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Northern Greece and Tuscany, I
  • Becky Orders
  • Becky Orders

Northern Greece and Tuscany, I

7 days in Greece starting in Athens and then 7 days on a wine/bike trip in Tuscany Leggi altro
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  • Inizio del viaggio
    9 maggio 2025
  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Touring Athens

    11 maggio 2025, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    After a good night's sleep, had a private tour of the Acropolis where the Parthenon is. Lots of really old history and stories about gods and mythology. Went on a very nice Food tour starting with a local charcuterie board with local wine and spirits, then some spanikopita which is apparently breakfast food then the main meal with Greek salad, grape leaves, moussaka and of course Greek beer and wine, then souvlaki followed by a very nice baklava. Heading north tomorrowLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Nymfaio, greece

    12 maggio 2025, Grecia ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Left Athens and drove to Vergina to see the museum of the tombs of Phillip the 2nd father to Alexander The Great. I was not too thrilled about this but like the Vasa in Stockholm, it was very interesting. It included treasures found when the tombs were opened-gold,silver, ivory-all items that didn't deteriorate in 2000 years. Drove to local winery Domaine Karanika which specialized in sparkling wines (not a favorite of mine, but these were exceptional) They had some very nice red wines. Then on to our lodge-Argyro Manor. So quaint! Had dinner in town- very local food. Just to add-our wine tasting took place in the owner's kitchen! So intimate and casualLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Nymfaio

    13 maggio 2025, Grecia ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    Started the day with an incredible breakfast prepared by our hostess. The food was all local-strawberries and tomatoes were amazing. Way too much food!! Walked to a bear sanctuary and learned about Greek bears-this was a sanctuary for the dancing bears which were a popular attraction for Greece and Bulgaria. Then went truffle hunting in a nearby forest with the help of a specially trained black lab named Naomi. She found us at least 5 truffles but then it started raining. A delicious lunch was prepared using the truffles-quite an experience!!! Walked around this quaint village and then drove to dinner by a lake. Quite a memorable dayLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Ioannina

    14 maggio 2025, Grecia ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    After another outstanding breakfast Argyro Guesthouse, we were transported to Ioannina the second largest city in Greece. Staying at a quaint boutique hotel in Old Town, we walked around the lake and toured the walled city. Had a tasting menu at a nearby restaurant featuring local fresh food and Greek heritage recipes. We are leaving tomorrow for the mountains but this city has a lot to be discoveredLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Asti Mountain Resort

    15 maggio 2025, Grecia ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Another amazing day! Drove from Ioannina to Asti Mountain Resort. Did a 10 kilometer hike in the Vikos-Aoos National Park-the Grand Canyon of Europe which looked more like Zion Canyon to us. The hike was a bit strenuous but we did fine. Stunning scenery! The wild flowers were at their peak. Hiked down to the river and yes, it was that clear a d blue. Since the forecast was for 100% rain on Friday, we did our white water rafting down the Voidomatis River. So glad we did. The water is the cleanest in Greece and probably the coldest. The river was Class 1-2 so we had a few rapids. Dinner was at the resort restaurant and was delicious. I had trout from the river we rafted-quite tasty. Our last day will be spent watching it rainLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore
    1

    Aristi Mountain Resort

    16 maggio 2025, Grecia ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    Due to the weather, we had a day to relax. Rainy and cool so leisurely morning and breakfast. Walked around in the village, had a beverage at a local tavern, enjoyed the spa facilities. The village dogs are interesting. We saw this dog when we were hiking in the gorge 8 miles away. She hangs around the resort and is the sweetest pupLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore
    1

