This trip is on our bucket list.
We flew to Athens with a layover at Doha. The overall flying time was over 12 hours with an additional four hours at the airport of Doha. We were able to get some sleep on both legs of the flights, so we didn’t look too worn out when we arrived at Athens.
Athens is great, there were plenty of things to do.
Visiting the Acropolis is high up on our list. So were the other vistas and museums.
The main purpose of this post is to give a short introduction of the seven islands we visited.
We embarked our ship, the Le Bougainville, at the busy port of Pireaus.
By next morning, the ship berthed at Patmos. Likewise, every morning, we arrived at a new island and started a new day. If berthing spaces are available, we will directly berth alongside. More often than not, we have tenders which transferred us to shore and back to ship after our land excursion.
Patmos – appears to be a religious island, where St. John once lived. It was here, on Patmos, where exiled by the Roman emperor Domitian in A.D. 95, that John conjured up the Four Horsemen and the Beast with Seven Heads.
Folegrandros – is known for the magical charm of its white-washed Hora with its old Castle that has been occupied since Medieval times and of course
Amorgos – the island is renowned for its trails and walking paths, its raki-loving spirit (a grape-based liquor), and its aromatic herbs.
Syros – very beautiful, especially looking from the ship, day and night. Boasting the beautiful Cycladic landscape, minus the crowds, Syros Greece is a top choice for those who want to chill out and relax
Delos – is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in Greece. Not really inhabited, with all the ruins covering virtually the whole island. The stone lions on the island are more widely known.
Mykonos – this island seems too crowded and commercial for me. It is the party animal of the Cycladic islands.
Hydra- beautiful, especially on the shore front where we were greeted by mules. One of the greatest parts of this stunning little paradise is that there are no cars allowed on the island, aside from garbage trucks and ambulances. The main method of transportation here is mules and donkeys.
The biggest regret is not being able to visit the island of Santorini and viewing sunset from there.
It will be a long time before we will pass this way again; so I may have to kiss Santorini goodbye!
Too bad you missed Santorini, it was one of my favorite spots on my cruise in 2007.
I only have a couple of pictures of the blue doors and domes.
Understand Santorini is very crowded with multiple cruise vessels berthed. I hope I can made it there another time, before getting too old š
We’re headed to Greece this weekend – will spend several days seeing some of what you saw, but not all. What lovely scenery! Your pictures do it justice. Looking forward to it!
Enjoy your trip, Rusha!
It has been a while I didn’t write anything; only posting pictures. Regards, Michael
Wow! I would love to go to Greece one day!
Go there before their economy recovers and their currency strengthens š
Thank you for the delightful tour, Michael!
Glad that you like the post,. Regards, Michael
Wonderful set of photos, Michael. They bring back some wonderful memories for me. Many thanks and blessings from North Wales.
Glad that it brings back fond memories. I have been lazy to write anything because of personal circumstances. Hope to write a bit more instead of just posting photos. Regards, Michael
so beautiful photographs, Thank you dear Michael, Love, nia
Thank you, Nia š
Greece has been sitting near the top of my wishlist for the longest time. Thanks for this post, Michael. I hope to see the Acropolis with my own eyes one day — and I hope the weather will be as nice as when you went.
We went there late July. It was quite hot but sunny – good for photos!
We are trying to do a trip to Greece next year for our 10th anniversary have been looking into islands – we are not the party going type so would you recommend skipping Mykonos for other islands?
You may consider skipping Mykonos, I find it too commercialised and crowded- unless u want to see the windmills and the pelican.