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Published: January 3rd 2014
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This is it, the main hunk of our European adventure starts on this amazing 12 deck high cruise boat; the Norwegian Spirit.
We caught the glimpse out the window of the Doge's Palace in Venice and had done our research at home but nothing is as good as exploring the cruise boat for yourself on your first day. We board early and run around taking photos on various decks in front of various backdrops. We seemed to be the only ones on the boat as no one appeared in our shots except for the staff in the background with there happy smiley faces.
We explored all day and all night before we curled up in bed and rejoiced in our first real chance to unpack our suitcase and wash some undies. We wouldn't have to pack for another 12 days although we would be visiting another 9 cities whilst on board. A cruise boat was the perfect choice for us to discover Europe. It was our first trip, my fiancé and me, and although Contiki tours may look good at first, once we read into them we decided that we didn't want to spend our time in Europe either
drunk or hung over. Yes we are young and do our fair share of partying but in no way would I ruin the chance to gaze upon the wonders of the world with a headache. This however is our own opinion and we are happy for the decision we made.
Our 12 day Norwegian cruise cost us a very reasonable $1600 (AUD) from Venice to Barcelona, we were even upgraded from a porthole window to a picture window when booking. We were very happy with our decision and would recommend it to everyone who wants to explore as many cities as possible in a short space of time.
First stop ATHENS, GREECE.
The port is called Piraeus and it has many other cruise boats within its grasp. We wake bright eyed and ready and jump on our pre-purchased Norwegian cruise tour 'Athens & the Acropolis.'
We pass many monuments on the way but our eyes are fixed on the city horizon where we see the Pantheon standing out in all its glory. We are given little radios which have an ear piece which I think is the best idea. We never had to crowd around
our tour guide as we could hear them in our ear constantly. Only of course if that is what you want as you can easily turn them off but I loved the fact I could explore nooks and grannies more easily with a running commentary in my ear.
We arrived at the bottom with a steady walk before us. The Acropolis of Athens is within our reach now, the ancient city filled with ancient buildings know to us only from the pages of a history book. The guide tells us the area has been inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium. As Australians it is hard to imagine places this old and it is something we reflected about a lot on our trip. Australia may be filled with natural wonders but there is nothing ancient about is architecture.
At the bottom of the Acropolis we looked onto the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This theatre was built in 161 AD (mindboggling isn't it?) but was most recently restored in the 1950s. The façade still stands but the seats are the modern attachment and the guide tells us the theatre is still used for festivities even today.
We
wind our way up the entrance of the Acropolis, ready to gaze at the Pantheon and all its glorious building buddies. We enter through the Propylaea of 'gateway' to Athens and we just cant contain ourselves as we walk on stone placed there almost 2000 years ago. After entering through the gateway we are giving a quick whats what and then told we can go off exploring on our own. We have the back of the Pantheon right in front of us and despite some construction going on its already magnificent. We walk along the right side and stare back down at the Odeon theatre and then at another theatre further away, the Theatre of Dionysus. In the distance is the most in tact temple, the temple of Athena Nike. Then we round to the front of the Pantheon and its exactly like our history books. There are many tourist around but luckily there is still enough space to get a descent photo on your own with the Pantheon in the background. The Erechtheion is beside the Pantheon and it to is amazing. On one side of this temple there are six columns shaped as women. The picture you may
be familiar with. They are called the 'Caryatids' and are the supporting beams of the 'Porch of the Maidens.' And the caryatids you see before you are actually exact replicas as the originals are within the Old Acropolis Museum. You never remember the rest of these temples when you were in history class at school but after gazing over them all right in front of your eyes they are forever photographed in your memory.
On our tour bus back we are taken on a trip through the city where we see famous landmarks like Hadrian's Arch, statue of Lord Byron and the Corinthian Temple of Olympian Zeus. We were also able to stop out the front of the Old Marble Olympic Stadium that was built for the first modern Olympic games in 1895.
A great tour to do if you only have a day in Athens, where you are able to glimpse at all its important monuments and explore the most famous. We wished for more time as we hopped back on board the boat but we knew we would feel that way and at least we got to visit Athens, if only for a day.
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