In early August, we traveled on our second Adventures by Disney journey. This time, we selected to ebook the Adventures by Disney Greece journey, referred to as Greek Odyssey. I by no means did a visit report for our Bella Italia journey, however for this journey, I made positive that I took some notes alongside the way in which in order that I used to be higher ready.
Notice: This journey was by no means sponsored or discounted. Nevertheless, there are a number of affiliate hyperlinks on this publish. A click on or buy might lead to a small fee to assist assist this website. I did attend a media Adventures by Disney journey in NYC later without charge.
Adventures by Disney Greece Journey Report
We began our journey on a wonderful, sunny day in Boston. A 5 pm in a single day flight wasn’t ultimate, however it was our greatest possibility. I choose to go away later in order that we will attempt to sleep straight away. As our Uber pulled as much as Logan Airport, the skies opened and the rains poured down. As we had been to later uncover, this rain derailed a lot of our fellow vacationers’ flights. Fortunately for us, we had been solely delayed a brief period of time.
Our flight to Zurich was fairly uneventful, though sleep evaded me. I simply couldn’t get snug and didn’t really feel sleepy. My makes an attempt at sleep ended at about 4 am, when the aircraft’s lights had been lit and we had been served breakfast. As we stumbled into the Zurich Airport from the aircraft, we shortly went by customs and set out in the hunt for the primary espresso store we may discover.
After espresso and a short nap, we boarded our subsequent flight to Athens. We deliberate to reach the day earlier than our Adventures by Disney journey began in order that we may relaxation and get acclimated to the 7-hour time distinction earlier than our journey began.
The flight to Athens was solely 3 hours and appeared so brief after the sooner in a single day flight. We arrived in Athens, grabbed our baggage, and located our driver. Since we’d already gone by EU customs, we didn’t have to fret about that.
Our drive to the Intercontinental Athenaeum was fairly fast. Admittedly, it was just a little jarring to see avenue and enterprise indicators written within the Greek alphabet. After all, I anticipated that, however seeing the letters actually drove dwelling the truth that we had been in a really overseas land.
The Athenaeum is beautiful. We had been actually impressed with our massive room, and unpacked whereas deciding what to do subsequent. It was a day at this level, so we took a short nap after which talked to the concierge about restaurant suggestions.
Whereas it was very tempting to remain in, we selected to take a cab right down to the Plaka, the place we dined on the Previous Tavern of Psaras. It claims to be the Plaka’s oldest restaurant and was the proper spot for our first meal in Greece.
Day 1: Athens
It’s no shock that we slept within the subsequent morning, though all of us had been up at numerous factors through the night time. We had been all so hungry and welcomed the Intercontinental’s massive breakfast buffet (there’s a cost for some visitors however free with our room bundle). After breakfast, we met up with our AbD guides Armando and Niki.
I wished to tour round Athens through the day however completely knew that I wished to buy a pair of customized sandals at Melissinos Artwork -The Poet Sandal Maker. Niki offered me with a map of our vacation spot. We took the lodge’s shuttle to the downtown space, after which walked to the sandal store, to the flea market space, and to the Plaka for lunch. Then, drained, we headed again to the lodge for a relaxation earlier than our AbD reception and dinner.
The youngsters wished to go to the lodge’s pool to chill off, so my husband took them whereas I averted the solar indoors. My daughter made a good friend within the pool who was a part of our tour group, so she was thrilled. We obtained prepared for dinner and met everybody within the foyer.
This group was an nearly full tour (37 or 38 individuals, I feel), crammed with a lot of children. It was the proper mixture of ages for my children, they usually all had a lot enjoyable collectively. Our dinner was in the identical spot the place we had breakfast, and the children all sat at their very own desk. It was a pleasant night time, however everybody was exhausted and went to mattress early.
Day 2: Athens
We met within the foyer early to go to the Acropolis. Our guides offered us with “whispers” that are listening gadgets in order that we will hear the guided tour once we are in crowds. Niki did all the guiding on these journeys and is so extremely educated. I’m undecided there’s something about Greece that she doesn’t know.
