Destination "Greece | Mykonos & Athens"
East Beck Street
East Beck Street
ancient Greeks brought us democracy, philosophy, mythology, theater, the olympics, and classical art and architecture. The birth of Western civilization.
After decades of wanting to go there, I was finally off to this country of great antiquity thinkers and doers.
I went with my son, Roth. We flew into Athens airport via a direct flight from JFK. Leaving New York at 3:30pm EST and arriving Athens 8:05am EET.
Day 1 - PIREAUS
We decided to spend the first day in Piraeus, the port of Athens.
Another area of expertise among the ancient Athenians was naval power.
In the youtube video below, learn about the walled in road they created from Athens to the port of Pireaus, to protect access to the port. See replications of the merchant boats and warships they built to provide supplies to the people and defend the city from attack.
Another area of expertise among the ancient Athenians was naval power.
In the youtube video below, learn about the walled in road they created from Athens to the port of Pireaus, to protect access to the port. See replications of the merchant boats and warships they built to provide supplies to the people and defend the city from attack.
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https://www.google.com/search?q=google+maps+pireaus
For dinner, we succeeded in getting a reservation at a seaside Michelin starred restaurant called Varoulko.
To get to the restaurant, we took a taxi that drove along the bays of Pireaus and delighted in the road hugging the winding port while natives strolled inside the edge of the walled in streets.
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We enjoyed:
Σεβίτσε Μπαρμπούνι Μαριναρισμένο Σε Εσπεριδοειδή, Αχλάδι Ποσέ Σε Μπύρα, Νερό Τομάτας18€
Red mullet ceviche marinated in citrus, poached pear in beer,tomato water DELICIOUS!
Red mullet ceviche marinated in citrus, poached pear in beer,tomato water DELICIOUS!
τένια Σοτέ, Κρούστα Τσορίθο, Πίκλα Λωτού, Νερό Τομάτας21€
Sautéed scallops,chorizo crust, lotus pickle, tomato water DELICIOUS!
Sautéed scallops,chorizo crust, lotus pickle, tomato water DELICIOUS!
Ροφομακαρονάδα, Κιμά Γαρίδας, Τοματίνια Φούρνου29€
Linguini grouper, minced shrimp, cherry tomatoes DELICIOUS!
Linguini grouper, minced shrimp, cherry tomatoes DELICIOUS!
Φιλεταρισμένη Φέτα Ψάρι, (Ανάλογα Την Προμήθεια Της Ημέρας), Άγρια Αγκινάρα Τήνου, Αρακά, Κρέμα Αυγολέμονο, Ζωμό Από Πετρόψαρα36€
Fish fillet, (depending on the catch of the day), grilled artichoke from Tinos, pea, egg-lemon cream, stonefish broth.
The fish of the day was John Dory. DELICIOUS!
Fish fillet, (depending on the catch of the day), grilled artichoke from Tinos, pea, egg-lemon cream, stonefish broth.
The fish of the day was John Dory. DELICIOUS!
John Dory - fish.
In Greek, this fish (biological name Zeus faber, is called χριστόψαρο, which means fish of Christ. The legend has it that Saint Peter caught this fish and gave it to Jesus who left his fingerprints on it, which explains the two black spots on each side. In English it is called a "John Dory".
Its biology is interesting : it is a fish belonging to a family, the Zeidae, of primitive fishes, hence the thick shape of its skeleton and the imposing size of its jaw. shttps://rigas.ouvaton.org/article731.html
Its biology is interesting : it is a fish belonging to a family, the Zeidae, of primitive fishes, hence the thick shape of its skeleton and the imposing size of its jaw. shttps://rigas.ouvaton.org/article731.html
The view, cuisine, and service were a wonderful finale to our first day in Greece.
With no sleep on the flight, I finally went to bed after 33 hours.
With no sleep on the flight, I finally went to bed after 33 hours.
Day 2 - 6 MYKONOS
At 7am we were off to Mykonos on the cruise line SeaJets. Upon arrival in Mykonos, our hotel driver met us at the port and whisked us away to Nissaki Boutique Hotel in Platis Gialos (about a 10 minute drive south of Mykonos Town or Chora, the main commercial area on the island).
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Video of one of the pool and seating, bar area and sea view at the hotel.
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We were greeted with a glass of bubbly and escorted to our nicely appointed comfortable suite, and afterward a tour of the hotel and spa. Our suite had a sea view, private jacuzzi, seating area and table with immediate access to another two pools, and lounging chairs overlooking the Aegean Sea with food and beverage service. There are two nearby beaches, less than a 5 minute walk to either one.
The hotel offers transportation around the island for a fee. If you try to book an Uber through its app, a private car company will offer rides. There is also bus service close to the hotel and limited taxi service on the island.
According to our driver, the hotel is owned by a local family that has 5 hotels on Mykonos.
The hotel offers transportation around the island for a fee. If you try to book an Uber through its app, a private car company will offer rides. There is also bus service close to the hotel and limited taxi service on the island.
According to our driver, the hotel is owned by a local family that has 5 hotels on Mykonos.
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MYKONOS TOWN or (Chora)
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We visited Mykonos Town several times during our stay on the island.
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The Venetian Windmills from the 15th century
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View overlooking Little Venice.
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Two of the many small churches on the island.
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One of the afternoons, we decided to have lunch along the waters edge at Pelican restaurant.
