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Greece 2023
  • Janice Guimond
  • Janice Guimond

Greece 2023

Our six-week adventure to mainland Greece and the Greek Islands Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 10, 2023
  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Plaka area in AthensPork kebabExcellent meatballs

    Athens

    May 11, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Arrived in Athens at 10am (2am MSP time), took an hour nap, and then explored the city on foot, forcing ourselves to stay awake 🙂. It was a little overcast and cool (unseasonably) but cleared up later in the day. Tried our first Greek restaurant. Stayed up until 10:00pm and slept great!Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    1Parthenon
    ParthenonParthenonParthenonParthenon partsAncient Temple of AthenaAcropolis Museum1Prison of Socrates1Philoppapos Hill ParkPlakaPlaka1Anafiotika - Medusa Mural1AnafiotikaAnafiotika1AnafiotikaAnafiotikaAnafiotikaAnafiotikaNational GardenNational Garden

    Athens - Day 3

    May 13, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Got up early (yup!) to get to the Acropolis entrance by 8am. That was way worth it, because when we exited at ~9:30am, it was a zoo!! Visited the Acropolis Museum, had lunch and enjoyed some sun on our rooftop deck, and then spent a few hours walking through Philopappos Hill Park, Plaka, Anafiotika, and the National Garden.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Train from Athens to Kalabaka (Meteora)
    Train from Athens to Kalabaka (Meteora)Kalabaka Train StationTowering rock formationsKalabaka (Meteora)1

    Journey to Meteora

    May 14, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    It's a nearly five-hour train ride from Athens to Kalabaka, but worth it to explore such a unique location. This rock formation area hosts a large complex of precipitously built Eastern Orthodox monasteries. We'll be here for four nights, and -- if the weather cooperates -- doing three cycle tours and one hiking tour.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    With our guide Thodoris
    Monastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of Varlaam1Monastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of VarlaamMonastery of Varlaam2Monastery of VarlaamMonastery of Varlaam1Monastery of VarlaamMeteora eBike TourMeteora eBike TourMeteora eBike Tour

    Meteora morning eBike Monastery Tour

    May 15, 2023 in Greece

    Woke to a rain-free morning (yay!) and headed off for our 4-hour tour. Turns out we were the only two to register for this morning, so once again we got a private tour! Thodoris our guide was great. Such a unique and beautiful area!Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Our guide, Dimitri
    Amazing trees grow in the wet areas1One of the hidden monasteriesHiking Tour1Ready for rain -- it held off for much of our tour1🙂Hiking Tour1Hiking TourHiking TourHiking TourHiking TourSt. Nikolaus Monastery2St. Nikolaus MonasterySt. Nikolaus MonasterySt. Nikolaus MonasterySt. Nikolaus Monastery1St. Nikolaus Monastery (Chapel in a cave)1Hiking Tour

    Meteora Hiking Tour

    May 16, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    This morning we embarked on a 5-hour hiking tour. There were seven of us, plus our guide Dimitri. Overcast with intermittent rain, the area had a mystical feel. Despite being a sun lover, I surprisingly quite enjoyed this! It was a different perspective to be hiking through the forest among the towering rocks, and we got to see some of the more hidden monasteries. Our guide Dimitri was a hoot and made it very fun!🙂Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    1
    21Kalabaka - Nazi's leveled the village in 1943; all re-built since then.Janice, Tom, Wanda, YasilisYasilis2Sunset!1Beautiful!

    Sunset eBike Tour

    May 16, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Nearly another private tour, although we recruited Wanda from our morning hike to join us 🙂. Yasilis, the co-founder of Meteora eBikes, was our guide. He was fantastic -- since we had done a few other tours already, he changed things up just for us, and brought us to some of the more elusive spots in the area. We got to do a little hiking too. Clouds partly obscured our sunset, but it was still impressive. An unusually rainy Spring = a plethora of wild flowers and brilliant green colors.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    One benefit of the rainy Spring -- this beautiful creek.
    Thymios Vlachavas statue2Gorgeous view up here on the statue hill3Ha! Met a fellow atop statue hill and loved his T-shirt! 🙂1Met a father/son/grandson trio of mushroom hunters. They had bags of them!Note the rock climbers - fun!3🙂 One of the tamer sections of trail, along the scenic creek1Our mountain bike route -- about 10 miles

