Dejanira's Reviews

Day 13: 01 Jun SANTORINI Ferry to Santorini . Meet and transfer on arrival. PM at leisure After breakfast, we transfer to the port (shared) and embark on the ferry to Santorini (4h). We arrive in Santorini in the afternoon, where we are met and transfer to our hotel for check in check. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Previously named ‘Strongili’ and ‘Kalisti’ the current name of ‘Santorini’ derives from a more recent and Christian reference to Saint Irene. Consisting of a small group of volcanic islands, Santorini was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history. Today only a submerged volcano and a caldera – a fraction of the original island, remains. Santorini is closely related to the myth of Atlantis, as part of the lost civilization itself or as the volcanic cause of the loss of the Minoan civilization on Crete. One of the most spectacular Greek islands, Santorini is blessed with impressive scenery, and some truly stunning sunset views from the villages

Hey everyone! ( γεια σε όλους ! [gotta practice that Greek])  I haven't written about books in awhile mainly about how i'm going to Greece in the spring. Last year I read 44 books out of my goal of 40, which is surprising because I took about 2 months of not reading anything due to the end of the semester and working. In September when I started driving back and forth to college again, instead of listening to music, I decided to listen to books. Audible really helped me get out of my book lump and I've read 10 books in 3 months and two weeks of driving back and forth. I would also listen to the books during the weekend when I was cleaning my room or if I had to drive somewhere. On Goodreads, I wanted to clean up my selves a bit, so I created a new shelf "own not read" and I marked all the books I currently own( e-books and physical) instead of marking them as "to read". I currently have 239 physical books, minus a few textbooks from college, most

Day 10: 29 May O/N FERRY HD tour: Meteora. Drive Piraeus via Thermopylae. Ferry This morning we depart the hotel on a half day tour to visit the Monasteries of Meteora. In the afternoon we drive to Athens via Thermopylae. Meteora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. The monasteries are built on natural sandstone rock pillars at the north-western edge of the Plain of Thessaly. This morning we visit several monasteries (usually 3 in total; periodic closures determine which ones we visit), including the Metamorphosis (Grand Meteora), built on the highest rock at 613m (2,030 ft.). Its striking series of frescoes depict the persecution of Christians by the Romans. We then visit two other monasteries (depends on which are accessible on the day). After our monastery visits, we pick up our bags from the hotel and depart for Athens, stopping to visit Thermopylae , en route. It was at Thermopylae where t

Day 07: 26 May PYLOS Half day Sfaktiria Island Boat Trip. Archaeological Museum This morning we rise early and transfer to the wharf and at 08h00 board our private chartered boat (exclusive to our group) for our half day boat tour to Sfaktiria Island. Between 1821 and 1832 CE, the Greeks fought a war of independence against the occupying Ottoman Turks. On 20 th October, 1827 CE a naval battle was fought in the bay at Pylos. The Battle of Navarino was fought by the Greeks and their allies; Britain, France and Russia, against the Ottoman Turks. This was a decisive defeat for the Ottoman and Egyptian forces, and a pivotal victory for the Greeks, who’s success at Navarino led to eventual Greek independence. The Battle of Navarino was the last major naval battle in history to be fought entirely with sailing ships, although most ships fought whilst at anchor. The Allies' victory was achieved through superior firepower and gunnery. The involvement of the English and French was pr

Day 04: 23 May NAUPLIA Drive Nauplia via Corinth, Mycenae and Epidaurus Theatre This morning after breakfast we depart and dive to Nauplia via visits to Corinth, Mycenae and the Epidaurus Theatre . We first drive to ancient Corinth for a brief visit. During the 6 th century BCE, Corinth was one of the three major powers in Greece and took part in all the battles against the Persians. That Corinth was one of the richest Greek cities is made evident by the extensive remains, including the huge Agora (market place) and the Apollo Temple , which we visit. We then continue to Mycenae . The Citadel of Mycenae occupies the triangular summit of a low hill between two gorges. The Mycenaeans excelled in a style of building using large, unworked stones. These massive fortifications were begun in the 14 th century BCE, followed by Tiryns and Dendra, Argos and Athens, as well as a host of subsidiary forts and, eventually, a huge wall across the Corinthian Isthmus. The famous Lion Ga