A European Escape: 18 Nights, 5 Countries, One Unforgettable Adventure
This is Part 2 of a four-part series. Be sure to check out the other posts on this amazing trip:
After our magical days in Rome, we set sail aboard the Celebrity Equinox. This is a Solstice-class ship, and while it might not be the biggest, newest, or flashiest ship out there, it was just right for us. Its size was perfect, well-appointed, and meticulously maintained. Even though the ship was sold out, we rarely encountered any lines, and embarking and disembarking at ports was a breeze. If I had to point out a downside, it would be the entertainment—it wasn’t quite up to par. And finding a quiet spot for a pre-dinner drink could be a bit challenging. But overall, I would still recommend this ship, especially for the itinerary we chose.
10 NIGHT GREECE, TURKEY & MALTA
And let me tell you, the itinerary was a dream come true: a Greek Isles and Turkey cruise, starting in Rome and ending in Barcelona, with 10 nights, 6 ports, and 3 sea days. It was the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation. In this post, I’m excited to share the first three ports of call on our incredible journey.
Olympia (from the port of Katakolon)
Our first stop was Olympia—mythical even by Greek standards! With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, visiting the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games felt particularly special. Standing in the spot where the Olympic flame is first lit for every modern Games was surreal (I specifically watched the torch lighting ceremony this year and then standing in the same place - awesome)!
Exploring the ancient ruins, we could almost hear the echoes of the past, imagining the athletes who once competed there. The layout of the town, the temples, the gymnasiums—it all painted a vivid picture of a world long gone but still very much alive in spirit. The starting block for the races was especially iconic. How many athletes had stood there, ready to make history?
We opted for a group tour arranged through Celebrity, which turned out to be a great choice. It was blisteringly hot, but thankfully, there were shaded areas to escape the sun. After a tour of the location - we entered the museum for a tour. It is a smaller museum, but with many important items. Our bus ride back to the ship was wonderfully air-conditioned. We returned before lunchtime, making it a perfect half-day excursion.
Athens
It had been 26 years since I last visited Athens, and I was eager to rediscover this ancient city. We arranged for a private driver and guide, a decision that paid off in spades. Our driver was fantastic, taking us to a few lesser-known spots before dropping us off at the Acropolis. The guide took over from there, and we were off on an adventure through history.
The views from the Acropolis were nothing short of spectacular. The climb up (or in some cases, the elevator ride - for those of us with mobility issues) offered breathtaking panoramas of the city. And as we approached the entrance gates, the sight of the Acropolis itself was awe-inspiring—so epic and steeped in history. Learning about the Pantheon and seeing it in person was a moving experience that I’d recommend to anyone.
After exploring the Acropolis, we descended to the new Acropolis Museum—a modern marvel that mirrors the ancient site’s layout. The artifacts are displayed exactly as they would have been on the Acropolis, making for a truly immersive experience. It’s a must-visit.
We said goodbye to our guide and enjoyed a leisurely lunch at a local spot. Sitting outside in the shade, we savored every bite. We also had an opportunity to see the changing of the guard at the Presidential Palace before then heading to the Plaka district. We strolled for a time through the charming streets and shops, but we didn't stay too long. We headed back to the ship a touch early - but so happy with our day.
Now, I should mention that we arranged the driver and guide independently—not through Celebrity. While this gave us more flexibility, it also came with some risks. We were well aware that if we didn’t make it back to the ship on time, we’d have to catch up at the next port on our own—a complicated and costly scenario. Today was a day that the ship was in port for a long period of time, we kept an eye on the time ourselves, and made sure to make our way back with plenty of time (3 hrs at least) to spare prior to the all-aboard.
Mykonos
After a few packed days, we were ready for some relaxation, and Mykonos delivered the perfect beach day! We headed to Elia Beach, where we each had our own lounger, and our package included water, a drink (I enjoyed a white wine in a paper cup at 9am, lol!), and a sandwich.
Of course, the one day we planned for the beach turned out to be slightly cooler than expected! It was still warm at 25-27 degrees Celsius, just not the scorching 35 degrees we had grown accustomed to. But that didn’t stop us from enjoying the beautiful beach, the vibrant atmosphere, and the stunning blue waters.
Our time at the beach flew by, and before we knew it, we were back on the bus to the port. A few of us decided to squeeze in a visit to the famous Mykonos windmills for a quick photo op. Navigating the winding, narrow streets was trickier than anticipated, but it was worth it—and of course, we had to stop for gelato along the way!
Returning to the ship, the cool air-conditioned cabin was a welcome relief from the heat that had started to build. It was the perfect way to end a day of sun, sand, and sea.
Stay tuned for more about the incredible journey that followed! And when you’re ready to plan your own European adventure, don’t hesitate to reach out. With my expertise in European travel and river cruising, I’m here to help make your dream trip a reality.
To book your next dream vacation - when the time is right to travel - reach out to me through email at Alicia@EveningStarTravel.ca, or by calling 587 772 2525. I am located in Sherwood Park, Alberta (a suburb of Edmonton), and am a Travel Advisor specializing in River Cruising, Beach Escapes, and Custom Vacations. I am the owner/operator of Evening Star Travel, and I book travel for clients all across Canada.
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