Happy Holidays from the Farmers - 2010

This photo slideshow made with Smilebox

The Island of Rhodes

Our visit to the island of Rhodes is one of the longest on the tour. We arrive at 7 a.m. and depart at 6 p.m. so we have a bit of time to explore either on our own or on one of the two optional excursions offered by the cruise line.

Rhodes is only 11 miles off the coast of southwest Turkey and is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. It is shaped like a spearhead and is approximately 50 miles long and 25 miles wide. Rhodes Town is located at the northern tip.

The village of Lindos is located about two-thirds of the way down the island’s south coast and is featured on one of the optional excursions. It is known for its impressive Acropolis built on a rocky outcrop looking out to sea.

Philermos, or Mount Filerimos on some maps, is a short drive just south of Rhodes Town and is featured on the other optional excursion. It features a beautiful monastery dating to the 14th century, Our Lady of Philermos.

The island is most famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of the sun god Helios dating to the 3rd century BC that stood in Rhodes Harbor and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

This giant bronze statue was documented as once standing at the harbor. It was completed in 280 BC but was destroyed in an earthquake in 224 BC. It no longer exists. Today modern bronze deer statues stand in Mandraki harbor where the Colossus may have stood.

In the first century AD, St. Paul brought Christianity to the island. A long Byzantine era came to an end as the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, or Knights Hospitaller, arrived in 1309 and built the famous medieval walls. The Palace of the Grand Masters was built during this period.

The Ottoman Empire then ruled for four centuries. Rhodes became a part of Greece in 1948.

Optional Cruise Excursions

In the last blog I wrote of one of the optional excursions offered by Louis Cruise Lines on the island of Patmos, so I decided now would be a good time to highlight each of the excursions you will have an opportunity to take. Then when I write about a specific island I’ll again mention the excursion and you will have a better idea of whether to purchase that option or not.

At the end of each excursion, I will put in parentheses the opinion offered by my friend who took this same cruise last spring. Remember that it is his opinion only. You will make you own decision based on information you read before the trip and hopefully the recommendations of our EF tour guide. My goal is simply to inform you and give you something to think about.

Also note that I will give you the most recent cost of each excursion and that the cost may change by the time we sale. These excursions are not offered by EF and can only be purchases on the cruise.

MYKONOS
Due to the afternoon arrival, no optional excursion is offered. We are free to wander around the island on our own.

RHODES (2 optionals)
**Rhodes and Lindos half day (4-1/2 hours; 52 euros) – 45 minute drive by bus along the coastline to Lindos; strenuous uphill climb to the Temple of Athena; time for shopping in the village; drive back to city of Rhodes for a walking tour; short stop at ceramic shop.
**Old City and Philerimos (3 hours; 47 euros) – bus drive along medieval Rhodes walls to harbor once protected by Colossus of Rhodes; drive across island to Philerimos; visit Byzantine Church of Our Lady of Philerimos and free time; return to Rhodes for guided walking tour; visit Grand Masters Palace. (His opinion: He doesn't recommend either tour but seeing Rhodes on your own.)
U
CRETE (2 optionals)
**Palace of Knossos (3 hours; 56 euros) – 30 minute bus drive to Knossos; guided visit to part of the excavations of the prehistoric Minoan civilization Palace of King Minos and the Queen’s Apartment; drive to city of Heraklion; free time shopping in town. Note the King’s Palace and Queen’s Apartment might be closed due to temporary restoration but can be viewed from above…we’ll ask on the ship if they know. Also areas of the Archaeological Museum are open in June but entrance is not included in excursion. (His opinion: he was not that excited about Crete, but another history buff on his tour loved it.)
**Panoramic Heraklion and Wine Tasting (4 hours; 52 euros) – bus drive to wine producing area of Peza through scenic landscapes; visit modern winery; to village of Archanes to visit tavern and wine tasting; photo stop at oldest farmhouse on Crete; drive through4,000 year old olive groves and vineyards. (No one on his tour took this excursion.)

SANTORINI (2 optionals)
**Island Tour and Oia Village (3-1/2 hours; 53 euros) – by bus uphill to view Caldera passing through small villages to unique village of Oia; guided walk through village; free time on own; guided walk to capital town of Fira; free time on own; return to pier of Scala by cable car or mule. (His opinion: He went on his own but only got to see Fira. A member of his group rented a 4-wheeler and rode to Oia. Oia is THE blue domed white washed buildings that you see in all the pictures, so if you want to see it all you may want to opt for this excursion.)
**Santorini Sailing and Volcano(3-1/2 hours; 52 euros) – cruise around the active crater of Nea Kameni islet; guided walk to the top of the volcanic island; swim in the warm waters; sail to harbor and drive by bus to Fira town; free time on own; use ticket to ride cable cars or mules down to Scala pier. Note descending Fira on mule can be uncomfortable as mules lean forward at considerable angle. Walking down, the steps are littered with droppings…and strong odor. It’s a strenuous uphill/downhill walk. (His opinion: Avoid the sailing. The short time you are on Santorini only affords time for one excursion. If you sail, you cannot visit Oia.)

