My trip to Greece changed several stereotapes I had… we’ve all seen the travel videos of tourists smashing plates in Greece and that activity didn’t interest me, I thought olives would be used in every dish, and I don’t like them, and I came into my trip thinking everything would be ancient history, and I don’t usually enjoy dry history or ancient ruins. So even though I came to Greece with a group of 9, who were all very excited about this trip, I personally had low expectations. But it turned out to be one of my best trips ever!
After one of our first meals in Greece, we were served pine cones soaked in honey! Not an olive in sight!
It turns out, breaking plates is more of a tourist show, and we never saw one. the biggest surprise was that while olives are often served, and look and taste amazing if you love them, they aren’t used in everything made in Greece. In fact there are many different cuisines in different regions (like most places!) If there is one ingredient you see in a lot food in Greece, it would probably be honey! (And I love honey!)
In Athens, honey producers from all over the country gathered for an annual honey festival with samples, beauty products and even alcohol made from honey! If there’s one ingredient used in a lot of Greek cuisine, it’s honey!
Lastly, and most significantly, this history phobic gal was fascinated by the many layers of history, and the pride Greeks take in their long history. With excellent guiding, and both mythological and factual stories, I was able to dig into the history of Greece as well as the culture!
Please enjoy our photos and stories from our recent trip to Greece aboard Celebrity Infinity
Crete
Venetian era light house, walled city and fortress of Chania
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Santorini
The beautiful blue skies and white architecture do not disappoint in Santorini. Unfortunately, the crowds were disappointing. But our group took a 6 mile hike from Fira to Oia and enjoyed a nearly empty trail!
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Arriving in Santorini via cruise ship was challenging because the only way from the ship to the town of Fira on the hill is to take a limited capacity gondola up and down the hill. At the time we visited the steep walking trail was closed for renovations.
One of the best activities to do in Santorini is to watch the sunset from a cafe on the hill
Peloponnesian Peninsula
Corinth
Ruins of the old city of Corinth and objects preserved in the museum located there
The Corinth Canal, a 19th C cut between the peninsula and main land to ease sea transportation around Greece
Nafplio
Nafplio is a sea side town on the Peloponnesian peninsula where many Greeks go for their own holidays.
One of our favorite interactions in Nafplio was with this gentleman. Jeff asked to take his photo and he felt it was very important to tell us that he had been a math teacher and Jeff was able to communicate despite not speaking Greek that he had studied Math at university too! It was only a moment, but it’s these moments that meant the most to us during our visit!
Palamidi an 18th C fortress in Nafplio
Mykonos
Our group of 9 chartered a private sail boat with captain and mate to travel from Mykonos to Delos
Delos
Delos is an uninhabited UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once settled in 3000 BCE, and was a major port and Roman town. It was an important site of worship of Apollo. It’s accessible by boat, either public ferries or private charter. These famous lions stood guard, now the originals are inside the museum and these replicas stand outside.
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In addition to seeing the ruins and objects preserved in the Delos Museum, we had a chance to watch an archeologist working among the ruins. Yuri agreed to pose for a photo and asked us questions about the cold weather in the US!
Kavala
In Kavala, an important cross roads of trade and water, with this 16th C aqueduct and the 15th C Kavala Fortress.
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One of our favorite experiences in Kavala was chatting with the local people. (L) The guys in the cafe decided to pose when Jeff asked to take their photo, (C) The lady taking a break walking up a steep hill seemed baffled that Jeff would want to taker her photo, but when he showed it to her, she nearly cried, she was so delighted! (R) The owner of a floral shop, when asked if Jeff could take his photo beckoned us into the shop so we could also see his beloved old dog set up on a special bed in the back of the shop.
Other locals enjoyed seeing their images too!
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece, north of Athens. It’s famous for having most of its ancient ruins accessible for free right out on the streets! Including one new archeological site and museum that is part of a Metro station. Our group enjoyed the history and a tour of all of the sweets for which Thessaloniki is famous for!
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Proving that even a broken clock is right twice a day; we arrived at this famous clock at 11:10 AM and thought it might be a working clock! But this clock stopped working during the earthquake of 1978. It remains un repaired as a memorial to the people lost during the devastating earthquake.
One of our favorite tours was the “Sweet Taste of Thessaloniki” tour with Anna, where we made our way on foot to enjoy one honey soaked phyllo treat after the next!
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Athens
Please see our report 48 Hours in Athens, Greece click here (coming soon)