Trip Review: Istanbul to Athens

What do I even call this trip?  
EurAsiaAfr?  

I do not know, but I do know that I had a great time!

4 countries:  Türkiye, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece 
3 continents:  Europe, Asia, Africa

With a cruise in the middle.  

WOW, that was a lot of ground to cover!  I loved every minute.  I always get asked what was my favorite trip and honestly every trip is my favorite.  I find I am a better person when I am traveling!

FAVORITES

Turkish Hamam

Pyramids and Sphynx

Delos Island

Greek Food

Santorini sunset was amazing!

I had three British Airways flights and must say all were amazing! I was in business class so I can’t compare how things were in the back of the plane.

NOT SO GOOD

Istanbul.  While it is a beautiful city, I found it crowded and not exactly what I thought it would be.  Of course the taxi scammer will never be forgotten, but as a solo female traveler; it is a one and done for me.  There are other places in Türkiye that I would like to visit so maybe I will be back in the future.

Crowds.  I have read for years about how locals really do not like cruise ships stopping due to the crowds.  I did not understand as it brings in so much money when the people visit.  This trip I got it.  They are correct especially at some of the Greek island stops.  Most days we were the only ship in port but it was nearing the end of the season.  I can not imagine what Santorini would be like with 5 ships!  I do not know the solution but when people stop coming will they complain about the lack of revenue those people brought to their town?

Day 17: London to Texas

The hotel location was so nice and easy to walk across to the terminal this morning. Of course, I was early but I was up and ready to get the process started.  This is my first time flying internationally with British Airways.  I picked it because I could fly business class with points (57,500 + tax) and the flight was direct from LHR to Austin . . . which is a 90 minute drive to my house.  

Another day of sitting and doing a lot of nothing but at least I will be in a big comfortable seat.

From the minute I boarded the plane it was a delightful experience!  The crew was so nice and smiling.  I must say that the safety video was hilarious and in the old world British theme with modern day flight crew. It was golden and caught my self laughing.  

Let's go home!

Here’s to 10 hours! I’m not going to lie but I’m excited after seeing the menu! I’m staying awake for it all. 

Cranberry Blush was strong!

Butternut Squash soup

Traditional short rib beef pie

Artisan Cheese with port wine

It is not very American to have a cheese plate for dessert but what sold me was they had Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Ruby Port as a drink option.  I sort of felt fancy; thankfully I told her I wanted a light pour.  I toured Graham's last year on my trip to Portugal and loved it.  At that point I was feeling a bit buzzed and  it was no more drinky drinks because I do have to drive home when I arrive in Austin.
 
And then it was time to start my Elsbeth season 2 marathon with a bit of napping. That is when I noticed my seat would not lay flat. Ugh! The foot rest would go up and down but the back would not. Thankfully the crew was able to do it manually. Even though it wasn’t completely flat it was comfortable enough to relax. So I shut my door and went to the land of dreamers.

 
The broken seat was a bummer but was still more comfortable than a seat in coach. I grew restless around hours 7-8 and then it was tea time . . . almost home.

And just like that we landed in Austin.  I grabbed my rental car to drive home and of course it was just in time for rush hour traffic even on the toll road!

Day 16: Athens to London

A lot of sitting and laying around until I had to leave the hotel.  When I went to pick my Uber to the airport there was an option of having a female driver for same price.  So I took it mainly thinking the car would be smoke free since it was about a 50 minute ride to airport.  It was so nice!  It was very clean and smelled so fresh too.  After arriving at the airport, I did something I never do; I checked my carry on bag. I really did not want to hassle with it. I will pick it up in London and keep it with me since I have an overnight layover.

And then I had a bit of a mishap as I went through immigration at the Athens airport. When I disembarked the cruise Sunday morning, we were just herded right outside. I thought it was odd no immigration check, but I followed the instructions and exited the building. Well today they questioned my entry as I passed through immigration at the airport. They didn’t seem to believe me and asked for documentation showing I entered on a cruise ship. Of course I had a small moment of panic, but remembered I saved my cruise documents on my phone. The girl finally stamped my passport, and I was on to security.