PATMOS (2 optionals)
**Monastery of St. John and Grotto (2 hours; 49 euros) – bus drive to village of Chora; strenuous walk uphill to monastery; tour church and treasury; bus drive to Grotto of the Apocalypse; free time in village. (His opinion: do not need excursion for Patmos. Rent a taxi to grotto. He has visited the monastery but saw only a few interesting items.)
**Tour Around the Island (2-1/2 hours; 34 euros) – scenic bus drive through Chora and its windmills; visit new convent of Evangelismos; drive around island to village of Kambos and treated to refreshment.

KUSADASI (2 optionals)
**Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary (3-1/2 hours; 62 euros) – bus drive to city of Kusadasi along the coast to Mount Koressos; visit small chapel of Virgin Mary; drive to ancient Ephesus; guided walking tour includes Odeon, Fountain of Trajan, Baths of Scolastika, Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, Library of Celsus, and Great Theatre where St. Paul preached; walk along the Arcadian Way; view grave of St. John and Temple of Artemis (Diana) on return to Kusadasi; free time. Includes walking at certain sites.
**Ancient Ephesus (3 hours; 59 euros) – same as above but without stop at the chapel of Virgin Mary. (His opinion: Without question, the tour of Ancient Ephesus is a must.)

For a detailed itinerary of the entire tour, click here.

Patmos: The Monastery of St. John

The Monastery of St. John is located near the village of Chora on the isle of Patmos was founded in 1088 by the monk Christodoulos the Blessed in honor of St. John the Divine, author of the book of Revelation. Although it looks like a fairy tale castle with its buttresses and towers, it was actually built as a religious fortress to protect the treasures that lie within.

The treasury contains over 200 icons, 300 pieces of silverware, books and manuscripts, medieval textiles, and a remarkable collection of jewels. One of the masterpieces is the 12th century Icon of St. John which is housed in the katholikon, or the monastery’s main church.

Also contained in the treasury is the Chrysobull, the monastery’s foundation deed from 1088. It was sealed in gold by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Comnenos.

The monastery boasts 18th century frescoes of St. John in the main courtyard, but the 12th century Hospitality of Abraham is one of the most important frescoes found in the chapel of the Panagia where it had been painted over. It was discovered after a 1956 earthquake.

The main entrance to the monastery has slits for pouring boiling oil over pirates and invading Turks. This 17th century gate leads to the cobbled main courtyard.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of ten chapels in the monastery. Church law forbade celebrating Mass more than once a day in the same chapel. Other notable chapels include the Chapel of John the Baptist and the Chapel of St. Christodoulous.

The monks’ refectory has two marble tables taken from the Temple of Artemis, which once stood on this site.

The Niptir Ceremony celebrated on Maundy Thursday during Orthodox Easter is one of the most important ceremonies on Patmos. The abbot of the monastery publicly washes the feet of 12 monks, re-enacting the Biblical story of Christ washing the feet of the 12 apostles before the Last Supper. The ceremony was once performed by Byzantine emperors as an act of humility.

Modest dress is required and shoulders and knees must be covered. There is a strenuous uphill climb to reach the site.

According to our itinerary, we visit on Tuesday afternoon from 4-9 p.m. and the monastery is open from 8 a.m. -1 p.m. and from 4-6 p.m. Admission to the monastery is free, but costs 6 euros to visit the treasury. Chora is 2.5 miles from the port of Skala.

A visit to the monastery and the Cave of the Apocalypse is one of the optional excursions offered by the cruise line for 49 euros. It lasts 2 hours and includes transportation to Chora in an air-conditioned bus. There will still be the climb to the monastery by foot.

Another experienced EF group leader who took the Greek Isle cruise last spring does not recommend paying for an optional excursion on Patmos. His recommendation is to take a taxi for a few euros to the Cave of the Apocalypse (what he claims is the most interesting part of the island.)

He says that he has been to the monastery and that it has some interesting things, but would save his euros for something else. I offer you his advice in addition to your own reading about the monastery so that you can make your own decision on the optional excursions. There is another excursion offered on Patmos…but that is a future blog.

Try watching this YouTube video about the Monastery of St. John. That long document is the Chrysobull...the only picture I could find of it!

The Isle of Patmos

Patmos, one of the Dodecanese Islands, is known as the Jerusalem of the Aegean. It is the island where St. John the Divine was exiled and where he penned the apocalyptic book of Revelations. The small island is only 13 square miles with a population of about 3,000.

St. John arrived on Patmos in 95 AD after his exile from Ephesus, and the Monastery of St. John, one of the major sites on the island, was founded in 1088. Ship-building and trade brought about the decline of monastic control.

The cruise ship will dock at Skala, the main city and port for Patmos sheltered by a wide bay. From Skala, an old cobbled path leads up to the Monastery of St. John near the small village of Chora. It is a fairly strenuous up-hill walk to the monastery, but the panoramic views are beautiful from here.

Chora boasts over 40 Byzantine monasteries and chapels, many with distinct window moldings, or mantomata, decorated with a Byzantine cross. The village is a maze of twisting alleyways, many of which lead to the doorways of large sea captains’ mansions, or archontika, built to keep marauding pirates at bay.

Down the path to Skala is the Agia Anna church built in 1090 dedicated to the mother of the Virgin Mary. Inside the church is the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse, also called the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Here is the silver-lined rock where St. John dictated the Book of Revelation to his disciple Prochoros and the indentation in the rock where the author rested his head.

Here also is the crack in the ceiling of the cave where it is said that St. John heard the voice of God. Its three parts symbolize the Trinity.

