When traveling outside the United States it is very likely you’ll encounter different electrical plugs, outlets, and voltages than here at home. That’s because most of the world uses an electrical system that requires twice as much voltage as we do in the United States. Years ago, the only travel concern, relating to electricity, was how to plug in a blow dryer or curling iron without causing a meltdown. But not today, just think of all the gadgets we have: mobile phones, mp3 players, laptop computers, tablet computers, video cameras, digital cameras, and more. With all these electronic gadgets, it would seem that traveling with electronics is complicated. It’s not that difficult… here are my hints and suggestions.
YOU’VE GOT TO PLUG IT IN
No matter what the gadget, you’ve got to plug it into something. In the USA, that would be a socket in the wall like the one pictured below.
Logically, anywhere there is electricity, we expect to find some sort of socket in which to plug our stuff. However, the design of the socket is not universal! Practically, every country has its own modification of the basic design.
Typical continental Europe wall socket
If traveling to continental Europe, notice how this socket is recessed/inset about one inch. It is important to purchase an adapter like the one pictured below so it will fit inside the recessed hole.
Continental Europe ADAPTOR PLUG
If traveling to the UK or Ireland, notice how their outlets have toggle switches. The outlet will not have power until the toggle switch is turned on. This is usually indicated by a red signal on the top of the switch. However, if you find your appliance is not working, and there is no red indicator, consider toggling the switch and try again.
UK and IRELAND wall socket
VOLTAGE MATTERS
Originally, electricity was used for lighting, and depending on the country, the best-suited material for the wiring differed according to what was readily available. The United States agreed on a standard of about 110 volts AC. Meanwhile, in Europe, they agreed on a standard of around 220 volts AC.
Originally, appliances designed in Europe would work only in Europe. Those designed in the USA only worked in the USA. You could not “mix” voltage. That’s why the sockets and plugs differ. You’ve heard the saying, “you can’t put a square plug into a round hole?” So, this was an easy way to keep “dummies” from plugging in mismatched devices and melting down appliances when visiting countries other than their own.
Plug designed for use in the USA.
Plug designed for use in the UK and IRELAND
Plug designed for use in Continental Europe
When traveling from one country to another became common, not having “common” standards of electricity became a problem. Thus, the invention of the wall socket/plug ADAPTER and the VOLTAGE CONVERTER. With these two gadgets, theoretically, anyone could travel from one country to the other and never have to worry about electrical problems with their gadgets.
However, the best intended plans never seem to work all the time. I recall traveling on several occasions when suddenly the lights would dim and go out in our hotel or B&B. All too often, it was someone in my group trying to use their own USA hairdryer or flat iron, it overheating, and blowing a fuse or circuit.If you bring a curling iron, flat iron, straightener, or hair dryer from home (USA), you will need to purchase an electrical power converter and wall socket adapters. In theory, these electrical power converters step down the 240 volt power used in Europe to the 120 volts we use in the USA. These devices work most of the time, however, using them in older buildings with antique wiring will sometimes cause a meltdown of your appliance or even “blow” a circuit or fuse in the building.
MODERN ELECTRONIC GADGETS
Practically every electronic gadget manufactured since 1990 is designed to operate on multiple voltages. Mobile phones, computers, iPads, tablets, digital cameras, and camcorders will recognize and adapt to the voltage in which it is plugged… without damaging the gadget. However, just to be sure, always look at the device’s power cord, power supply, or documentation for a statement similar to that shown below.
Notice – INPUT 100V-240V 50/60Hz
If your device falls into the category above (and it will if it is some sort of mobile electronic gadget or camera) all you need is an adapter to plug into the wall socket. Here are examples for the UK and Continental Europe.
UK and IRELANDContinental Europe
TWO RELATED ITEMS
Some blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners are made to accept dual voltage. These generally have a small dial on the handle which can be rotated to select the appropriate electrical voltage. Often you can pick up this type of appliance at Walmart, Walgreens, Target or other retail outlets for $20 or less. When traveling in the UK or Ireland it is common to find the blow dryer in a drawer in your hotel room, NOT in the bathroom. Apparently, there is a building code that does not allow electronics or outlets in the bath area.
SUMMARY
The world does not operate on a standardized electrical system, each country has their own standards. Consequently, our appliances and gadgets will not work outside the USA without some electrical modification. For modern-day gadgets, you will need and electrical adapter that fits the wall socket for the country in which you will be traveling. Occasionally you may need an electrical converter and adapter if you use a blow dryer, flat iron or curling iron from the USA.