Armando, alternatively, was the proper host, with a stunning persona. He introduced playing cards with him and performed video games with the children whereas we had been ready at numerous spots. They made an important group.
The Acropolis is about as beautiful as you’d think about. I used to be stunned about how rocky the walk-up is – it’s positively slippery. Fortunately, I tucked a pair of KEEN sandals in my suitcase proper earlier than we left. The views from the highest are so lovely. It was scorching (a operating theme in our journey), and so we did attempt to discover shade the place we may. Nevertheless it was so superb to see, and I’m glad we did it on the primary day.
We then obtained again on the bus and headed to the Panathenaic Stadium. Once more, it was extremely popular, so we simply did a small model of our mini Olympics after which took some photos on the rostrum. The stadium has a small museum with a few of the outdated torches, which was enjoyable to see. All of us took turns leaning up once more the air con models!
Then we headed to the Plaka for a scrumptious lunch. It was served household model, as a lot of our meals had been served. All of us loved the appetizers, and didn’t even understand that the primary entrees had but to be served. Throughout our meal, we had been entertained by conventional dancers.
After lunch we had a option to return to the bus and return to the lodge, to discover the Plaka, or to go to the Acropolis Museum on our personal. We had been tempted to return and relaxation, however I’m glad that we made the choice to go to the museum. It’s actually superb, and there are such a lot of improbable artifacts that you would be able to see. We didn’t spend an excessive amount of time there, however you simply may.
After extra pool time, I did some analysis on native eating places. There have been a number of that had been really useful to us, however I discovered a neighborhood mom-and-pop store (Dio Dekares i Oka) on TripAdvisor that regarded nice.
It was a really conventional restaurant, however the parts had been enormous and the service was great. There have been no frills, however it positively felt like an genuine Athens expertise. We went to mattress early once more, as a result of we had one other lengthy day forward of us.
Day 3: Delphi
I had heard nice issues about Delphi and regarded ahead to our day there. I used to be stunned, nonetheless, to listen to that it could be a three-hour journey every means. Our guides did an important job of breaking apart the journey, nonetheless, by enjoying motion pictures, giving us some academic commentary, and making stops alongside the way in which.
On the journey there, we stopped at a relaxation space serving espresso and scrumptious spinach pie. By this level, I knew precisely what sort of espresso I most popular – a Cappuccino Freddo (iced cappuccino) with only a contact of sugar.
Delphi wasn’t too crowded, and once more we used our “whispers” to listen to Niki’s narration. This Unesco website is wealthy with historical past, and our tour was the proper mix of schooling and leisure in order that the children wouldn’t be bored. On the finish of the tour, we got the prospect to stroll even additional as much as see a stadium.
Attempting to keep away from the solar, I opted out of the extra stroll and located some shade. When the remainder of our group, together with my household, returned, we went into the small museum. It will be simple to skip, however that might be a mistake as a result of there are many nice artifacts in there.
After our go to, we drove just some brief minutes into city for lunch. The family-run restaurant that we went to was a wonderful setting for one more conventional Greek lunch. Right here, the children tried to show our information Armando use Snapchat.
After lunch, we boarded the bus again to Athens for our final night time. The drive again appeared fairly fast, though it was the identical three hours. We made one other cease and watched a film, so the time glided by shortly.
Dinner this night was on our personal once more. We had wished to dine on the lodge’s restaurant Premiere, which apparently had lovely views of the Acropolis. However lengthy pants had been required, and my son had solely packed shorts.
As a substitute, we determined to go again to the Plaka one final time. This time, we determined to pick out a restaurant as soon as we obtained there.
Restaurateurs within the Plaka generally is a bit pushy, so we tried to not be too keen as we reviewed the assorted menus. Finally, we determined to dine at a restaurant the place they didn’t encourage us.
The meals was nice, because it was in nearly each restaurant we went to. We loved one final day exploring the outlets of the Plaka, after which took a cab again to our resort in order that we may pack for our subsequent vacation spot.
