My trip to Greece in September, 2025 was one of the most memorable I've experienced. I actually climbed the mountain to see the Parthenon with my own eyes. (It about killed me, but I made it.) This trip was booked via the Johnson County Fifty Plus Travel group and managed by Collette. I made friendships that I intend to maintain as most of our travel group was from Johnson County.
A small group of our tour flew from KC to Dulles, then to Frankfurt, then to Athens. This was a long day that put us in Athens too late in the day for roaming around the city. In the evening we joined our fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. The next day we bus toured Athens and saw the Temple of Zeus, the Parliament building, and the current Olympic Stadium. Then we went to the Acropolis for the climb to see the crown building at the top, the Parthenon that is considered the pinnacle of classical Greek architecture.
The next day we bussed north through central Greece to Thermopylae. We stopped to see a monument dedicated to Leonidas who died defending the city against the Persians. We arrived in Metéora to visit two remote monasteries (Variaam and St. Stephen) situated in a unique landscape of limestone rock “towers” that extend nearly 900 feet into the air. Over 600 years ago, Byzantine monks chose to build their monastic community perched atop these virtually inaccessible rocks. (climb was 200 steps)
Truth time-- I didn't attempt the 200 step climb to the first monastery. Wasn't sure i could make it and no pictures were allowed. I had a nice visit with a lady from France and enjoyed people watching until my group returned.
The next day we continued to the ancient city of Delphi, one of Greece’s most important religious centers during Classical times. A local expert guided us on a visit to the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Doric Temple, the ancient theatre, and the Delphi Museum with its priceless collection of ancient artifacts. It was here that the famous Oracle was consulted to foretell the destiny of Man. We then continued on to Arachova, a popular ski resort town with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Our next bus tour was along the Gulf of Corinth, crossing into the Peloponnese, the historic city of Olympia, a testament to the grandeur of ancient Greek civilization. We visited a local olive farm in the countryside and met with the owners to learn about everyday life in rural Peloponnese. We learned about processing different olive oils and experienced tasting the varieties. Most of us planned to ship olive oil home, but because of the new tariffs, the owner could not absorb the shipping expense. We marveled at a 600 year old olive tree shown below.
Then we enjoyed a local honey farm visit. We tried delicious jams, marmalades and bought honey.
Then we enjoyed a local honey farm visit. We tried delicious jams, marmalades and bought honey.
The next day we were still in Olympia. We visited ancient Olympia including a tour of the sanctuary of Zeus, the Olympic Stadium – where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. – and the museum.
Next, we toured the Olympic Stadium – where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C.
We also got to try out our dancing skills while learning Greek dance steps from a professional dance instructor and our tour guide, George.
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Our next destination was the coastal city of Nafplio. Short tours were offered here. Then on to Tolo.. We toured an ouzo distillery. We learned how to drink, and like, ouzo! Later, I found the food and shopping to be quite wonderful. The next morning we bussed to the port of Athens for the high-speed ferry ride to Mykonos, the whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades Islands. We enjoyed magnificent views as we cruised across the brilliant Aegean Sea to this island paradise. The ferry ride was enlightening. There were no porters. The ferry docked, a couple thousand people and cars raced off the ferry. Then we (and a couple thousand others) raced up the bumpy and ridged ramp with all our luggage. We massively raced to exit the ferry in Mykonos. The ferry waited for no slackers. We spent time in Chora (Mykonos Old Town), where mazes of narrow streets link the whitewashed buildings and traditional life continues amidst the bustling activity. Mykonos offered lots of interesting and fun shopping for our free day.
The ferry onslaught was repeated the next day. We cruised from Mykonos to Santorini. We bussed through a fascinating landscape of vineyards, whitewashed chapels, and volcanic cliffs to the spectacular town of Oia, where the best views of the crater were found.
We began our next day with a visit to the excavation site of ancient Akrotiri, the most important prehistoric settlement found anywhere in the Eastern Mediterranean. Known as the "Minoan Pompeii," the flourishing town was at once destroyed and preserved by a volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C.
Later, we experienced wine tasting and lunch at a local winery.
The next day was free to venture around and shop. This day happened to be an annual celebration of the volcanic eruption that created the Greek islands. Our tour guide arranged for seaside front view seating for dinner ant watching the fireworks in the ocean.
We began our next day with a visit to the excavation site of ancient Akrotiri, the most important prehistoric settlement found anywhere in the Eastern Mediterranean. Known as the "Minoan Pompeii," the flourishing town was at once destroyed and preserved by a volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C.
Later, we experienced wine tasting and lunch at a local winery.
The next day was free to venture around and shop. This day happened to be an annual celebration of the volcanic eruption that created the Greek islands. Our tour guide arranged for seaside front view seating for dinner ant watching the fireworks in the ocean.
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Our last full day was a free day in Santorini. Another great shopping opportunity. Later in the afternoon, we toured Megalochori, one of the most picturesque villages on the island, followed by a dinner of flavorful regional cuisine. We traveled to the southern side of Santorini to the village dating back to the 17th century. We embarked on a walking tour through the narrow alleys and peeked into the small shops, markets and churches for a taste of the local life. Then we made our way to a local restaurant. We savored regional cuisine during the delicious
3-course dinner in an open setting with breathtaking views of the rich, blue Aegean waters. We sat back and relaxed as we toast to this incredible experience
3-course dinner in an open setting with breathtaking views of the rich, blue Aegean waters. We sat back and relaxed as we toast to this incredible experience
This was a memorable trip. Our Tour Guide, George, made our visuals supplemented with his vast knowledge of the architecture, agriculture, ancestry, Greek mythology, history from the indigenous Sone age, Bronze age, Hellinistic period, Roman occupation, Byzantine Empire to the Greek revolution to today's modern Greek state. His vast life knowledge and love of Greece helped us appreciate this historic country.
In addition to the scenery, we experienced a group with cohesive comradery.
In addition to the scenery, we experienced a group with cohesive comradery.