********************************************************** If you found this article informative, please share it with your friends, family, coworkers and associates. If you have something to add, just leave a comment in the box below.
Do you want to learn more about traveling to Europe? There is a wealth of information and special discount pricing on my tours at my website. Visit now at https://davidmcguffin.com/. David McGuffin is Founder and CEO of David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., based in Middleburg, Florida. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+,LinkedIn and YouTube. David spends his time in Europe organizing and leading small group and independent tours to European destinations. In business since 2001, David has provided exceptional travel opportunities to several thousand satisfied customers. You can find out more about David and his European tours at his website, https://davidmcguffin.com.
The Cinque Terre is a popular tourist destination in Italy. If you like the beach, seaside, mountains and hiking, then this is an ideal place to visit. The villages are very crowded, especially in the summer tourist season. Often the major hiking trails can be backed up in a “people jam”! However, each village offers an opportunity to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds. One such place is in Monterosso al Mare on the “zii di frati”, the path up to the Capuchin Monastery and cemetery. Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 57
Treasure Hunting in the Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre is a great place for outdoor activities. There are beaches, swimming, hiking and boating to name a few. Lately, I’ve enjoyed treasure hunting… you know, trying to find stuff other people have left behind. There is an activity called Geocaching that I’ve been dabbling with lately. Let’s go find a treasure in the Cinque Terre. Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 58
Vernazza Vacation
Vernazza is perhaps the most well-known of the five Cinque Terre villages. It has everything… beaches, bars, restaurants, cafes, markets and more. It is hard not to sit back, relax and slow down. Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 59
Manarola
Manarola may well be my favorite village in the Cinque Terre. One can get away from the tourist crowds (yes, even the cruise boat hoards) by walking to the top of the village and following the path into the vineyards. It offers fantastic panoramas of the pastel-painted town, the sea and the mountains. To begin this adventure, simply walk uphill (beginning at the tunnel into town from the train station) until you reach the church. Facing the church follow the little path behind the buildings on your left. Buon viaggio! Click the picture to watch the video.
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Day 60
Ristorante Del Duca
Ristorante Del Duca is my all-time favorite restaurant anywhere! Chefs Ivanna, Genuino and their team produce fantastic menus using only the best local ingredients. Eating here is always a gourmet dinning adventure. Click the picture to watch the video.
Construction on the Colosseum began in 70 A.D. and it took only ten years to completely finish the building project. It has held up pretty well over the last 2,000 years! With the fall of Rome, the Colosseum fell into disrepair and stood there derelict through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Only a third of the original Colosseum still stands today. Some of it was destroyed in earthquakes but most was deconstructed after the fall of Rome and used as stonework for newer buildings.
It was not until 1749, when Pope Benedict XIV declared it a religious site, that it again gained recognition and received some much-needed repairs. The 20th century brought motorized traffic, air pollution, and an onslaught of tourism which again attacked the structural integrity and appearance of the Colosseum. At the beginning of the new millennium, it was evident that the Colosseum needed a serious sprucing up.
Jumping through lots of hoops and cutting miles of red tape, the Italian government’s archaeological service finally began the Colosseum’s first-ever cleaning project in November 2013. Scaffolding began to enshroud segments of the ancient amphitheater and a thorough cleaning of the exterior was underway. Cleaning was a tedious task done solely by hand and without harsh chemicals or high pressure sprayers.
During the cleaning in 2014
The process involved spraying a fine mist of water onto the porous stones to soften the 2,000 years of filth that had collected on the exterior. After a few hours, the cleaning technicians would go to work with toothbrushes to scrub away the grime in the nooks and crannies. Larger brushes were used on the face of the huge stones. It was a tedious task but there was no other way to attack the problem and be sure the structural integrity would not be affected.
Travertine, a type of limestone, was used to build the Colosseum. It is a porous stone that, when newly quarried, is creamy white in color. With age, the travertine takes on a light pink patina that protects the stone. Over the last 2,000 years, the travertine had collected a thick black crust of soot, pollution, and algae. With this cleaning, the Colosseum once again glows with the characteristic pink patina.