A tasty lunch by the sea. I think the Pelican restaurant may have named itself from the story of Petros, the Mykonos pelican. Learn about Petros in the video below.
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This video is fun to watch. It introduces you to the original Petros, the pelican, and shows what Mykonos was like in 1965.
Mykonos Sunset Catamaran Cruise
We took a cruise from Mykonos to the islands of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Rheina, which included stunning sea views, snorkeling, snacks, and dinner with unlimited wine and beer.
We took a cruise from Mykonos to the islands of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Rheina, which included stunning sea views, snorkeling, snacks, and dinner with unlimited wine and beer.
The island of Delos where Apollo and Artemis were born, twin children of god Zeus and mistress goddess Letos.
Snorkeling, mussels, Little Venice, the Venetian Windmills, sunset and the catamaran at rest after another day on the sea.
We enjoyed the company of four 30 year olds from England that were on a private school reunion and two Greek men that worked in the hospitality industry on Mykonos.
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FINE DINING - MYKONOS
I looked up what Conde Nast's Traveller recommended as the top 10 restaurants on Mykonos and made reservations at La Cantine du Faubourg and Bill & Coos Gastronomy Project.
La Cantine du Faubourg in Ornos Bay, Mykonos
2 orders - 105 FRENCH MARTINI 2 0 La Cantine classic with vodka shaken with crème de mure, spiced baby pineapple, lime juice & raspberry.
I SHOULD HAVE ORDERED THE MARGARITA
MARGARITA FUMEE 2 5 Smoked style margarita, tequila, mezcal, homemade spiced liqueur, pineapple ice, habanero & brisket spice mix
I SHOULD HAVE ORDERED THE MARGARITA
MARGARITA FUMEE 2 5 Smoked style margarita, tequila, mezcal, homemade spiced liqueur, pineapple ice, habanero & brisket spice mix
Tarama truffle & blinis _9 DELICIOUS!!
Yellowfin tuna ceviche, avocado & sweet onion vinaigrette _24 DELICIOUS!!
Miso black cod (A) _ 4 4 - EXCELLENT!!
Roasted mixed summer vegetables_11 BEAUTIFUL!
Seabass filet, black quinoa & asparagus, parmesan sauce (GF) _ 4 2 EXCELLENT!!
La Cantine du Fauborg! Delicious food and drink with a beautiful view of the Ornos Bay, Aegean Sea Definitely try it out.
Bill & Coos Gastronomy Project in Mykonos Town, Mykonos
Discover 4 Courses Menu | 140€ per person
Amuse-Busche TASTY BITES!
3 Butters with housemade bread DELICIOUS! Truffle, Smoked and Dill
Crab Salad Crab, Lemon Gel, Zucchini. PRETTY PRESENTATION, TASTY CRAB
Tartar Beef, Caviar, Mustard, Raspberry. My son - DELICIOUS! Me - I enjoyed the caviar, mustard and raspberry best
Red Mullet with Aromatic Carrot Cream & “Kakavia” - Greek Fisherman’s Soup DELICIOUS!
Palate cleanser. GREAT PRESENTATION!
Dessert Coconut Parfait with Mango chutney & Chamomile Ice Cream. TASTY
Petit four TASTY BITES!
We also recommend Gastronomy Project at Bill & Coos. Attentive staff, excellent presentation and beautiful sunset views.
SCORPIOS CLUB
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Mykonos is known for its club and party scene (although we arrived on the cusp, just before the "IN" season). While we were there, SKORPIOS CLUB had their opening night of the season. SKORPIOS is considered one of the top club/beach scenes in Mykonos. We decided to go the day after the opening night.
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ATHENS
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The climb up the steps to the Acropolis. To minimize the crowd impact, go early in the morning (not late morning as above).
The Parthenon is under renovation, you can learn about it from the youtube video above.
The spectacular Acropolis Museum.
The Caryatids. See the article below about the London Museum and the missing caryatid,
among other marble items from the Parthenon.
among other marble items from the Parthenon.
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/parthenon-marbles-british-museum-restitution
Gods repose and processions of men winds through ancient Athens in a group of marble relief panels, figures, and friezes at the center of the most visible restitution case in history. Known as the Parthenon Sculptures, they are also called the Elgin Marbles, after the Scottish nobleman Lord Elgin, who stripped them from the ancient Acropolis in Athens in 1801 and sold them to the British government in 1816. For nearly two centuries the sculptures have been housed in the British Museum as the centerpiece of its Greek galleries. The museum maintains that their acquisition was a legal act of preservation. Critics behind a growing push for their repatriation consider the sculptures emblematic of British imperialism. In October, a UNESCO advisory committee recommended that the British Museum revisit its stance on the marbles and to open dialogue with Greece on their return. The recommendation was bluntly rejected by the institution.
There are a number of hotels with rooftop restaurants that overlook the Parthenon. We stayed at one of them. The first night we dined at POINT A a rooftop bar and restaurant at the Herodion Hotel. It was a beautiful night and the food and view was excellent!
We had a wonderful time in Greece. Relaxing, delicious, beautiful, historic, and more. Looking forward to the next time!
“The greater the difficulty, the more the glory in surmounting it.”
– Epicurus
– Epicurus
“Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other.”
– Euripides
– Euripides
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
– Plato
– Plato
“Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes.”
– Antisthenes
– Antisthenes
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
– Aristotle
– Aristotle
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GO | GREECE - Mykonos & Athens Issue XIX
Click on pictures below for other articles!
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