Off To Greece We Go...

It was a busy weekend of hirotsu sukiyaki/fondue/atari, birthday celebrations for jamie, and other fun outings, but really, all i can think about at this point is greece...of course, i am yet to pack.

IT'S FINALLY TIME!!! oh how i have been anticipating this vacation. i can't even put it into words.

for those of you who don't know, i'm greece-bound for a contiki tour with 2 very good friends, kristine and christy. (i'm not going to lie, i feel a little left out that my name isn't krista or something like that.)

anyway, i'm so excited, i can't stand it. for those interested, here is our itinerary:

http://www.contiki.com/en-US/Tours/Europe/Spotlight.on.Greece/Itinerary.htm

Day 1: Depart USA (20 September)

Day 2: Arrive Athens: Make your own way to the Hotel then the rest of the day is free to explore Athens at your leisure. This evening we meet at 7:30pm for an introduction briefing and welcome drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers.

Day 3: Athens Sightseeing: We begin this morning with a half day sightseeing tour of the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus and the first Olympic Stadium with an expert local guide. This afternoon is yours to explore on your own. Perhaps visit the National Archeological Museum, wander the Plaka area or, at night, visit the Acropolis sound and light show. Discover Greek food and folklore at an evening of traditional Greek dancing!

Day 4: Athens to Olympia: Today we stop and see the impressive Corinth Canal as we cross the Peloponnese and continue to the Palace of Agamemnon at Mycenae. Walk through the Gate of the Lions and see the sinister beehive tomb before arriving in Olympia. Join our local guide as we visit the site of the Olympic Stadium where the games were first held in 776 BC.

Day 5: Olympia to Delphi: We start the day early to cross the Corinthian Gulf by ferry and drive to Delphi, the sacred town of antiquity. We visit the site, the Temple of Apollo and the treasury of the Athenians.

Day 6: Delphi to Kalambaka: We drive over the foothills of Mount Parnassus taking the scenic route towards Lamia and onto Kalambaka. We visit one of the dramatic monasteries of Meteora built high above the rock pinnacles.

Day 7: Kalambaka to Mykonos: This morning drive through the fertile region of Thessaly once described as the “bread basket” of ancient Greece to Thermopylae to see the memorial to Leonidas and his brave Spartans. Later we arrive at Piraeus to take our ferry to Mykonos.

Day 8: Mykonos at Leisure: Relax and enjoy Contiki’s exclusive resort on Mykonos Island. http://www.contiki.com/en-US/Resorts/Mykonos/Overview.htm

Day 9: Mykonos at Leisure: Relax and enjoy Contiki’s exclusive resort on Mykonos Island.
Day 10: Mykonos - Athens: We take the ferry back to Athens and transfer to our hotel.

Day 11: Depart Athens: The tour ands after breakfast. (30 September)

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I'll give it my best effort to get a post in here or there while we're running around, but I'm not going to lie, if it is a choice between an umbrella drink on the beach and sitting behind a computer terminal at an internet cafe, i'll probably opt for the first choice. I'll have a full review upon our return to the good old US of A.