Greece 2023

Our six-week adventure to mainland Greece and the Greek Islands Read more

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Day 17
Friday, May 26, 2023 at 7:00 PM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
Greece Harbour Nauplie 37.566667, 22.79666737°34’0” N 22°47’48” E
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Final Night in Nafplio
May 26, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
At dinner, we heard music up the street, so went to check it out afterward. There was an international festival going on -- a competition involving teenage (and younger) students. Each singer or act got about three minutes on stage, and then the top scorers returned for another go. We were amazed at the talent of these young people, and stayed for a couple of hours. It was a special night. A number of our fellow riders were there too, so we got to say our goodbyes. A nice way to end the tour.Read more
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Day 18
Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 8:00 AM
☀️ 66 °F
Altitude: 591 ft
Greece Palamídi 37.561667, 22.80333337°33’42” N 22°48’12” E
Fortress of Palamidi
May 27, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
On our departure day from Nafplio, I got up early to climb the 900+ steps to the Fortress of Palamidi and do a quick tour. It sits atop the hill overlooking Nafplio and offers wonderful views. The fortress was completed in 1714. Yet another beautiful morning for this outing. For breakfast at our hotel, I enjoyed some yummy pancakes (with Agave syrup) -- the first we've found on this trip so far! Our taxi driver Antonio arrived at 11:10 am to drive us the 2 hours to our apartment near the Athens Airport. He had run over a large nail though, and his tire was going flat. Poor guy kept apologizing and asking if we would be OK with a 10 minute delay while he fixed it. His jack wouldn't work though, so he had to contact "The Works" to help him. Ultimately it took about 50 minutes. We were fine with the delay, but he felt bad and was so stressed! He insisted on buying us coffee and a croissant 🙂. We arrived in the Athens suburb of Spata to an updated and excellent apartment, with the most important amenity -- washer and dryer! Spent the afternoon doing our laundry -- so fun to have clean clothes 🙂. Here's the link to our apartment,: https://air.tl/bSRQMUjLRead more
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Day 19
Sunday, May 28, 2023 at 7:00 PM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 39 ft
Greece Chania Ferry Port 35.516667, 24.0235°31’0” N 24°1’12” E
On to the Islands!
May 28, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Hello Crete! We packed up our clean clothes and were off to the Athens Airport. At the gate, we met up with Dennis & Sherry, our Arizona/Alberta friends, who we will be with for the next 12 days. So fun to see their familiar smiling faces. We flew to Chania, Crete. Got our rental car and headed to Chania Old Town where we are spending three nights at "Melina's House." Settled in, got some groceries, had drinks on the big outdoor patio, and then headed off for dinner. We chose "The Well of the Turks," a Turkish restaurant owned by Elina (Melina is Elina's daughter). What a special dining experience! The food was excellent, in an authentic Cretan street setting on a beautiful evening. The restaurant was hopping, a testament to a good choice. They treated us well as Melina House guests, bringing a free second desert and a round of ouzo 😁. We ate late like the Greeks tonight, arriving back at the apartment ~11:00pm 🙂.Read more
TravelerSuper night last night and now today May 29th want to wish Janice the happiest of birthdays!! It’s her special day yet she spent the day making it special for us. Planned a walking tour of old town Chania for us and captured many moments on camera! So blessed to call her ( and Tom) our friends. She made today the best one yet in Greece. We love you Janice. Happy Birthday!
5/29/23Reply
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Day 20
Monday, May 29, 2023 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 13 ft
Greece Chania Ferry Port 35.518333, 24.01833335°31’6” N 24°1’6” E
Old Town Chania
May 29, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Happy Birthday to me! 😉 How fun to spend such a beautiful day in Old Town Chania, with great company! The four of us did a sort of walking tour, viewing the highlights of this beautiful city and enjoying several hours poking around the waterfront and Old Town. We grilled on our patio for dinner, and toasted another good day!Read more
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Day 21
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 1,726 ft
Greece Zoúrva 35.385, 23.96166735°23’6” N 23°57’42” E
Theriso Gorge & Fish Spa 😀
May 30, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Tom & I rented eBikes today, to cycle up the Theriso Gorge road. At the top, we stopped for lunch at a pretty restaurant called Emilia's. Dennis & Sherry drove and met us there. The produce in Greece is so much better than what we are used to. I am eating things here that I normally wouldn't in the US. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, etc. -- SO good! We logged about 33 miles, and it felt great to get in a good workout. Later in the day, Sherry treated the four of us to a Fish Spa -- what a hoot! We sat down and lowered our feet into tanks filled with Middle Eastern fish that have no teeth. They nibble away at the rough skin areas, and after 15 minutes our feet were noticeably smoother! It's a weird feeling at first, but we got used to it. This was a birthday gift I will not forget!! 😄Read more
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Day 22
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 3:00 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 46 ft
Greece Lagkós Réma 35.551667, 24.19333335°33’6” N 24°11’36” E
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Akrotiri Peninsula
May 31, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Today we transitioned from Old Town Chania to the 'suburbs' 🙂. Our Villa is only 5 miles or so away, but the feel is totally different. We have a beautiful water view on a large lot in a big 4BR house! Too bad the weather didn't cooperate, as it became overcast once we settled in. Still, we journeyed out to explore the nearby Akrotini Peninsula. Had an excellent dinner at Bourakis (Greek restaurant).Read more
Traveler Beautiful view!