Although this cleaning project was carried out by the Italian government, it was funded totally by private donations. Diego Della Valle, the founder and CEO of Tod’s, contributed 25 million euros to this project. Tod’s is a well-known Italian leather and fashion store. There is more in store for the Colosseum’s clean up. Next up is work on the foundation and basement area where the gladiators and animals were originally staged. Once that’s finished, the plan is to install a floor in the amphitheater just as it was in Roman Imperial times. Finally, a new visitor center and ticket area will be installed to accommodate the four-million tourists who visit each year.
Newly Cleaned in 2016
The Colosseum was constructed by Emperor Vespasian (the first of several “Flavian” emperors) and was inaugurated in 80 A.D. as the Flavian Amphitheatre. The Romans were always seeking ways to take a Greek idea and put a new Roman twist on it. The Flavian Amphitheatre is no exception. In essence the Romans took the plans for a Classical Greek theatre and built two of them end to end, coming up with the design for a huge freestanding “amphi” theatre.
Nero, Emperor Vespasian’s predecessor, had constructed a lavish palace just over the hill, behind the modern-day metro station. The site where the Colosseum sits today was once a large man-made lake surrounded by porticos, balconies and grand walkways. This palace complex, known as the Domus Aurea (Golden House), contained a colossal 33-meter-tall (100 feet) bronze statue of Emperor Nero. After the Flavian Amphitheatre was constructed, Vespasian had Nero’s colossal statue placed out in front of his new colossal amphitheatre. The combination of the colossal statue of Nero and the colossal amphitheatre seemed to stick and the amphitheatre took on the nickname of the Colossal-seum, or Colosseum. Nero’s statue has perished, but you can see the site where it once stood on the grassy area between the Colosseum and the wrought iron fence flanking the forum area.
The Romans were known as great builders and pioneered many construction techniques still in use today. One such idea was that of the “rounded arch” and concrete. Essentially, the Romans would construct a shell of bricks and mortar and then pour concrete in the void making for a super strong and sturdy structure. This concrete-filled shell was then covered with gleaming white travertine marble for a finishing touch of grandeur. The exterior of the Colosseum is loaded with potholes
in the walls. The huge stones flanking the exterior were originally held together with iron pegs, buried into the stone. When the Colosseum became a relic after the fall of Rome, its ready-cut stones were cannibalized for easy building material. When iron was at a shortage, the Colosseum’s iron pegs were chiseled out to make weapons for war, as well as hinges, railing, and the like.
The next phase of the restoration involves the interior foundation and flooring.
The exterior resembles our modern-day soccer and football stadiums. In Roman times, the citizens attending an event at the amphitheatre had a ticket noting their seating assignment and which doorway to enter to get to their seats. Even today, you can find “Roman numerals” etched above the rounded arched “doorways” on the ground level noting the doorway’s number. Just like our stadiums today, the wide walkways and stairs were designed to get people into and out of the amphitheatre very quickly. Inside, along the walkways, were a multitude of kiosks in which vendors would sell official team merchandise, bowls of spaghetti, pizza, hot dogs, and beer.
To summarize, the Flavian Amphitheatre was constructed for the enjoyment and entertainment of the citizens of Rome. Admission was always free and events were often sponsored by politicians. The Colosseum opened in 80 A.D. with a 100-day festival of events in which 2,000 men and 9,000 animals were killed in one sort of competition or another. These events continued for almost 500 years. Then the Colosseum fell into disrepair and was neglected until the 1800s when the pope declared it a religious site. The last three centuries have seen some attempts as repairs but the rise of tourism and the evolution of air pollution has adversely impacted the structure. Now, a colossal cleaning has spruced up the Colosseum and it glows with a proud pink patina for all to enjoy.
If you found this article informative, please share it with your friends, family, coworkers, and associates. If you have something to add, just leave a comment in the box below.
Do you want to learn more about traveling in Europe? There is a wealth of information and special discount pricing on my tours at my website. Visit now at https://davidmcguffin.com/.
David McGuffin is Founder and CEO of David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., based in Middleburg, Florida. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+,LinkedIn and YouTube. David spends his time in Europe organizing and leading small group and independent tours to European destinations. In business since 2001, David has provided exceptional travel opportunities to several thousand satisfied customers. You can find out more about David and his European tours at his website, https://davidmcguffin.com.