    Meteora eMtn Bike Tour

    May 17, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    The finale of our Meteora Tour outings, this morning we broadened our horizons with an e-Mountain Bike Tour. Vasilis was our guide once again -- nothing like learning from the best as he was a top national racer years ago. We aren't strong technical riders, but got the hang of things and enjoyed seeing Meteora from yet another perspective. It was a gorgeous sunny morning too!Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Holy Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
    Holy Church of the Dormition of the Virgin MaryHoly Church of the Dormition of the Virgin MaryHoly Church of the Dormition of the Virgin MaryMeteora Rocks!River rock footpathHoly Trinity MonasteryView from steps to Holy Trinity MonasterySteps to Holy Trinity MonasteryBrilliant cloudless skyAttempt at a self photo 🙂1Beautiful Kalabaka!870' Elevation gain

    Hike to Holy Trinity

    May 17, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    On this beautiful afternoon, I took a solo hike to the Holy Trinity Monastery. Tom stayed behind to read and cook dinner for us -- I got the better end of that deal!! The Monastery was closed for the day so I couldn't go inside, but the hike up & back was beautiful. Much of the trail is a sort of cobblestone (but river rock). So fun to hike amidst the towering Meteora rocks.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Holy Trinity Monastery - Tom's hike
    Holy Trinity Monastery - Tom's hikeHoly Trinity Monastery - Tom's hikeOne last look at the flowers and towering rocksAwaiting the train to Athens4Oh my!!! Night view of Lycabettus Hill from our loft

    Goodbye, Meteora!

    May 18, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Today we said goodbye to beautiful Meteora. First we enjoyed a wonderful morning there, and an extra late 3pm checkout! I went on an exhilarating 20-mile bike ride, and Tom did the Holy Trinity hike that I did yesterday. We made apple pancakes in our apartment for brunch -- interestingly, we couldn't find a single bit of maple syrup in town -- the grocer suggested chocolate syrup, so thats what we used. That was interesting 😉. Exactly when we left to make our way to the train station, it started to rain. Good timing. Today's 5-hour excursion back to Athens went fast -- some very nice Greeks in our train car. On arrival at our loft apartment in Athens after dark, we gasped at the lovely view of the lighted Acropolis on one side, and Lycabettus Hill on the other.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    AthenaOMG I felt like I was walking through a mini-Vegas. This "Little Koot" place is too much111Cheers! Finally found a good Greek beer that we both like!Nighttime view of the Acropolis from our loft apt!One last nighttime look at Lycabettus Hill

    Athens - Final Walkabout

    May 19, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    On our final afternoon in Athens, I decided to take a walk to the Psyri neighborhood to check out some of the street art (graffiti). From our peaceful loft apt. across from the French Institute, I passed through an area of stately educational buildings (with some activists -- national elections are taking place on Sunday), through a peaceful car-free square, and then into bustling Psyri. It was interesting...and a bit much, not being used to seeing graffiti in 'regular' areas. Honestly I was happy to head back to our peaceful neighborhood. Athens is home to 5 million people, nearly half of the population of the entire country of Greece!Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Corinth Canal
    Pantelis restaurant -- a great recommendation!2Pantelis restaurantWe tried the fried bread......filled with feta, spearmint, & honey. Yup--very good!OMG the chicken fillet (so juicy) and sweet potato puree was wonderful.1Almost tried the wild boar sausage, but went with pork chops instead.

    On to Peloponnese

    May 20, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Van ride from Athens to Vytina today, with stops in Corinth & Tripoli. Vytina is an adorable little mountain village. Tiny, but impressive. The shopkeepers set out their goods in beautiful display...only to bring everything back in at night. Our driver Dimitri recommended a traditional Greek restaurant...it was excellent! Bicycles arrived late in the day, so we are all set to begin cycling tomorrow 🙂🚴‍♀️.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    1Let's go!!
    Looking down on Vytina as we climbed 3 miles at the start of the rideNew growth spruce in this forest -- reminded me of Northern MN!Greek Orthodox church in AlonistenaGreek Orthodox church in AlonistenaAlonistena, GreeceΕκκλησία Άγιος Γεώργιος (Orthodox church) in PianaOrthodox church in PianaOrthodox church in Piana1Orthodox church in PianaNancy is to my left, and her twin Helen is next to Nancy.1Orthodox church in Piana - stunning!Herd of goats 🙂Wildflowers and rolling hills

    Vytina to Tripoli

    May 21, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Today we cycled about 25 miles, from Vytina to Tripoli. At a higher elevation in the mountains, we dressed for chilly weather. Forecast was for rain all day, but we rode rain-free for all but the last mile or so - yay! It was a pretty ride. The highlight was our stop in the small village of Piana, where there is a beautiful church and overlook. As I was waiting for Tom at the bikes, a Greek woman named Nancy came over to me and invited us to join her group for coffee, which of course we did. She was very sweet and kind, and we enjoyed visiting for about an hour. She was in this small town for the day, celebrating her twin sister's Name Day (the day the saint you were named for is celebrated by the church). Nancy is a cyclist, and we shared many stories. It was a very special interaction!Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    1The bite 😠
    Hospital 'Door #4'General Hospital, TripoliMy prescription

