Athens, Tips, Tricks, and Need To Know Before Traveling

Athens. Tips, Tricks and Everything You Need To know Before Traveling.

One of the most wonderful places that you’ll ever visit, if only for the temples is Athens. I’d always wanted to go, since I was little and they held the Olympic games here, plus Iam a little bit obsessed with the Greek Mythology.  Of course when the opportunity of visiting Athens presented itself, along with my first time on a Mediterranean Cruise, I jumped on it.

Now, its not perfect, and there might be things that you don’t enjoy. But over all, it was a great visit worth of writing home – or in this blog, about. Keep reading for things to do in Athens, prices and overall reviews!

This are the places we went to, and the prices as well as the order in which I’d advise you to visit them, because that way you can see the evolution of the Temples from the most dilapidated one, to the best preserved.

 

Temple of Hercules – 8.0 per person.

Acropolis – 12.0 per person.

Temple of Hephaestus – 8.0 per person This also includes the park with excavasion sites that houses the temple and its gardens, but not the Museum.

Acropolis Museum – About 5. Per person.

Hop-on Hop-off Buss – 17 per person.

* All this prices are in Euro.

It was an incredible adventure to be able to visit the Parthenon and all the other magnificent ruins and paths around it. For me, the fact that some of them have lasted this long after all the climate changes, and the tremors that that part of the world is sometimes subject to, is beyond outstanding, a real proof that they don’t built them like that anymore…. 

Now fro the pro’s and con’s.

Pro’s:

1-You get to visit an amazing city and its landmarks.

2-The views from the Acropolis are amazing and you can see the whole city all from different angles TIP: Here is where a good camera, or a zoom camera lens comes in handy.

3- The city has wonderful food that you can enjoy that is indigenous to that part of the country.  

TIP:  The Vegetarian Gyro’s is amazing.

4- If you are dropped off in a cab from your hotel, or even from the port, everything else is within walking distance, roughly a mile counting the last Olympic stadium.  

TIP:  Use shoes that provide you with traction, especially to go up the steps to the Acropolis. Those stones have been polish to smoothness by thousands of feet that visit every day and are very slippery in some places. If you don’t have shoes like that, just hold on to the banister at all times while its there.  Trust me, it will save you a scare, and your bottom from coming into sudden contact with said stones. Ouch.

5-If you get the Hop on Hop off busses, not only do you get to see the whole city, the landmarks that maybe you didn’t know where there, and the small city markets that it has to offer, but you also get the commentary, and have the ability to get off in places that you think will be particularly interesting to your tastes, and once you are finished, grab another buss at the same stop and continue where you left off. 

TIP: This busses have Free WiFi while on board. Comes in handy if you are traveling to this wonderful places on a cruise and don’t want to pay for the overpriced, and slow navigating ones on board. Or even if you are staying in the city and don’t want to pay extra for Rooming.

Con’s:

11-   Athens is Very Expensive, of all the Mediterranean cities that we visited (10 in total) this and Portofino, Italy: where the most expensive ones, in the sense that you get the least for your money here, especially if you are traveling with your significant other, because all the prices that I’ve put above, double up.

22- This was not my case personally, but depends on how much you built this place in your mind, you might get disappointed, since a friend of mine who also went there, thought this places where a little bit over rated in her opinion. I guess the lower your expectations for this one the better...?

33- If it’s a rainy day, this all might be spoiled for you. Because everything is in the open air, and going on the bus is great when you travel on the upper most level and can see everything from above.

44- If you are going on a cruise, then you need to know that the trip from port to the city center is about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. So you will be on a time crunch depending on how many hours your cruise has to stay on port, and the time you where able to actually get down from the ship. Just keep in mind that you will most likely have to rush.

55- Everything will be full of people, so if this is something that bothers you, I would say to bypass it completely, because it’s the most crowded place I’ve ever seen in my life.  

Also, this Mediterranean cities are very hot and humid in the summer months, so keep in mind that you will need to bring with you, water, sunscreen and a cap and/or sunglasses. Everything is up a hill so you will need to be protected from the UVV and UVA rays as much as possible.

Now with all of the above, I can tell you, my family and I had a great time. Our baby as well. We had a babybackpack that he loved, and a camel pack to bring water for the three of us, and it all worked out great.  Doing this trip with Children is actyally not bad, and it should not dissuade you from traveling anwhere you want. See my Traveling with Children 101 Post, for Tips, Tricks and everythingYou Need To Know if your traveling with your children by yourself.

Tickets and Websites

Traveling with Children 101, It can be done!

Hello there travelers.

Today I wanted to touch on something that I didn't think I would ever be able to do. Travel by myself with my Two and a Half year old.
I did it! On a budget to! So if you want to get some tips on how you can do it too, just keep reading.