Just lots of sitting, walking around, playing solitaire, yawning . . . repeat for hours! I don’t know why I get to airports so early but it is a habit.  

We finally board my flight from Athens to London.  I’m seated in my least favorite row, bulkhead seat 1A!  I’m probably the only weirdo (Colin isn’t a fan of bulkhead either) that doesn’t like the extra leg room.  I really like to have a seat in front of me and space to store my bag by my feet.  I settled in and before I know I was given a menu to order dinner.  I picked the roast beef salad.  The meal service was really good!

One thing I have noticed is these British Airways flight attendants seem happy. They are eager to get what you request and with a smile.  And just like that my first leg is over. I grabbed my bag and walked across to the Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel where I will hang out some more.

Post Note: I had some fun flavored chips that I bought for Colin. When I got home they were gone! Someone took them at the Athens airport out of my checked bag. I’m bitter!

Day 15: Athens, Greece

It is not currently raining, and I woke up with a better attitude.  So I know today will be a good day!  I grabbed a light power snack to hold me until the afternoon.

I ordered an Uber.  I am starting to get used to smokey cabs but not really.  I am off to visit Ancient Agora.  

Temple of Hephaestus from below

There was a nice view of the Acropolis and apparently the first time with no scaffolding in decades. I had no desire to go there not because it cost 30€ but it was super crowded.  I had visited on my last visit over two decades ago.

Let me talk price.  I found entrance fees ridiculously expensive for foreigners.  Each site cost at least 20€.  If you are local half that so not horrible but still expensive.  Today I felt better about the cost as there was more to see compared to the Temple of Olympian Zeus.  I would have stopped at a few more sites but not for the cost!  I walked by them and just looked through the fence.   

It was nice outside to just wander around and then the rain started. Thankfully there was an indoor area to hang out with a lot of statues and museum. 

I really despise the smoking in public. It seems to be more common than I remembered last trip. Let’s not mention vaping because I have seen more adults than ever sucking on those things. I have had a headache for days!  Once the rain stopped, I got back out there and was glad I had on pants and a sweater due to it being cool today.

I met the guide for my Athens Walking Food Tour.  It was fabulous and a lot of food!

The tour ended in Monastiraki Square so I did a quick walk around before making the decision to walk back to the hotel.  It quickly became a very questionable decision to walk back.  Of course the route I selected was probably not the best or quickest.  It took me uphill to the Acropolis and down through a neighborhood under a major road and up to a familiar area near my hotel. Seriously what was I thinking?  I survived and made it at dark! 

Day 14: good-bye VIVA; hello Athens, Greece

I was in no hurry to get off the ship.  The cruise has come to an end.  It was a great itinerary, and I really did enjoy the NCL VIVA.  Here is a recap of my cruise journey!

I  am spending two full days in Athens.  I finally got off and it was a bit of a mess with rain and people everywhere.  There was no sense of direction . . . I don't know if it was because it was a Sunday morning or if this is normal.  I just sort of walked off and no one checked my passport or anything.  There was a sign saying ride share ahead but ahead where was not given.  I asked; no one knew.  I saw another American couple and asked them.  They had no idea either.  So I took my chances and ordered an Uber and hoped for the best.  My car was here but not where I said I was but he finally found me and had me at my hotel in no time.  Oh, Athens why you raining!  My room was not ready but got access to Club Lounge for some local treats. I don’t know what they are but they are yummy. 

I ordered an Uber to take me to my first stop.  I get in and he tells me that it’s not possible to go where I want to go, but he can drop me off at the next block.  I said no thanks I paid for this ride so how about you take me as close to Temple of Olympian Zeus.  Apparently all streets in the city center were closed for a bike ride so he really could not take me where I wanted to go, but he also wasn’t willing to cancel my ride and refund me so I was going to get something out of my cost.  So I quickly changed my plans and started at Temple of Olympian Zeus.

