Athens, Greece

athens, part one

Tuesday, October 10


SUNDAY Sep 24

  • 12:40 pm - Arrival - Eastern European Summer Time
  • Arrive at Athens International Airport - Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Αθηνών
  • Private Transfer from Athens Airport to Your Hotel
  • Your driver will be waiting for you upon your arrival holding a sign with your name on it at arrivals' section.
  • Check in at Elia Ermou Athens Hotel 3:00 pm - Eastern European Summer Time
  • Accommodation in: Deluxe Suite with Acropolis View

I can hardly believe I'm logging in to recap a recent trip to Greece (!!!!). It has been a dream destination of mine since I got my first passport at 16, and I am wholly grateful I got to visit.

The sights
The people
The food
The wine
The weather
The atmosphere
The activities

Everything about this trip was a 10/10, thanks, in part, to my travel agent. Leaving the admin details to a professional was 100% the way to go with a trip like this. It helped keep my mind at ease and every step of the vacation was seamless - as it should be.

The photo above is a snap from our hotel balcony, with clear views of the acropolis set against a stunning city scape.


We arrived around 2pm on our first day and were ready to start exploring. But first, coffee.


Quaint little cafe vibes set the mood for the afternoon. Then we made our way around Old Town Athens and journeyed up to the Acropolis.


Over a decade ago, I had a chance to visit Nashville, TN's version of the Parthenon (not pictured, but it's from this trip). To be fair, that replica is visually stunning, but I remember thinking how amazing it would be to see the real one someday.

And now I've seen the real one!


The photos don't do it justice. It was truly a sight to behold. There's lots of scaffolding around the structures as they restore and renovate worn sections, but it was breathtaking.

After absorbing the sights and taking in the views, we ventured back to the hotel for some sips and sustenance.


And caught the sunset from the roof.


On our ride from the airport to the hotel, our driver explained how no buildings within the city limits can be built past a certain height. This is to ensure everyone always has an unobstructed view of the acropolis. It's highly regarded by the locals and with good reason. It's an incredible sight to behold, especially at night when it's all lit up.


My snaps didn't do it justice, but it sitting on the balcony of our hotel and looking up toward the hill was the most magnificent way to spend the evening.