This post and our last day in Istanbul are dedicated to my amazing Aunt Janet, an incredible lady who inspired this very unique trip. Some time last year, Janet phoned me to say that a place that had been on her bucket list for many years was ‘Constantinople’ and she couldn’t think of anyone better…
The night before, I’d said to Peter, “Well, at last we’ve had a drama-free day.” Famous last words! Clearly, I should have touched wood, thrown salt over my shoulder, or kissed the little ‘mati’ I carry around with me, because this morning chaos came knocking at our door – quite literally. Just as we were…
This morning, there were more Hitchcockian shenanigans over on the roof terrace of the neighbouring Seven Hills Hotel. The hotel staff even provide the titbits for their visitors so they can get their Instagram shots. Today’s adventure took us out of the hustle and bustle of Istanbul and across the Marmara Sea to the Princes’…
Again fully charged with a nourishing breakfast, today we are going to head to Fener and Balat, two colourful neighbourhoods that sit side by side along the southern shore of the Golden Horn. This will give us a chance to put our Istanbulkarts into use and also begin our first real foray into discovering Greek…
Today started well with a lovely breakfast served on the roof terrace of the hotel. We had amazing views of the Blue Mosque on one side and Agia Sofia on the other. Over in the other direction was the magnificent Bosphorus. For a budget hotel, you couldn’t get a better location with views like this….
Our flight was early – you know, one of those that require an early alarm call that no self-respecting, soon-to-be pensioner deserves to experience. Oh yes, I didn’t mention that during this trip, I will reach pension age! That very thought still shocks me to the core. I specify pension ‘age’ because I won’t be…
Trying to explain what it is you love most about a place can be difficult—especially when that place is Greece. The superficial things come easily, such as the picture postcard images of blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses with brightly painted shutters and the beautiful beaches. Beyond that is the incredible ‘filoxenia’ of the locals, the culture…
With 7 crossings between Meganisi and Nidri running from early doors until 1830 every day, we had time to go and visit Vathy before leaving for Lefkada. I messaged our host and asked if it would be OK to leave our cases in the apartment and he replied in the affirmative. If they should get…
Before returning to the apartment to pack, we collared a taxi driver in Vathy’s main square and arranged for him to take us to the port the following morning. After completing the tedious deed of re-packing, we sat on the balcony soaking up the view over Vathy for one last time. Tonight, the town was…
Today we have arranged a tour of the north of the island booked with Ithaca Travel. After grabbing a bougatsa from the bakery, we made our way to the office to wait for our guide. Stefania looked a little flustered that morning. It was almost like she’d forgotten we’d booked a tour, even though it…
Sunday announced itself with the pealing of bells from across the bay. As soon as a set of chimes from one church ended, another from another direction began. I’d already lost track of the days, but now there was no mistake that the day of worship had arrived. The warm egg-yolk yellow light from the…
No sooner had we unpacked than we were out and ready to explore Vathy. We began by taking an alley one row behind the waterfront, lined with old stone houses. Brightly coloured rugs hung from balconies, gently airing in the breeze. There is just the right mixture of patina and decay, which, of course, adds…