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Complex and Beautiful Sicily (A Tour of Our Tour)
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EXOTIC MOROCCO: Our Spring 2019 Tour
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Musing of A Tour Designer: Our 2018 Greece Tour
Reflecting on a tour I’ve designed is something I do a lot in the moment and after I return home. I try to design my tours in the same way I would put together a family trip – with memorable experiences. Our tour to mainland Greece and the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini was truly unforgettable. First, the wonderful group! We were a group of 11 women and one man. These were individuals who bonded quickly, gave of themselves when needed, cared for each other and generally embraced the concept of group travel. We had guests from California, Ohio, South Carolina, New Jersey and Colorado. We had two sets of sisters and two repeat clients. Most started off not knowing each other but made friends quickly and have now gone home with 10+ (new) good friends As I often say, this is more like a group of friends traveling together than the standard ‘canned’ tour. Seeing people learn through immersive cultural experiences and sharing in that joy with newly-made friends is the greatest reward I could ask for. Thank you to everyone who joined us on another adventure ~ one we will not forget!
We arrived to Athens in a Medicane – a Mediterranean hurricane. The rain and wind was an unusual weather pattern they were experiencing in Greece and we ‘enjoyed’ it for all three days we were there! Nevertheless, we persisted. We visited the Acropolis with a certified Greek guide who was an expert in archaeology and Greek history. The winds were 45mph and the rain did not stop. What better way to visit the Acropolis!? Our guide was a delight and extremely knowledgeable about the Acropolis, its temples and the artifacts in the Acropolis Museum. We learned so much and it was a day we will all remember!
We headed north from Athens to Delphi. Delphi is one of the most important historic sites in Greece. The ancient Greeks considered Delphi to be the ‘center of the world’. They went to Delphi to consult Pythia, the Oracle, who gave advice on everything from when to plant crops to whether to go to war. She sat in Apollo’s Temple, the ruins you see here. Visitors would line up to see her. This site and museum are well worth a visit. Out guide unraveled the mysteries and history surrounding this important Greek site.
Onward to Kalambaka and the Meteora monasteries in mainland Greece. This area is magical with monasteries built on top of and amongst great rock outcroppings. Beginning in the 14th century, nomadic Greek Orthodox monks built monasteries as a way to create isolation, peace and protection. The monks built them using only ropes, pulleys and baskets and would raise access when they needed to escape invaders. They still use cable cars today (replacing the old baskets) to move people and goods between the monasteries. We had a wonderful hiking guide who entertained and informed us the whole way!
We flew from Athens to Mykonos, a short 35-minute flight. That evening was spent in Chora/Mykonos Town doing some much-anticipated island shopping, eating and imbibing of Greek wines. We visited the Kato Windmill overlooking Little Venice where we dined on the waterfront. It was so lovely to sit and watch the sunset with new friends, enjoy freshly caught fish and take in the magic of this Greek island.
OPA! It was a lively Greek Night on Mykonos! Our guests had a great time watching the show and participating in traditional Greek dancing!
A day spent sailing on a private catamaran is good for the head and the heart! We sailed to two protected coves off Mykonos, swam and enjoy a magnficient lunch on board!
Santorini is simply breathtaking! The white cubiform buildings lining the cliff of the volcano, the views across the caldera, the sparkling sea and the flowers in bloom everywhere are something photos do not adequately convey. Oia, on the tip of the island, is a shoppers’ paradise filled with boutiques and trendy restaurants. Guests loved having some free time to discover the island on their own. This is the sunset one night looking across the caldera from my room – now forever etched in my memory!
Santorini wines are some of the best Greek wines. Grapes grow in the volcanic soil and absorb the warm sunshine producing wonderful wines. Guests spent the day with a sommelier touring a vineyard, tasting and learning about Santorini viticulture. They then participated in a hands-on cooking class making traditional Santorinian fare: fava dip, tomato fritters, Cretan salad and pork cooked with wild herbs in a local wine reduction sauce. Yum! It was a perfect last day to an incredible 12-day adventure in Greece!
Musings From Our 2018 Tour
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Greece On Your Plate
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Greek Cultural & Culinary Terms
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What is the Caldera of Santorini?
Santorini is probably the most famous Greek island. Its white-washed cube-like architecture, bright-blue domed Byzantine churches and glorious views over the expanse of the Aegean Sea are symbols of this little paradise.
Santorini is a volcanic island and it was centuries – or even millennia – in the making. Santorini’s half-moon shaped bay is the center of the Caldera. A caldera is a cauldron-like depression that occurs after the mouth of the volcano collapses from the eruption of the volcano.
Santorini is actually a group of islands located in the heart of the Aegean Sea. It’s comprised of five distinct islands: Santorini (the main island, also known as Thira), Thirasia, Aspronisi on the periphery and the two Kameni islands in center.
Santorini’s biggest volcano eruption was during the Minoan civilization 3500 years ago. Studies have shown that the island was the cradle of this advanced civilization which was ultimately destroyed by the explosion of the volcano. The eruption was so massive that it was possibly one of the biggest volcanic eruptions on earth. Santorini’s volcano also erupted in 97BC, 1570AD, 1707, 1866 and 1926, shaping the caldera and the islands, as we know them today.
The landscape consists of cliffs and rock along he caldera’s edge almost 1000’ above sea level. They also extend underneath the sea for an additional 1000’ – thereby creating the perfect harbor in the center.
At the northernmost end of the caldera lies the quaint village of Oia (pronouced eee-uh) perched on the rim of the Caldera. Oia is famous for its panoramic views over the Caldera during sunset. The capital city of Fira is located on the eastern edge of the Caldera and also affords beautiful views of the Caldera from a different perspective.
