Sunset in Santorini

On June 16, 2022 we headed to the airport to begin our Greek adventure. How exciting it was! For most of the 43 people in our group, this was the first time to visit Greece. Our first stop was Athens with a two-day pre-cruise visit. Athens is a city filled with history, but also alive with the heartbeat of its people. We stayed at the Athens Gate Hotel, a charming spot in the heart of the city that embodies the hospitality of the country. Breakfast in the mornings was on the rooftop overlooking the city. We dined on delicious traditional Greek breakfast offerings with a view of the Acropolis. The first morning we headed off to tour the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Olympic Stadium. We also watched the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament building, a wonderful ages old tradition full of ceremony and pageantry. After our tour, we enjoyed a delicious meal together, sampling gyros, souvlaki, tzatziki, and much more. We watched the sun go down sipping Greek wine on our terrace balcony, delighting in the sights and sounds of that ancient city. 

The next morning we loaded onto our bus and headed to the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion. The scenic drive was filled with beautiful flowers, tree lined roads, and sweeping sea views. We learned much about Greek culture and history from our knowledgeable tour guide. When we arrived at the site, we made the short climb to the top of the hill. The structure itself was incredible and the view of the ocean from the top of the cliff was breathtaking! You simply have to experience it yourself!  That evening we went strolling through the city, coming across charming stores and restaurants filled with people late into the night. We walked around the Acropolis which was lit up at night and just beautiful. There were families and couples out strolling in the evening air; it seemed like the city came to life at night under the majestic shadow of the Acropolis. 

Day three and time to head to the ship! The Norwegian Jade would be our home for the next 7 days. We would sail to Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Patmos, Mykonos, Argostoli, Corfu, and Santorini. It was a great experience to spend some time on each island as each one has its own personality and vibe. It gives you an opportunity to pick favorites and decide if you would like to return. Once on board, our group would enjoy going on shore excursions of their choice and experiencing the food and entertainment the ship had to offer. My wife and I had a suite in The Haven which is a whole story itself. Suffice it to say, the extra features that go along with that area of the ship made the cruise extra special. 

One of the stops we enjoyed the most was Kusadasi, as we took the tour into Ephesus. The remains of the city are fairly intact and we marveled at the intricate designs and ingenious engineering. We imagined Cleopatra and Marc Anthony walking the same route. We were also amazed to see the stadium where the apostle Paul preached. Another favorite stop was Patmos. Standing in the cave where John wrote Revelation was awe inspiring to say the least and the city has a charm and hospitality that made us want to come back and stay a bit longer. On Corfu we went horseback riding down flower lined lanes and by the ocean. The scent of flowers filling the air, a short swim in the Adriatic Ocean and the most amazing Greek Salad helped to make this a memorable stop.

 Santorini also made the favorite list. The bus ride up the slopes was quite interesting. We visited a winery and learned that the vines on Santorini lay on the ground to help protect the grapes from the wind and heat. Our next stop was Oia, where we visited some very quaint shops and took the quintessential picture of the white buildings with blue tops buildings against the backdrop of the sea. The food in Greece is delicious, but it was here that we had some of the best gyros, pita bread, and French fries of the trip. We rode the Santorini Cable car back down to the dock and headed back to the ship to prepare for the sunset, the moment everyone waits for here. We had the sundeck on The Haven to ourselves with a bottle of wine and a charcuterie board. Some music and dancing made this a very magical sunset, one of the most beautiful we have seen for sure. When we would meet with others in our group, they shared their own stories of great experiences, great food, and great treasures found in shops. It was so much fun to listen to their stories and bond over a new found love for Greece and all of her wonders. Many new friends were made on this trip! As we made our way back to Athens to disembark, we reflected on how incredible the trip had been and wished it could continue a bit longer. Once again, we realized why we love travel and how lucky we are to be able to help give people memorable experiences like the one we had just had. Greece had left a mark on us for sure.

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