The stop in Patmos is only an afternoon, 3 to 4 hours, so the stay is not long. Visitors wearing shorts are not allowed in the monastery or grotto. Female visitors must wear clothing that covers the shoulders.

The Dodecanese

Two of the Greek Isles we will visit are part of the Dodecanese, literally meaning “the twelve,” a group of islands scattered along the southwest coast of Turkey. This southerly group of islands in the Aegean Sea attracts many visitors because of their hot climate and fine beaches.

Due to their distance from Athens and mainland Greece, these islands were subject to numerous invasions and the ruins left behind attest to their history of occupation by foreign powers. It wasn’t until 1948 that these islands became a part of the Greek state.

Twelve major islands and some 150 smaller islands make up the Dodecanese including Leros, Kalumnos, Kos, Astypalaia, Nisyros, Tilos, Symi, Chalki, Kastellorizo, Karpathos, and the two we will visit: Patmos and Rhodes, the capital of this island group. Only 26 of the islands are inhabited…and some for over 4,000 years!

History shows occupation of various islands by the Minoans, the Greeks, the Dorians, the Persians, and eventually the Roman Empire through the Classical Age. During the Middle Ages, the Byzantine Empire ruled the islands for almost 1,000 years as seen by the hundreds of churches dotting the islands.

In 1522, Suleiman the Magnificent conquered the islands and the Ottoman Empire ruled the area for several hundred years until 1912 when the islands declared their independence as the Federation of Dodecanese Islands. However, Italy took over almost immediately.

Following World War II, the 1947 Peace Treaty with Italy ended 740 years of foreign occupation and the islands became a part of Greece.

Cruising Tips and Tricks

Here are a few cruising tips that may be helpful. If you have any to suggest, send them and I’ll include them in future blogs. Keep in mind that cruise lines vary.
--Pack a lighted alarm clock. Cabins don’t usually have them and with an inside cabin you won't have daylight streaming in a window to help wake you up. If you oversleep on the last day and get rushed to pack and get off the ship, you are more likely to leave items.
--Before leaving home, pack and label packets for each port which could include maps, sunscreen, insect repellent, camera batteries and memory cards, pen and paper, toilet paper (well...you never know) shampoo for after swimming, etc. It’s a time-saving tip so that each morning you just grab that day’s bag and slip into your backpack or daybag.
--Once you are onboard, have the gift shop make a hole in your plastic room key card (where it won’t interfere with the magnetic strip), and wear it on a lanyard around your neck. No wasted time waiting in line for a new card if you lose yours.
--Four tips for seasickness: 1) eat a green apple, 2) eat candied ginger, 3) inhale the rind of a peeled orange, and 4) wear Sea-Bands (bracelets that apply pressure to the inside of the wrist).
--The night before an early excursion, order room service for breakfast the next morning. You won’t get stuck in a long buffet line and risk missing your departure.
--Leave thank you notes for staff members who are particularly helpful. Being positive encourages good service in the days to come. Of course, everyone still tips…but a little extra something never hurts.
--To avoid the checkout bottleneck, ask for a printout of your bill the day before disembarking. The cruise itself is included in our tour, but you may opt for some additional charges for services, drinks, etc. during our trip. If there are any discrepancies, you can resolve them early and totally relax on your last day at sea.
--More seasickness tricks: 1) stay midship and as close to the waterline as possible as that area does not rock as much, 2) lie down where you can see the horizon as this places your head in a fixed position, and 3) eat pineapple…it tastes the same going up as it does going down!

Sailing with Louis Cruise Lines

We will spend our 4-day Greek Isle cruise on one of the flagships of Louis Cruise Lines, the largest line in Greece and the fifth largest cruise operator in the world. The fleet has a diverse collection of small to mid-sized ships.

Louise Cruise Lines specializes in sailing the Greek Isles, Cyprus and the Mediterranean and attracts a wide, multilingual spectrum of passengers, so our 4 days at sea should prove exciting.

If you choose to purchase any of the optional shore excursions, you will do it while on the cruise. However you do not have to purchase anything special to go ashore. As I blog about each of our destinations, I will make suggestions (based on someone else’s experience on this same cruise) on which excursions to take. The choice will be totally yours.

Louis Lines operates 10 ships to various destinations in the Mediterranean. I have read in several places that we will be told the name of the ship ahead of time, however I have also read that on occasion another ship may be substituted and we may not know until we get to port that morning.

Each ship features several dining rooms and bars, entertainment, spa and fitness, swimming pool, shops, beauty salon, medical facilities, library, internet facilities, and a casino.

Our tour package includes an inside room, which I expect to be small. Upgrades cannot be requested (I asked!). All rooms though have private baths with showers. The point to this trip is not stay in our rooms but to enjoy the fun on the ship and the beautiful ports of call.

You might enjoy this photo album posted by a group of women who took a similar cruise. Click on Day 4-6 "The Love Boat" to get a feel of the ship. You'll also get a glimpse of the size of room in one of the photos.

Enjoy these videos and dream of your cruise to the Greek Isles!

Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon

Even though our visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon is on our final day in Greece, I’ve chosen to blog about it now as it is the final site we will see on mainland Greece. All other sites to add to the blog will be on the Greek Isles.

Located 43 miles south of Athens on the southern tip of the Attica Peninsula, Cape Sounion is best known for its temple dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea. In fact the ruins of the temple sit atop a cliff looking out over the Aegean Sea.

