Italy and Greece Day 20: Boston to DC

July 21, 2024

From my laundry room …

This morning I checked out of the Courtyard Marriott and returned to Boston Logan for United Flight 2098 from Boston Logan to Washington Dulles departing at 9:30a.

I’m home by 12:30p and immediately out the door for a welcome home lunch from The Burger Shack and to stock up on groceries at Wegmans. A few hours later I’m unpacked and laundry is underway. I really enjoy traveling, but I also really enjoy getting home. And in the post-trip glow of feeling travel accomplished, it’s a good time to reflect back on the trip …

By far, in terms of days of travel, this has been the most ambitious international trip I’ve done. I left Virginia early on July 2 and I’m getting home nearly three weeks later. But also in terms of destinations … Venice, Florence, Orvieto, Rome, Vatican City, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, Tolo, Athens, Mykonos, Kusadashi, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini. Not to mention airports in London and Milan. Counting Vatican City, that’s five countries! (And just one passport stamp!)

And this trip did not disappoint. I’ve meant to get to Italy for years. It was amazing from start to finish and I should have done this much sooner. Each city had a different flavor. I enjoyed each one, but I’d really like to come back and see more of Venice, Capri, and Sorrento and maybe some other places as well.

This trip also provided the opportunity to see parts of Greece I hadn’t visited on my previous trip … Tolo, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, and the Corinth Canal. And the blue skies and blue waters of the Aegean Sea during our island cruise were really worth coming back to see!

But doing all this with a great group of travelers makes the experience special …

Brad has been planning and leading these trips for nearly 40 years. It’s a huge amount of work and he dedicates many hours before departure and during the trips to make sure that things go smoothly while we are traveling. You can see where his experience as a high school principal would lend itself to this sort of leadership role. He makes sure the logistics of getting a large group through airports, busses, ferries, funiculars, cruise ships, and subways always works, while letting each of the travelers experience these new places in their own way. And even though he has been to all of these places many, many times he always finds something new to enjoy. Commendatore!

During the trip, long time Explorica tour guide Bianca was responsible for complex logistical travel arrangements, managing a sizable group of travelers through crowded tourist sites and cities, working with our drivers Antonio and Costas, and the care and feeding of the group. A highly skilled and experienced travel guide, Bianca has been imparting travel wisdom and Bianca’s Rules for Love and Life to the youth of the world for many years. “I mean, hello!”

Juan is an Explorica employee from Mexico on the trip as an employee benefit and travelled with us on the Italy and Greece portion of the trip. He is extremely knowledgeable about the travel industry and offered great insight into touring along the way.

Terry, Beth, and Patrick have done a number of trips with Brad, but none of the trips I’ve done. Terry and Beth are medical professionals and their expertise was welcomed by the group on more than a few occasions. Patrick has a great sense for the finer things in life and he shopped hard. And Patrick slays the recovery. Twice!

Cory and Hannah both work in the education field and travelled with us on the Italy and Greece portion of the trip. My first trip with both and I hope to travel with both soon! Cory first traveled with Brad when he was a student at Milford HS. He might be a future trip leader at some point.

I’ve traveled with Bernie and Jess several times and they’ve done other Brad trips I haven’t been on. It’s always great to spend time with them and catch up on Bernie’s woodworking and Jess’s beekeeping. (I need to get some of her honey.)

Brian and Elaine are friends of Bernie and Jess. This was their first trip with Brad. Brian served as a local elected official for many years. Elaine is a talented painter. Dinner conversations with both were always interesting and thought provoking. And both are part of their local arts council.

Marguerite has been on every trip I’ve done and I really enjoy traveling with her. At the age of 77 she still teaches at Milford HS and plans to teach for a few more years. She always has an interesting story to tell and photographs everything while we are traveling.

Mallory has travelled with Brad previously. She’s working through college towards an education career. Midway through our trip we were joined by her sister Jordan who surprised Mallory by flying Greece for the Aegean Island cruise. Jordan did a study abroad program in Greece last year. Mallory slays tech support. Great to travel with these sisters!

I previously travelled with Greg on the Peru and Southeast Asia trips. He’s always extremely well read on the places we are traveling to. Although I’ve only travelled before with Greg, he and his family are all very experienced travelers on previous Brad trips. Kim and I have been connected on social media for years. She is the Milford HS librarian, passionate about books, and leader of impromptu Italian roadside rest stop yoga classes. Hugh slays drums and even sat in with the jazz band on the cruise ship. Sophie slays kitties, tech support, and social media. Occasional blog proofreader. Charter member of the M&M’S.

