The oldest part of Athens at the foot of the Acropolis
We will be staying in accommodations at the foot of the Acropolis in an old neighborhood called Psirri a few blocks from the old Monastraki neighborhood.
Monastiraki and The Plaka are two of the oldest neighborhoods of Athens, located at the heart of the city. Adjacent to Monastiraki in one direction is The Plaka and in the other direction is the old section of Psirri where we will be staying at L’aaventura Hotel and City Circus Hostel. Psirri, an area enjoyed by tourists and locals, is filled with restaurants, cafes, clubs, bars, bakeries, and shops.
Monastraki is known for its lively square, convenient Metro station, picturesque streets, narrow alleys, bustling flea market, Greek ruins, and traditional tavernas and restaurants. The square is a famous meeting place for Athenians. Standing in the middle of the square, you can see a blend of historical eras, architecture and cultures, and many roads leading to different, enticing directions The views of the Acropolis from the square are breathtaking by day and night.
A bit of waundering the streets of Monastraki brings you to the oldest, equally-colorful neighborhood called The Plaka. It is an area of pedestrian streets full of restaurants, jewelry stores, tourist shops, and cafes.
All these old neighborhoods are at the foot of the Acropolis. It is nearly impossible to tell when you are passing from one to the other….just let yourself get lost a bit, always keeping the Acropolis in view, then when you want to get back to where you started, just ask a local for directions to “Monastraki Square”
Note: Lovely beaches are located in Pireaus (harbor) which is easily reachable by subway from the square and then with a short trolley ride.
Things to do in Monastraki and The Plaka
Tzistarakis Mosque – built in 1759 as a mosque. Today it is the Museum of Modern Greek Culture.
Hadrian’s Library – built in 132 AD as an offer to the city of Athens by Hadrian, the Roman emperor. The entrance to the Library was overlooking the Roman Forum, founded by Julius Caesar in 10 AD and as an extension to the Ancient Agora.
The small Byzantine church of Pantanassa – what is left today by the nunnery of the Byzantine times
The flea market – The most important modern street in Monastiraki is the bazaar on Hephaestus Street and the adjacent straits or Jusurum, named after a Jewish old shop owner in the area which is actually the flea market of Athens center.
Walking on Adrianou Street you will find yourself right next to the Ancient Agora where the most powerful men in the political and social life of antiquity used to walk. You will also see the sight of, the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the most perfectly preserved ancient temples in Greece.
Take a tour of the Ancient Agora and the Roman Agora. The corner of the site of the Roman Agora, known as the Tower of the Winds, is considered to be the first meteorological station in the world.
Dining
The Plaka, Monastraki, and Psirri provide dining and shopping at its Greek best! Everywhere in the old section, especially in and around Monastraki Square, the hillsides and open squares around The Plaka, and along the narrow walking streets in nearby Psrii where we are staying, you will find popular gyro and souvlaki spots and traditional Greek Tavernas with live music and dance (by the guests!)We will always be on the lookout for the right place for us to eat each day!!
Traditional Greek food
Souvlaki/Gyros – grilled meat skewers or thinly sliced rotisserie meat wrapped in a warm pita with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and fries
I am considering coming a day or two early for the land package, and/or staying a day or two after the land package or after the cruise
1) Can I come for part of the land package? Can I meet up with the others if I come early?
Only one day early at the most if you want to hook up with the others taking the land package. We will be traveling on and off throughout the land package and may not be available to hook up with others other than the last day. These out of town days we take will be weather-dependent due to the fact that for two days we plan to be on the nearby island of Aegina and the ferry transpiration between Aegina and Piraeus (Athens Harbor) is dependent on the weather (especially high winds). If you are considering joining us on our land package at some point, we will need advance notice, including your exact travel arrangements.
2) How would I book accommodations and what would be the cost? You are on your own to book accommodations outside of the established dates of the land and cruise package. See accommodations page in this blog for details of our accommodations. You can book a bed in a dorm room or a private room in the hostel or private room in our nearby hotel (we will be staying in one or the other at different times). In addition to cost of overnight, figure about $100/day for food and other expenses.
What should I expect on the Arrival Day of the land package? (Sept. 29th)
Spontaneity! With people in our group flying in at all times of the day (or maybe the day before), our schedule will need to be fluid. We will make Monastraki Square our meet up point and hanging out area on and off all day on Arrival Day. It is a great place to gather and explore in every direction. See Monastraki Plaka page in this blog. This Monastraki Plaka blog page will be our guide for a day of exploring the oldest part of Athens (starting 5th Century BC!)
