Greece (Beyond Destination)

The Acropolis is one of the most famous ancient archaeological sites in the world. Located on a limestone hill high above Athens, Greece. Today, it is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site and home to several temples, the most famous of which is the Parthenon.

To get detailed history of Acropolis, visit below link -

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/acropolis

Temple of Zeus-

After Acropolis we visitied Temple of Zeus and then Olympic Stadium. The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was an ancient Greek temple in Olympia, Greece, dedicated to the god Zeus. Was built in 5th century with classical Greek pattern. Now there is only ruined building, and statue of Zeus which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Entry ticket is of 6 Euro PP to visit temple of Zeus. You can get nice view from outside also as there is only ruined building but if you want to see statue Of Zeus then you have to go inside.

Olympic stadium-

Olympic stadium is 15 min walk from Temple of Zeus. Olympic stadium is Panatheniac multipurpose stadium, which is one of the main historic attractions of Athens. This was used as an Olympic venue in 2004. It is the finishing point for the annual Athens Classic Marathon. It is also the last venue in Greece from where the Olympic flame handover ceremony to the host nation takes place.

You can see this also from outside as it is open air but if you want to go inside then tickets is 5 euro PP.

After Olympic stadium we came back to Hotel. Lots of options available near hotel for dinner.

Other than this you can visit

Plaka –

Plaka is small area in Athens has village feel , narrow street and tiny shops and it is just on the way to Acropolis to Temple of Zeus.

Psyri-

Psyri is famous for small restaurants, live music and painted buildings. Decorated with graffiti.

Acropolis Museum -

It is nearer to acropolis Hill, contains ruined statues .Entry fee is 10 euro PP.

Day 2

We had a breakfast at hotel and started journey to Santorini. We preferred to go early as we are not having idea about check in formalities because of corona crises. Its 45 minutes journey to Santorini via air.

As santorini is volcanic island, weather was humid. Our hotel was in Fira(Thera). There you have some transport options like taxi, rented private car, Hotel Shuttle and Public Transport Bus.

Cheapest transport option is Bus, but if you are family of 4 - 5 persons then it’s better to hire a car. If you are willing to travel multiple places as per your comfort in a day, then it’s suggested to hire Quad Bike, ATV, Scooter or Buggy. But if you have a plan to visit a place in a day then I will suggest to choose bus as it’s cheaper.

Don’t forget to keep cash (coins and notes) while entering Santorini. Coz lots of shops and hotels do not accept cards for small amounts like below 15- 20 euro, and buses accepts only Cash.

We went to ‘Fira central’ by bus from the airport, it costs 1.60 euro PP, and it took 25 min to half an hour. From ‘Fira central bus station’, our hotel was around 20- 25 min by walk. As it was already 1.30 pm, we preferred to have lunch before check in.

Hotel was awesome, offering stunning caldera view from balcony which was soothing, calm and peaceful. After some rest, by 4-4.30 pm we went towards Imerovigli. Clicked lots of photos and came back to hotel and went for dinner in same Restaurant.

Caldera is volcanic depression which collapsed after a volcanic eruption. To look sunset in Santorini is like click, click and click. I have no words to explain Santorini’s sunset. However sun is the one, sunset happens everywhere but believe me Santorini is amazing.

Day 3

Actually plan was to spend whole day in OIA but husband had another surprise plan as it was my birthday. After breakfast, we left for Oia around 10 AM. Got a bus for Oia from Firostefani, within half an hour we reached to Oia.

When you talk about Oia, just wow, Dream destination!!!

Oia is a small town of Santorini. Walking is only way to get around Oia. There are plenty of side streets you can explore. Santorini is a hot sunny destination for most of the year, especially from May to September. The best time to visit Oia is right after high season.

September is a great time because the weather is still sunny and hot and you’ll have fewer crowds! As we went just after covid 19 crises, crowd were lesser than usual. Santorini is famous for that very reason and the sunsets are spectacular. Because they are so beautiful, you will not be the only one witnessing it. While it’s not nearly as famous as the sunset, it’s a great time to walk around with nearly no tourists but watching the sun come up over the mountain is also the best way to start the day.

Oia is such a picturesque place, leaving without a few good photos would be a shame.