Everybody goes on vacation from time to time. For some it is the payoff for a year of toil. For others, it is an adventure that was years in the making. Whether you are looking to let off a little steam or you are an adrenaline junkie looking for your next fix, the difference between a good vacation and a nightmare all comes down to choosing the right travel agent and tour operator. For this article, I’ll use the terms travel agent and tour operator in much the same context. In fact, let’s just call them travel providers, however, there is a difference. Typically, a travel agent provides a varied selection of travel services to the public such as: airline tickets, hotel accommodations, automobile rentals, river and ocean cruises, packaged tours and much more. Think of them as your one-stop shop for all your travel needs. Tour operators, on the other hand, specialize in one particular tour product or destination. These can include destination specific tours, cruises, adventure travel, group tours, themed tours, and much more. For example, our company, David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, is a tour operator specializing in European small group and independent travel. The first thing you have to understand is the travel business is so large that there is no single agent, operator or travel provider that can plan the perfect vacation to all parts of the globe. Today, travel providers are a lot like doctors… they specialize in one area. Some travel providers are experts in booking cruises, while others specialize in group tours and independent travel. However, even within these areas of specialization, no two travel providers have precisely the same experience. What this means is that unless you want to roll the dice and take your chances on picking an agent or tour operator that can either make or break your vacation, you need to understand how to weed them out. Good Travel Providers Begin your search for travel expert by realizing that the lowest price doesn’t always represent the best value. So using online portals such as Travelocity. Orbitz and Priceline isn’t where you should start your search, unless price is your only consideration. Think of a good travel provider as a consultant. He or she has spent years learning about the industry and what it represents to clients. A good travel provider has had experience working with hundreds or even thousands of travelers and many destinations as well. They have been in the game long enough to know what hotels and tour activities are up to snuff and which are not. They have had to make a call in the dead of night to straighten out a client’s lost reservation or missed connection. They form a bond with clients that transcends a mere pay-for-hire relationship. Make no mistake about it, the bond between a travel provider and a client should not be taken lightly. Just as with any other business, good and bad reviews can make or break a travel provider’s reputation. This is also a reason why you should always perform a web search of any travel provider with which you are considering doing business. Any travel provider worth their salt will have reviews online. Start off by going to the search engine of your choice and typing in the name of the travel provider followed by the word “reviews.” You’d be surprised what you can find out with a web search. Next, go to the travel provider’s website in order to look for blogs, videos and testimonials. This will also provide you with insight regarding the travel provider’s experience and areas of specialization. Do the tours posted look like something that you and your family would enjoy? Are the prices a good fit for your budget, or are they out of your league. Last but not least, pick up the phone and give them a call. Personality as well as experience plays a big part in choosing the right travel provider. In fact, that is the primary reason to work with a particular travel provider. No matter how good of a deal the website promotes, if you feel that the agency is either too inexperienced, or too busy to deal with your wants and needs, look elsewhere. That’s also a reason to avoid making your decision based entirely on price. Speaking of price, don’t believe that working with a travel provider is going to cost you more than booking a trip on your own. Far from it. Since good agencies have many contacts in the industry, they can many times save you money since they receive information that is not posted to the general public. (That being said, when dealing with a travel agent, you’ll want to make sure to understand any commissions or booking fees related to your trip.) Bad Travel Providers Bad travel providers either don’t know or they don’t care. This means that they either have had little experience and connections in the industry, or they are simply a gun for hire that is more interested in selling tours and travel products than building a lasting relationship with clients. While a number of travel providers are overworked and underpaid, what’s even worse is when a travel provider is a crook. In a quote from an article on frommers.com entitled, “9 Ways to Tell if Your Travel Agent is Crooked, “As a rule, most travel agents are well-trained, competent professionals who work hard for you. But there are exceptions to every rule. Take Kathleen Rossano of East Brunswick, N.J., who was recently sentenced to a 10-year prison term for stealing more than $75,000 from her travel agency. Prosecutors had charged her with offering luxury vacations to her friends, taking cash payments, billing the expenses to her agency’s credit card and then pocketing the money. It was the fourth time she’d been convicted of taking money from former employers.A month later, her former agency, Cruise Value Center, collapsed without paying the cruise lines what they were owed and leaving customers in the lurch. One of the clients recently contacted me in a panic after her cruise line demanded an additional payment of $2,544 for her vacation because the cruise line had been stiffed by the agency.” http://www.frommers.com/tips/money-and-currency/9-ways-to-tell-if-your-travel-agent-is-crookedHow many of her clients do you think were lured in by low prices posted on her website? When it comes to crooked agents and thieving tour operators, how hard do you think it is to set up a website that makes offers that are too good to be true, only to take the money and run? That’s one of the reasons you need to check out any agency before you lay down your hard earned money. The Frommers article goes onto provide readers with the following 9 warning signs pointing to a terrible tour provider: 1. Demands you pay in cash,2. Acts funny when you bring up commissions,3. Adds a booking fee to your bill after you’ve decided to buy a vacation,4. Has no certification,5. Doesn’t know a thing about the place you are going to visit,6. Has a Better Business Bureau rap sheet,7. Is impossible to reach,8. Doesn’t listen,9. I bought my agency certification online for a few hundred bucks!
