Part 1/4: The last 4 months I was working in Greece, the origin of democracy and also some days in Spain. If you like you may follow this thread and my impressions. In the beginning of November 2024 I started my "mission abroad" to the mainland of Greece. In the past I have been there only for one week on a holiday trip with my parents in 1986 - Uhh, I am getting old. I couldn't imagine what awaited me there. A short summary: The people there are very friendly and open-hearted, helpful and also very patient with international guests who don't speak Greek or Spanish. Nearly all people in all ages are able to speak English. This is only guilty for Greece! In Spain it was not like this! The local food is very good and you can really go to any restaurant or taverna and always find new highlights to eat. The meal times were extremely unusual for me. As the stores are open until 21:00, people only go there for dinner after that. That's why I always had a free choice for seats with my colleagues when we went out to eat around 1900 to 1930. Beginning with 21:00 nearly all seats/tables of restaurants were fully pre booked until 23:00. If you are are a "coffee junkie" like me, you may feel to be in paradise. Nearly everywhere you are able to get a coffee. In one town, called Larissa, with about 200.000 inhabitants, more then 1.500 coffee shops are available! During the Christmas days and the changing of the year to 2025 my wife joined me for 16 days and we travelled a lot through Greece. On my lonely weekends I was always exploring the areas in the nearby of my accomodations. It was terrific! I was able to visit many historical places, wonderful landscapes and gained huge amounts of great impressions. Autumn in the mountains of Greece. At the seaside in Platamonas. In the area of Mount Olymp. A typical "Greek bike garage". A view down to the city of Volos. The historical village Makrinitsa. Only small pathways are available. Everybody has to walk on foot there. Outside of the village you find an overcrowded parking lot. A tunnel of an old train route which leads to a great restaurant/bar called Galleria. The restaurant/bar is situated directly at the seaside and offers great food and drinks. Santa Clause in the village called Itea. A view to the lake Plastiras.
Part 2/4: The complete village of Makrinitsa. Plastiras Lake from a higher view point. Visit of the harbour in Piraeus next to Athens. Nice bikes in front of a cafe. A lovely part of Piraeus. In the mountains. Joke of the day: The use of snow-chains was mandatory from the police, but you are not able to rent or buy them anywhere! A Christmas tree in the centre of Volos. The amphitheatre of Larissa. Typical decoration at a butcher in Greek towns/cities
Greece was one of the countries I visitred regularly for work. One of the strongest memories is that dinner was late, late, late. For a northern European it was very difficult. There would always be a long debate about where to go, meat or fish, inside or out..... The other thing l remember was the solution to parking problems in Thessaloniki. You could only park or drive into parts of the city on certain days. lt was determined by your regisitration plate, not sure of the exact facts but let's say if your reg ended with an odd number you could use the car on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This resulted in me having to be taken to the airport on a 750 Honda as it was all that was available. lnteresting ride, but l lived to tell the tale
@MightyBoosh: You are right. The parking situation in every city is completely crazy. Thessaloniki, Athens and even in smaller cities or towns nearly no available parking lots!!! Cars are parking on unbelievable places or positions.
Part 3/4: In the following some other impressions of my weekend trips through Greece. A wonderful waterfall at the end of a ravine in Bythos near Mount Olymp. Amphitheater of Delphi. Apollo Temple in Delphi. Seaside in the town Itea. It's about 20 minutes away from Delphi in the middle of millions of olive trees. A small impression of the great Meteora Monasteries. The scenery is nearly undescribable. The most of them are able to visit by tourist for small money. In the past the monks were lifted up by cable pulls and nets by hand! I don't know the number of monks whio died due to accidents. The famous Acropolis in Athens. Tip for future visits: On every 1st Sunday of each month the entry is for free. You save €30.- per person and are allowed to visit the Acropolis Museum too! An other view of the Acropolis. Acropolis by night. From this great roof top bar I took the photo! Here you can enjoy great drinks and delicious food too. I found a Bonnie in Athens!
Part 4/4: As I answered to @MightyBoosh the parking situation for cars is crazy everywhere, but the same happens with bikes too. On this picture they are parked properly. A guard in front of the Presidents residence in Athens in his historical uniform. The changing of the guards is also very impressive. The soldiers move in slow motion and make strange movements which look like horses tipping with there legs on the floor. The Canal of Corinth. An old BMW in Athens. The other side of the bike. View from Palamidi Castle to the sea. Temple of Sounion. Now we switch for a few pictures to Spain. The Cathedral of Sevilla. Beach views in Spain. I really enjoyed my time in these two countries but I am happy to be back home again. Now I am able to ride my bikes again!!!
You certainly got around. Reminds me of a trip I made to Greece way back in the late 70's. I hitch-hiked both ways! I doubt you would try that nowadays. I even stowed away on a couple of ferries, hiding in the lifeboats hanging out over the side, to reach Naxos and Paros. A safer world back then, or so it seemed to my teenage self. Happy memories.
Fantastic photos! A few places were familiar from my visits, but most were new and all were spectacular! Was the monastery used in a James Bond movie?
Thanks @Markus, fantastic photographs and brilliant write - ups as always. I am hankering after blue skies and stunning scenery now!!
@Mrs Visor: You are so right!!! I had only two hours of sun since the last 9 days back in Austria. I am waiting for nice weather too!
Thanks for the report. We just returned from a motorcycle trip to Chile and Argentina and a lot of the customs are the same - late dinners, late mornings etc. Also, not many English speakers there.