1- Find a cheap flight.
Where ever you are going, there is a budget airline you can take that it will take you there - no, this is not sponsored.
In Europe is Ryan Air, in the states, something like Southwest. Now, there are a lot of rules when its comes to Ryan Air, because the bags is where they make the bulk of their money, I think. For example, if you have a bigger bag than what's allowed, you have to pay to put them under, and not as carry on, because the plain is smaller and they legitimately do not fit... that sort of thing. Southwest I believe let's you check in a bag for free. Ryan Air only lets you bring a carry-on (that its smaller that the regular size bags that are sold as such, and only up to 10 kilos, or 20 pounds, but don't quote my on that last one) here is the FAQ part of their website. The best tip I can give you here, is read carefully! Most of the time this airlines extra charge for reserving seats, and for checking-in, if you don't do so prior to your flight boarding or checking at the airport (this is mostly RyanAir).

2 - Don't board first.
They tell you that when you travel with children you should board first. Well... I don't know about your children, but my hyperactive one would start getting antsy the second his bottom hits the seat and nothing is happening, and all we have to do is wait for other people to board. So, we board last. Every little moment counts, and it also helps the mommy that gets anxious when flying be inside the enclosed space much less time than I would had I boarded first.

3 - Toys.
Pack a bag with toys. Depending on your flight, you might need to spend a lot of a little time while on the flight. Make sure you have enough toys and snacks (that are customs approved, like little packets of nuts, dried fruits, cheerios in a zip lock, some formula if your kid likes milk but you can't take it with you past customs because of the liquids restriction, etc) to give your child. Believe me this is a life saver and it helps to prevent or sometimes avoid altogether, the feared tantrums. Also make sure you get something for yourself. A tablet, book, your knitting... what ever it is, it will help you relax and take a little bit of the unavoidable stress of having to do everything on your own - by doing something you enjoy.

4 - Bags.
This are tricky. I was prepared to pay some overcharges, but I counted fairly well. Two bags for the baby, who's seat i paid and there for had a right too, and two for myself. Not really. But that's the count I made. I left one for trip purchases, and I am glad I did.
Just one bag for clothes, his and mine. A baby backpack and carrier lularue, because its good to change from one to the other, a backpack, with the electronics and my personal documents, money, etc. Whatever you choose to do here, I'd say, over shoot it. Especially if you don't know where the closest grocery store is going to be. If you arrive at night and everything would be potentially closed. This is a case of the better safe than sorry, and over pack, if possible. Diapers, wipes, these things you would need, and most likely have already bought, there is no need to buy extras that would probably won't fit in your bags (I know it wouldn't have on mine) if you bought it there and then came back.

5 - Space.
This might seem odd, but I found that being the one that carried everything, every piece of my body counted. My back was taken, since my son spent all 6 days attached there, whether it be with the backpack or the carrier. So to take the rest of the things I needed, I had to take inventory of where else in my body, could hang the rest?
I would have loved the camera, but there was no space for it, so the iPhone was something I could not leave, my wallet, a map of the city, if the iPhone ran out of battery (I didn't have this, but a portable charger would have been a lot of help, the phone acting as my GPS and Camera as well, tends to run out of juice pretty fast), so the two other things I took with me was a camel pack. It fits a liter and a half of water, and so that went on my front and last but  not least... I know this is not fashion sensible, but the only other thing that made sense, occupied less space, and could fit wallet, phone, maps, room keys, and miscellaneous things, was a fanny pack/ bum bag. Yes I rocked it! (Get it? Cause "The Rock" 's TBT)
Anyways, find places where is easier and at the same time keep you balanced, too much on one side or the other, and things than can only hook up thru a side, or one shoulder can be uncomfortable, especially after a while. The best part about a new city is walking it and getting to know new places, hidden ones that you would not have found had you not ventured this or that way... I consider this a very important step.

6 - The Grocery Store.
If you are like me, you would know where everything is the day before you go on your trip, you know the stores that are close, which way to go, and would have planned to have it closed regardless of who you are traveling with, or in this case, are NOT traveling with. Just make sure you have this close by so you can have access to children's over the counter medication (I pack this with me, because you never know, but if you want to save space, you can get it there if needed), water, food if you want to save on restaurants and live of the prepared food section of the store for your time there... This is more of a Budget than a Kids one, but its related, since you can get milk, real food, and snacks for your child, and more importantly, you don't need to pack it.

