Flashback: December 2023

We had not travelled for few months now. April 2023 was the last trip to home town - Gurgaon and Bangalore.

We were itching to travel. So, as usual, searched and searched, got some advices from my son and daughter in law. Wife also contributed.

We set off to Greece. One week + week ends 9 days.

By the way, Greece is not near by to Netherlands, nearly 4 hrs of flight from Amsterdam.

Our itinerary is detailed out here.

23.09 2023 Fly from Amsterdam & Reach Athens in the late evening.

24.09.2023 Near by Beaches by walk. Main city center, Agora visit close to city center.

25.09.2023 Guided tour. Small group by van.

23rd Sept 2023 fly From Amsterdam to Athens. Stay at Athens. Piraeus

24th, 25th, 26th Athens

27th Cruise to Mykonos island

28th Mykonos

29th Boat trip to Delos

30th Cruise back to Athens. Stay overnight

1st Oct 2023 fly from Athens to Amsterdam

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24th Athens

I had planned to walk to nearby two beaches and stroll on fine sand.

Mikrolimano and votsalakia beaches.

We followed Google navigation and reached the spot. However the beaches were awful. Nothing compared to the images on map. Felt disappointed. Wife fuming. Plan failed. Not good on a trip like this.

We remembered the fine beaches of Goa.

I had to quickly change the plan and make adjustments.

Quickly decided to visit the city center and do something more interesting.

We went to Monastirki square by local metro.

It is the city center where you can walk around the places, shops and restaurants. Nice ambiance.

We found an illusion museum close to the place. It is not actually a museum but collection of optical illusion objects and things. Very good and one can easily spend an hour there. Kids will also amazed to look at the objects. One can buy tickets online or at the counter.

Enjoy the clips and images.

Adjacent to the Monastiriki square there is ancient ruins of Roman historical place. Hardins library, Stoa of Attalos, Roman Agora etc.

We spent quite a time walking around the ruins.

Monastiiriki Square

25th Guided tour by group van

We were group of six tourists. We reached the pickup spot by metro.Our driver cum guide was very warm and welcoming.

He went on describing the places and associated history as we drive on.

First spot was Canal of Corinth.

It is a man made water canal to reduce the travel time by boats, nearly 150 years ago. A lot of people, effort and perseverance has gone into this canal I guess.

The canal was initially proposed and a failed effort was made to build it in the 1st century AD.Construction recommenced in 1881 but was hampered by geological and financial problems that bankrupted the original builders. It was completed in 1893, but, due to the canal's narrowness, navigational problems, and periodic closures to repair from its steep walls, it failed to attract the level of traffic expected by its operators.

Next spot was Epidaurus theatre.

An ancient huge Greek theatre still in near good condition. It can accommodate about 15000 audiences It is said.

Aerial view of ruins near the theatre.

Next spot was Palamidi Fortress.

Palamidi Fortress in Nafplion: The fortress of Palamidi is a true architectural masterpiece. This fort was built during the Venetian occupation in the early 19th century and consists of eight bastions, each was self-contained, ensuring that if one bastion was breached the others could still be separately defended. The bastions were built one on top of the other and they all connected with one wall. The Venetians named the bastions by ancient Greek names, such as Leonidas, Miltiades, Achilles, Themistocles, to give emphasis on the strength of the castle.

Palamidi was also used as a prison for a period of time. In 1833, Theodoros Kolokotronis, one of the leaders of the Revolution was imprisoned here, charged with high treason. Prisoners were made to do physical labor and the 999 steps leading up to the fort were in fact built by the prisoners under the supervision of the Bavarian army.

View of Napfilo town from the fort

View of a fort built in middle of sea

Closer View of a fort built in middle of sea

Next we reached Arvanitia beach at Aegean Sea.

This is a very nice beach. After a long time I enjoyed sea bathing and a short swim. It is close to Nafpilo town. It is nice small town. We roamed randomly and liked it.

Aerial view of Nafpilo town and the beach

Arvanitia Beach

Arvanitia Beach Aerial view

Napfilo Town

Aravantia Beach

26th

We had booked a HOHO bus.

Mainly we spent more time in famous Acropolis agora, Archaeological museum and the market. There were many smaller ruins of ancient Greek historical importance.