Pre - Travel Planning

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

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:

•     Delphi
•     Kalambaka(Thessaloniki area)
•     Corith
•     Mycenae
•     Epidaurus
•     Athens
•     Crete
•     Santorini

In Italy, I visited the following City

• Rome

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.

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