“Studly” Travel Providers The best travel providers stand out from the crowd. They are not merely knowledgeable about a destination, they are experts. They have been to the places to which you are looking to travel and know the lay of the land. They can not only describe the places you are going to see, but they can tell you about some of the people you will meet. Some travel providers will not only book a cruise or tour, but lead it as well. They will be there to make sure that nothing goes wrong. When it comes to getting the most out of a trip, having an experienced travel provider and tour guide can make all the difference in the world. Working with a superstar agency may cost a bit more, but when you consider that a vacation comes but once a year, travel satisfaction is priceless. To summarize, there are good, bad and “studly” tour providers. Commonly, these consist of both travel agents and tour operators. A good tour provider knows its clients, is an expert in its destinations, offers stellar customer service, has good online reviews, is well respected in the community and offers a good value for the tour experience. Bad tour providers are interested solely in selling a product, often have little or no experience in their tour destinations, may have poor online reviews and an extensive Better Business Bureau “rap sheet” and typically, are not certified or licensed. The “studly” tour provider is a trusted friend who provides stellar customer service, fantastic travel opportunities and is an expert in their specialized destinations. If you found this article informative, please share it with your friends, family, coworkers and associates. If you have something to add, just leave a comment in the box below.
Do you want to learn more about traveling in Europe? There is a wealth of information and special discount pricing at my website. Visit now at https://davidmcguffin.com/. David McGuffin is Founder and CEO of David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., based in Middleburg, Florida. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+,LinkedIn and YouTube. David spends his time in Europe organizing and leading small group and independent tours to European destinations. In business since 2001, David has provided exceptional travel opportunities to several thousand satisfied customers. You can find out more about David and his European tours at his website, https://davidmcguffin.com.
We slept in this morning, knowing there would be plenty of time to explore Athens in the next few days. After breakfast, Charlotte and I checked out of the Electra Hotel and walked five blocks to their sister hotel, The Electra Palace. Normally, I do not change accommodations, but we are booking this trip as we go, not knowing from day-to-day what the next one holds.
The Electra Palace
The Electra Palace has one benefit over the Electra Hotel and that is its rooftop pool with grand views of the Acropolis. We are paying premium prices for our room here, but the benefit of having an “oasis” in the heart of Athens, plus the rooftop pool makes it a worthwhile expense.
Our tour “group” grows…
Our friend, Janey, arrived in Athens earlier this morning and was waiting for us in the hotel lobby. As expected, our rooms were not ready, so we gave the hotel a “once over” and headed up to the rooftop pool and bar area. We took a seat, with the Acropolis hovering over us in the distance, and sketched out a rough plan for our adventure in Greece.
I had been to Athens on three previous occasions, the first in 1977 (which I will continue to reference here in my writings), the second in the summer of 2006, and the last in December 2010. But beyond Athens (and the island day trips to Aegina, Porous, and Hydra), it is all going to be a new adventure. Our rough planned itinerary looks likes this: Athens, Delphi, Olympia, the Mani Peninsula, Napflio, and the island of Santorini.
A lazy afternoon at the pool…
Later, we checked into our rooms and while Janey napped off her jetlag, Charlotte and I changed into our bathing suits and headed to the pool. We enjoyed a relaxed lunch, cool dips in the pool, and great views of the Acropolis. We were so close I could see weary and over-heated tourist walking on the Acropolis, frantically trying to fit their sightseeing in during the hottest part of the day.
Me and my journal…
I became faithful with my journal entries in the summer of 1997. Since then, I’ve kept a pretty good record of things happening in my life and especially my travels. Over the years, my journal has become a companion and a place to escape, especially when traveling alone with no one to talk to. I enjoy putting my thoughts to paper and sketching. This afternoon, I tried to capture the mood and feel of the Acropolis with this sketch.