It is from the steps of this temple, legend says, that Aegeus, king of Athens, (for whom the Aegean Sea is named) waited for his son Theseus to return from Crete after defeating the Minotaur, the monster that was half man and half bull.

Theseus was to change the sails to white upon his triumphant return, but forgot and the black sail remained. His father, in despair thinking his son lost, cast himself over the cliff and into the sea.

Although the ceiling-high bronze statue of Poseidon is long gone, the magnificent view of the sea from the promontory point captivates all who visit if for nothing else but the breathtaking sunsets seen from the temple steps.

Built in 440 BC, 18 of the original 42 Doric columns remain of the rectangular building where ancient Greeks came to pay tribute to Poseidon for safe passage on the seas.

To look for: the romantic poet Lord Byron’s name carved at the base of one of the columns. Although the poet mentions Sounion in his poem Don Juan and is known to have spent time in Athens in 1810-11 (exactly 200 years ago!), it is not known that he carved his name himself. Who knows...you may even find your own name!

Travel tip: There are no guard rails around the cliff area and sometimes a brisk sea breeze can be chilly.

Port of Piraeus

Although you may not see this town name on our itinerary, we will be passing through Piraeus on our way to the cruise departure. Piraeus is the third largest city in Greece by population and the location of one of the most important harbors in the Mediterranean.

Located a short distance from Athens on the Saronic Gulf, Piraeus is the departure point for cruises and ferries to the Greek islands. It became the port city for Athens in the 5th century BC.

The city proper consists of a rocky peninsula, originally an island, featuring three natural harbors. In addition to the central one, called Kantharos in ancient times, there are two smaller harbors to the east which are still in use. One is called Zea, also known as Pasalimani , and the other is Munichia, the smallest of the three and widely known as Mikrolimano.

The central port serves ferry routes to almost every island in the eastern portion of Greece, the island of Crete, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and much of the northern and the eastern Aegean Sea, while the western part of the port is used for cargo services.

Delphi Archaeological Museum

Located at the base of the ruins is the Delphi Archaeological Museum which houses artifacts that were found at Delphi. The exhibit primarily consists of offerings to the Oracle of Delphi discovered at the site and architectural parts of various buildings.

The museum’s 14 rooms are generally arranged chronologically. Collections include the Treasury of Sifnos, the Treasury of Athens, Hellenistic art sculptures, and Pediments of the Temple of Apollo.

Highlights to see include the Charioteer, one the most famous statues in the exhibit. Also known as the "rein-holder," it was part of a larger exhibit, including horses and chariot, to commemorate a chariot race win in 474 BC. Portions of the horses were found with the charioteer.

The Omphalos is an ancient religious stone representing the navel of the world...where the two eagles collided in myth at the center of the world.

Kleobis and Biton are the statues of two human brothers from Greek mythology.

The Sphinx of Naxos sitting on an ionic column was a gift from the people of the Aegean island of Naxos to the oracle of Delphi in the sixth century BC.

The acanthus column with dancer, carved from Pentelic marble, features statues of three young women forming the upper part of a column encircled with acanthus leaves.

The cult statue of Antinous sculpted in Parian marble during the reign of Hadrian (117-138 CE), was found in the Temple of Apollo in 1893.

Greece in the Movies

We’ve been looking at ancient Greece and found that the Greek theatre is a vital part of the ancient culture. We will see examples of these theatre ruins in several locations. But just for fun, let’s look at modern cinema and some of the movies that feature Greece – its culture and its countryside.

My Life in Ruins – Funny tale of a hapless tour guide in Greece was shot on location at the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Olympia. Those who have been on tours before will recognize some humorous “tour” situations.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1 and 2) – Four friends try to stay connected as their lives drift in different directions. The Greek portions of the movie were shot on the island of Santorini. Scenes were shot at the village of Oia, at the harbor, and at rock formations and pretty locations around the island.

Mamma Mia! –The movie musical is built around ABBA songs about a daughter's quest to figure out who her real father is. Some scenes were shot on the islands of Skopelos, Skiathos, and in the Pelion region of Greece.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding – A young Greek woman falls in love with a non-Greek and struggles to get her family to accept him while she comes to terms with her heritage.

Zorba the Greek – The classic film epitomizes the Greek spirit with star Anthony Quinn as Zorba. An English writer has inherited a lignite mine somewhere in Crete and meets the free-spirited Zorba in a cafe in Piraeus. Filmed in black and white the movie documents a Greece that has almost completely disappeared.

Never on Sunday – The classic film starring Melina Mercouri was shot in Piraeus and shocked many Greeks with its portrayal of a happy, even a bit pious prostitute.

Be sure to watch the movie trailers...just do a title search on YouTube or Google Video.

Delphi

Now that a visit to Delphi is included in our itinerary (Yoo-hoo! -see previous blog!), let’s take a look at what we will get to see…and why it is so well-known. Many people visit the site without actually understanding its significance.

Delphi, one of the most popular ancient sites in Greece, is located about 100 miles northwest of Athens on the forested slopes and rocky crags of the south side of Mount Parnassus. It takes about 2 ½-3 hours to drive there. Most of the ruins that survive today date from the most intense period of activity at the site in the 6th century BC.