What should I expect on the arrival date of the cruise – Oct. 5 (5pm departure)?
Those who are part of the land package will meet up with those who are only doing the cruise at a designated time and place in Athens (probably around check out time at our accommodations). All will board the cruise ship together, if desired.
Should I talk about politics?
Best to avoid discussing politics among our group or to strangers. If someone starts asking you about politics, we suggest you change the subject by responding with a personal question (ie. get them talking about themselves)
Is a visa needed on this trip?No, but a passport is necessary.
TRANSPORTATION – AIR/SHIP/LAND
What kind of transportation will we be using in the land package?
Subway is the most inexpensive, efficient way to get around Athens and to/from Piraeus harbor (Athens port where we will board our cruise ship and take a boat to/from the island of Aegina where we will spend two nights). When going to Delphi on a day trip we plan to travel by tour bus. See separate pages in this blog for more information on our trips to Aegina Island and Delphi.
When is the best time to purchase airline tickets to/from Athens?
One month out at the latest. Start researching as soon as you make a decision to come on our tour
How can I get the best price on airfare?
Following are suggested search engines: Sky scanner, Expedia, Priceline, Google Air, Expedia. Once you have found a flight you like, we suggest going directly to the website of that airlines and see how the prices compare (they may be cheaper if purchased directly from the airline website) Consider flying into a city other than Athens and then fly to Athens with a different airline
How do I get from the airport to the hotel or hostel on or before Arrival Day (Sept. 29) of the land package?
Public transportation – You can take a subway straight (no change of subway lines) from the Athens Airport to Monastraki (Square). Cost is 14 Euros. From there it is a ten minute walk to our accommodations through a maze of streets. There are numerous taxis waiting in the square (some of our group may be hanging out in the square when you arrive – check with host on arrival at airport using Whatsapp.) If arriving alone and none of our group is hanging out in the square, we suggest taking a five minute taxi ride from the Monastraki subway station to the hotel or hostel on arrival. Good directions, using public transportation especially, between the airport and our hotel are located at the following link on the hotel website: www.lavventura.com and on the hostel website: www.CityCircus.gr See more information below under “Transportation” and on the “Accommodations” page of this blog.
If several people plan to arrive at the airport within an hour or two of each other on Arrival Day, or the day before, one of the co-hosts may meet them there, or pickup can be arranged by our hotel L’avventura
Keep in touch with one of the hosts via Whatsapp when at airport for up to date information as to where the rest of our group is.
COMMUNICATION/PHONES/COMPUTERS/INTERNET
I have heard that most U.S. cellular provider plans do not function in other countries without additional charges and/or different SIM card. Will this be an issue where we will be traveling?
Contact your service provider in the States and ask them about overseas fees. See “communicating among our group while traveling” below
What kind of electronic equipment should I bring?
Cellular phones – Connectivity – check with your local USA Service provider
Travel computer – can be useful for online research, keeping a daily journal (using Word), and emails (using Internet connection wherever we are staying)
Will I need an electrical adapter for electrical equipment I bring? (hair dryer, camera, phone, computer, etc.) – Yes, you will need a European adapter for an American plug. Easy to purchase on arrival at the flea market in Monastraki, but best to bring an adapter with you.
Addressing photography
Phone – suggest limiting use of phone for taking of photos verses a camera, due to the limited battery power of a phone (bring a back up battery)
Camera – more efficient than a phone for taking lots of photos
Sharing photos – photos taken with a phone are easier to share than those taken with a camera. At our final zoom meeting for participants of this event, it was requested that we don’t share photos during this event due to the need for online privacy while traveling. Thank you
Will we have good Internet connection during the land package? During the cruise?
Land package – There is should be good Internet connection at our accommodations. Athens has spotty cell phone reception.
Cruise – There is a daily fee for Internet access, which is relatively expensive. Lee and Merrilee will be purchasing Internet while on board the ship.
What form of communication is advised in advance of the trip with co-hosts –
Email, not text. When emailing, keep one email thread running between you and the hosts for ease of records. Do not start new email threads unless necessary (such as when forwarding messages)
How will we communication within our group while traveling?
Whatsapp (cellular access only) – free and good for phone communication anywhere in the world. The other party must be registered with Whatsapp. If both are communicating simultaneously, both must have Internet access. We suggest downloading the app and registering before departure from the USA. Put each participant’s phone number and name in the app. Hosts will assist with this before or during our event.
What about communication outside our group while traveling?
