My accidental Greek Adventure

jennydear2
Jul 3, 2021
3 min read

After months of working solidly during Covid and a tough few years, I needed some time away, I couldn't find anyone who wanted to go at the time as I think people were a little nervous about travelling, and everyone else having family and work commitments etc.

I like city breaks but as I was going on my own thought I would do my research and picked Lisbon as I had never been, it had a low crime rate and is deemed one of the safest cities in Europe , Winner !!

I had loads of activities planned, bought my Portuguese history books and my travel guide, the week before I was due to fly and it was announced that Portugal was now on the no fly list.

So at last minute I was forced to change my plans and I have never been so happy that I did.

I was determined I was going to get away, if I had stayed in the UK I would have only ended up doing DIY or wasting a week off . So after a panicked search I found a cheap get away to Greece, I had never been to Athens before and since my school days learning about the ancient Greeks I had wanted to go, and so stared my mini Greek adventure....

Travelling alone with only one rule given to me by my son, not to go out on my own after dark!

So I had just a few requirements the Hotel had to have a Pool, good transport links into Athens and a bar/ Restaurant so I didn't have to go out alone in the dark. I stayed in Glyfalda just outside of Athens in the Emmantina Hotel https://emmantina.gr/

After some slight Drama at Heathrow airport and not being able to get on the plane along with half the plane due to new travel details not made aware to us and overnight stay in a travel lodge I finally got on the plane, a day late and a few more ££ spent than I ideally wanted but I was on my way.

I had booked a car to take me to the Hotel and the driver was very chatty telling me what I needed to go see and a little about Glyfalda. When I got to the Hotel they had us graded me to a very nice room (I think they took pity on me)

It was a lovely room, with a beautiful view of the sun Rising over the mountains, it was a little noisy when the windows were open but once both sets of windows were closed it was fine.

The Hotel was a short walk from all the shops and bars and the main bus stop, there is a tour bus but this was not running at the time, I prefer the local bus anyway so I bought a 3 day bus pass and travelled into Athens most days which took about half and hour.

As soon as I got off at my stop there was a ruin and the botanical gardens was opposite, everything is well signposted and easy to get around. I cannot put into words how absolutely stunning Athens is the pictures do not do it justice.

I spent my evenings at the hotel bar as instructed by my son, it was very calm with beautiful 360 degree view of the local area and music playing, so to be honest I was happy sitting there in the evening reading my book.

I do like a boat trip so one day I booked an all day cruise where went to some of the more remote islands, It was so relaxing and the tour operators were lovely people.

We stopped at 3 very different islands and you can walk around with the tour guides or wander around yourself.

This tour is well worth going on to see the varying Greek culture at it's best, with lunch and a swim in the sea.