In ancient times Delphi was considered the center of the known world, the place where heaven and earth met. Here Greek mythology says Zeus released two eagles from opposite ends of the earth and they met in the sky above Delphi. Impaling one another with their beaks, they fell to the ground on the very center of the world. The site was marked by the sacred Omphalos, or "navel stone."

Later, Apollo killed the serpent Python (son of Mother Earth), guardian of Delphi's sacred Castalian Spring. The sun god then established an oracle at the spring, promising to provide counsel to all who needed it. Located at the navel of the world and personally blessed by Apollo, Delphi was the holiest site in the world for the ancient Greeks.

The oracle of Delphi was a religious center, most famous for its accurate predictions of the future. The oracles were given by Pythia, the priestess who muttered incomprehensible sounds in a state of trance, which in turn were translated in comprehensible language and given to those who made the pilgrimage in search of answers.

The Temple of Apollo, where sat the famous oracle, appears today in a ruinous state in the center of the sanctuary. Only a few of its Doric columns remain standing, but its imposing foundations are a visible reminder of the Temple’s splendor in ancient times. The present ruins of the temple date back to the 4th century BC.

At the entrance to the ruins are the reconstructed treasuries. These were built by the various Greek city states — those overseas as well as those on the mainland — to commemorate victories and to thank the oracle for her advice, which was thought to have contributed to those victories.

Delphi is famous for its many preserved athletic statues. It is known that Olympia originally housed far more of these statues, but time brought ruin to many of them, leaving Delphi as the main site of athletic statues now housed in the archaeological museum.

The ancient theatre at Delphi was built further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo giving spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the valley below. It was originally built in the 4th century BC but was remodeled on several occasions since. Its 35 rows can seat 5,000 spectators.
The stadium is located further up the hill, beyond the Sacred Way and the theatre. It was originally built in the 5th century BC but was altered in later centuries. It could seat 6,500 spectators. Here the Pythian Games took place every four years to honor Apollo, and hosted poetry and music competitions besides the staple of athletic events.

At the base of these ruins lies the Sanctuary of Athena. The Tholos is probably the most widely recognized building on the site because of the color of the marble and the fact that it is a round temple. Strangely enough what the temple was used for and who it commemorates is not known. It was built between 380 and 360 BC, and only three of its original twenty Doric columns remain standing today.

Since, the location of Delphi is on the slope of a mountain one can enjoy the view of the whole valley below all the way to the Gulf of Corinth. However be ready for a strenuous climb to see the ruins.

And don't forget to Google "Delphi, Greece" and click on videos. You'll get some professional and some amateur views of the site. Sometimes the amateur ones give us a more realistic view of what we'll see.

EF Traveler's Handbook - Your Personalized Web Site

One of the topics in the EF Traveler’s Handbook brochure is your personalized website with EF. If you haven’t logged on to this site, then you might want to bookmark it and take a look at it from time to time.

Simply go to the EF login website, enter your account number as the username and, for first time users, your password default is your date of birth: mm/dd/yyyy. Once logged on, then EF recommends you change your password for security reasons.

From this site you can manage your account, make payments, and view your payment plan.

In the left box, click “Tour Details” and view the itinerary. Now click on the “Destinations” tab and get more information. The video and photo gallery aren’t much for Greece, but the “History” tab has a lot of information. Here you can also find a map of Greece. Much closer to departure, you’ll also be able to find hotel and flight information here. Here too you can request special travel arrangements, but please note there is a charge if you do so.

In that same box, “Countdown to Travel” tells you how many days to departure and then provides a list of deadlines pertaining to payments.

Click on “My Profile” and make sure all information is correct. In particular, make sure your first, middle, and last name match your passport EXACTLY (or your birth certificate if you don’t have a passport yet…still time to get one after the new year). Do not use nicknames, abbreviations, etc. The name in your EF profile will be used for airline e-tickets, and if it does not match your passport name exactly, you will have problems boarding the plane. There is a charge to change the spelling with EF if you wait too long. Please check your profile now.

New (and Better) Itinerary!

Great News! Our itinerary now includes three additional items at NO additional charge to us! The optional Delphi excursion on Day 4 is now included as is a visit to the Delphi Museum. Also on Day 3 is included a visit to the new Acropolis Museum. When I wrote the blog last week I did not know!!

This week we all got an email from EF about optionals, and when I went online to check on it, I discovered the itinerary had changed…for the better! The only optional now offered by EF for our trip is the Greek evening. A friend I met at the EF teacher convention in China had just returned from this trip and does not recommend paying extra for the Greek evening as we will have one on the cruise.

The optional excursions on the Greek Islands are not booked through EF, but with the cruise line while onboard. He has also made some recommendations for them that I will share later when I blog about each island. You can then make your own decision as to which, if any, optional excursions to pay extra for while on the cruise.

New Acropolis Museum in Athens

The new Acropolis Museum might be your choice for your free time in Athens. Located at the base of the Acropolis the new archeological museum opened 21 June 2009 to replace a smaller version.

Over 4,000 artifacts discovered in and around the Acropolis are housed in the museum, except for the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon which are still contained in the British Museum… and a source of contention as Greece has repeatedly requested their return and designed this larger museum to house them.

The museum is located on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis in the historical area of Makriyianni on the road that originally led up to the sacred site. Excavations during construction revealed earlier Byzantine ruins that now lie beneath the museum which can be seen in many places through transparent floors.

