GREECE: Changing of the Guards in Athens

Changing of the guard ceremonies in Athens take place at both the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guards are on duty around the clock and change every hour.

On Sundays they raise the Greek flag at the Acropolis at sunrise and lower it at sundown.

The Presidential Guards are ceremonial and were originally founded in 1868 as a part of the Greek army. 

GREECE: Athen's Meat and Fish Market

This post is for the foodies....

Have you ever wondered where the restaurants go to get the freshest meat and fish? 

Well, in Athens they go to the Agora Dimotiki.

And if you are interested in cooking meat and fish yourself, you can buy there too.

And even if you are not into cooking, this is still a great place to see something different and have your eyes opened.

GREECE: Athens' Acropolis and Parthenon

The names Acropolis and Parthenon are often linked together and sometimes used interchangeably. 

As a Closet History Geek, I have newly discovered that in ancient Greek cities, the Acropolis literally means "upper city", the name for a fortress, containing the chief municipal and religious buildings.

The Parthenon is the most famous building in the Acropolis in Athens. It is a religious temple that the Athenians built for the Greek Goddess Athena. 

The Acropolis is a UNESCO world heritage site. 

GREECE: Delphi, the centre of the Ancient World, home of the Oracle and the Priestess Pythia

Developed in the 8th century BC, Delphi was considered the centre of the known world. It was where heaven and earth met and was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. 

It was also home to the famous Oracle of Delphi. Pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean would visit it to receive the prophecies of Apollo through the Priestess Pythia. 

Delphi is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

GREECE: The Precarious Meteora Monasteries

This spectacular landscape was formed about 60 million years ago.

Over time it was shaped by earthquakes, wind, rain, and other natural phenomena. 

Since the 14th century it has been home to Eastern Orthodox monasteries. At one time there were 30 monasteries, 

In 1988 they were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

GREECE: Mountain Villages

We stayed a couple of nights in Ioannina in NW Greece and went for a drive in the surrounding area. 

There are rolling hills, steep mountains and quaint villages with stone houses.

The area is dotted with stone bridges. 

Near Kokon we found this quant little stone bridge built in 1750. 

GREECE: Let's Start with Santorini

When I think of Greece some of the images that come to my mind are shimmering blue water, white buildings, crystal clear blue skies, islands, sunshine and sunsets.

The island of Santorini has all those things.

It is a volcanic island with cliffs, a rugged coastline with red, black and white beaches.