During our tour, Greece & the Greek Islands, September 26 – October 8, 2018, we will visit the towns of Oia and Fira. We’ll also hike a portion of the Caldera Trail to Oia. This is really the best way to experience the Caldera and the incredible views that are the hallmark of Santorini.
Monasteries Suspended in Air
High above the landscape below, lie the Meteora monasteries in the central Greece. Sixty monks and nuns live in the fabled monasteries perched on top of immense natural rock pillars surrounded by hill-like rounded boulders. In centuries past, this place of worship brought them solitude and peace from unwanted trespassers. Today, the Greek Orthodox monasteries are one of the most revered destinations in all of Greece.
Meteora is in central Greece only a few hours north of Athens. It is the site of six Greek Orthodox monasteries built by monks beginning in the 14th century. Windswept monoliths rise abruptly from the earth, with vertical cliffs forming a dramatic backdrop. The picture-perfect vistas have been the inspiration for films and TV shows, including ‘Game of Thrones’.
The word ’meteora’ means ‘middle of the sky’ and monasteries seem as if they are ‘suspended in air.’ The six monasteries were built by monks beginning in the 14th century providing protection from the warriors below. The monks used a network of ropes, pulleys, baskets and ladders to lift supplies and worshippers to the monasteries. In times of war, these were raised denying access to anyone that posed a threat.
During our tour, Greece & the Greek Islands, September 26 – October 8, we will stay in the nearby village of Kalambaka and hike the area. Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy this unique geological phenomenon and to learn the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Centre. We’ll walk through hidden trails only the locals know. Our guided hike will take us among the gigantic rock pillars of Meteora to visit two monasteries and enjoy the truly breathtaking views.
Note: This hike is rated ‘easy to moderate’. Our guide knows the way!
The Athens Acropolis
No trip to Greece is complete without visiting the Acropolis of Athens! On our tour, Greece & the Greek Islands, September 26 – October 8, 2018, we’ll explore the major monuments of the Athens Acropolis.
The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a citadel built on a hill during the Golden Age of Athens (460-430 BC). The Acropolis served as the preeminent sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens and its purpose was to provide sacred grounds to the goddess Athena. Athena was the goddess of many things: wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law, justice, mathematics and the arts. She was essentially urban and civilized but was also the goddess of war.
Led by a certified guide, we’ll tour and learn about the key monuments of the Acropolis:
Parthenon
Temple of Athena
Erectheum
Temple of Athena Nike
Propylaea
Temple of Zeus
Theather of Dionysis
We’ll also visit the Acropolis Museum (opened in 2009) that houses the historic and archaeological treasures of the Acropolis as well as objects of Athenian every day life. The museum hosts its collections on three levels and has an archaeological excavation site that lies at its foundation.
The Top 15 Things To Do in Greece
- Be guided through the Acropolis temples: the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, Theater of Dionysis, Temple of Athena Nike…follow with a visit to the new Acropolis Museum.
- Drink Greek wine…you’ll love it! Also, tour and taste at Santorini wineries.
- Enjoy free time to wander, shop and dine in the Plaka District of Athens.
- Take a culinary walking tour in Athens…sample and taste Greek delicacies and liqueurs.
- Enjoy an evening event (a concert, dance, theatre) at the Acropolis…it’s especially beautiful lit up at night!
- Hike to two Meteora Monasteries and visit their interiors…a serene experience!
- Be guided through Delphi, the site of the Temple of Apollo…followed by a visit to the Delphi Museum.
- Sail around the island of Mykonos on a catamaran… Greeks are known for their skill on the water.
- Snorkel in a secluded cove…Greece has some of the most beautiful sea life on earth.
- Enjoy the local cuisine in Old Mykonos Town from a seaside cafe…order some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste.
- Visit a Greek volcano…hike along the Caldera of Santorini, the edge of the volcano.
- Watch a Greek sunset… perhaps the best sunset you will ever see is from Oia, Santorini.
- Eat a traditional Greek meal… we’ll try local specialties and traditional Greek dishes everywhere we go!
- Learn to cook as the Greeks do in a hands-on cooking class paired with Greek wines.
- Take in the beauty of the Aegean Sea…it’s a vista you will always remember!
Whatever you do…enjoy yourself and take in all that Greece and the islands have to offer during this small group tour!
Basque & Rioja Tour Daily Itinerary
DAY 2: Guggenheim Museum Tour; Drive to San Sebastian; Evening ‘Pintxo Hunt’
DAY 3: Bicycle Tour of San Sebastian Beaches & City; Free Afternoon; Basque Cider House & Dinner
DAY 4: Brexta Market Tour; San Telmo Museum; Free Afternoon; Hands-on Cooking Class at Mimo Food, San Sebastian Culinary School
DAY 5: Visits to two French Basque beach towns: Saint-Jean-De-Luz and Biarritz; Walk on Beach; Guided Market Visit; Rocher De La Vierge; Arrive in the French Pyrenees
DAY 6: Hike & Picnic in the Pyrenees; Free Evening in Saint Jean Pied-de-Port
DAY 7: Arrive Rioja; Bodega Muga Winery Tour & Wine Tasting Class; Free Evening in Lograno
DAY 8: Visits to Two Architectural Rioja Wineries; Medieval Town of Laguardia & Wine Caves; Tastings
DAY: 9: Vivanco Culture of Wine Museum & Winery Tour; Farewell Lunch; Arrive Madrid
DAY 10: Departure from Madrid; Farewell, Spain!