Benefits of living in Greece during this summer month post-COVID quarantine: cases and deaths have been very low and we can travel like locals because there’s no tourists. We dove in Ladiko with Waterhoppers. Stratos was a great dive leader. We were the first and only divers of the season. Then we explored on land too. It was a luxury to have a private wine tour in the vineyard at Estate Anastasia. Try their varietals, tsipouro, and olive oil. It’s worth the trip. Jason is a knowledgeable, patient, and passionate owner.
We stayed in the Mediterranean Hotel which is located at the North tip of the island. The view from our room was a peaceful combination of sand and water. The reservation included half board. Every time we retuned to the hotel they gave us hand sanitizer and took our temperature. The staff were very friendly and happy to have us there. I would recommend getting a Mastica Mojito from the bar. The pool was empty but we weren’t there for that anyways.
Rhodes has a lot to offer as far as beauty. The Acropolis in Lindos is a must see. We had it all to ourselves.
We’d like to go back to visit Symi island and more of Rhodes itself.
This is high on the bucket list of things-to-do for many travelers. 
There’s an indescribable beauty to the canyon especially at sunrise at 6:45am in mid-October. 
The hike started at an elevation of 1230m just south of Omalos and ended 5-hours later for us in the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. We then took the ferry back. 
A baby agrimi feeding along the path.
The restaurant Salis was such a delight. Their menu of seasonal foods was outstanding. We ate outside with a gorgeous view of the water and horse-drawn carriages trotting by.
We rented a car for 25 Euros for 6 hours and went from the town to the mountainous area where there’s an 11th-century monastery that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The picture above is Nea Moni – Middle Byzantine architecture.
We drove on to the village of Avgonima and walked around admiring the beauty of this Greek island and found a gorgeous spot for lunch. We continued on to Anavatos which I read got its name originally from the Greek word “anaveno”, which means “I climb”. And climb we did. 
it is a mostly deserted village and the views are peaceful and meandering.
We came upon one inhabitant who has creatively used the natural rock for her artwork.
The second day was a full one with a tour bus and guide to the other wonderous parts of Chios including visiting the famous mastic trees. Mastic is a resin obtained from the mastic tree. We also visited the Chios Mastic Museum and learned that mastic has been harvested for at least 2,500 years since Greek Antiquity. Here above is mastic on the ground. 
The village of Pyrgi known as the painted village. I want to come back for the sun dried tomatoes seen here. 
Every area on the island has unique and captivating views. 
We ended the day with a tour of The Chios Maritime Museum. The sky always shines brighter the night before a full moon and my dreams of travel continue. 
The name is derived from the Greek word akro meaning extreme or high and polis meaning city.
We were the first people to walk onto the Acropolis at 8:00am and we saw the soldiers walking back from putting up the flag. 
When construction began, under the guidance of the general and statesman Pericles, it was the 5th century BC. 
Look closely…I swear these are ancient LEGOS (below).
What was created was a lasting monument which would both honor the goddess Athena and announce the grandeur of the city to the world.
After the tour we also visited the beautiful, new Acropolis Museum. I recommend having a personal guide when you visit here.
The monastery was open upon arrival but when we left 3 hours later it was closed.
Our first weekend getaway was to Pentalofos (πεντάλοφος) to visit our Greek teacher, Achilles, who was staying in his village for 2 months. We traveled in a rental car. It’s about a 6-hour drive from Athens. Unfortunately, there’s more than one Pentalofos and we didn’t make it to the correct one on the first try. So we tacked on an extra 2 hours. We were by the one near Thessaloniki. We finally arrived to the one by Albania. This place is gorgeous. We hiked both days, ate a lot of food straight from the garden, met Achilles’ family and friends, and really felt a sense of Greek village life.
On our drive back we drove through Meteora where on top of rock formations are built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. We’ll bring visitors there for sure. 
A monastery near Kakia Thalassa (Κακια Θαλασσα).
We’ve headed to the beach frequently especially since school didn’t start until after Labor Day. Here you can see Kakia Thalassa (Κακια Θαλασσα) cliffs and a blond, curly girl jumping off. We also went to Marathonas and Vouliagmeni. The water temperature is ideal. A few things to note: blow up paddle boards are the way to go, Greeks love to smoke and drink coffee, and fresh calamari tastes amazing by the seashore.
A church on the way our of Athens toward Glyfada.
We have our first visitors coming in a few days so I’m off to get the guest room ready.
kettersinkorea 