Sightseeing in the Plàka
Along about 5:30 p.m., we headed out for our sightseeing in the Plàka neighborhood. It was still hot and we stuck to the shady sides of the streets as we wound through the shopping streets, narrow lanes, past Byzantine-era churches, and the tourist oriented shops.
Ermou Street
Ermou is the main street leading from Sytagma Square into the Plàka. It once was filled with filth, loud traffic, and ugly signs. Since 2000, it has become a pedestrian-only area and both tourists and locals enjoys a stroll in this shopping oriented street.
Ermou Street
The Church of Kapnikarea
Athens was once a part of the vast Byzantine Empire which controlled much of Europe from A.D. 323-1453. This church, the Church of Kapnikarea, is a classic example of an 11th century Byzantine house of worship. Notice the classic Byzantine architectural designs including a red-tiled domed cupola topped with a cross and narrow and tall arched windows often with diamond-shaped trim.
The Church of Kapnikarea
Athen’s Cathedral
This church was built in 1842 and looks much worst for wear than other churches in the area dating from 600 years before! However, it is Athen’s most important Greek Orthodox church and the “head” church of the Greek Orthodox faith. It is in dismal condition! The interior and exterior are covered with scaffolding and shrouded in construction cloth. The placard outside does list a schedule of worship services… but ughh… I can’t imaging it here.
Athens Cathedral
Adrianou Street
This IS souvenir street! Adrianou Street runs from near the new Acropolis Museum, heads north, and then turns west to follow the lays of the Acropolis hill. For me, it is the “main drag” offering all the “Greek” trinkets and souvenirs. You’ll find it all… olive oils, olive wood, worry beads, jewelry, leather sandals, sponges, Pandora beads, Greek replica statues, t-shirts, and tons of stray cats!
Hello kitty
The Roman Forum and Tower of the Winds
The Romans conquered Greek about 150 B.C. and set up their own “Roman”-ized way of life. The Greek Agora (I’ll address that later) became a marble “boneyard” from which the “Roman” Athens was built. Now-a-days, this area is often called the Roman Agora, but the Roman’s called it the Forum. Like in Rome, it was the commercial center of the city. A place to shop, meet, see and be seen.
Much later, the Ottomans converted this area into a bazaar. There is a mosque here in the area, although its minarets were decapitated by the Greeks when they won their independence from the Ottomans in the 1800’s.
Roman Forum & Tower of the Winds
Notice also the eight-sided domed tower known as the “Tower of the Winds.” This tower was built in the 1st century B.C. and contains a clock, a guide to the planets, and a weathervane. The carved figures depict the “winds” as winged humans who fly in and bring the weather. Don’t bother asking anyone about the meaning of the eight ancient Greek symbols for the “winds.” I’ve found everyone makes up their own story… even the guides!
Tower of the Four Winds
Library of Hadrian
Hadrian was the Roman emperor in the 2nd century A.D. who had quite an affection for all things Greek. He had this library and civic center constructed for the Athenians. The building housed gardens, lecture halls, art galleries, and a library. Today, most of what you see is a reconstruction of one wall and a few Corinthian columns.
Library of Hadrian
Monastiraki Square
This is Athen’s second main city square loaded with old world class and style. The big building on the left is the metro station where tw0 train lines connect. From this square one could walk to the Archaeological Museum (1 mile to Omonia Square), feast on souvlaki (the typical Greek meat-on-a-stick fast food), wander into the old town, or or hop on the metro to zip off to far flung areas of town.
Monastiraki Square
By 7 p.m. we had experienced and seen the most important ancient and tourist sights in the Pàlka. Arriving at Monastriki Square and the Metro station, we decided to give the Ancient Agora a go. Following the Metro tracks, we soon came to the main Agora entrance and ticket booth.
Here’s a hint
Avoid long lines at archeological site ticket booths by arriving late in the afternoon. Alternatively, visit a lesser-known site entrance before the Acropolis. Purchase a €12 “strip ticket” for all the archeological sites in Athens including the Acropolis, Agora, Roman Forum, Keremikos Cemetery, Library of Hadrian, Theatre of Dionysus, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The ticket is valid for four days, and technically the attendant will tear off one “strip” for each site you visit. However, I did not have any collected except at the Acropolis. IF you purchase your ticket first at the Acropolis, then you’ll receive one ticket with a bar code that will be scanned at each site visited.
