{"id":5950,"date":"2015-10-20T16:39:52","date_gmt":"2015-10-20T21:39:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flyingplates.com\/?p=5950"},"modified":"2020-12-30T07:33:36","modified_gmt":"2020-12-30T12:33:36","slug":"holy-land-mediterranean-cruise-fall-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flyingplates.com\/?p=5950","title":{"rendered":"Holy Land Mediterranean cruise fall 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I chose to go on this trip for two reasons. The itinerary first : It started in Athens<\/strong>, went to Israel, back to Greece and ended in Turkey. I had never been to Athens, nor in Isra\u00ebl so this was very enticing and I am always happy to go back to Turkey. The second reason was the ship : it was a five star line I had heard about but never tried before : Azamara!  So off I went!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I mentioned earlier, the first port was Athens, so we flew two days before to adjust to the time difference and visit this timeless city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flight with British Airlines was without issues, the change of planes in London went smoothly and we arrived in out hotel late enough to see the Acropolis all lit up. My only regret is that we did not attend a light and sound show. We had dinner in a lovely rooftop restaurant and tasted the best moussaka ever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The next morning we set out on a hop on hop off bus tour. We drove by endless temples, monuments and statues. It is a beautiful city deserving a lot longer visit than our short 48 hours. I had to take a photo of the guards in their uniform and shoes with pompoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On our way to the Acropolis, we visited the Acropolis Museum, a beautiful bright and airy place. It is a steep walk to the Acropolis and an expensive visit but ohhh so worth it. The buildings are so beautiful and impressive and the view from up there so spectacular. You cannot help but go back in time and imagine yourself among the famous philosophers and their students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afterwards we walked through the Plaka, a busy area filled with restaurants, we also rode all the way to the Piraeus for fun as we knew we would be back there to board our ship. On the way back to our hotel we walked into a lovely church called Saint John Forerunner\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n