Day 4: Santorini
We got tickets for the second flight to Santorini, which meant that we had a later wake-up time. The additional time was welcomed, as we had been so drained. We had a closing breakfast in Athens after which boarded the bus headed to the Athens Airport.
Our flight to Santorini was extraordinarily brief, and inside lower than an hour, we had landed on the tiny Santorini airport. Upon our arrival, we instantly headed to our first cease – a vineyard/museum. We had been handled to a scrumptious lunch, after which the children headed outdoors with our guides for some video games, whereas the adults obtained to style a few of the great wines from this volcanic area.
After the tasting, the children and a few adults had the chance to stomp some grapes outdoors. Then, we had free time to take a look at the museum with audio headsets. It was not solely enjoyable and academic – it was additionally good and funky within the museum.
It was a beautiful expertise, however we needed to get on the bus and go to the city of Fira to get some nice photos. I had dreamed of the great thing about Santorini, so to see it firsthand was surreal. The city was crowded with vacationers and vacationer buses, however not so crowded that we couldn’t take pleasure in it. I used to be in a position to get a lot of good photos.
We had been solely in Fira for a short while, when it was time to examine in to our lodge. Situated in Fira, the Majestic Resort is a few ten-minute stroll from the outlets and eating places.
This small(ish) lodge has lovely Santorini views, in addition to a big pool. The youngsters had been so thrilled to see the pool, so we shortly unpacked and headed out to chill off.
This was one of many two days the place all of our meals had been included, so we didn’t have an excessive amount of time within the pool. After showering, we boarded the bus and drove to a small village the place we ate at a captivating taverna.
Proper round sunset, we took a fast stroll as much as the highest of the village, the place we had been in a position to view the sundown. After returning to the restaurant and ending our meal, we walked to the bus, stopping to view the lunar eclipse. It was such an impressive night time – with so many lovely websites.
Day 5: Santorini
Our guides had raved concerning the day 5 agenda, so I used to be eagerly anticipating it. Our day began with the breakfast buffet at our lodge. Though it was smaller than the one in Athens, I actually liked it. We had been in a position to dine outdoors, and the cool morning air was inviting.
After a fast experience on the bus, we arrived on the waterfront, the place we boarded a non-public boat. This boat took us to the volcano in Santorini, the place we had been in a position to stroll to the highest. Once more, avoiding the solar, I opted out of the hike and stayed on the ship. The remainder of my household loved the hike although.
As soon as we had been all on the boat, we rode off to the recent springs. Most of us disembarked the ship both by leaping or utilizing the ladder. Swim noodles had been out there for the weaker swimmers of the group (together with me!).
The water initially was just a little chilly, however as we swam towards the springs it obtained shallow and hotter. You may truly seize the mud from the ocean flooring and put it in your physique. It did stain a bit although, and I want I had introduced a darker bathing go well with, as a result of I ended up throwing out the highest I’d introduced.
We had the chance to alter on the boat earlier than heading to the small island of Thirasia for a pleasant lunch. This was one in every of my favourite meals due to the gorgeous location proper on the water. The meals was good too, however the setting was actually distinctive and picturesque.
A day on the water might be exhausting, and we had been positively drained as we sailed again to the port. That didn’t cease the children from desirous to spend extra time within the pool, so all of us headed there.
Dinner that night time was on our personal, and we determined to stroll to Fira for dinner. It was nearly sundown, and we had been capable of finding a restaurant with a wonderful view. The meals was good, though dear, however the view was superb.
On the stroll again, my daughter and I noticed a fish spa and simply needed to cease. It was a enjoyable, distinctive expertise – the fish are so ticklish, so it takes some time to get used to it. I’m undecided how a lot softer it obtained my toes, however it was enjoyable to do.
Day 6: Santorini/Ferry to Crete
Though we had been leaving Santorini on day 6, our ferry to Crete wasn’t till later within the early night. After testing of our lodge, we took a bus to Akrotiri – the Pompeii of Greece. It’s indoors, away from the solar, however nonetheless fairly scorching. Once more, we used our “whispers” whereas Niki narrated.
