2018’s Nickolaou European Family Trip (Part 4 – Athens, Greece)

I have not been back to Greece in 24 years and making a three day stop there was a priority.   I love Athens like no other City.  The City center has an energy that is contagious and I have found it very easy to navigate and enjoy.   The Acropolis, Acropolis museum, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s gate, Olympic stadium and the Platka is stunning.

We arrived early afternoon and took a private shuttle to the hotel.  Our hotel was within walking distance of the Platka, which is near the city center.  It is important that you stay near the city center so you can be within a walk to all major attractions.   We checked in, got the lay of the land, and then ate at the hotels rooftop restaurant.  Views of the Acropolis and authentic Greek salad was a real treat.

Day two we started early.  Meeting our tour guide for a 6-hour Acropolis and Acropolis museum tour.  June was incredibly hot in Athens, so staying hydrated was a priority.   As we ascending the Acropolis site, you take in incredible views of Athens.  We marveled at the historic tour we had and how this beautiful building represented so much of modern day affairs.   The entire family toured the top and our tour guide even had Maddox participate in a skit to teach the history of what went on there.   We took some incredible photos and learned a lot of history.

As we descended we stopped for water and walked to the Acropolis museum.  The museum is beautiful and was not around back in ’94 when I was last there.  The art and information is well displayed and the design is one of the best museums in the world.  The had a glass floor over a live archeological site.  What is truly breathtaking are the five Caryatids, the original statues that once held the roof of the southern side of the Erechtheion, this is one of the most sacred parts of the Acropolis.  They were reviewed to protect them from the elements in 1979.  Beautifully carved out of marble, each one is unique and stand seven plus feet tall.  There is also an open spot for the sixth as it is currently held at the British Museum. Which they are still sore about.

After our tour, we stopped at a local authentic restaurant where we had salad, moussaka, and other authentic Greek dishes.   The day was off to an incredible start and we didn’t want it to end.  We then trekked through the Royal Gardens towards the Olympic stadium.

The Olympic stadium was one of those moments that I will remember for my entire life.  The last time we were in Greece my father, brother, and I ran around the track here.  It is one of those memories that is etched perfectly in my mind.  The ‘joy’ that Dad had that day was incredible. Twenty-four years later I watched Maddox & Kennedy sprint around that track as I filmed and took photos.  I stood and took it in!  Still even at this point writing this, I am still in awe I got to experience this again with my kids.

After the Olympic stadium, we had traditional Gyros for dinner, did some light shopping on the way back to the hotel, and passed out after an incredible day.   Day two in Athens in my opinion was the best vacation day with the family I have had.

Our final day consisted of taking the Hop on/off bus out to Lake Vouliagmeni.  We got out there early afternoon and immediately jumped in the lake and explored.  A backdrop of a beautiful Cliffside lake, we enjoyed the afternoon and had fruit smoothies.   After our time, there, we walked to the coastline and took photos as we waited for the bus to get back.   After we got back to the city we visited the guard change at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier.  I remember how awesome this was when I was a kid and it did not disappoint again.

Greece concluded with a quaint, beautiful courtyard dinner that was the BEST Greek food I have ever had.  By time we ended the meal I didn’t want to leave and just wanted to dine there for the rest of my life.

Greece is a beautiful, magical, and awe inspiring place.  It was a phenomenal three days where I could expose my children to this wonderful culture.  I highly recommend this family trip and I am counting down the days until I can go back again.

Fun Story:

For our most recent announcement, you will notice both Devon & I were thinking about it back in June.   1..2…3!