Michelle and I met on the trip to Peru and started planning for this trip several years ago. On a trip you need a travel buddy or two. Someone to explore a new town with, find a great lunch cafe with, and to commiserate with. And occasional blog proofreader! And Michelle is an outstanding travel partner! Always up for adventure, excellent taste in wine and cheeses, on the lookout for the perfect cafe, and a great sense of humor. Charter member of the M&M’S.

Now that I’m home I can start unpacking and get to work transferring the photo and video files. Lookout for the Italy and Greece workflow post soon! And thank you for reading along as we made ou way through Italy, Greece, and Türkiye!

Italy and Greece Day 19: Athens to Boston

July 20, 2024

From Boston Logan …

After nearly three weeks touring, it’s time to make our way home. Today is our return day to the United States.

After a leisurely breakfast at the Polis Grand Hotel we check out at 9a for the bus ride to the Athens airport. Traffic is light on a Saturday morning in Athens. We’re on British Airways Flight 639 Athens International to London Heathrow. Our departure is delayed nearly an hour to load baggage on the plane and due to “air traffic control restrictions.”

After a quick layover we board British Airways Flight 203 from London Heathrow to Boston Logan.

We arrive in Boston around 7:30p. It’s been a long day of travel! After we move through passport control it’s time to say our goodbyes. The rest of the group is making their way to communities in New Hampshire. I’m heading to a nearby Marriott before flying home to DC tomorrow morning.

Italy and Greece Day 18: Athens

July 19, 2024

From the rooftop bar of the Polis Grand Hotel in Athens …

After an early breakfast we disembark from the Celestyal Discovery at 7:30a following the overnight sail from Santorini to the port of Lavrion.

An hour bus ride gets us back to Athens to drop our bags at the Polis Grand Hotel. Check in isn’t until later this afternoon, so we’ve got some free time in Athens. Some members of the group are heading to the Acropolis, but Michelle and I are off on an adventure to Mount Lycabettus. Reached by funicular it’s the highest point in Athens and home to the 19th century Chapel of St. George. The views of the city from here are outstanding …

It’s incredibly windy, but we enjoy the view for a couple of hours before returning to the hotel for lunch.

An Englishmen and an American meet for coffee in Athens to chat about sourdough bread baking. Sounds like a pitch for a spy novel!

But we’re meeting Phil, my sourdough bread baking guide. Phil is from Cambridge and lives with his family in Greece. He’s been a professional chef and is a bread baking phenom. I found his Culinary Exploration YouTube channel when I started baking sourdough and joined his Sourdough Unchained baking community to improve my baking skills. We talk sourdough baking, international travel, and get a local perspective on living in Athens.

It’s our last night in Greece, so Sophie, Michelle, and I toast the end of the trip at the rooftop bar of the Polis Grand Hotel. The view is amazing!

Time to head home and get my starter back in to shape!

We fly back to Boston tomorrow.

Italy and Greece Day 17: Crete and Santorini

July 18, 2024

From Santorini …

We start the day with a visit to Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, known for its stunning beaches, rugged mountains, lush valleys, ancient ruins. A quick bus ride gets us to the Bronze Age Archaeological Site of Knossos, the center of Minoan civilization, for a walking tour.

Then we return to Heraklion, the capital of Crete, a vibrant city that blends modern urban life with rich historical sites. We’ve got a little free time to shop around before returning to the ship.

Lunch is back on board the Celestyal Discovery, along with some much needed time to pack for disembarkation. At 4p the ship arrives in the Santorini Caldera and shortly thereafter we are on a tender to the island.

With its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and stunning sunsets Santorini is on every travel photographers bucket list. The island’s unique landscape, shaped by a volcanic eruption, offers breathtaking views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. Santorini’s rich history, vibrant culture, and exquisite cuisine make it a must-visit destination in the Greek islands. It’s a little crowded here, but the views across the caldera are stunning.

Tomorrow we head back to Athens.

Italy and Greece Day 16: Rhodes

July 17, 2024

From the Celestyal Discovery enroute to Crete…

At 7a we arrive at the island of Rhodes. We’re on our own today and there is no rush.

Known for its medieval Old Town, Rhodes, Greece, features the impressive Palace of the Grand Master, ancient city walls, beautiful beaches, clear waters, and scenic landscapes offers a blend of past and present. We sample it all!

Michelle and I head out at 9a for a walk through the medieval Old Town and then up the hill to the Rhodes Acropolis. Unfortunately the Rhodes Acropolis is hidden behind scaffolding, but the view from this hilltop makes the walk up worthwhile.

Next we walk back into town for lunch that is an assortment of breads, feta, and grilled octopus at Romio’s.

Then we walk through town to Ronda Beach Bar for a glass of wine and a dip in the Aegean Sea.

A little before 6p the Celestyal Discovery departs Rhodes to begin the 168 nautical mile sail to Crete.