This time, we discovered that a number of others adopted us round, hoping to catch items of Niki’s informative narration. It’s laborious to consider that that is actually the place individuals lived at one level.
Their civilization was fairly superior. This is without doubt one of the issues that I used to be so glad my children had the chance to expertise. It actually brings historical past to life.
Our subsequent cease was Komari Seashore, a city positioned on a black pebble seaside. I hadn’t heard of Komari earlier than, however I actually loved our go to to the city. We had a beautiful lunch at a restaurant on the seaside, after which the children headed right down to the water to take pleasure in some seaside time. Our guides offered us with towels to make use of once we had been able to get again on the bus.
We had some additional time at our lodge the place we may benefit from the pool (however weren’t in a position to get again into our rooms). They did open the showers within the spa space, so everybody who was in a moist bathing go well with was in a position to bathe and alter. Then, we stated bye to Santorini, and went on our ferry to Crete – the ultimate vacation spot in our Greek Odyssey.
We had tickets to the Platinum Lounge, which positively made issues simpler. However I used to be so stunned at how loopy the ferry terminal was. There have been so many individuals pushing to get on the ship – it was just a little nerve-racking till we had been comfortably seated. We had been given field dinners for the journey, and it was a fairly fast journey over to Crete.
As soon as we arrived in Heraklion, we had one other journey to the resort in Elounda – Porto Elounda. It took about an hour and fifteen minutes, and we arrived at our lodge proper round bedtime. It was darkish, however lodge workers introduced us all to our rooms and confirmed us the room options.
Our resort in Crete was my favourite. We had two rooms, which additionally meant we had two loos. That made the method of preparing within the morning a lot simpler.
Day 7: Crete
I’ll admit, as soon as I obtained to day 7, my notetaking slipped significantly. I went from taking full pages of notes per day to just some phrases.
Since we arrived at the hours of darkness the night time earlier than, it was enjoyable to get up in a wholly new place. Our resort in Elounda, Crete was completely beautiful. With a non-public seaside, a number of swimming pools, and beautiful views, it was the kind of place you would go to for every week. Fortunately for us, we had booked an additional day, so we had a complete of 5 nights there.
Breakfast was a full unfold, in a stunning restaurant with a pool operating by it. We met within the foyer and took a bus to the waterfront in Elounda, the place we boarded a ship to Spinalonga. I’m embarrassed to say that I had by no means heard of Spinalonga.
I’ve since learn the ebook, the Island, which I’d positively advocate. It’s historic fiction and fantastically describes what life was like on this former leper colony. Once more, Niki offered narration wealthy intimately.
Regardless of its unhappy historical past, Spinalonga is beautiful. The water there may be so clear and delightful, and we loved some free time strolling across the island (though my son did get stung by a bee). We boarded the boat once more and headed to a different spot the place we had been in a position to kayak in teams of two. It was only a fast exercise, however it’s all the time good to get within the water.
We then took a ship to the small city of Plaka. Once more, the views had been attractive. I actually loved procuring in Plaka – there have been so many lovely outlets crammed with distinctive souvenirs. The shopkeepers had been all so pleasant too and shared their enthusiasm for his or her lovely island with us. We had been on our personal for lunch, though most of us selected the identical restaurant.
This was our “dine round” night time on the resort. Earlier on our journey, we had been in a position to select from a number of of our resort eating places to dine at. Whereas the adults dined at one in every of these fantastic eating institutions, the journey guides and the children had a pizza dinner and film night time.
We chosen Koh, a Pan-Asian restaurant positioned on the adjoining sister resort. Our desk outdoors by the water had a wonderful view, and the meals was glorious. The youngsters actually loved their night time too.
Day 8: Crete
After having fun with that scrumptious breakfast buffet once more, we boarded the bus for a visit to the Palace of Knossos in Heraklion. The palace will get very crowded, though we arrived good and early. This was our closing time utilizing the “whispers”, which felt just a little bittersweet.
