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A Greek Odyssey to Athens, Delphi, Olympia and Santorini
Andy De'
the chryselephantine statue of Zeus – one of the Seven Wonders of the World) at ancient Olympia where the Olympic torch is lit to this day, were sublime yet powerful experiences indeed. Our daughter Uma was simply amazed by the ‘first Olympic stadium ever built by man’ and ran around the race track with a level of zeal and sportsperson’s spirit that did her parents proud!:-)
It was gratifying to behold how well the remains and artifacts from both the Palace of Apollo in Delphi as well as those from the Olympic stadium in Olympia have been well preserved in the museums surrounding the historical sites – something that the travel and tourism ministry in India could learn from.
Please plan on investing a couple of days in both Delphi and Olympia to do justice to these historical cities that have contributed to shaping the Western civilization and the Olympic spirit, that we celebrate with such incredible fanfare every four years.
It was gratifying to behold how well the remains and artifacts from both the Palace of Apollo in Delphi as well as those from the Olympic stadium in Olympia have been well preserved in the museums surrounding the historical sites – something that the travel and tourism ministry in India could learn from.
Please plan on investing a couple of days in both Delphi and Olympia to do justice to these historical cities that have contributed to shaping the Western civilization and the Olympic spirit, that we celebrate with such incredible fanfare every four years.
Well preserved Cornithian columns from the Olympia Village
Photo: Andy De
Photo: Andy De
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SANTORINI – The Jewel of the Greek Cyclades
Given our fascination for Venice that we consider the most romantic city/island on the face of the earth, Santorini was a pleasant and incredible surprise indeed. Santorini, which has literally been sculpted on the slopes of a crater (called “caldera” in Greek), is a magnificent island city endowed with an ethereal beauty that must be experienced for one’s self. Viewing the remains of the volcano submerged
within the Aegean Sea early in the morning, would move and evoke romance and introspection in the most hardened of people. Walking leisurely along the caldera (or driving) thru the gorgeous little villages with exotic names like Fira, Imerovigli, Firostephani, Kamari, Pyrgos and Oia (arguably the most picturesque) serves to rejuvenate your mind, body, spirit and soul and is highly recommended for just about everyone and especially, folks who lead a stressful existence! Also highly recommended is a trip to the museum in Fira that houses artifacts from the ancient Minoan civilization in the ancient city-state of Akrotiri, that thrived in Santorini in 17th Century BC.
within the Aegean Sea early in the morning, would move and evoke romance and introspection in the most hardened of people. Walking leisurely along the caldera (or driving) thru the gorgeous little villages with exotic names like Fira, Imerovigli, Firostephani, Kamari, Pyrgos and Oia (arguably the most picturesque) serves to rejuvenate your mind, body, spirit and soul and is highly recommended for just about everyone and especially, folks who lead a stressful existence! Also highly recommended is a trip to the museum in Fira that houses artifacts from the ancient Minoan civilization in the ancient city-state of Akrotiri, that thrived in Santorini in 17th Century BC.
Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
Photo: Andy De
Photo: Andy De
Entrance to the Temple of Zeus in the Sanctuary of Olympia
Photo: Andy De
Photo: Andy De
