Almost Live - Viking Sky - Journey to Antiquities - Jan 2023

[Hazel52]

Thank you so much for your postings! We leave on Feb 2 for our pre extension and your info and photos are so helpful and amp up our excitement! Huge favor. Could you ask your Viking guide or rep why they switched your schedule? We have an independent tour arranged on our free day ( which happens to be Sunday as yours was). I did a live chat with Viking today and they are saying no change in ours. I don’t completely trust that and won’t take your situation as gospel but would like to know the ‘why’. Maybe related to the funeral? Thanks so much! 
Deb

[OneSixtyToOne]

11 hours ago, Hazel52 said:

Thank you so much for your postings! We leave on Feb 2 for our pre extension and your info and photos are so helpful and amp up our excitement! Huge favor. Could you ask your Viking guide or rep why they switched your schedule? We have an independent tour arranged on our free day ( which happens to be Sunday as yours was). I did a live chat with Viking today and they are saying no change in ours. I don’t completely trust that and won’t take your situation as gospel but would like to know the ‘why’. Maybe related to the funeral? Thanks so much! 
Deb

Here is a quick answer. I’ll do the post for the day later when we return to the hotel.

Tour director of the company Viking has contracted with (they are not a Viking employees) said she is 99.999% sure the program will be the same as the one we are currently one, meaning the free day comes AFTER going to Delphi. Believe me, after taking a hour to get from the airport, it’s no wonder they want to do the majority of the driving on the weekend. Also, we had the same bus and driver on a two day contract so this all makes sense logistically to me, do all the long distance driving on consecutive weekend days.

She also said since it is low season, your tour company will probably let you reschedule since everyone needs the business. Take all of this with a grain of salt, but I would trust the locals instead of corporate. Good luck.

Edited January 16, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[Hazel52]

I owe you big time. Thanks for taking the time and responding so thoughtfully. Hope we can buy you a drink on a future cruise!

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 5 - Plaka and Potentates

After another enjoyable breakfast we checked in with out Viking rep for some personalized recommendations for how to spend our free day. She provided a map and drew a recommended route. To avoid the closed streets around the Cathedral caused by the ex-king’s funeral at noon, she suggested doing the route in reverse. We took her advice and by the time we made it there the funeral had ended and we saw some VIPs leaving along with the press gaggle and the paparazzi. Reports of 1000 extra police in the area appeared true. We saw them inspecting delivery vans. We could not enter the Cathedral (off limits until 4:00 PM) but did get some photos of the floral arrangements sent by Royals and relatives. 

 

Before this we walked extensively through the Plaka district and viewed some adjacent ruins in the ancient Agora (marketplace).

We came across an “Artisan Gelato” shop next to the Hard Rock Cafe. Strawberry - White Chocolate - Crisped Rice FTW.

 

While finishing our gelato, DW was asked by a street vendor to watch her table of merchandise while she took a restroom break. About a minute later a customer approached and DW started to make recommendations, to which the customer responded “No English.” As you can see DW was disappointed with the No Sale.

 

We ended our day at Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknowns to watch the Changing of the Guard.

We are back at the Hotel resting before dinner. We’re going to try “Vasilissis” which has been previously been recommended by others on CC. It’s right around the block. The hotel is busy today. They are hosting an IT conference. Since I’m in IT myself I recognized the geek stereotype so I’ve coined this particular conference “greeky.”

 

Tomorrow morning is checkout, our excursion to the Acropolis, and then off to board the Viking Sky.

 

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[OneSixtyToOne]

4 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We’re going to try “Vasilissis” which has been previously recommended by others on CC

Just returned from dinner. Delicious food at a reasonable price. Ample portions at 10€ for a dinner plate. I had a pork gyros platter and DW had a chicken souvlaki platter.
 

An interesting side note, this family restaurant proudly displays a letter from the White House thanking them for feeding the White House staff during a state visit by President Obama.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 6 - You can checkout anytime but you can never leave

 

Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head…

After breakfast we placed our bags outside of our room, checked out, went to the lobby to identify our luggage, and are currently waiting for the bus to take us to the Acropolis. Big day ahead and we are anticipating boarding the ship. We have an anniversary dinner scheduled tonight at Manfredi’s.

[Haworth]

2 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Day 6 - You can checkout anytime but you can never leave

 

Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head…

After breakfast we placed our bags outside of our room, checked out, went to the lobby to identify our luggage, and are currently waiting for the bus to take us to the Acropolis. Big day ahead and we are anticipating boarding the ship. We have an anniversary dinner scheduled tonight at Manfredi’s.