I really did not have anything else on my list and the weather was awful.  I did a quick google search and saw that on Sunday at 11am they do a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknow in full-dress ceremonial uniform.  So that is where I started walking towards.  Well, apparently so did every other person in Athens too.  It was packed!  You could not see anything but actually there wasn’t much to see due to the weather.  Since it was raining, a van pulled up to the area and they changed places . . . no band or pomp.  It was kind of funny but once the crowded cleared out I got a closer look at Evzones in their unique uniforms! 

The weather was not getting any better as I walked through the Athens National Garden.  I found a random Roman bathhouse ruins that were discovered when they were building a metro station.

I made the decision to head back to the hotel.  It was about a 40 minute walk so off I went back to the hotel . . . surely my room would be ready?  NOPE!  In fact the hotel was even worse than when I left several hours ago.  The hotel is packed and it’s a mess!  There are people everywhere waiting to get their room.  I went to the lounge and it was packed and only place to sit was on the floor.  My room was finally ready at 330pm.  I grabbed my bag and was calling it a day!  Dinner in bed.

My impressions of Athens are still not great! Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Day 13: Mykonos, Greece

I can’t believe today is the last stop of this cruise. It went by slow and then bam it’s over.  Originally, I had not planned an excursion but at the last minute booked one and it probably was one of the best of the trip!
Excursion: Delos: The Birthplace of Artemis & Apollo
We took a short boat ride to Delos Island.  Delos is known as the mythological birthplace of the twin gods Artemis and Apollo. According to legend, their mother, Leto, gave birth to them on the island after fleeing the wrath of Hera.  It was pretty cool to arrive by boat and see all the ruins.  It is now a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site with extensive ancient ruins. It is very well-preserved archaeological site and has the famous Terrace of the Lions.

The ferry took us back to Mykonos and dropped us right where I wanted to go!  It was time to wander and enjoy.  I loved the streets.  The dark stone with crisp white just made everything pop.

Little Venice

The famous windmills

I really just enjoying wandering the beautiful streets but it was easy to get turned around. They were decorating this chapel with fresh flowers.

I stopped for lunch at a tourist place but was yummy!

I headed back towards the shuttle bus back to the ship.  It was unsafe and too far to walk, and the ship provided a free shuttle!  The day is done.

Day 12: Santorini, Greece

The ship arrived to pure darkness but daylight was quick to come.

Today is a beach day. When I booked my excursion for Santorini, I picked the afternoon slot but the local company canceled so now I’m headed to the beach at dawn!  Seriously we are now going to the beach at 8am!

Perivolos Black Sand Beach

After 8 days of non-stop excursions this is exactly what I needed today. A few hours to just lay on the beach and relax! Of course, our bus dropped us off in a tourist area, but we were the only tourist.  The season is winding down and many places were already closed.  I found my spot and did a lot of nothing.

The chairs and umbrellas were free if you ordered from the restaurant and bar so since I missed breakfast that’s what I did.

This is my first meal off the cruise ship . . . on a beach and I must say it is delicious!  I ordered a Greek Salad (a real Greek salad; notice no lettuce) and a mango pear pineapple smoothie.  I am not a smoothie person, but they were both delicious!  I walked the beach several times.  The rocks were nice since they did not stick to your like regular sand. and the water clear.

All good things must come to an end so we are off to Fira.  I just wandered around the small streets looking at the same stuff. I stumbled upon a cafe and had a slice of pistachio cake.

I decided I was ready to go back to the ship, but it is a process. 

Normally there are two options; walk down or funicular.  The walking path was closed which meant everyone had to take the funicular to catch the tender boat back to the ship.  It took over an hour!

I realized I only have two more nights on the ship so tonight I’m having my favorites since my time is limited!

 

I found a spot to relax out on deck to enjoy the last hours of sunshine!

The sunset was the most amazing one I have seen!