Further Explorations of Istanbul – Agia Irene and a Bosphoros Cruise (and another scam alert)
A visit to Agia Irene followed by a Bosphorus cruise, with reflections on Istanbul’s contrasts and the realities of travel, including a scam encounter.
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Arrival in Istanbul – Sacred Spaces and Timeless Places -Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern
A visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque and Basilica Cistern, exploring their history, atmosphere and the realities of visiting these iconic sites.
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Echoes of Greece across the Aegean: A Journey Begins in Istanbul
An 8 week trip – Istanbul to Athens itinerary following a real route across the Aegean by ferry and bus, with practical detail and key stops along the way.
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Echoes of Greece Across the Aegean: Istanbul-Marmara Adasi-Canakkale and Troy-Bozcaada-Gokceada-Lesvos-Spetses | Summary Post
Echoes of Greece Across the Aegean: Istanbul to Athens Full Route and Logistics
A continuous 8.5-week journey from Istanbul to Athens by ferry and public transport, crossing the Aegean via Marmara Adası, Çanakkale, Troy, Bozcaada, Gökçeada, Lesvos, Spetses, Ermioni and Nafplio. Every connection is real. No car required.
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Ioannis Was Right: Why Preveza Deserves More Than Four Nights
Preveza, Preveza Greece, Preveza old town, things to do in Preveza, Preveza waterfront, Preveza marina, Venetian clock tower Preveza, Saitan Bazaar Preveza, Church of Agios Charalambos, Church of Agios Athanasios Preveza, Castle of Agios Andreas Preveza, Actia Gorgona Preveza, Androutsos statue Preveza, Battle of Actium, Nicopolis Preveza, Ambracian Gulf, Lefkada to Preveza bus, Avra Hotel Preveza, Epirus Greece, mainland Greece travel, independent travel Greece, shoulder season Greece, A Greek Oddity, travel blog Greece
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The MS Christina and the Forgotten Islands: Why Nidri Was Worth it After All
Nidri promised boat trips. Most of them went to beaches. The MS Christina went somewhere more interesting: Kastos and Kalamos, two small islands between Lefkada and Ithaca that most visitors to the Ionians never reach. A wartime submarine cave, a surprisingly ornate church on an island of forty people, a poet’s island you can only look at from the water, and a close pass of Skorpios. Not bad for a day that almost did not happen.
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Lefkada Town: A Floating Bridge, a Medieval Fort and Church Bell Towers that Move
Nidri in bad weather is not somewhere to linger. So we caught the bus into Lefkada Town, crossed a bridge that swings open for passing yachts, spent the best part of two hours inside a medieval fort that most people drive straight past, and then got happily lost in a town built to survive earthquakes. Not a bad day for a rainy Tuesday.
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From Meganisi to Nidri: Waterfalls, Goats and Hunting for Boat Trips
Nidri was never an intentional destination. It was the means to one. Four nights on Lefkada’s busiest harbour front, in a town that knows exactly what it is for — and a walk inland to a waterfall that most people arriving off the ferry never find.
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A Spin Around Vathy and Leaving Meganisi
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…
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Leaving Ithaca and a Taste of Meganisi
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…
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Ithaca – a Whistle Stop Tour of the North
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…
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Walking to Dexia (Dexa) Beach – And Breathe ………….
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…
