August 12, 2016
Santorini, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. This photo essay of the village of Oia, shot while I was there in 2013, gives you an idea of what it’s like. There is nothing like wandering around the skinny, winding streets and getting lost in alleys. I ended up having a glass of rose in a cafe overlooking…
My final day in Athens and I took the bus (i.e. public transport) to Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon. It was almost a four hour round trip, but worth it because it was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon/evening. The sun setting over the Aegean during the drive back to Athens was just breath-taking. A big thank you…
One of the highlights of my cruise last year was visiting the island of Santorini, or Thera, as it’s formally known. I was excited to have the opportunity to stop there again this year and visit Oia, which I didn’t get to last year. Late in the afternoon, I was up on the top deck to watch the approach to…
I was only in Crete for a few short hours, but in that time was enchanted by the city of Heraklion. I thought it was a fabulous place. I walked from the port into the city – about a 10 minute stroll, so around a kilometre. I was rewarded with a view over the marina, cobbled stones, lovely European architecture,…
Rhodes was a pretty cool place, with the (medieval) city tucked away inside a fortress wall. Walking up cobbled streets past the touristic shopping strip, I chanced upon a mosque and also Moslem library, which was housed in a separate building. Both were interesting tributes to architectural and cultural diversity, along with expected Greek ruins. As a traveller, I look…
I boarded the Louis Olympia looking forward to cruising; after all, it has been a full-on few weeks with touring. I wanted pampering, rest and relaxation. My impressions of the ship, however, are less than favorable. This ship has passed its used by date: it is tired, old and shabby. It has certainly seen better days. The engine laboriously chugs…
Arriving late in the afternoon, I wandered around Patmos for about an hour, taking pictures here and there. While it was not quite as picturesque as Santorini or Mykonos, it was not without its own unique charm. There were the same whitewashed buildings, the same shops hawking all manners of wares from shirts, hats and scarves to jewellery, postcards and…
We pulled into the port of Mykonos a little after 6pm on the first day. I’m glad I packed my Gorilla Pod so I could capture the island as the day faded into night. It was a beautiful spot: white washed houses faced the sea, along with shops and restaurants. As the sun was swallowed by the horizon, a crescent…
Well, the land part of my tour has all but finished. A two nighter in Athens, then I’m boarding the Louis Olympia for a four day cruise around the Greek Islands. Greece has been a welcome respite from Turkey, where I think I suffered from a case of “tour burnout“. Highlights Athens I love Athens. It greeted me with warm…
We drove from Napflio to Sparta through an impressive mountain range. Sparta is nestled in the Evrotas valley, and up on one of the peaks is Mystra, which I knew nothing about. The climb up to the castle was quite steep, and up along an ancient stone path. My effort was rewarded by a breath-taking view of the mountains, Sparta…
I arrived in Athens, tired and worn out from my tour of Turkey. I was over being on the road, being with people, the early starts, the getting in and out of buses, the whistle stop visits and the lightning quick stays, the Whispers, the food. I desperately needed to recharge in time for the next tour*. Athens I love…
In a few short weeks, I’ll be jetting off to Europe. Again. Tough job, I know, but someone has to do it! Cruising the Mediterranean for three weeks last year gave me a taste of where I wanted to spend more time. For those of you who followed my travels last year, you will remember that I just loved the…
Taking a tender (shuttle boat) from the Noordam to the old port of Santorini, I must admit I thought: “What’s all the fuss about?”. I spent a day on the island and now I know. I also know a day is not nearly enough time to spend on Santorini. I have merely scratched the surface. Santorini (named after Saint Irena)…
For some reason, I feel more connected to Greece than any place I have visited on this cruise thus far. Yesterday, I watched the sun set over the isle of Corfu as we sailed out of the port, and was incredibly moved by the moment. I admit I did shed a tear or two (not in a bad way) and…
October 8, 2012
Corfu has got to be one of my most favourite spots in the Mediterranean so far. I say this knowing that I still have Turkey and Santorini to go, though. The landscape is just so pretty: towering mountains protecting quaint villages; monasteries decorated with art from the Byzantine era; an old town boasting Venetian architecture (at least, that’s what I…