The first part of our island hop has been a little frenetic to say the least. In recent years I began to knock the ‘hit and run’ approach to island hopping on the head. It’s not that it’s exhausting (but it is) it’s that I much prefer a better quality of experience. To be able…
Today it’s our turn to take it a bit easier. this doesn’t mean a lie-in – that concept isn’t part of my vocabulary. The three Grandadults are also up early and join us for breakfast in a local cafe. There are a lot of people departing from Ios today and the cafe’s by the port…
I was quite enchanted by Chora last night so we decide to get an early bus up to explore further this morning. Obvs the GA’s (Grandadults as opposed to Grandchildren) are still asleep. Thinking back to the beginning of the trip we were so diligent in making sure that the GA’s were up, fed and…
Peter and I are up and ready by 7.30am and sitting on our terrace enjoying a cup of tea. I give the GA’s (Grandadults) a knock at 8am. Again at 8.30am. The room is still littered with clothing and dishes still need washing. At 9.00am I give them a 30 minute warning and at 9.30…
Here begins our little island hop in the Cyclades with my husband Peter and three of my teenage grandchildren, Ebonee, Macy and Maddox. Before travelling, my thoughts were a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I want this to be a fabulous holiday for them all but was anticipating a potentially challenging airport experience. I know…
The ‘idea’ of this holiday has been over 2 years in the making. Originally planned as a trip with one of my granddaughters who had just turned 16 as a way to celebrate the end of her exams. No sooner had the flights been booked, the dreaded Covid struck and all our plans went up…
It’s my birthday today. Not that I usually celebrate the day but I will spend most of it travelling back to the UK – always the worst part of a trip that has been so enjoyable. Lateral flow test has been done – Tick!. Passenger Locator form complete – Tick! Clothes stuffed into suitcase –…
I’m really looking forward to my guided tour of Andros – albeit the truncated, half day version. First things first, breakfast. There are so many choices of where to eat in Batsi but I walk into the centre and up the road out of the town. As soon as the road begins to climb, there…
Before I arrived on Andros I realised that 4 days wasn’t really enough to explore the island. I also didn’t know how good (or bad) the bus service would be. With this in mind I made some preliminary enquiries about doing a guided tour of the island as I had done on Tinos. Now if…
It is fair to say that travelling during a pandemic has been shall we say, “interesting”. Although lockdown restrictions and travel bans have been lifted there are still of course protocols such as mask-wearing in restaurants, shops and hotels, all the necessaries relating to the requirements for Passenger Locator Forms, vaccination certificates and Covid tests. …
Today is Sunday and so my plan is to walk up to the Church of Evangelistria (Panagia Evangelistrai Megalochari) also known as Our Lady of Tinos, to observe the rituals, ceremonies and customs of the faithful. I’ve always had an interest in witnessing religious ceremonies, even as an atheist/agnostic. I must admit I move more…
One thing that you can’t help but notice when on Tinos is the fantastic collection of ornate dovecotes that are scattered across the landscape. So far I had only caught fleeting glances of them from the bus, but I wanted the chance to see them up close. I had asked Valentina, my guide from the…