Day 4 - Athens to Nafplion

Today another 30 degree day with blue sky started with a city tour of Athens followed by a visit to the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis. This time we had a guided tour so we got to hear this history etc. of the Acropolis which was very interesting. Noel and I also went over to Mars Hill were it is said Christianity was born in Greece. After the Acropolis we walked down to the Acropolis Museum. This was excellent, the museum when it was being built they discovered a very significant large ancient city ruin so they had to build the museum over the top of it with glass floors so you can see the excavation. The excavation is amazing to see under the glass floor both inside and out.  The building itself is impressive with all natural light used inside to light up the exhibits.

We only had a short time to stay so our guide took us to the highlights. Very impressive the way they have set it out so you can walk around the statues. The models of the buildings and then on the 3rd floor the replication of the temple is truly impressive with both replicas and authentic pieces to show how the pantheon really looked.

After the museum we had lunch in Placa, we decided to go for gyros which we know as yiros. Very yummy, the pita was so light and fluffy, completely different from what we get at home.

After lunch we hit the road along the coast to Nafplion. Along the way we stopped at the man made Corinthian canal which was very impressive and quite unbelievable really. Shame no ship was going through at the time.

We got to Nafplion and discovered we had been upgraded to a better hotel were we have an amazing room on the sea front. The Ampithtryon Hotel is  very flash and the view is spectacular over the bay. We went for a walk into this very pretty village. The old quarter is paved In marble which is stunning. Noel and I went half way up the 999 steps to the Fortress of Palamdi. The views from here are incredible. We only went half way up as it was closed due to the strike. It is 220 meters to the summit up the marble stairs, the fortress was built 1711-1715. It was founded by the Venetians but fell to the Ottomans before it was complete.

After some exploration by Noel of the wall at the bottom we headed back after a drink in the village before dinner at 7.30. The meal was excellent and we all sat with a South African couple who are living in Canada. They are both doctors and have also lived and worked in Ireland. They are a very nice an interesting couple to talk to. After dinner we did a walk into the village and back along the waterfront as it is a very mild  evening perfect for a stroll.

Tomorrow due to the strike we will miss out on our proper tour site however Bill has arranged a walking tour of the city instead which means we get to sleep in.

I would be happy to stay in this town a few days, it is said to be the most beautiful village in Greece and it is living up to this reputation from what we have seen. it reminds me of the French villages with its quaint little streets but instead of cobble stones it is marble paving which would be very slippery when wet I would imagine.

We head to Olympia tomorrow and check out some Mycenae ruins along the way.

Chow for now J&N