6/8/23Reply
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Day 23
Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 75 ft
Greece Main Gate 35.371667, 24.47166735°22’18” N 24°28’18” E
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Old Town Reythmnon
June 1, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
The rain stopped overnight, and the skies were partly sunny for our day trip to Reythmno. It's the 3rd largest city on Crete, with a historic Port and Old Town. We started with the Venetian Fortessa Castle, and then explored the waterfront and scenic streets of Old Town. It was a fun day, although frustratingly I have somehow managed to come down with a cold😖.Read more
Traveler LOL!
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Day 25
Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:30 AM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
Greece Kámpos 35.491667, 23.5835°29’30” N 23°34’48” E
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Falasarna Beach!
June 3, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
After a dreary day yesterday, we woke to brilliant sunshine and clear skies -- perfect for our one hour road trip to this West Coast beach. The color of the water is so beautiful, and the beach is pristine. Soft sand with no visible seaweed. Sherry & Tom both got in the water and said it was refreshing. We enjoyed our rented chairs/umbrellas and had a lazy few hours there. Very nice! Tonight we organize, as tomorrow we depart our Villa early and move on -- to Santorini!Read more
Traveler Wow, impressive!
6/8/23Reply
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Day 26
Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 856 ft
Greece Órmos Firón 36.423333, 25.42833336°25’24” N 25°25’42” E
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Hello, Santorini!
June 4, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
While it was tough to leave our beautiful water view villa on Crete, amazingly we just bested the view! The Caldera area on Santorini is incredible. It's so fun to be here! We are staying in Firostefani, near Fira and the Santorini Port. It's very pretty here and hard to leave, so after our walkabout we got some takeaway food and enjoyed it on our deck!Read more
Traveler Beautiful!
6/8/23Reply
Traveler So cool!
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Traveler Gorgeous!
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Day 27
Monday, June 5, 2023 at 9:00 PM
🌙 70 °F
Altitude: 906 ft
Greece Mávro Vounó 36.461667, 25.40333336°27’42” N 25°24’12” E
Fira to Oia
June 5, 2023 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 70 °F
Another beautiful day, with a nice breeze -- just right for our hike along the Caldera, from Fira to Oira. We logged about 8 miles over scenic undulating terrain, and then around the town of Oia (upscale shops and narrow streets, bustling with tourists). A little too busy in Oia for our liking, but it's a beautiful area. Back in Fira, Tom logged a couple more miles in search of the perfect beer! 🍺Read more
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Day 28
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 285 ft
Greece Peretádos Réma 36.358333, 25.44666736°21’30” N 25°26’48” E
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Santorini eBike tour
June 6, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Spent a beautiful morning on a 3-hour eBike tour around the southern part of the island. Stopped at Black Beach (volcanic sand), Kasteli settlement in Emporio (housing within an old castle, with very narrow streets -- in part to confuse the pirates!), and the quaint village of Megalochori. Last was the Heart of Santorini, which is eroding away and not quite a heart any more 🙂.Read more
Traveler I see the heart! :)
6/8/23Reply
Traveler The water is so blue!
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Day 28
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 689 ft
Greece Theosképasti 36.431667, 25.41666736°25’54” N 25°25’0” E
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Skaros rock, dinner, Santorini at night
June 6, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
I took a hike to Skaros Rock for a bit of exercise -- pretty stuff there and enroute. Dinner with Dennis & Sherry at Romantica (recommended by our host) -- very good! Santorini is pretty at night too.
Traveler what a hike!!
6/8/23Reply
Traveler You guys look great!
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Day 29
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 10:30 AM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
Greece Órmos Firón 36.42, 25.42536°25’12” N 25°25’30” E
Volcano & Therasia Tour
June 7, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Tourists for a day! We sailed across Santorini’s beautiful Caldera (a caldera is a large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses -- I had to look it up) and visited the islands of Nea Kammeni and Therasia on a 6-hour cruise. Walked around the volcanic crater, and visited Therasia island, including the hilltop village.Read more
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Day 30
Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 856 ft
Greece Órmos Firón 36.423333, 25.42833336°25’24” N 25°25’42” E
Goodbye, Santorini!
