Mediterranean Cruise - Greece

After two years of Covid and lockdowns, we decided to take a cruise that we planned before the pandemic started. We knew that the trip would present all types of challenges, but we felt the risk and extra overhead were worth it. We embarked on a 15-day Viking Ocean Cruise called "Mediterranean Antiquities", leaving home on December 21st and returning on January 7th.

Our planned trip included a stop in Ephesus, Turkey. But because of geo-political Covid restrictions, we were rerouted to Santorini, Greece. Also, the stop in Crete, Greece, was exchanged for a stop in Malta, because of the Christmas day schedule.

We flew out of the McAllen, Texas, airport into Houston, where we boarded a Lufthansa Air flight to Frankfort, Germany, then continued on to Athens, Greece.

On the long ten-hour overnight flight, we upgraded to Business Class so we could try to sleep in the lay-down seats. One of the perks of Business Class is access to the Business Lounge at the Houston Airport. This included a buffet style meal and a relaxing place to await our flight.

On Wednesday, December 22, we boarded the Viking Venus, a new 960 passenger ocean cruise ship just put into service in June of 2021. Using vouchers from a previously canceled cruise, we upgraded to a Penthouse Veranda stateroom. This gave us more space and additional amenities. We found out later that there were only 320 passengers on board when we sailed from Athens.

The Chef decorated the lobby of the Venus with gingerbread houses for Christmas. Because of Covid, we had daily PCR tests, health screening and we were required to wear a contact tracing device (shown above), as well as a mask.

Athens

Since we had toured Athens thoroughly on our own in 2006, we opted to limit our shore visit with only the three and a half hour Included Panoramic Athens Excursion, allowing some time to rest after experiencing an eight-hour time change.

National Archaeological Museum

Bronze Statue of Zeus dating to 460 BC 

Hadrian's Arch dated 131 AD with view of Acropolis through the center. 

From here we could catch the shuttle bus back to the ship docked at Piraeus.

Parliament Building at Syntagma (Constitution) Square

We watched the changing of the Uniformed Presidential Guards or the "Evzones" at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament Building.

Seemed a little chilly for a South Texas Boy.

Walking around the labyrinth of cobble-stone lanes in the Plaka District we saw many Christmas treats for sale at the bakeries.

Tower of the Winds within the Agora of Ancient Athens

Cathedral of Athens

Byzantine Church built in 1050 AD in the Plaka

Santorini, Greece

On Christmas eve morning we arrived at Santorini (Thira), Greece. We also spent several days on this beautiful island in 2006. We took the included three-and-a-half-hour bus tour around the island. 

Early morning view of Thira perched on the 1300-foot volcano rim as viewed from our stateroom balcony.

We traveled to the island via a tender boat.

After our bus tour around the island, we were able to reexplore Oia. 

This return to Oia brought back some wonderful memories.

The steep winding streets are only suitable for pedestrians. 

We remembered this windmill was close to

the "Cave House" we rented 16 years ago.

So, we went on a hunt.

WE FOUND IT. Esperas House Hotel.

Sure enough everything was just how we left it. 

Just 175 stair steps down to our "Cave House."

We came across these doors along the edge of the cliff. 

This one lead to a restaurant just two stories below, perched on the cliff. 

The quick way down is the cable car to the port for Tender pickup.

Heading back to the "Mother Ship."

Christmas Day at Sea.