I have always dreamed of going to
Greece and when the opportunity came to go to Greece, i could not pass it up.
!!I always had a huge passion for Greek mythology and as a result have seen
almost all the Greek movies ever produced in Hollywood
In Italy, I visited the following City
Planning for the trip took about 2 months. I researched the areas I wanted to go as well as tours, accommodation and transportation. I contacted several local agencies and with information and made the best determination. I planned for each day spent; I would have an activity or tour done.
I hope after reading about the my adventures and expedition in Greece and Rome in the following pages, you would be motivated to visit the various amazing places
Travelling to Greece and Italy alone
did raise eyebrows among family and friends especially because of the political
unrest in Greece. However, after much explanation and assurance that I will be
ok, I was able to convince family this was a good decision
Planning
The goal was go the Greece (spend
about one and half weeks) and Italy (spend about 4 days)
In Greece, I visited the
following cities/island in order:
Planning for the trip took about 2 months. I researched the areas I wanted to go as well as tours, accommodation and transportation. I contacted several local agencies and with information and made the best determination. I planned for each day spent; I would have an activity or tour done.
Since the Euro is higher than the
dollar, my main goal was to try to curb all expenses to my budget. So in order
to achieve this goal, regarding accommodations, I decided to stay in a mixture
of hotels, my timeshare and Bread and breakfasts (B&B's)
Travel day
In order to attain the least
expensive plane ticket, I purchased a ticket with 2 stops to Athens with 2
different carriers. Well let’s just say my travel day to Athens was a nightmare
which I don't want to relive again. I would not advise anyone to travel
internationally with more than 1 stop with 2 different airlines.
On the day of travel, I checked in
my baggage in Raleigh NC and was told my bag was checked in all the way to
ATHENS. Although lady was kind, she did not give me the baggage tag receipt
(Nightmare number 1). I think she forgot as this was 4.30am in the morning. I
did not realize this mistake until I was on the plane to New York
Flew from Raleigh NC, to JFK-New York
(1st stop) did not have adequate time enough for a transfer (30 mins to the
next terminal) so I missed the connecting flight from NY to London-second
flight as well as the 3rd flight from London to Athens (Nightmare number 2)
Took me 45mins to get to the other terminal in JFK and was told flight had
departed. It departed even though I was checked in from Raleigh. I was told to
go back to the previous terminal and talk to agent to get on another flight as
connecting flight 2.was a different carrier.
So another 45 mins I am back at
terminal and speaking to agent who told me rather fussed at me as to why I was
able to buy a ticket online without a reasonable time to make a connection. So
she booked me on another connecting flight to London leaving 1 hr. later
however the last leg from London to ATHENS would be the next day. This meant I
had to spend the night in London. No big deal as I have family in London. So I
call them from the airport and tell them what happened and would be spending
the night. Since it is family, no issues. I asked about my outage and told oh
don't worry it is at my final destination.
I get to London. 7 hours later. With
the re booked connecting flight and picked up by my cousin at the airport.
Despite this set back, i was glad for the stop in London as i got to spend some
time with family in London. The next day early in the morning. I am dropped at
the airport and then check in. I ask about my checked in luggage and told it is
at my final destination. So I board the plane and 5 hrs. later in Athens.
While at the airport in London,
waiting for my plane to Athens, the most amazing thing happened! I also met a
fellow solo female traveler (Chika) who is also Nigerian, going to Athens and
check this out, was staying at the same hotel in Athens!!!! What are the odds
of this happening!!!!
Upon arrival in Athens, I discover
my bag is not there and no make matters worse, airline does not know where my
bag is located. After an hour of investigation and making a claim ticket, I
am told a trace is in progress and they will let me know if anything turns up!
Imagine how i felt! I am already
upset with my delay (as I had already missed a day of a planned tour for which
I had to figure out how to get my money back) now no baggage? This was the
last straw! Let’s just say, poor baggage attendant!!
So after releasing my pent up anger (I
like to call that process, a therapeutic session with the baggage attendant), I head over to
the city center to check into the hotel and go shopping for clothes and toiletries.(Chika was kind enough to come along with me) One
thing, I did learn was no matter how much you plan, you can never plan enough. I
did not plan on going shopping in Athens but here I was at 7.30pm trying to
find stores open to buy toiletries and clothes for at least 2.days.
Finally on the second day, it appeared my luck turned around for better. My baggage was found to be in the US and sent to Athens and arrived next day at hotel. Although I had left Athens briefly. On the second day to the nearby surrounding cities, my hotel did a good job of keeping my luggage till I arrived back in Athens.
Finally on the second day, it appeared my luck turned around for better. My baggage was found to be in the US and sent to Athens and arrived next day at hotel. Although I had left Athens briefly. On the second day to the nearby surrounding cities, my hotel did a good job of keeping my luggage till I arrived back in Athens.
Despite, this early trip set back, i
had fun in Greece and Rome! In Greece, I got to see the Temple of Zeus,
Apollo and Athena. I got to climb 2 mountains including the psycho cave where
Zeus was born and hidden from his dad kronos. I visited several monasteries
perched on the top of huge mountains. I got to drive a bi- transmission car and
drive on steep mountain cliffs( I believe i have overcame my fear of heights),
got to have a fish foot massage( check out Crete travel for pictures) this was
an hilarious experience!!! I also visited one of the first ancient Minoan
settlement located in Crete called Knossos as well as the ruins of Agamemnon's castle and tomb in Mycenae. Last but not the least; I
experienced the much talked about sunset and sun rise in santorini!!!
In Roma (Rome) I finally got to
visit the Vatican (Actually Vatican is not considered Rome but as a separate
country/state with its own currency even though it is located in the vicinity
of Rome), St Peter's Basilica and of course the Colosseum
In conclusion, although, I had a rough beginning, My
trip ended up been an awesome trip (despite mosquito infested body, heat rashes
and getting sun burnt) and I had the best fun and lovely memories!!!! If I had
the chance to do it all over again, I will with no hesitations!!!
I hope after reading about the my adventures and expedition in Greece and Rome in the following pages, you would be motivated to visit the various amazing places