June 8, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Said goodbye to beautiful Santorini. We had a wonderful four nights, and are happy we stayed off the beaten path a bit in Firastefano. While we were only a 10-15 minute walk from the center of Fira, the crowds were much thinner in Firastefano. It was crazy busy walking through the narrow streets of Fira during the day -- we can hardly imagine how crowded it must be during peak summer season 😳. We said goodbye to Dennis & Sherry today, too. They have one more night in Fira, Santorini and then are off to the island of Paros! We are headed back to the Greece mainland, for another cycling tour.Read more
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Day 31
Friday, June 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
Greece Pefkochori Beach 39.99, 23.61539°59’24” N 23°36’54” E
Hello, Halkidiki!
June 9, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
We flew from Santorini to Thessaloniki, spent the night and a quick morning, then met Andrey who drove us south to the Halkidiki Peninsula for the start of our cycling tour, in the beachside town of Pefkochori. Tested out our bikes on a 10km warm-up ride, then had dinner at a seaside restaurant. The color of the water is beautiful. Andrey is great, and will be providing van support for this tour. We are the only riders for this start date, so Andrey is our private driver and guide!Read more
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Day 32
Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
Greece Loutra Beach 39.928333, 23.58539°55’42” N 23°35’6” E
Pefkochori to Loutra
June 10, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
A beautiful morning for our first full cycle ride on the Halkidiki Peninsula tour! Today we rode about 22 miles, with some good climbs throughout. It was great to get the cardio going again, after several days without cycling. I can tell I wasn't quite as fit on the climbs. We stopped at St. Nicholas Church on a scenic little peninsula, and arrived in Loutra in time to spend a couple of hours at the beach. Tom sat there with a beer and said, "This is pretty great!" Then, after a refreshing swim, with the second beer they brought a little bowl of mixed nuts, and Tom said, "It doesn't get any better than this!" But...then a Chinese man walked by with his massage bag, and Tom had a 40 minute massage. OK...it CAN get better! He said it was his best massage ever! We closed out the day with an excellent dinner (and view) with Andrey. A very good day, indeed!Read more
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Day 33
Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 11:11 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
Greece Cape Cassandra 39.96, 23.3639°57’36” N 23°21’36” E
Loutra to Kassiandra
June 11, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
The day started out warm but overcast, and we even had some sprinkles for part of our 25-mile ride. We rode north up the coast, veering west to Possidi Lighthouse and Possidi Beach. Ironically, we ran into the Austrians with the big yellow RV again! They are very nice, and proud of their rig (custom built DIY) of course. The sky cleared for the second half of our ride, and with a couple of climbs we felt we earned the piece of pizza and apple croissant we had at the finish 🙂. Loaded up the bikes and drove an hour to Neos Marmas (on the 'middle' peninsula) where we explored a bit and spent the night.Read more
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Day 34
Monday, June 12, 2023 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
Greece Agia Kyriaki 40.05, 23.80666740°3’0” N 23°48’24” E
Parthenonas to Porto Koufo (1 of 2)
June 12, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
Oohhh...what a fantastic day! We started with an excellent breakfast on the waterfront in Neos Marmas, then shuttled up in the van to Parthenonas, a small village of stone buildings. So cool! From there we started our 25-mile ride down to the sea and along the coast. It was a brilliant day, and the scenery on this ride was stunning! If only photos could capture the smell of the pines, the light breeze, the warmth of the sun, the quiet stretch of fine pavement with barely a car, and the gorgeous coastal views. Photos don't do this area justice. Another beach and gorgeous view around practically every curve! Seriously, I said to Tom that it's almost comical how we keep seeing one beautiful view after another. Our lodging in Porto Koufo was pretty special -- the family-owned Porto Koufo Resort was wonderful. We had a little apartment set high on a quiet hill with a lovely view, and exceptionally friendly and welcoming hosts. I walked down to the pool/bar area for a beer while Tom was showering, and Kostas served up plates of fresh fruit from their property. OMG the fresh-picked apricots were fantastic! It was so fun to visit with him and learn about the history of the property and the region. We had a great dinner with Andrey in town, then back to the bar for more beer and olives and Mastika (liquor - yum).Read more
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Day 34
Monday, June 12, 2023 at 3:00 PM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 82 ft
Greece Limáni Koufoú 39.968333, 23.92833339°58’6” N 23°55’42” E
Parthenonas to Porto Koufo (2 of 2)
June 12, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
Such a great day warranted two postings worth of photos! (Max on this app is 20 per post...I couldn't limit myself! 😉)
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Day 35
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 13 ft
Greece Vourvourou 40.188333, 23.79833340°11’18” N 23°47’54” E
Porto Koufo to Vourvourou