Once more, Niki’s narration actually introduced the world to life, though fairly actually, we had been all drained by this level. I in all probability didn’t focus sufficient on this lovely spot. We obtained a tour of the entire location after which got some free time to benefit from the space on our personal.
Subsequent, we boarded the bus and traveled to Arolithos, a standard Crete village, and lodge. Right here, the children had the chance to discover ways to make tzatziki. We had a stunning lunch in a wonderful setting after which loved some free time to discover a number of small outlets within the village.
The youngsters had been actually wanting ahead to visiting the non-public seaside and pool space once more, so we solely spent a couple of minutes in our rooms earlier than heading down. I feel the seaside in Crete was in all probability my children’ favourite a part of our complete Greek trip! We had been to have dinner on our personal once more this night time, and it was tempting to remain on the seaside.
However, on our information’s suggestion, we determined to enter Elounda to dine at Ferryman. This waterfront restaurant was our favourite restaurant of the journey. The situation is completely good, and the parts are huge. We did just a little little bit of procuring after dinner after which took a cab again to our resort.
Day 9: Crete
Day 9 was a bit unhappy as a result of it was our final day collectively as a gaggle. We elected to remain one further day in Crete, however everybody else, together with the guides, was leaving the next morning on the primary flight out to Athens.
We once more boarded the bus after breakfast and drove to a tiny little Cretan city. Crammed with flowers and different timber and crops, this city was completely beautiful.
Throughout our morning, we additionally had a cheese-making demonstration (the children had been invited to make the cheese together with the shepherd), a scrumptious snack (which may simply have been served as my lunch), and a Greek-coffee making lesson. The youngsters particularly loved studying make the espresso and poured tons of sugar into their little samples to make them extra palatable.
Lunch was at a tiny little quaint restaurant, the place the proprietor and her son had spent the morning cooking. Once more, our meal was family-style, and we loved tasting a wide range of totally different oven-baked meats (I discovered that pork was normally my favourite at these meals). Whereas the adults completed consuming, the children obtained to discover ways to make a standard Greek dessert.
Everybody had requested just a little additional pool/seaside time, so we arrived again at our resort with loads of time. Everybody besides us needed to additionally pack up. It was good to not fear about that. Then we met within the foyer for our closing dinner.
I received’t give a lot away concerning the closing dinner, however I do know that whereas my children loved it, they had been additionally actually unhappy. They loved hanging out with all the children on the journey.
We needed to say bye to everybody that night time as a result of the remainder of the group was leaving vivid and early the subsequent morning. Whereas we had been completely happy to sleep in and have the additional day, we additionally knew that we had been going to overlook our group.
Day 10: Our closing day
We didn’t set an alarm on our final day, and we didn’t have any set plans. The youngsters had been very unhappy. Whereas we had been staying at a stunning resort in a wonderful, picturesque nation, they had been unhappy that their associates had been gone.
We had breakfast late after which spent a lot of the day on the pool and seaside. It was positively good to calm down earlier than the lengthy flight dwelling, it was just a little little bit of a letdown after 9 packed days of touring. We had lunch by the pool, and once we had sufficient of the solar, we went in to bathe and pack.
We felt some stress to decide on the proper closing Greek dinner location and determined to return to Ferryman. It was so good the primary time, and we had been afraid that one other place simply wouldn’t evaluate.
Armed with a number of additional Euros that we wished to spend, we headed to Elounda early. It was good to leisurely go to the outlets, and we took the chance to make a number of closing memento purchases. Dinner at Ferryman was scrumptious, as anticipated.
Our flight dwelling appeared to take endlessly, however it felt nice to be again in Boston. The cooler temperatures had been a welcome change from the excessive 90s we skilled throughout our Adventures by Disney Greece Journey. After all, we had been solely again for a day once I was already taking a look at dates and costs for our subsequent journey. The place ought to we discover subsequent?