The Ancient Agora
Visiting the Ancient Agora during its final hour of the day was a good idea. Although the sun was still high and warm, there were only a few tourists milling around. We were able to see almost all the Agora sites in less than an hour, although it was a push to get up to the Temple of Hephaistos before the attendants began blowing their whistles to alert of the impending closing time of 8:00 p.m.
Temple of Hephaistos
This is one of the most well preserved of all Greek temples. Construction began here in 450 B.C. shortly after the entire Agora was destroyed by the invading Persians (480 B.C.). However, construction work stopped here while the Athenians concentrated on building the temples on the Acropolis, including the Parthenon. The temple is dedicated to Hephaistos, the “blacksmith” god and originally contained bronze statues of he and Athena.
Temple of Hephaistos
The temple was converted to a Christian church in 1300 A.D. and named the Church of St. George (the patron saint of Athens). Because of its continued use, the structure was maintained and kept up resulting in the wonderful condition in which we find it today.
The Agora in 1977
My notes, dated May 5, 1977, mention visiting the Temple of Hephaistos…
I got up at 6:15 am yesterday morning and walked down to the Temple of Zeus and took photos, then went to the Olympic Stadium and Royal Gardens. Doug and I then went and ate breakfast at the hotel. Then took an excursion to the ancient agora and the Theseion/Temple of Hephaistos and agora museum.
Here is the photo my friend Doug snapped of me standing in the temple. I recall back then we were allowed inside the temple and could actually see the ancient frieze in the alcoves depicting mythological battles between the Lapith tribe and a group of centaurs during a wedding feast.
Temple of Hephaistos 1977
Here is a photo Charlotte snapped of me in December 2010 during our visit to Athens. The temple has remained the same, I’ve not! Notice too that I was not allowed on the steps as the entire temple is fenced off.
Temple of Hephaistos 2010
Take the back gate for a speedy exit
We exited the Agora at the “back gate” up the hill in the direction of the Acropolis (Polygnotou “street” on your map). This put us up near the top (Prytaniou street) with great views of the Plàka and Athens to the north and the Acropolis looming just overhead to the south. We experienced a fantastic sunset and later, an almost full moon rising in the west.
Sunset over the Roman Forum
The Plàka is not flat.
It stretches consistently uphill until the slops of the Acropolis makes it impossible to build houses. Consequently, the “streets” are often no more than small cobbled pedestrian paths winding past shops, restaurants, and businesses. The farther uphill one wanders, the more steps and stairs are encountered.
Steps and more steps
One such place, called Mnisikleous, is known for a series of cobbled stairs stretching of 100 yards and lined with trendy restaurants offering good food, decent drinks, ok music, and plenty of ambience.
Mnisikleous Street dining
Capping off our day, we chose an outdoor restaurant known for authentic Greek food offered at very reasonable prices. Xenious Zeus is not a secret among tourist in Athens. This restaurant appears in all the guidebooks and is advertised as a place with good food and good prices. Since we were all the way up the hill, I thought we should give it a try.
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For €12 we got a three-course meal featuring a selection of five Greek appetizers, called mezedes, a main course, and desert. We added a Greek Salad to share between the three of us. For a quick and unpretentious introduction to Greek cuisine, this place can’t be beat.
mezedes sampler
After dinner, we walked back to our hotel with a full moon rising in the west, our bellies full, and our bodies worn out. For me, this was the perfect mix of recovery, sightseeing, and dining to begin our adventures in Greece.
A few years ago Alain Maurel, my friend and bus owner, suggested I visit Vézelay. He told me it was a pity to miss such a charming village that was only a few miles off the busy autoroute from Burgundy to Paris. So, last year I gave Vézelay a “test run” and discovered I had indeed been missing a hidden gem. This travel season I’ve included Vézelay in my Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France itinerary and all agree, it is a keeper!
Vézelay is in an imposing position strung out along the crest of a hill, with far-reaching views over the ‘Monts de Morvan’ and on the edge of the Morvan Regional Park.
20 minutes off the autoruote
Vézelay as viewed from the Monts de Morvan
Many of the houses along the main street are now cafes, galleries and gift shops but there is none of the “worthless junk” along the road that occupies many a tourist town – if you are look- ing for tacky souviners, you will need to look elsewhere.
The highlight of the village is without doubt the Abbey of St Mary Magdalene, an awe-inspiring building with soaring decorative vaults. The abbey contains the relics of Saint Mary and was historically the departure point for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostella.
The drive to and from Vézelay is beautiful. These photos were taken a few days ago at the start of May.
Edited: September 2022
