GREECE

 Each year I put together a Shutterfly calendar for the upcoming year.  I include pictures from our annual Mother/Daughter trip.  I like looking back on the previous year's trip evert time I turn the page to a new month.    I just realized having just finished my 2024 calendar, that I never posted about this year's trip.  So, here's the long overdue post.....

                  

As I was doing my research on Greece, I realized the country really has a lot to offer.  But as with all my trips, I was really going to have to decide how to get a "feel" for the country by picking and choosing my destinations wisely.  I mean, it could take months to truly explore the country inside and out!

So, I finally landed on Nafplio, Delphi, Meteora, and Athens.  In order to take this all in, I was going to need a rental car until we reached Athens, then I could travel by foot and/or the metro.  I had reserved my rental car in advance, so as soon as we cleared customs, we picked up our car and began our 2 hour drive to the coastal town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of Greece.  We stayed two nights in this  quaint little town (the first Capital of Greece), right on the water.  We stayed at a lovely B&B, with the most amazing host, who cooked the tastiest breakfasts.  We trekked the 999 steps to the top of the hill to visit the Palamadi castle, and explored all the nooks and crannies of this city.   It didn't take us long to try some souvlaki, and of course gelato.   The second day we took a road trip to Epidaurus which was about one hour east.                                                    

 Our next destination was Delphi.  It was a four hour mountainous drive, through fog and some serious rain.  We chose to stop by the Corinth canal, which was an amazing site to see.  We dropped our bags at the hotel and quickly headed to the archaeological site of Delphi.  It was absolutely amazing, and the museum is well worth the admission fee.   Delphi is said to be founded by Zeus and is considered to be the "navel of the world".  The site dates back to the 14th century.  Delphi was a quick overnight for us, with Meteora being our next destination. We left right after breakfast since we had another 138 miles to drive.  I knew when I read about Meteora, that I absolutely had to see it!  The monasteries that sit atop these immense rock pillars were incredible to see.  

At one time there were 24, today there are 6.  It truly was a spiritual and amazing place to see.    We arrived about 1130a and promptly headed up the hill to check out three that first day.  Our hotel was right at the base of the cliffs and had a lovely patio that we sat at that first afternoon enjoying a glass of wine and the beautiful views.  The second day we took in another two of the monasteries before heading to Athens.  After our four hour drive to Athens, we dropped the car, caught the metro and met our host at the VRBO we were staying at for the next five days. 

Our VRBO was a two bedroom apartment right across from Monistiraki square.  We arrived about 430p on a Sunday afternoon and it was an absolute madhouse!  So many people, so much noise, including bongo drums.  We were in culture shock having spent the first part of our trip in the most serene and quaint locations.    We promptly walked across the street and enjoyed our first gyro of the trip!  There is so much to see in Athens.  I had booked a guided tour of the Acropolis, which I would recommend.  Just know that most of them are in the morning, so it's pretty busy.  If you'd rather explore on your own, it's less busy in the afternoon.   The museum is unbelievable as well.  We walked and walked and walked exploring the city.  I had also planned a day trip to Hydra island.  I wanted a taste of the island life while I was in Greece.  It was fun.  Just a 2 hour ferry ride.  We spent the day exploring this non-motorized island and had a wonderful lunch right on the harbor.  



And that's a wrap on another epic Mother/Daughter adventure!   We packed a lot in during the nine days we were on the ground in Greece and if you were to ask me if I would change anything, I would honestly say no.  Oh, actually just one thing.  Don't pay for a GPS for the rental car, it just doesn't work.  Use google maps instead.  

The 2024 trip has been planned and booked for quite some time.  It's another European trip that starts at the end of April, which will be here before you know it!