My little sister (Lisa) started her big trip in Athens and for little ol’ me that was a great excuse to head to Athens and visit.
Unfortunately I had never really spent much time in Greece apart from a rather short three day visit when I should have been at home studying a few years beforehand so this was going to be my city break and I was excited.
Lisa had been to Athens a few times before so she was a super tour leader taking me to all the sights including helping me to find the famous Poet Sandal Maker in Athens. It’s a must for any girl with a shoe addiction – custom fitted shoes at super cheap prices and I left with two pairs. Do not buy the imitations, go to the shop and buy them and get properly fitted, they are well worth the money and I wish I bought another few pairs.
Our first stop was to visit the Evzones whom Lisa is slightly stalking whenever she is in Athens and they do have the cutest pom pom shoes ever. There are not too many men in the world who can get away with pleats!
Every time I go somewhere in Europe there is always scaffolding up on the famous sights and the Acropolis was no different; the silver lining is that it will be protected for future generations even though I have a crane in my photo now.
As well as wandering around all the sights that Athens has to offer we did two day trips, one to the islands close to Athens (never a good idea on a windy day and you know that you get sea sick!) and then to Poseidon where we almost got blown off the side of the cliff. All rather funny and very Mary Poppins like – we had a lot of giggles.
Many tour companies in Athens offer a three island day tour which is a great way to get a taster of some of the Greek islands while staying in Athens or if you are short of time.
Tip – if you get sea sick, don’t go on a windy wet day.
Our first stop was the island of Aegina, the closest island from Athens. The island is very quiet however we purchased some of the most gorgeous red strawberries and just watched the boats bobbing around in the water and all the locals going about their daily lives.
I did find a beautiful ceramics shop which is well worth a visit. If you are in Aegina then you need to visit Alexandra Solomou as you won’t leave empty handed, I didn’t.
The details of Aegina are stunning as you can see from the below photos
Our next Island stop was Poros, we unfortunately didn’t have very long here but we did have time to walk to the top and look down over the island. I did also manage to buy a peasant style top in one of the shops (I am all in aid in supporting Greece – get shopping people!!)
Our final island stop was at Hydra which for me was my most favourite island on our day trip. Its a very elegant island and there are no cars so everything is moved by donkey which is just so GREEK!
If you love people watching, then this is the island for you – along the sea front there are numerous cafes and restaurants where you can sit and just watch for hours on end.
I love how the blue and red pop against the white washed walls and the cat just lazing about in the sun (which had finally made a pleasant appearance)
Okay I have included a cheesy photo of me from our Island hopping day adventure which I am modelling a pair of shoes from the Poet Sandal Maker and sporting lovely travel sickness wrist bands while still looking slightly green from the boat trip.
Lisa had a wish list of places she wanted to visit so I just tagged along. We did a little tour out to Poseidon on a rather wet and very windy afternoon (Lisa was almost sacrificed over the edge of the cliff more than once!). I think the clouds just make the ruins look more dramatic.
If you love Greek mythology this should be on your wish list when in Athens.
When in Athens you need to eat! I love Greek Salads! Why don’t they ever taste as good when you try and make them at home. Just seeing this photo is making me wanting to book a flight back to Athens.
xxx
