Sunday,
June 8, 2025
Today was a travel day. We had spent a few "pre-tour" days in Paris. We always try to arrive a day early to rest and get 'the lay of the land" before the official start of our tour.
It was almost dinnertime when we made it to the hotel so we just grabbed something quick for dinner. Tomorrow is a group dinner and our mouths are already watering.
At the rooftop bar of the Acropolis Select hotel, we quenched our thirst with a glass of sparkling water and I took a nice picture of the Parthenon at sunset.
Tomorrow,
we have some time to explore on our own before joining our group at 6 pm.
Monday, June 9, 2025
Since our official tour does not commence until 6 pm tonight, we went on the Athens Nana Tour today. Nana Tours originated as a way to spend free time on a school trip to Europe with my grand-daughter last summer (and of course I am Nana LOL!). Our first stop was the village of Anafiotika, located in the shadow of Acropolis Hill. In the 19th century, craftsmen from the island of Anafi were hired to build the Royal Palace. They created their own neighborhood in the style of their home island. Narrow stairways and winding streets connect flowered porticos and small quiet plazas.
We visited around 9:30 this morning and all of the locals were either off at work or busy inside. There were several other tourists milling about, but it was not crowded in any way. I didn’t even have to wait for people to get out of the way so I could take pictures! 😊
What a treat to find these intimate spaces right in the heart of a large metropolitan city!
This fellow (and dozens like him) embody the laid-back spirit of this tiny hamlet.
From here we moved on to the Temple of Hephaestus. Built in 450 BC, it is probably the best-preserved temple in Athens. We only viewed it from atop the hill, since it was 10e pp to visit and we wanted to wait and see if it might be included in our tour. But even from afar it was impressive.
As we headed toward the Tower of the
Winds, we passed by the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Construction on the cathedral began on Christmas Day in 1842 and
incorporated marble from 72 demolished churches to build the walls. Twenty years elapsed before its completion in
1862.
Inside are the tombs of two saints killed by the Ottoman Turks during the Ottoman occupation of Greece.
The interior was elaborated decorated in
the Byzantine fashion.
The iconostasis is a wall of icons used
to separate the congregation from the sanctuary where only the priest is
allowed to enter. It is usually quite
ornate, as is the interior of the temple itself. Orthodox Christians believe that the church
should be as beautiful as possible in order to honor God.
The Tower of the Winds was so named because of the relief sculptures of the wind gods along its octangular pediment. Inside was a water clock, with sundials on its exterior faces. Originally a wind vane was mounted on its top. Constructed in approximately 50 BC, it is the oldest horologium (clock tower) known to exist, and is still virtually intact.
Our last stop today was the Agia Dynamis, a tiny Byzantine church now completely encompassed by a modern building.
Then it was time to head back, with a
stop for coconut gelato for lunch. But
along the way back to the hotel, we also passed a pastry shop selling hot
cheese pies. Of course we had to get
one, along with a cold Diet Coke. They
were a delicious treat!
We met up with the rest of our group at 6 pm and also met our guide Alfredo. Then we all went to dinner together at Gods’ Restaurant, where the food was indeed "the food of the gods". We had several appetizers to share: Greek salad, a spicy cheese dip, and a cheese pie. By then I was full, but we still had the main course coming. Lyle had the lamb and I had moussaka – huge portions. Then there was a little dish of yogurt with honey. The sweet honey and tart yogurt perfectly complemented each other and was the perfect end to our meal.
Unfortunately, I was so full that I almost had to sleep sitting up!
Now on to visit the Acropolis!