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Greece

Wine tasting in Santorini Greece

We enjoyed a very unique wine tasting while we were on the island of Santorini. We went to a wine restaurant called “K’nttos” in the town of Fira on the Greek island of Santorini.

K’nttos wine restaurant on the island of Santorini Greece.

We entered the restaurant through an outdoor patio area which was quite impressive.

Garden area of the restaurant

We were met for our wine tasting by our sommelier who lead us to a unique entrance into some wine caves.

Ray at the entrance of the wine caves

These caves were over 300 years old and fitted for wine tasting.

View of the cave area with different wines and spirits are stored.

We explored the caves looking at the displays of wines and specialty spirits.

Wine on display in the caves
Cave walls with dug out spots for wine bottles
Different spirits stored in the caves

We sat down at a table in a section of the cave where the tasting would take place.

The sommelier then explained the history of the wine in Greece and in particular on the island of Santorini.

Ray and Shelley with other guest at the wine tasting.
Display with samples of wine and a box with specific aromas associated with wine.

Our sommelier explained the different types of soil on the island and how the soil impacts the overall taste of the wine.

A box with the different soils of the area where wine grapes are grown on the island.

She explained how they coil the grape wines in a unique way to help make the harvest easier.

A photo of the grape vines and how they coiled them into small rings for easier harvest.

The tasting of the different wines and learning about the specific wines of Santorini was very enjoyable and interesting.

“Ζήστε τη ζωή στο έπακρο και έχετε μια υπέροχη μέρα.”

Greece

Acropolis Museum

We went to the Acropolis museum in Athens. The outside of the museum was very modern looking. It has a total area of 25,000 square meters, and is well known for the fantastic original artifacts.

Front entrance to the Acropolis museum in Athens.

As we got closer to the entrance of the museum we could see some ruins that were under the museum building. They had kept areas open for the public to see.

Ancient ruins under the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

There was even a glass floor which you could walk on and see the ruins underneath.

Glass floor at the entrance area of the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
Ancients ruins under the Acropolis museum

The archaeological excavation on display are remnants of an ancient neighbourhood that once stood there. The ruins were complete with a drainage system, bathhouses and mosaics.

We entered the museum and headed to the third floor. We always like to start at the top of a museum and work our way down. On the top floor, there were large windows which provided stunning views of the Acropolis.

Shelley and Ray on the top floor of the Acropolis Museum with a view of the Acropolis in the back

What was quite interesting about the top floor was its design. We discovered that it was made to reflect the size 70 meters long by 31 meters wide and orientation of the Parthenon. It was made so that the displays would reflect the actual location as it would have been in ancient times.

We explored the third floor and can across the floral ‘Akroterion’ which was atop of the Parthenon.  The colour of the pieces indicates if it is original or a plaster addition to complete the piece.

A reconstruction from both original and plaster pieces of the floral ‘Akroterion’ which crowned the top of the east pediment measuring 4 metres high.

There was a model of the pediments, which are the triangular spaces formed by the horizontal and raking cornices of the roof. There was one at each end of the temple.

Shelley beside the model of the pediments,

We then went to see the original pediments which were on display.

Shelley looking at the pediments on display at the Acropolis museum

There was a display of the different metopes that were of the Parthenon.

Metopes on display in the Acropolis Museum

The metopes were on the upper the upper part of Parthenon supported by colonnades.

Details of one of the Metope’s on display

We walked through the rest of the museum looking at the original artifacts that were removed from the Acropolis and put on display at the museum.

Artifacts on display in the Acropolis museum

After exploring the museum, we decided to go and enjoy a glass of wine on the outdoor patio of the museum.

The view from the outdoor patio at the Acropolis museum

It was a very interesting and enjoyable day exploring the Acropolis museum.

“Έχετε μια υπέροχη μέρα, μέχρι την επόμενη φορά.”

Greece

The Acropolis

We reached the top of the Acropolis after walking up the steep slopes and entered through some large marble pillars.

Entrance pillars at the top of the Acropolis

It was an awe inspiring site with so much rich history. We walked slowly through the pillars in amazement that we were actually there.

Walking through the pillars at the entrance area of the Acropolis

It was a surreal felling as we began to explore the ancient citadel on the rocky outcrop above the city of Athens.  The top of the Acropolis is quite large and the buildings are separated from each other.  The first structure we went to see was the Parthenon, which is the former temple  dedicated to the goddess Athena.

The Parthenon temple located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

The Parthenon is fairly large and has a height of 13.72 meters (45 Feet) and is very impressive to see. As we approached the Parthenon we could see the details on the pillars and roof beams.

A view of some of the pillars and roof beams of the Parthenon.
View of the details on the beam area of the Parthenon
Shelley at the base of the Parthenon

We walked around the Parthenon which was built in 432 BC and admired the architecture. It is indescribable the awe inspiring feelings we had. It was extraordinary to think that the Parthenon is the most important surviving building of  classical Greece.  After exploring the Parthenon we went to the temple of the Erechtheion.

The temple of the Erechtheion on Acropolis.