If you need to text or talk with people outside our group, try to leave texting or talking with them until you are alone (perhaps choose a regular time late at night or early in the morning?). If you must text or talk to persons outside our group during the tune you are with our group, excuse yourself and step away (out of earshot if you need to talk). Remember we have very limited time together – savor it. Be in the present!
CRUISE VS. LAND PACKAGE
How different is the cruise versus the land package?
The combination of the two packages makes for a well-rounded introduction to Greece “by land and sea”
Land package –Greek history, ruins, culture, exploration, traditional Greek restaurants, walking, hammam (Turkish spa), flea market exploring, long day of activities, if desired.
Cruise – spectacular water settings, water activities, more diverse culture than in the Athens area due to cruise port stops in Greece, Turkey (Bowdin), and Cyprus. It will be more relaxing when we are on the ship than it will be almost any time during the land package, unless you chose not to participate in any particular activity offered.
What is the strenuous level of the land package? The cruise?
There will be lots of walking around lovely, winding historic places and pedestrian streets. Strenuous hiking is there if someone wants it as many ruins in Greece are at the top of hills and mountains (some with public transportation, and others without)
Land package – easy to strenuous – go at your own pace with others in our group who are at your pace. We will try to divide up into groups with activity level a consideration. Keep in mind our group is small, so you may need to be on your own if you want to do something others don’t want to do. Our activities in Athens generally will be spontaneous.
Cruise – moderate –Some people in our group will probably choose to pay for an excursion offered by the cruise ship (full details of our excursion can be found on the cruise link on the ASCSA website). Others may want to be on their own (or with one or two others?) Some may want to go on a spontaneous tour with Merrilee. Some may want to go on a diving trip with JJ, one of our guests. There will be something for everyone…at every speed and with nothing more than moderate difficulty.
ACTIVITIES/EXCURSIONS
What if I don’t want to join in all the planned activities. Will I be able to take time for myself? Yes
What if I want to do an activity that isn’t on the schedule?
Tell one of the co-hosts and we will try to help make that happen for you.
Are there beaches we can visit on land package and/or on the cruise?
Yes. Greece is known for its beaches, from the black sands of Santorini to the island of Mykonos. Note: Some might not require clothing
Land package – There are public beaches in Piraeus (Athens harbor) which are easy to get to by public transportation from Athens
The cruise – Almost all places we will be stopping at have accessible beaches and boardwalks.
Will there be hiking?
There will be a lot of walking, if you want it. Ancient ruins can be spread out and rather rugged For example, climbing to the Acropolis in Athens is a hike. But you can also enjoy spectacular views of it from a perch in Monastraki square near our accommodations with more tame walking among other Greek ruins only a stone’s throw away.
Should I sign up for excursions offered by the cruise ship? If so, how will I know what others in our group are going to sign up for so I am not alone?
We will be having a final Zoom meeting a few weeks before our departure for those who have signed up for our trip. Among other things, we will discuss activities and what people want out of them.
Will there be excursions organized by our group that are outside what the ship will offer?
At each stop on our cruise there will be spontaneous outings as well as some of our group going on excursions being offered by the ship. The level of activity will depend on what people want to do.
CLIMATE AND PACKING
What is the climate going to be like in the different locations we will be in in early October?
Athens: Daytime highs average 24°C (75°F) early in the month, dropping to around 20°C (68°F) later, with overnight lows near 14°C to 16°C (57°F to 61°F).
Southern Islands (ie. Rhodes): Warmer conditions with averages around 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F).Note: the weather probably will be unpredictable this time of the year among the islands.
Always bring one or two extra layers wherever you go for the day. Best to generally keep discussion about the weather no more than one or two days in advanceso we can focus on the moment.
Packing (bags, what to bring, how to dress)
Bags – be able to carry everything alone – two small bags are better than one large one
Day packs – large day pack for long days out or traveling, and smaller, light day pack for shorter excursions (possible fold-up when not in use).
How to dress – Layering with light, washable garments that will dry overnight (jeans discouraged). Dress up clothes needed on board the ship for one or two nights – not needed for land package
Laundry – Pack for one week. Laundry facilities will be available at the hostel (only) where we will be staying on Oct. 4th, the night before boarding our cruise ship
Hair dryer – Should be provided at all our accommodations, but we recommend bringing a small, travel hair dryer
Towel – “In house” towels are provided by all our accommodations, but there is a rental fee for a towel at the hostel. Recommend bringing a micro-fiber, quick-drying travel towel for beach and travel use
A comprehensive list of suggested things to bring will be sent out to all participants by email.
