ATHENS
We stayed at the Acropolis Select in Athens. This hotel was very centrally located and allowed us to walk to the Plaka and other tourist sites very readily. The photo above on the right is of Nikos who worked at the desk at the hotel. He was very friendly and was so helpful getting us phone numbers and other information when Pat had her backpack stolen. (See pretour)
Every day or so our wonderful tour guide, David, would post that day's or a couple of days' events in the hotel lobby. This was very helpful to keep us all informed about what was happening.
As you can see, our first evening we met in a room at the hotel and had a chance to meet our guide and travel members. David provided some wine and snacks. While the introductions were being made many of us were busy taking notes about each person which helped us to get to know one another better. David also announced who our trip buddy would be. Whenever, we were gathering to go on to another event, we would have a "Buddy Check" to see if our buddy was there. That way no one was ever left behind! At this meeting, David also told us of his expectations.
After the meeting we headed off together for a group dinner provided by the tour. We got to sit outside at a sidewalk area and sample some delicious Greek food. It was fun to talk to some of the people at our table. What a great start to our tour!!
As you can see, our first evening we met in a room at the hotel and had a chance to meet our guide and travel members. David provided some wine and snacks. While the introductions were being made many of us were busy taking notes about each person which helped us to get to know one another better. David also announced who our trip buddy would be. Whenever, we were gathering to go on to another event, we would have a "Buddy Check" to see if our buddy was there. That way no one was ever left behind! At this meeting, David also told us of his expectations.
After the meeting we headed off together for a group dinner provided by the tour. We got to sit outside at a sidewalk area and sample some delicious Greek food. It was fun to talk to some of the people at our table. What a great start to our tour!!
This is David, our fearless leader!! You may wonder what makes him qualified to lead us. Here is a man who lives in Australia but has lived in Greece. He has a vast knowledge of the culture, history, politics, botany, language, economics, mythology and people of Greece. He has a wonderful and dry sense of humor. He attended to each one of us on the trip as if we were long lost friends and made us all feel so welcome. He had tireless energy and seemed to require no down-time. Even when it was time to have free time he would invite us along on special hikes and to join him at a restaurant for a meal. Wherever we went the locals were thrilled to see him! He was such a pleasure to have as our guide and we all loved him!!
Faye, on the left, tells us about the Acropolis area.
This is Faye, our Athens city guide. She gave us a tour of the Acropolis and area surrounding it, the National Archeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum. She had a nice sense of humor and obviously enjoyed her work. Her knowledge of the places she guided was very good. See the slide show below by clicking on the arrow of the places Faye showed us in Athens.
Below are some additional photos I took in Athens. For one reason or another these things caught my eye!
The next morning we headed to Delphi. Click here to see what happened in Delphi.