Exhibits are on three levels while a fourth middle level houses shops, cafes, and offices. On the first level of the museum there are the findings of the slopes of the Acropolis. The long and rectangular hall whose floor is sloping, resembles the ascension to the rock. Then, the visitor is found at the large trapezoidal hall which accommodates the archaic findings. The original Caryatids from the Erechthion are housed here also.

Be sure to click on the Photos link at the bottom of the web site Organization for the Construction of the New Acropolis Museum and look at each set of photos by clicking “Start Slideshow” at the bottom of each page. In particular, you will want to watch the videos from the link at the bottom of the site. The one on the virtual tour is not high quality, but the others on the construction, moving the exhibits, and the archeological findings beneath the museum are interesting.

Now take a look at the official Acropolis Museum web site and be sure to open each of the galleries to see what the exhibitions look like with the museum now open to the public.

Quick Tips 1

Occasionally I am going to post assorted quick tips for travelers. There will be no particular theme…just random things I’ve heard that work or great ideas I see in magazines or on TV. If you have an idea that you’d like to share with the rest of the group, just send it via email and I’ll include it in the next Quick Tips posting.
--Sometimes a cramped cruise ship bathroom doesn’t offer a lot of space for towels or other toiletries. Try packing a quick-release suction cup with a hook to hang your toiletry bag from.
--To protect the lens of a bulky camera without keeping it in a case, try slipping an extra-wide tennis wristband over the camera lens and viewing screen. That way you can avoid scratches while putting your camera in a purse or backpack.
--Flat irons aren’t just for hair. Put it on a low setting and touch up the seams of shirt sleeves or cuffs of shorts or pants. And try using your blow dryer to take the wrinkles out of clothes. Hold it a few inches from the garment and move slightly back and forth.
--Want to know what it’s really like where we are going? Then check youtube.com. Lots of people post their vacation videos online. You’ll get a feel of what it will be like from a real person’s point of view rather than just a guidebook description. Here is an example of the Greek island of Rhodes.
--Bumpy airplane rides? I hope not, but try strong peppermints. Peppermint oil found in strong mints like Altoids is one antidote for an upset stomach.
--Another way to look at our trip. Download Google Earth, a free app for your PC or iPhone. Search for any of our destinations and get a satellite view that you can zoom in to. Some places show up fairly clear in this aerial view. Here is another example of Rhodes. Warning: Playing with Google Earth is addictive!!
--And I know this one is going to sound outrageous and I don’t know that I would do it because I would feel so conspicuous on the plane, but after spending 12 hours on the flight to and from China I know it would have worked. I read where someone took an inflatable beach ball on flight. After blowing it up, they used it to lean over and sleep on! All I could think of on that long flight was how much my back would appreciate that beach ball! There's also an inflatable neck pillow that takes up little space in baggage. I like the cushioned neck pillow. Even though it is bulkier, it is more comfortable for me. I don't pack it...I just slip it through the handles of my carryon bag.
Send me your tips!

Greek Gods and Goddesses

One cannot truly understand Ancient Greece culture without having a basic understanding of the religion and beliefs of the people of the period. So here is a brief background of the primary Greek gods and goddesses associated with many of the sites we will visit. The Romans, who came later, adopted many of the Greek deities, but changed the names. The only name they did not change was Apollo.

In Greek mythology, twelve gods and goddesses ruled the universe from atop Greece's Mount Olympus. These Olympians had come to power after their leader, Zeus, overthrew his father, Kronos, leader of the Titans. All the Olympians are related to one another.

The following well done videos give a good explanation of gods and goddesses. You can also access the Greek Gods video at this link and the Greek Goddesses video at this link. Once you've seen the videos and read the family tree below, then test your knowledge with the ThinkQuest interactive test at the bottom of this post.

The Ancient Greek Gods


Rod Stewart MySpace Video


The Ancient Greek Goddesses


Rod Stewart MySpace Video

Zeus (Roman name: Jupiter)

The most powerful of all, Zeus was god of the sky and the king of Olympus. His temper affected the weather, and he threw thunderbolts when he was unhappy. He was married to Hera but had many other lovers. His symbols include the oak and the thunderbolt.

Hera (Roman name: Juno)

Hera was goddess of marriage and the queen of Olympus. She was Zeus's wife and sister; many myths tell of how she sought revenge when Zeus betrayed her with his lovers. Her symbols include the peacock and the cow.

Poseidon (Roman name: Neptune)

Poseidon was god of the sea. He was the most powerful god except for his brother, Zeus. He lived in a beautiful palace under the sea and caused earthquakes when he was in a temper. His symbols include the horse and the trident (a three-pronged pitchfork).

Hades (Roman name: Pluto)

Hades was king of the dead. He lived in the underworld, the heavily guarded land where he ruled over the dead. He was the brother of Zeus and the husband of Persephone, Demeter's daughter, whom he kidnapped.

Aphrodite (Roman name: Venus)

Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, and the protector of sailors. She may have been the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Dione, or she may have risen from the sea on a shell. Her symbols include the myrtle tree and the dove.

Apollo

Apollo was the god of music and healing. He was also an archer, and hunted with a silver bow. Apollo was the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, and the twin of Artemis. His symbols include the laurel tree, the crow, and the dolphin.