    "The Incident" 😖

    May 21, 2023 in Greece

    We've seen many dogs since arriving in Greece (and loads of cats!), but they mostly lay around and barely notice passersby. On our mountain bike tour, we had seven (yes, seven!) barking dogs come running through the woods at us, but Vasilis calmed them down and it was a non-issue. We learned when confronted with a dog to ride slow or stop, put the bike between us, and talk to them in a comforting voice. While dogs are common, bites not so much. We should be so lucky. After leaving Piana, at the bottom of a hill, three dogs came running out, barking, and they were at my heels before I could even react. One big brown dog bit me in the right leg, and then they ran off. Tom watched this from several feet back. We went a bit further, and a car stopped to see if I was OK. Another very kind Greek woman gave me kleenex and antiseptic wipes after we saw that the bite had pierced the skin. She was trying to figure out how they could get me and my bike the six miles to the hospital when I told her I was fine -- it really didn't hurt that much. She said I should go to the Tripoli General Hospital once I got into town, because this could have been a stray dog without shots. So...that's what I did. I was clearly a low priority at the hospital, probably both because it was a modest bite, and I was a foreigner. It took a couple of hours, but they finally got me in, cleaned the wound (not gingerly 😠), and gave me a prescription for an antibiotic and a tetanus shot. Being election day, only one pharmacy was open. That part was amazing though. Within about 10 minutes I had my prescription and they gave me the shot. 38€ total (about $42) at the pharmacy. I don't know the cost of the hospital exam -- they told me to come back Tuesday to pay (apparently the people who can take money are off until then due to elections - ha!). At the hotel, we met some of the other riders, and get this -- one of them got bit too, and by the very same dog!! His wife is a doctor, who had antibiotics with her, and he is up to date on his tetanus, so no hospital for him. We've since also learned that there is no rabies in Greece -- hooray! I'm fine -- it's a little sore, but not terrible.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    "Kafe potiraki"
    "Kafe potiraki"1Courgette (zucchini) balls with yogurt sauceKataifi. Often made with nuts as a dessert......this was filled with cheese and topped with beetroot. OMG!OMG, this salad had talagani cheese and fig dressingPork meat carmelized with pineapple sauce and whiskeySofia & Tom! 🙂

    Tripoli - Dinner + Sofia!

    May 21, 2023 in Greece ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    Our tour company recommended a few restaurants, and we chose the first one on the list. Our waiter spoke very little English, so yet another kind Greek woman (third of the day!) came over to explain the menu to us in English. Turns out she was in Tripoli (from Athens) for the election (Greeks travel to their hometown to vote), and was celebrating with family at this restaurant, of which her sister is the owner and chef. She recommended we try some things we probably never would have ordered, one of which wasn't even on the menu! OMG! The food was fantastic!! I mean exceptional. We are so glad we took her advice, and were adventuresome. (Oh, and all of this food, with a beer and a glass of wine, was just $36!) After our meal, she stopped over to see how we liked it. We got to talking, and ended up visiting for nearly two hours. We were interested in each other's travels, and we both shared cultural things about our respective countries. It was another really excellent interaction, and one of the things we love about our travels. It's often easier to meet fellow travelers, so these interactions with locals are very special.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Little church on the route
    Church of Agia FotiniThis is the floor!1This is the floor too! Amazing.A more modest church nearbyInside of modest churchInside of modest churchYet another church/cemetery 🙂

    Tripoli Loop

    May 22, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Nice to have two nights in Tripoli, so we didn't have to pack our bags this morning. Still, we got an early start, due to the forecast of a rainy afternoon. It was overcast and dreary, but again we skirted the rain for this 30-mile ride. We didn't stop much, but did spend some time at a very interesting church. The architecture is quite unique, and the inside impressive!Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    1😄
    A reminder of home in Arizona 🙂Paralio Astros2😊Tom's been craving pizza!Paralio AstrosMermaid on the breakwaterVillage view from the breakwaterBeautiful lighthouseTiny chapel near the lighthouseChapel windowBrilliant color!1Awesome venue for a concert!1Acting like tourists 😉1The beach at Paralio AstrosParalio AstrosParalio AstrosZorbas in Paralio AstrosZorbas in Paralio Astros

