Greece can take your breath away….not many places in our travels could we feel history come so vividly to life—the ancient temples of Athens rising against a brilliant blue sky and the islands gleaming like jewels in the Aegean. Despite the throng of tourists, we could almost feel the presence of the ancient Greeks who shaped so much of our world. Greece blends the old and the new: centuries-old ruins standing beside lively cafés, timeless traditions thriving amid modern life. The islands and coastal towns were breathtaking, with dazzling blue seas and whitewashed buildings that glowed in the sun.
Our one occasion to visit Greece was part of our 2024 OAT trip, The Aegean Islands: Athens & Istanbul, with our friends Joe Sokul and Ellen Roney. Memories of those adventures follow:
Northern Greece
These are the locations we will visit before flying to Sofia, Bulgaria, to meet the rest of our travel group. Fortunately, we were able to stay in just …
Thessaloniki
Hospital Visit!! Market Churches Holy Church of Saint Demetrius Agia Sophia Church Church of Panagia Chalkeon Rotunda History & Museums Roman Forum Arch of Galerius The intricate stone reliefs depict the Roman Emperor Galerius’s victory over the Persians. Located on the ancient “Egnatia Way” which once connected Rome to Constantinople …
Boarding Our Ship in Izmir
Our Turkey adventure is over, and we have boarded the M/V Athena, a small ship designed to carry around 50 passengers. We will be on this ship for about a week as we cruise the Greek Isles. It is owned, operated, and staffed by Overseas Adventure Travel (our travel company) …
About Greece
Greece (officially known as the Hellenic Republic) is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes. It is located on the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula and has an extensive coastline, with thousands of islands (6,000+ in fact!), along the Aegean, Ionian, and Mediterranean Seas. Its strategic …
Kalymnos in the Dodecanese Island Group
The Dodecanese Islands of Greece The Dodecanese is a group of 12 large islands and numerous smaller ones in the southeastern Aegean Sea, near the coast of Turkey. Known for their rich history and stunning landscapes, various civilizations have influenced these islands, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans …
Kos
Kos is an island known for its rich history and beautiful landscapes. We were not originally scheduled to sail to this island, but weather conditions changed our itinerary and took us to this lovely stop. The island has been inhabited since antiquity, with significant influences from ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, …
Syros
Syros is the capital of the Cyclades Island Group. We didn’t find sugar-cube villages and whitewashed lanes here like previous islands! Instead, we found streets and sidewalks made of marble!! (Of course, after all these years they are no longer sparkling clean!!) We docked on the island’s eastern side in …
Santorini
The glittering island of Santorini is the dramatic remnant of a volcanic caldera’s rim. Its distinctive crescent shape was formed by a cataclysmic eruption around 1600 BCE—an event that not only reshaped the island’s geology but also left a lasting mark on its cultural history. Some scholars have even drawn …
Arachova
Our day started with a drive across the Thivan Plain, before climbing the slopes of Mount Parnassus, on our way to the picturesque mountain village of Arachova. Arachova is a village renowned for its stunning mountainous scenery, charming stone houses, narrow cobbled streets, and traditional wooden balconies. Its strategic location …
Life at a Honey Bee Farm
This was a delightful adventure—a day spent at a honey bee farm! The wild thyme and fir flowers native to this remote region of Greece produce exquisitely sweet organic honey, treasured since ancient Greek times. That rich tradition lives on today, and we had the opportunity to learn not only …
Peloponnese Peninsula and the Corinth Canal
The historic Corinth Canal is the gateway to the Peloponnese, the large peninsula separated from the mainland by the narrow Isthmus of Corinth. The blue arrow represents the route ships could take once the canal was finished; the red line is the former way of circumnavigating around the Peloponnese Peninsula …
Epidaurus
We are headed to Epidaurus….but a few scenes we saw along the way: This was such a beautiful site….these are the Saronic Islands in the Saronic Gulf….they are known for their natural beauty, rich history, and idyllic beaches. They are close to one another and look great for island hopping….that …
Nafplion
Nafplion, often regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, is a charming seaport city in the northeastern Peloponnese. Its picturesque setting along the Argolic Gulf, combined with its neoclassical architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant squares, makes it a popular destination for tourists like us. Nafplion features charming …
Mycenae
Mycenae, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece, is known as the center of the powerful Mycenaean civilization that flourished between 1600 and 1100 BCE…..a thousand years before Athen’s golden age! The entire complex lies in a majestic mountain setting in a valley looking to the sea. Our …
Olympia
Olympia is best known as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and the forerunner of our modern Olympic Games. In ancient times, Olympia was not only a major religious and athletic center but also a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods. The site attracted athletes, pilgrims, and …
ATHENS
….one of the most intriguing and influential cities of the ancient world Athens, the capital of Greece, has a metro population of about three million, making it the country’s largest city. Fortunately, our hotel was located within walking distance of “Ancient Athens”, which is only a few square miles in …
AEGEAN WRAPUP!
Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea.Nikos Kazantzakis , author of Zorba the Greek This trip was beautiful on so many levels. It had an exciting itinerary, new friends, excellent guides, fantastic learning opportunities, and delicious food. Here are …