Ares (Roman name: Mars)

Ares was the god of war. He was both cruel and a coward. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, but neither of his parents liked him. His symbols include the vulture and the dog, and he often carried a bloody spear.

Artemis (Roman name: Diana)

Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of women in childbirth. She hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals. Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin of Apollo. Her symbols include the cypress tree and the deer.

Athena (Roman name: Minerva)

Athena was the goddess of wisdom. She was also skilled in the art of war, and helped heroes such as Odysseus and Hercules. Athena sprang full-grown from the forehead of Zeus, and became his favorite child. Her symbols include the owl and the olive tree.

Hephaestus (Roman name: Vulcan)

Hephaestus was the god of fire and the forge (a furnace in which metal is heated). Although he made armor and weapons for the gods, he loved peace. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and married Aphrodite. His symbols include the anvil and the forge.

Hestia (Roman name: Vesta)

Hestia was the goddess of the hearth (a fireplace at the center of the home). She was the most gentle of the gods, and does not play a role in many myths. Hestia was the sister of Zeus and the oldest of the Olympians. Fire is among her symbols.

Hermes (Roman name: Mercury)

Hermes was the messenger god, a trickster, and a friend to thieves. He was said to have invented boxing and gymnastics. He was the son of Zeus and the constellation Maia. The speediest of all, he wore winged sandals and a winged hat and carried a magic wand.

…also sometimes included:
Demeter (Roman name: Ceres)

Demeter was the goddess of the harvest. The word “cereal” comes from her Roman name. She was the sister of Zeus. Her daughter, Persephone, was forced to live with Hades each winter; at this time Demeter let no crops grow. Her symbols include wheat.

Dionysus (Roman name: Bacchus)

Dionysus was the god of wine, which he invented. In ancient Greece Dionysus was honored with springtime festivals that centered on theater. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal. His symbols include ivy, the snake, and grapes.

ThinkQuest Interactive Quiz

(be patient as it may take a little while to load...but worth it!)

Requires Java

Ancient Agora of Athens

As mentioned previously the Tower of the Winds is actually located just between the Plaka District and the Ancient Agora of Athens (a site similar to the Roman Forum in Rome). The Agora is located just north of the Acropolis.

The democratically governed Agora was the political and religious heart of Athens as far back as the 6th century BC. It was also the center of daily and commercial life…similar to what town squares used to be in the United States.

It was here that law courts were located and anyone who happened to be in the Agora during a trial could witness these proceedings. It was however only adult male citizens appointed by lot who could serve as jurors.

The state prison was located here as well as the mint which produced the city’s coins inscribed with an owl, the symbol of Athena, goddess of wisdom and the patron goddess of Athens.

The American School of Archeology has been excavating the Agora since 1930 and the finds are exhibited in the two-story stoa of Attalos which now serves as a museum. This main building in the Agora was built by King Attalos of Pergamon (ruled 159-138 BC) but was destroyed in 267 AD.

It was rebuilt between 1953-56 on the original foundations using ancient building materials. A unique exhibit in the museum is a klepsydra, a water clock that was used for timing plaintiff’s speeches. Other items include bronze ballots and everyday items such as terracotta toys and leather sandals.

Also located in the Agora (and its best preserved ruins) are the Odeion of Agrippa, once a covered theatre, and the Hephaisteion, a temple to Hephaistos also known as the Theseion.

This 51-page full-color guide to the Agora prepared by excavator John McK. Camp II presents information about each building in the Agora complete with color photographs, maps, diagrams, and drawings. If you are planning to spend your free time exploring Athens (we have a day and a half!), then you might want to print this guide to use in your visit to the site.

You will enjoy this short YouTube video, Teacher Travels: Ancient Agora, which shows many of the fascinating relics discovered by the archealogists.

The Plaka District

In the shadow of the Acropolis lies the neighborhood known as the Plaka District, one of our destinations on the walking tour the day we arrive in Athens. It is the historic heart of the city and the oldest continuously inhabited area in the city.

It lies just to the east and at the base of the Acropolis. Most streets have been closed to automobile traffic.

The name probably came from pliaka (meaning old) used by Albanian soldiers in the service of the Turks who settled here in the 16th century.

Here you will find old-fashioned tavernas where you can have a bite to eat or you can browse in the many antique and icon shops. There are also lots of souvenir and jewelry shops here too.

You will also find a few galleries and there are several museums in the Plaka. Of special note are the Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum, and the Jewish Museum.

The Lysikrates Monument, built to commemorate the victors at the annual choral and dramatic festival, is located in the Plaka District. It is the only choregic monument still intact in Athens. Its name comes from choregos (or sponsor) of the winning team.

A notable church in the Plaka is the Agios Nikolaos Ragavas which has ancient columns built into the walls.

The most impressive building located here is the Tower of the Winds in the far west of Plaka and part of the ancient Roman Agora. Built by the Syrian astronomer Andronikos Kyrrestes around 100 BC, it has a weather vane and waterclock. On each of its marble sides one of the eight mythological winds is depicted.

Enjoy a tour of the Roman Agora, the Plaka District, and a few other Athens sites on this short YouTube video.

Greek Temple Architecture

Knowing a little about Greek temple architecture will help you identify buildings and ruins even without a guide. You will then be able to apply this information to other buildings regardless of the location.

Greek temple architecture is divided into three styles which evolved chronologically and can readily be identified by the column capitals, or the decoration at the top of each column.