    Paralio Astros

    May 23, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    What a joy to explore this pretty little seaside town! The waterfront is beautiful, with a small main street full of cool looking shops and restaurants. There is a beautiful lighthouse, and a scenic amphitheatre. We finished our cycling by early afternoon, so had plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine and water views -- then dinner.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    1One of many scenic overlooks
    What a great morning!These roadside flowers growing wild continue to amaze meCool looking hotel (we think!)Water works building at site of Pausanias SwirlChurch near the Water WorksCoast near the Water WorksWater Works enclosureChurch near the Water WorksRemains of the famous amphitheatre at Argos 🤔

    Paralio Astros to Nafplio

    May 24, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    After a great breakfast with the other riders (there are 9 of us cycling this same itinerary), we set out on a 28-mile ride. It was one of the nicest mornings we've had -- perfect for a ride along the water. The scenery was brilliant as we headed north along the coast. We passed an area with undersea water springs, and looked hard but didn't see Pausanias' Swirl 🙂. We rode inland to Argos, the oldest city in Europe (founded about 5,000 years ago). That was sort of underwhelming, e.g. the famous amphitheatre is quite decrepit, and we could only look at it through a fence from the street. We cycled through a number of orange groves, and resisted the temptation to pick a fruit or two 🙂. Then, pretty water views again as we made our way into the scenic waterfront city of Nafplio.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Nafplio 🙂
    NafplioNafplio WaterfrontNafplio WaterfrontNafplio WaterfrontNafplioTom's stuffed mushrooms -- yumMy grilled sea bass -- also yum!Pidalio'sNafplio WaterfrontNafplio

    Beautiful Nafplio!

    May 24, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    Another gorgeous afternoon exploring a beautiful city. We are staying in the Old Town, and the character of the place is wonderful. Tom hiked up the 900 steps to the Palamidi Fortress, while I grabbed a quick nap. Had a really good dinner at Pidalio's and a nice walk back to the hotel. This town is so cool!Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    Quite impressive!
    The Londoners (four of our fellow riders: Zee, Peter, Angus, & Liz -- Marissa took a pass)The Scots (two of our fellow riders: David & Jane)The acoustics here are famousTom at center stage 🙂Three of the rows had chair backsMedical instruments (gulp!)Entrance pillarsSports fieldRuins of the medical area

    Epidaurus

    May 25, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Started the day with a culture fix 😉. We were transferred by van with our bikes to Epidaurus. The ancient theater of Epidaurus, dating back to ~340 BC, is well preserved and very impressive. Other ruins and a small museum are in the complex as well. We had a beautiful morning to walk the area. The rest of the ruins are, well, ruins 😉 -- and not as exciting. Still, it was a pretty area, and a good starting point for today's ride.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    A pistachio treePistachiosVivari LagoonLunch with Jane & DavidYum -- free sweet was excellent! 😋Costas, the owner/waiterAha -- a teeter totter. We just can't resist 🙂Woohoo!!😆Some more ruins, in a pretty spot3Dressed up a teeny bit for dinner1Tom's tuna skewer at Alaloum - yum!

    Epidaurus to Nafplio

    May 25, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    After our cultural tour at Epidaurus, we cycled 28 miles back to Nafplio. The ride was good fun, with a nice variety. We rode through hilly terrain, past groves of olive, citrus, and pistachio trees, and down to scenic waterfront areas en route. Stopped for lunch in Vivari, on the sparkling Vivari Lagoon. Our after meal treat was excellent on this warm day -- a small ice cream cone! Of note, it is Greek tradition for the waiter to bring out a sweet at the end of a meal. This treat is free -- and it's fun to be surprised each meal as to what they bring! 😋 Overall, it was a full day, with arrival back to Nafplio just in time for a shower and dinner.Read more

  • Janice GuimondGreece 2023Traveler
    So many pretty churches along the route
    ...another oneLion Gate (entrance to Mycenae)Lion gate (note: the heads are missing)MycenaeMycenaeMycenaeMycenaeAncient tomb at MycenaeAncient tomb at MycenaeAncient tomb at MycenaeAncient tomb at Mycenae1Back in Nafplio -- love the Bougainvillea here!

    Mycenae

    May 26, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Today's ride was a 32-mile loop to Mycenae and back to Nafplio. Mycenae is city/fortress with old walls that was built over 3,300 years ago! More ruins, of course, but being situated on a hill, it was easier to see the layout of the rooms, etc. There is also an interesting tomb there. It was another beautiful day, our last cycling day of this tour.Read more

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