Athens and the Greek islands
An unforgettable trip to encounter the cradle of western civilization.
The first impression my wife and I received in Athens was disappointing, perhaps due to the enormous expectations that most of us have created for the cradle of Western civilization.
We are separated by more than 2,500 years since the Greek civilization reached its peak, and it is difficult for us to reconcile the image we had from high school with the city of today. This was especially the case in the center: the chaotic pattern of its modern development made it impossible for us to get a holistic profile of its main monuments.
Our first walk to the city
The next day, having breakfast on the terrace of our hotel, we caught a glimpse of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, which began to fill us with a unique emotion: the reunion with the ancient world for which we -as citizens of the West-craved.
Later on, we discover, among the buildings and streets of modern Athens, the Greek, and Roman forums, the temples, and the museums full of art treasures (easy and pleasant to navigate due to their moderate sizes). And -above all — its people and their particular way of living.
A visit to the greek islands
The lifestyle known today as the “Mediterranean” also originates in Greece: it becomes evident when one visits the Greek islands.
Crete, the cradle of the Minoan civilization, was a uniquely pleasant visit: with much less tourist traffic than we experienced in Athens and later in the Cyclades. The beauty of its towns and beaches and the delights of Mediterranean food based on its excellent olive oil and its spices were much appreciated and enjoyed by us.
Our visit to Santorini, a volcanic island of exceptional beauty and sunsets, was a magical and romantic experience. Every afternoon during the five days of our stay, we spent hours finding a nice place to look at the sunset, and then we had dinner in one of the many small restaurants available on the way back to our hotel.
The return to Athens
We returned to Athens, where the noise and chaos had not subsided; On the contrary, the protests against the austerity measures imposed by the European Community of Nations were intensifying. But nothing disappointed us this time: we already knew some routes and places and didn’t have much time to waste.
We left Athens and the greek islands, recognizing that their character had passed down through so many generations, both in Europe and later in America. It was a reencounter with the origin of our civilization and culture. An unforgettable experience.