Doric temples, such as the Parthenon, were surrounded by sturdy capitals with plain capitals and no bases.

Ionic temples differed from Doric by having more columns and with a distinctive style capital called a volute. The volute looks like ram’s horns on the front and back of each column. (I think of the first two letters of Ionic--I for the tall column which looks like an I and O as the two volutes look like O’s at the top of the column).

Corinthian temples in Greece were built under the Romans and only in Athens, but you will see this column style on other buildings elsewhere. These columns are more slender and have very elaborate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves. (I think of Corinthian as a “fancy” word and the top of this column is “fancy!”)

Columns were not one large piece of carved stone. They were constructed of round stone drums stacked on top of each other. Fluting on the columns was carved in situ, guided by that on the top and bottom drums.

The pediment of a temple is the triangular gabled end of the building which sometimes has designs or sculptures according to the temple style. The frieze is the long slender band just below the pediment that extends all around the building and is usually decorated.

At the corners of temples and the peak of the pediment were akroteria, or statues, but almost no upper portions of Greek temples survive.

A ramp led up to the entrance, and the stepped platform was built on a stone foundation.

Inside a temple, the cella or naos, or inner sanctum, housed the cult statue of the god or goddess to whom the temple was dedicated. The cella opened to the east. The roof was usually supported by wooden beams with terracotta tiles, which would explain why many of the temples in ruins have no roofs as they decayed over time.

And did you know that Greek temples were originally painted in bright vibrant colors? The paint has simply worn off with time. Who knew!

The Parthenon

One of the most famous buildings in the world is the Parthenon, the crown jewel that tops the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Pericles commissioned its construction as a grand rebuilding project in 447 BC.

The sculptor Pheidias was entrusted to supervise the construction of a magnificent new Doric temple to the goddess Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Built on the site of earlier Archaic temples, it was built primarily to house the Parthenos, Pheidias’s impressive 39-foot high cult statue of Athena covered in ivory and gold.

Taking nine years to complete, the temple was dedicated to the goddess during the Great Panathenaia festival of 438 BC. Constructed of Pentelic marble by the artchitects Kallikrates and Iktinos, the complex architecture of the Parthenon replaces straight lines with slight curves. All the columns swell in the middle, similar to a cigar shape, and all lean slightly inwards.

The reason for this is not quite clear. Some suggest it was done to prevent visual distortion, while others argue it was simply for aesthetic reasons. I have also heard that its design withstands earthquakes better, of which the surrounding area is susceptible.

The building remained a temple to Athena for over a thousand years until the Roman Empire came into power. It was then the statue was looted and destroyed. The Parthenon has also served as a Christian church, a mosque, and even a Turkish arsenal. Its present state of ruin owes to an ammunition explosion during a Venetian invasion in 1687.

The pediments, metopes, and friezes which run around the temple depict the people and horses in the Panathenaic procession, while other sculptures represent Greek mythology and Athenian historical events. During the explosion, many of the sculptures were blown off the building and scattered.

In 1806, Thomas Bruce, 7th earl of Elgin, removed many of the sculptures with the Turks permission and the "Elgin Marbles" are currently on display in the British Museum in London. At present, the Greeks are trying to get the sculptures returned to Athens, but with little luck. But there are two sides to every story...the British and the Greeks.

The Parthenon is currently in a state of restoration, but officials do not plan to return it to its pre-1687 state. An exact to scale replica of the Parthenon stands in Nashville, Tennessee. It was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial.

Enjoy a 360-degree panorama view of multiple locations atop the Acropolis. Just click on any location and number at this site and move your cursor around. You're almost there!

The Acropolis in Athens

The Acropolis is literally a giant rock upon which is built one of the most famous buildings of all time...the Parthenon. But it is not the only building atop the outcrop which sits at the southernmost part of Athens, Greece. All that remains are three contrasting temples and a unique gateway that leads to the Acropolis.

In the center is the Parthenon, although few sculptures remain on this temple to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. Only the outside columns remain. The new Acropolis Museum located to the southeast of the Parthenon near the Theatre of Dionysius contains many of the original sculptures from the buildings on the Acropolis.

Also atop the Acropolis is the Erechtheion famous for its Caryatids, or the statues of women used as columns on the south porch. The original statues are now in the Acropolis Museum while casts are now on the Erechtheion. An olive tree now grows beside the Porch of Caryatids where Athena first planted her tree in a competition against Poseidon.

The massive Propylaia gateway was built in 437-432 B.C. as a "new" entrance to the Acropolis and beside it is the tiny Temple of Athena Nike, built to honor Athena of Victory. At the base of the Propylaia is the Beule Gate, the original gateway to the Acropolis.

Two theatres lie at the base of the Acropolis. The larger of the two, the Theatre of Herodes Atticus, also known as the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, was built in A.D. 161 and lies near the Propylaia. It is still used today for outdoor concerts.

The smaller theatre is also the older . The Theatre of Dionysos was built in 333-330 B.C.

Located just west of the Acropolis is Areopagos Hill, or Mars Hill, where St. Paul delivered his sermon in A.D. 51. Greeks called their god of war "Ares," while he was called "Mars" by the Romans. While on the Areopagus, in the shadow of the Acropolis, Paul preached one of the most memorable sermons recorded in the Bible (Acts 17:22-31).