. As the breakkie was not included we made sure we had enough to keep us going for a while. We left Sue and Eric as they were catching a taxi to the airport and I really wanted to be on the front row for the changing of the guard outside Athens parliament. I was not disappointed as it was a spectacle- very unlike our changing of the guards but totally traditional. I must say their walk is unbelievable, ... read more