So Athens only really happened as there was no other way for us to do our tour to Meteora. But as the first stop to our big adventure, we were still bubbling with excitement as we left our hotel for our first exploration.
We had chosen to stay in Plaka, in the heart of the center of Athens, in the shadow of the Acropolis and its ancient temples. With its village feel, narrow picturesque cobblestone streets lined with tiny shops selling gorgeous jewellery, clothes, shoes, shoes and more shoes and local ceramics…
it was the perfect place to start. So much for this not really being a shopping trip.
Even though it is very commercial, it was a wonderful to enjoy the lively atmosphere, wandering the alleyways chasing glimpses of the Acropolis between the neoclassical buildings…
…Byzantine churches (including the beautiful little Kapnikarea)…
…other ancient ruins and historic landmarks and souvenir shops.
Sidewalk cafes and family-run tavernas stay open until late and we found a perfect little traditional taverna under the grapevines to enjoy our first Greek meal. Perhaps not the best food but a wonderful atmosphere and we left completely content but also completely exhausted. And then got lost on the way home. Of course we did.
We did eventually make it home quite late, with our purchases and fell into bed leaving the curtains open for the most amazing view of the Acropolis, literally from our beds.
The magnificent Acropolis, visible from almost every part of the city, is the hub around which Athens still revolves. This temple city, built in the 5th century BC, serves as a daily reminder to Greeks of their heritage and the city’s many transformations. All over Athens, rooftops and balconies (ours included) angle toward the landmark, a block of milky marble on top of a steep-sided hill. While our time in Athens was short, we did have some opportunity to appreciate the Acropolis’ many moods, as the light shifts and the clouds cast their shifting shadows.
Fast forward a couple of days and we arrived back at the hotel to welcome our precious friend Annie with much excitement. While we had had an amazing time on our Meteora tour, we had missed her being with us. Our little foursome was now complete.
On the hotels recommendation, we all headed off to another traditional taverna…very touristy but also lots of fun…to eat some food, drink some wine, dance, laugh (a lot) and break some plates!
and I think to myself what a wonderful world 