From the Dardanelles to the Aegean – The Road (and Ferry) to Bozcaada
A travel diary of the Çanakkale to Bozcaada ferry journey: buses, crossing, castle & village lanes on the Turkish-Aegean island that echoes Greece.
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Crossing the Dardanelles to the Gallipoli Peninsula – Canakkale to Kilitbahir
The breakfast at the Helen Park Hotel was fit for a king (and queen). Peter piled his plate with a selection of meats, cheeses and olives of every kind imaginable! I headed straight for the savoury doughnuts called Pisi and the sour cherry preserve, something I’ve become rather addicted to during our stay in Turkey….
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Beyond the Trojan Horse – A Visit to Ancient Troy Part 2
After the ancient walls of Troy and sprawling plains, we turned our attention to the Troy Museum, a modern space that promised to bring the stories of this legendary city to life. It’s a short walk – just 800 metres through an avenue of pine trees and a central reservation dotted with Italian Cyprus, all…
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Beyond the Trojan Horse – A Visit to Ancient Troy Part 1
After a frenetic day of travel to Canakkale yesterday, we face-planted onto the bed and slept as if we were under the command of Hypnos himself! Today, our intention was to take it easy (not really a word in my vocabulary, but I thought I’d give it a go!). Maybe we’d take a slow amble…
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Echoes of Byzantium – Agia Sophia and More Greek Connections – A Special Dedication Part 1
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…
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Echoes of Greece across the Aegean
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…
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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…
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Exploring Vathy – Backstreets and Beyond
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…
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As You Set Out for Ithaka, Hope Your Road is a Long One…
This morning we leave Kefalonia for Ithaca (or Ithaka if you prefer!). With freshly baked bougatsas in hand, we take the side street next to Fatto a Mano bakery, which brings us directly to the harbour front. Waiting is the ferry Ionio Pelagos, engines thrumming and the faintest whiff of smoke from the funnel. Habitually…