    Florence, Italy

    17 maggio 2025, Italia ⋅ 🌙 55 °F

    Travel day! Flew from Ioannina (pronounced E-o-nnina) to Athens. 4 hour layover in a mediocre airport. David had a sub par Gyro. Somewhat chaotic with truly last minute gate changes but people say that is how it is in Greece. Flew to Florence and had to figure out the tram/train stations. With the help of a very nice man who gave us his tram tickets since my credit card didn't work at the machine, we made it to the train station. Hung out for an hour people/beggar watching. Easily got our train to Arezzo and arrived at 10PM. Walked to our hotel which was acceptable/basic-bathroom was pretty retro with a very strange leaky shower. Ready to meet up with Backroads in the morningLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Tuscany-Fontanelle Estate

    18 maggio 2025, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    First full day in Tuscany. Met up with our Backroads group and drove an hour to our lunch and first bike ride of the trip. Had lunch at a traditional Tuscan restaurant and learned about olive oil. Had an incredible lunch with 6 appetizers and an amazing ravioli! Rode bikes up and down Tuscan hills. Got soaking wet from a rainstorm and then ended at our hotel on the top of a hill overlooking the countryside. Of course, we had a delicious dinner-canteloupe here is so sweet. So far, Tuscany lives up to the hypeLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Fontanelle Estate, Tuscany

    19 maggio 2025, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    First full day biking Tuscany. The first picture is our guide describing our route using straps and bike helmets. The helmets are the hills. Very clever! After a bountiful buffet breakfast, rode about 10 miles to stop for a coffee/bathroom break. Then another 8 miles to village called Gaiole where every year they have a non competitive bike race called Eroica. It is 135 kilometers long and you have to ride a vintage bike made before 1987. No gears. You can also dress vintage. 9000 people converge on this tiny village. On the rolling "hills" of Tuscany, this would be a challenge. So glad I am on an E bike. The hills here are long, winding. Scenery and weather was perfect today. Had lunch at a monastery turned BNB. Beautiful garden and delicious lunch. Dinner was at the estate vineyard. It was fancy but not that memorable.Leggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Fontanelle Resort

    20 maggio 2025, Italia ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    Day 2 at Fontanelle resort. Another full day of biking. Rode 21 miles to a town called Asciano where we had a snack/coffee break. ( so much food on this trip). Then rode 27 miles to Pereto to have lunch at Il Pereto a totally organic farm and brewery. They grow everything they serve and it was delicious. Rode back to the hotel past so many vineyards and beautiful scenery. Was shuttle to Siena for a tour of a Contrada which are the neighborhoods inside the walled city. Learned about a crazy horse race called the Palio which occurs twice a year since the medieval times. It was fascinating. Dinner on our own. Unfortunately we had some heavy rain but we found a nice place to eat and keep dryLeggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Como Castella del Nero

    21 maggio 2025, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Left Fontanelle estate and headed to our next hotel. Rode 12 miles to a bathroom break at a ceramics shop-beautiful pieces but $$$. No buyers in the group. Rode 20 miles to Castellina-ATT(another Tuscan town). Cool little market with some excellent cured meats and cheeses which we would eat at our picnic lunch. Once again a bountiful buffet and regional wines. Weather cooperated even though it threatened to rain a few times. Then a short 12 miles and we were at our next hotel. Best hot tub I have ever experienced which was great after 4 days riding bikes. One more biking day and then we head towards Florence and then home. There is a picture of the device we use to navigate the roads-it's called a Wahoo and is priceless. The map of the day is loaded and it will beep and indicate which way to turn so we don't have to follow anyone. Super!Leggi altro

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  • Becky OrdersNorthern Greece and Tuscany, IViaggiatore

    Castello de Nero

    22 maggio 2025, Italia ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    Last bike day! Beautiful day to start! Rode 23 miles to San Gimignano, another walled village-kind of touristy and crowded but found a tasty slice of pizza and some Gelato! Last ride of the trip was 34 kilometers and it was intense! Lots of steep inclines, bumpy roads and sharp turns through small villages. We made it before the rains came. Nice last dinner in the wine cellar of the hotel. Heading to Florence tomorrow. We seriously enjoyed this amazing group of people. Looking forward to another Backroads trip!!Leggi altro

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    Fine del viaggio
    23 maggio 2025