Well, that's all the wisdom I have to share today. The most important thing is that you can surely enjoy a vacation with your child only. You don't know what you can do until you try, and even if you spend one of your days with your feet up in your room, resting and exhausted after all that walking, it would still be different than staying at home :)

Ill be back with more pictures from my latest travels and more Need To Know videos of wonderful Europe, until then, my adventurous friends.

check the Facebook page for daily pictures, or follow me on twitter @ccalvarez90

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Bamberg, Germany: Tips, Tricks and Travel Need to Know Part 1

Inside Linderhof Palace, Park and Buildings, Residence of King Ludwig II

Another great place to visit is Linderhof Palace.

We visited this palace on the same weekend as the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles. It's not on the way up to the Northern Bavarian Region, but it was worth the detour.

Travel Tip: When going over to this castle the quickest route is trough Austria. You will go directly into the Austrian Alps; a sight that is said to be beautiful, special in spring.
How ever, make sure to have your passports with you and documentation when passing the boarder, since it will be necessary. They do not have open boarders (to the best of my knowledge), and its better safe than sorry.

The way up to this castle trough the German Alps is also wonderful. The mountains are amazing, and you can hardly see the tops over all the fog. Very sinister and Halloween like.

Travel Tip: Keep your camera ready. There are several spots, high up in the mountains where you can plainly see streams in their full splendor. Heaving for someone who loves taking pictures, professional or amateur photographers.

The Palace is beautiful, one of the few that King Ludwig II actually finished (1878), and his favorite residence. Just like the others, this one also takes you on a very short hike towards the building, and I would also recommend a coat to be brought with you here. The temperatures tend to be low.

This Palace was inspired by Versalles and he dedicated it to Louis XV, King of France. There is a very beautiful statue of the French king in what I will call the foyer, the ceiling has a raising sun, probably a homage to Louis XIV, since Versailles, the original palace that inspired Linderhof was the home of the Rising Sun King, Louis the XIV of France. There is also a text that reads " Nec Pluribus Impar." Witch is a Latin inscription and the motto that King Louis XIV adopted. Meaning: "Not unequal to others." Literally, how ever, in the tour we were told it was: "Not Equal to Others." Personally, I think the second is more fitting. But that can be food for tough latter...


It was more what I expected from the other two palaces, than none of them delivered. The richness in the walls, a combination of Rococo with what they call a German influence. The result is amazing. Golden walls, some painted, some edged with great attention to detail and superb craftsmanship. The ceilings again, are amazing. Wonderful painted and hard not to stare at with you mouth closed. My favorite was the reading room of the King. Where a white ivory chandelier, with magnificent Fleur De Lis carvings hang close to his reading spot, and numerous others are strategically placed around the room to provide the King with a lot of light that will reflect on the numerous mirrors. I can only imagine how great that would have been...

It was said that his majesty was a night creature. He woke up late in the afternoon, at about 4, or so they told us. Took his breakfast in a table that had its own elevator from the kitchens to his dinning place, and then enjoyed life out of the city.
This palace, like Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein also had running water from a faucet and the ability to flush the toilet, thanks to the underground natural springs that this palace was built in. Something amazing for the times as well. His majesty was also very technological, and he loved to merge the old with new technology's.

An extraordinary example of this is the construction of the Venus Grotto, located up the hill of the palace. Its an artificial cave, complete with stalactite on the roof of it. This was built as something of a distraction for the king, for he also enjoyed the opera very much. Specially Richard Wagner, the famous German composer. This cave was built to his specifications from the Act I of the opera "Tannhäuser", and constructed exactly to his directions. There is a huge magnificent painting at the back that depicts the "





Venusberg" scene from this opera. His majesty, according to our guides, loved to spend time there. He had two favorite sits. One over the water, and another much farther away and higher up. Both providing him with the best views. There is a sort of a pond there too, where the actors preformed. Something very curious was the fact that the cave and the water were heated. His majesty had a private mini pool, if you will.
Latter on, between 1878-1881 he had lights installed with different color discs to change the illumination. The blue specially is quite beautiful. At the cave, when in the tour, they will show you the different discs and the lighting, its also beautiful.

Everything in this palace is great. The gardens are wonderful too, and if you look closely you can discern the "Fleur De Lis" shapes all around, this is of course, another homage, since it appears in the former royal arms of France.

There are also fountains that go on every 30 minutes give or take, for you to be able to take pictures since these are on the outside. Inside, as usual in any of the constructions by King Ludwig II, photos/video are not permitted.

There is much more to see as well. The Hundings' Hut, with the ash tree (we where not able to see this since the weather would not permit it), the Maroccan House and the Moorish Kiosk. Both something we want to go see when spring is back.


This is all for today. I hope this was helpful in making you create and plan your next adventure. As always, ask questions if you have them, and don't forget to like and share.

Until the next adventure,
Happy Friday and safe travels.
XOXO