|
Italy &
Greece Vacation 2001 |
|
These pages relate the personal vacation experiences of two South Africans, Debra and Matthew Perks, in Italy and Greece during September-October 2001. The site has the following pages - the Introduction Page (includes Rome), a Page on San Gimignano, Pisa and Florence, a Page on Venice (and the ferry trip to Patras), this Page on Piraeus and the ferry to Santorini, a Page on Santorini Island a Naxos Island Page and finally Athens. |
| 25 September 2001 - Piraeus Port (Athens) : ferry to Santorini |
|
A combination of the Athens heat and a terrible night at the Metropolis hotel didn't make for a very good start to the day when we wanted to catch the early "Blue Star Ithaki" at 07h00 from Piraeus. First a warning: avoid the Metropolis Hotel in Athens like the plague. "Let's Go Europe 2001" recommended this hotel as a step above the rest having been recently renovated. "Let's Go" got it horribly wrong. Absolutely crappy rooms with universal fit keys (we found out when our key had been accidentally given to our neighbours), a bathroom from hell and - although it's not the hotel's fault - major 24 hour extremely noisy construction over the road - made it impossible to sleep. Stay away from the place. |
 |
As in Rome, the Metro System in Athens worked well for us. A 30 minute Metro ride took us to the Piraeus stop, and a walk across the road found us in the Port right near the Cyclades ferries. We boarded the neat "Blue Star Ithaki" and were soon leaving Athens with a sense of relief. We did undertake to give it another chance when we got back, but our first impressions weren't good . |
 |
Leaving Piraeus we passed ferries waiting to depart for various groups of Islands. How many tourists have witnessed these scenes over the years? |
 |
|
En- route to Santorini the "Blue Star Ithaki" calls in at Syros, Paros, Naxos and Ios.Leaving Paros we spotted the Hellas Ferries ship "Express Santorini" that would later take us from Santorini to Naxos. |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The approach to Santorini is dramatic. The first view of the island is the red cliffs below Oia. and the ferry glides into the caldera. The route to the port gives excellent views of the massive cliffs of the main island. |
|
 |
Passing Oia and looking upward the cliffs give the illusion of being snow-capped with the number of buildings clinging to the caldera rim. Do residents concern themselves with the fact that they are living on the edge of these cliffs in an earthquake zone? |
 |
 |
We hadn't pre-booked accommodation since the end of the season was approaching. At the harbour many vendors waited with offers of accommodation. Prices being offered were better than those we would have got had we booked ahead. This is something to keep in mind when visiting Greek Islands, but only out of peak-season. |
 |
|
Information on the pictures: |