June 13, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Another great day of cycling! Rode along coastal roads and through forests of Mediterranean Pines, logging 38 miles and >4,000' of elevation! A warm day with a nice finish in the town of Vourvourou. Had an excellent dinner with a gorgeous sunset view at Gorgona restaurant.Read more
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Day 36
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
Greece Ouranoupoli 40.328333, 23.9840°19’42” N 23°58’48” E
Vourvourou to Ouranoupoli
June 14, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Today we changed things up, and got our ride underway before breakfast. This was our longest ride of the tour -- 43 miles, with over 4,000' of elevation gain! The start of the ride was along the coast, with pretty beach after beach. I have so many beach photos that I just stopped taking them! Our route took us through more Mediterranean pine forests too. We cycled 32 miles before stopping at a beachside restaurant for lunch. Tom was thrilled because for the first time in Greece, he found his favorite American beer. The restaurant owner is quite a beer connoisseur, even brewing some himself, so Tom was in his element! The last section of the ride was along the water again -- amazing to see such beautiful yet empty beaches! The ride was challenging, and we were feeling lazy, so we headed to the hotel pool (very nice for a hotel in this price range!) and ordered drinks and food there to round out the evening. This is the last official riding day of our tour. Pleased to report no aggressive dogs for this entire tour (except today in one area, but we were able to perform our techniques to ward them off! 🙂).Read more
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Day 37
Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 75 °F
Altitude: 16 ft
Greece Néoi Epivátes 40.505, 22.91540°30’18” N 22°54’54” E
So long, Halkidiki!
June 15, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Took a few pics before checking out of our hotel in Ouranoupoli. Today is our last full day in Greece. Transferred back to Thessaloniki via a 2 hour van ride, said goodbye to Andrey, and checked into an apartment near the Thessaloniki airport. This place is great--new & modern with a full kitchen, living area, balcony overlooking a small pool, just two blocks from the waterfront--for only 66€ per night ($72)! Most important, the washing machine! Did three loads of laundry and then Tom cooked a great healthy dinner while I walked along the waterfront. Organized our things for departure to Amsterdam tomorrow 🙂.Read more
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Day 38
Friday, June 16, 2023 at 3:30 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Netherlands Abcoude 52.271667, 4.97552°16’18” N 4°58’30” E
On to Amsterdam (Abcoude)
June 16, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
Flew from Thessoloniki to Amsterdam today, where we are spending three nights for our last hurrah before flying home. Hotel rooms are spendy in the central city, so I chose an apartment in the outlying area of Abcoude. What a find!! The apartment is fantastic--large, modern, spotless, comfortable, quiet, and in a really charming village of canals, brick houses, and cafes. Plus, the price is half the cost of a simple room in Amsterdam! I highly recommend it. Only bummer is the vertigo I suffered upon getting up this morning, and it stayed with me all day, causing nausea and dizziness for our travel day 😠. By evening, it had subsided enough that I could do a walkabout in this pretty little 'suburb.' Link to our apartment: https://parkhotelabcoude.nl/park-view-apartment…Read more
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Day 39
Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 7 ft
Netherlands The Jordaan 52.376667, 4.88166752°22’36” N 4°52’54” E
Amsterdam City Walk
June 17, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
We spent Saturday as tourists, figuring how can we come to Amsterdam and not see the city?! The crowds and the shopping really aren't our thing...but it is a pretty and interesting city. We included the Red Light District on our walk -- it was a little underwhelming vs. all the hype. We didn't get to the city parks -- if we return, that will definitely be on our agenda. It's amazing to see all the bicyclists and cycling infrastructure in the city, for example a large several-story parking ramp that is for bicycles only! It was a fun day, but after about eight hours (and three Rick Steves audio walking tours 🙂) we were happy to return to our peaceful little Abcoude suburb.Read more
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Day 40
Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 77 °F
Altitude: 10 ft
Netherlands Abcoudermeer 52.271667, 4.97333352°16’18” N 4°58’24” E
One Last Cycling Day!
June 18, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F
For our last day abroad, we chose to rent bikes and cycle around the countryside and small villages on the outskirts of Amsterdam. It was a warm but overcast day, and we managed to dodge rain until just a few sprinkles at the end of the ride. I was hoping for another brilliant blue sky day to get one final photography fix, but that was not to be. Still, we loved the route and the scenery. Beautiful green and manicured farms, livestock roaming free and living a good life, brick houses everywhere (hard to spot a non-brick house!), narrow roads, but slow traffic with drivers that are used to cyclists. The Dutch have chosen vanity over safety--despite 7 million bikes in this small country of 7 million people, very few wear helmets. The bike rental shop didn't even have any! The terrain is flat, very flat. The windmills are cool, although a bit few and far between on our 34-mile route. Didn't plan an excursion to see the homeland of my ancestors (apparently 90 minutes by car), so maybe next time!!Read more
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