The temple of Erchtheion was decidated to both Athena and Poseidon. This structure was smaller but still very impressive.

Ray in front of the temple of Erechtheion on Acropolis

We walked around the temple and could see some of the statues along the porch area on the north side of the building.

Porch of the Caryatids on the north side of the temple of Erchtheionhe.

This porch is called “Porch of the Caryatids”. named after the statues.

View of the six Caryatids on the porch at the temple of Erchtheion

The six Caryatids are not the same their faces, stance, draping, and hair are all slightly different. We walked around the exterior of the Temple of Erchtheion looking at the different sections. On the south side we came to some large pillars and another porch area.

South side of the Erchtheion

The view was breath taking from there. We could see the city of Athens and the mountains.

The view of Athens and mountains from the temple of Erchtheion

After exploring this area, we moved on and explored the rest of the Acropolis.

There were Pillars and other ruins throughout the site. We walked around and tried to imagine how it was when it was build around 500 BC.

A view of some of the ruins on the Acropolis in Athens
Pillars and other remains from 500 BC on the Acropolis.

This was truly one of the highlights so far of our adventures in Europe. The ancient Greece  was the birth place of democracy, was the source of some of the greatest literature, architecture, science and philosophy. It was an amazing thing to be on the Acropolis and see the historic ruins.

Shelley and Ray on the Acropolis in Athens.

“Tahnks και να έχουν μια μεγάλη μέρα”

Greece

The southern slope of the Acropolis

The Acropolis is a major tourist attraction in Athens. It was the fortified citadel and state sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens. It is located on the top of a rocky hill that rises in the heart of Athens.

View of the Acropolis in Athens Greece.

We climbed the southern slopes of the acropolis exploring the ruins and working our way up the 156 meters to the top.

The base of the southern slope of the Acropolis

We walked up the steep slope looking at the different ruins along the way.

Ruins on the southern slope of the Acropolis
path leading up the southern slope of the Acropolis
Ruins on the slope of the Acropolis

As we made our way up the slope we came to the “Odeon of Herodes Atticus” an amphitheater built in 161 AD which could hold 5,000 people.

The sanctuary and theatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the south slope of the acropolis

It was a beautiful amphitheater cut into the southern cliff face of the Acropolis. It was restored in the 1950’s and is still utilized for theatre and shows to this day.

The sanctuary and theatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus

From the back of the amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus you can see the skyline of the city of Athens.

Skyline view from the amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus

We continued up the slope and came across another amazing theatre.

Shelley, Vicki and Mark at the base of the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus,

This theatre called the Dionysus Eleuthereus and was considered to be the world’s first theatre. It was built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis. and dedicated to the god of wine and plays, “Dionysus”.

The theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus on the southern slope of the Acropolis

The Dionysus was the first theatre ever built, cut into the southern cliff face of the Acropolis, and supposedly the birthplace of Greek tragedy.

Seats in the theatre of Dionysus

The southern slope of the acropolis had many ruins. We continued walking up the path.

View of the city of Athens from the southern slope of the Acropolis.

We would stop along the way to catch our breath and enjoy the moment and take it all in.

Shelley and Ray on the southern slope of the Acropolis.

The walk up the slope was very enjoyable and we looked forward to seeing the Acropolis at the top.

“μέχρι την επόμενη θέση, φροντίστε”

Greece

Temple of Olympian Zeus

We explored the Temple of Olympian Zeus located in the centre of Athens. The ancient arch of handrian welcomed us towards the Temple of olympian zeus.

The ancient arch of handrian

We reached the Handian arch and admired the historic icon before continuing towards the Olympian Zeus. The arch commonly known in Greek as Hadrian’s Gate, is a monumental gateway which was created in 131 A.D.

Handian arch in central Athens

We walked towards the entrance of the Olympian Zeus and could see some of the pillars in the distance. It was truly a spectacular view to see this historic site.

The Olympian Zeus monument in Athens Greece.

We entered into the colossal temple area and were completely awed by the enormousness of it.

Shelley and Ray at the Olympian Zeus in Athens, Greece.

We walked through the pillars and ruins looking at the site. It was interesting to think of all the history that occurred here. The temple site was started in the 2nd century BC. It took 638 years to complete and included 104 colossal columns.  The Temple was renowned as the largest temple in the ancient world.

Ray in front of the pillar in Olympian Zeus temple in Athen Greece.

We walked through the entire site which was quite large. There were pillars laying on the ground and some that were standing alone.

Olympian Zeus Temple ruins in Athens Greece.

 

Shelley at the base of a 6th century pillar in the Olympian Zeus Temple, Athens Greece.

We came to an area that was being excavated. They continue to dig and discover archaeological remains.

Archaeological excavation in the Olympian Zeus Temple in Athens Greece.

We finished exploring the Olympian Zeus Temple and started to walk back when we saw an amazing view of the Handrian gate with the Acropolis in the background.

Handrian Gate with the Acropolis in the background.

The experience of walking through the Olympian Zeus Temple was amazing. It will be something we will cherish and remember for years.

“αντίο για τώρα και έχετε μια υπέροχη μέρα”