By 1 pm we came back to Hotel and got ready for surprise. 2 PM was pick up time and its surprise, “The Cruise Trip”. Just amazing. Cruise was clean with all safety preclusions regarding Covid 19 as well. We started from old port Fira and itinerary was from the famous volcanic islands, the hot springs and the most unique beaches of the island. We saw Red Beach, Kamari, White Beach from the cruise.

Aegean Sea is most beautiful sea I ever seen. Color of Aegean sea is so blue because most nutrients are found in the bottom layers, but algae thrive in the top layers, where the sun shines, as they need light to grow. The result of all these factors is the clear, blue water. At some places we can see the bottom of sea in low depth and because of this we can see fish clearly.

You get chance to swim thrice, near Red Beach, secondly for snorkeling near White Beach and last at volcanic hot spring. A delicious buffet dinner available on-board with unlimited drink i.e. water, beer, wine and soft drinks. Near Nea Kameni which is active volcano cruise stopped for lunch. Food was delicious, and menus are grilled chicken and prawns, fried fish and authentic Greek salad.

After dinner we were resting on a boat with windy and cozy atmosphere in an Aegean Sea. And suddenly started a Birthday song, co-passengers started wishing me and one of the crew member brought a cake. It was actual surprise for me. I blew candle and made a wish, cake was served to all after cutting. It was a beautiful birthday celebration I had ever.

Then we started for return journey to port. It took couple of hours. Take my word for it, even photographs do not fully capture the essence of witnessing sunset. It is something to experience in person as no description or image can capture the feeling correctly. I awe to that evening when I experienced the sheer magic of sundown, when the sky and sea are mirrored through colorful reflections.

Swim off the boat, float in the hot springs of the Santorini volcano, and watch the cliffs and caves of the coastline over wine and an excellent meal with music. Wonder at the cliff top villages from out on the water and far below! Watch the sunset over the volcano. Life doesn’t get much better than this!

By 8 pm we came back to port and to hotel, here ends day 3.

Day 4

By 10 AM, we left for Red Beach. We took a bus from Fira central bus station. Within half an hour we reached to red beach.

Located near Akrotiri, Red beach is supposed to be off-limits to visitors because of persistence rock fall danger. We can say it is spectacular, unique and must visit location. It’s reddish grandeur will capture your attention instantly. It attracts visitors from all over the world for its dominant shades of red across the blue waters making a very unique landscape.

Things to do at the Red beach

Make sure you grab in all the necessary supplies.

There are no facilities or diving schools for water sports on this little beach but you can take joy in snorkeling into the interesting rock formations and exotic marine life.

Apart from this, you can choose to take a boat ride to the white beach, which is another distinctive beach, and known for its small cave structures.

By afternoon we came to hotel and took rest, and in evening again we went to see fira.

Day 5

Last day in Santorini, we started our return journey.

No time to read but need a summary? There you go:

• How to go: There’s a port and an airport on Santorini, it’s very well connected.

• Where to sleep: Fira, Oia or Imerovigli (Try for caldera view which is costly but worthy )

• When to go: September to October and April to May when the weather is warm and the crowds are scarce.

• What to visit: mainly Oia , Fira, Red Beach ( You can visit Akotiri and Perissa , Kamari Beach)

• What to eat – Try Greek Cuisine i.e. Tzatziki (Greek cucumber Yogurt Sauce), Gyros , Olives and olive oil, Grilled meat and Sea food (fresh fish and Octopus)

• Currency - Euro

• Transport – Public Transport is the cheapest way, Rent A Car or Scooter or Try ATV

Some other things that we have keep in mind before visit Greece (Santorini)

 Use comfortable shoes for walking, water shoes or chappals or comfortable flats

 Don’t forget to carry sunglasses, Cap and Sunscreen lotion with SPF 50+

 Universal Power Adapter with chargers

 Affordable underwater camera

 Neck wallet to avoid Pickpockets

 Swim suit cover up , Packable Towels

 Water bottle ( Tap water of hotels is not drinkable )

 Cash, Coins( Not too much but needed )

 Driving license ( without license you can’t take any bike or car on rent )

 Don’t forget to carry MASK which is must nowadays

Happy Journey ........Stay Safe........Travel Safe