Map of the different Islands we visited. (well we wanted to visit Zakynthos)
On one of our trips, we travelled to Turkey. We drove from Istanbul down to Marmaris and took a ferry to Rhodes Greece. That was the start of our week in Greece. We stayed on the Island of Rhodes, then to the Island of Santorini, and our final stay was in Athens. We were suppose to stay at one more Island, Zakynthos, but the flight was cancelled and we had to stay another extra night in Santorini - which was not a problem because it was probably one of the most relaxing and romantic places we have been.
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Athens Greece: Based on some feedback from other travellers to Athens, we only booked two nights in Athens. Luckily we listened... We got to Athens a little late in the day and stayed the night in our hotel. It is a very large city (not unlike Los Angeles) with 4 million people. It is crammed, it seems, with thousands of white buildings (as you can see in some of the pictures below). The main focal point of this trip is the amazing Acropolis of Athens. Atop of this "high city" (meaning of acropolis), sits the Parthenon, dedicated to the Greek Goddess Athena built in 438 BC. After walking around the acropolis, we walked to other historical sites near there. After that, we were pretty much done with Athens. So as suggested, one full day in Athens in enough for any trip.
From our hotel room
Marcy and I believe Santorini is one of the most romantic places we have been (a close 2nd would be Beaver Creek Colorado). It is the simple tranquility of the place. Very relaxing. Catching a sunset together and walking hand in hand around the small municipality of Oia (although this year all of the 12 municipalities on the island have been joined into one city called Thera). We stayed at one of the rooms from the company called "Old Oia Houses". It was perfect for us. The pictures say more than I can.
A great picture of the Acropolis with Hadrian's Gate in the foreground.
The Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus
Our room at "Old Oia Houses", room number 1. It is all you need! In the morning we cut up fruit for breakfast, made some coffee and sat on the patio. Can't beat that for a perfect morning.
The view from our patio
The main "streets" in town. I got up at 7am and walked around... The town was empty and nothing was open. I guess you are suppose to sleep in.
We rented a car (first time we drove one of the smart cars) and drove around the island to each town to check them out. We also visited one of the beaches on the far side of the island. We also drove up to a winery at the top of a road that had great views.
One of the main ports where the big cruise ships come in. There is a very long path to walk up to the city area. You have the option to walk, take a mule or take a gondola. I recommend the gondola (we took that ourselves).
A couple of sunset pictures and night on the island. Many of the tourist in town and on the cruise ships come to the far side of Oia to take pictures of the sunset. We had some haze in the horizon, but it was still nice.
Rhodes was the first island we stayed in Greece. The island is very large. We stayed in a small town called Pefkos near Lindos. That town has the magnificent acropolis of Lindos. Another ancient acropolis that is being rebuilt. It looks like a castle on top of a large rock. We also rented a car so that we can drive around the island and visit the main attraction which is the Citadel of Rhodes. After looking through the pictures and all we did in Rhodes, I don't think I give it enough credit that is was a nice place to visit both historically and to relax.
A ferry from Marmaris Turkey to Rhodes Greece and a view from our hotel room in the small town of Pefkos.
Taking a mule ride up the long path to the Acropolis of Lindos. Up on top was great views of the small city of Lindos and the ocean. They are rebuilding the temple of Athena Lindia at the top.
We found a nice place to relax at one of the bays near Lindos. The water was not real warm, but it was relaxing.
The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a palace in the town of Rhodes. The palace was built in the 14th century by the Knights of Rhodes, who occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1522. After the island was captured by the Ottoman Empire, the palace was used as a fortress. I am not doing it justice by just showing you these few pictures, but it was a large castle. One of the main attractions in the castle area is the long historical street called "The Avenue of the Knights".