How long did it take you to get to the bus?

[OneSixtyToOne]

1 hour ago, Haworth said:

How long did it take you to get to the bus?

Bags out in hall at 7:45, bag check by 8:45, bus left at 9:00 AM

[OneSixtyToOne]

I’m interrupting this thread to give a big thanks to Viking. If you have read some of my posts about the adventure I had trying and failing to book pre-cruise reservations at Manfredi’s for our anniversary, here is an update. After a couple weeks reservations opened and we booked dinner. We just arrived in our cabin to find an anniversary cake and champagne. Nicely done! 
 

I was also able to book the Chef’s Table once on board.

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 6 - Acropolis Now

After leaving the hotel for the final time we headed to the Acropolis just in time to meet the rush hour traffic.

We arrived at the Acropolis on a beautiful  day for exploring, mid 60, sunshine, and a stiff cool wind blowing. 

 

We climbed the 80+ steps to the top and entered antiquity.

The view from the top is spectacular.

 

The whole site is in the midst of massive restoration project which aims at removing the damage cause by prior restorations, for example replacing rusted iron bars with titanium and concrete with marble. There is even a rail line to move the heavy materials.

After about an hour we bid farewell to the Acropolis and headed to the museum.

 

The museum is everything we’ve heard about it and more. The top floor is oriented to be parallel with Athena’s temple and contains pillars replicating the temple with friezes placed in the appropriate positions. They have cleverly reproduced all the pieces that are at the British Museum in white plaster so when you look at the work in total you are amazed at how much was taken. The darker pieces are the original.

Besides the friezes, there is a sculpture garden that contains fantastic pieces that were destroyed my marauding Persians. The remnants of these statues were later collected by the returning Athenians and buried, only being found in  19th Century. Unfortunately no pictures are allowed in the area containing this marvelous collection. A multi media presentation recreates the color that these works of art once contained. Here are some photos of other exhibits.

 

Next up, we finally arrive at the Viking Sky.

[Haworth]

10 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Bags out in hall at 7:45, bag check by 8:45, bus left at 9:00 AM

It was a follow on to your lyrics, I was hoping for

Made the bus in seconds flat

Have a great trip

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 7 - All Aboard 

We’re finally here! Great to see the Viking Daily again.

 

This will be our first time in an aft DV1 stateroom so I’m excited to see the views when we sail away from various ports.

As I posted earlier, we entered our cabin to find cake and champagne for our anniversary.

 

Ironically the whole Manfredi’s issue was a non-issue but when we went to dinner there was no record of our reservation even though it was on MVJ before we left a week ago. There were plenty of tables available. As others have stated, the steak is thinner but still tasty. This doesn’t upset me because I can never finish a 1 inch thick cut. DW had the Osso Buco, which she enjoyed. The ricotta cheesecake was divine. 

When in doubt try both the white and red.

 

After dinner we took a nighttime stroll around the promenade deck.

Time to turn in after a long day.

Edited January 18, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[springtravel]

Love your photos of Greece.  One of these days we will get to Athens.  Let us know how you like your cabin. We were offered that on our upcoming cruise, but since this is only our 2nd cruise, we weren't sure how we would like it, so settled for a DV2 on deck 5

[Azulann]

Enjoy  your DV1. We had 4123  and loved watching the wake at night and a lovely room service breakfast on our balcony many days. 

I am loving all your  pictures. Cannot wait till I eat in Manfredi's again in June.

[Selion]

We love aft cabins.  Had 4122 last March on the Sky from Venice to Athens.  Enjoyed the sailaways very much!

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 8 - The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind

 

It’s our final day in Athens (Piraeus).

We originally had booked an Acropolis tour, not realizing it was the same one we did on the Classic Greek Extension. Upon boarding we changed it to the Cape Sounion excursion. When we went to our bus we discovered our tour guide was Maria, the same person who had led our three other tours on the extension. She was an excellent guide and we were pleased to see her again.

 

The word of the day was wind, not just any wind but a high wind advisory was in effect and gale force winds were expected overnight. 

The drive along the coast to Cape Sounion and Neptune’s Temple was very picturesque and the wind driven waves made it even more dramatic

 

Neptune’s temple is perched high on one cape, making it a strategic place to observe enemy warships.

 

As we climbed the path to the top the situation became like Jim Cantor covering a hurricane on the Weather Channel. We were push around by some of the strongest winds We ever felt. More on the wind later..

 

The temple was built around the same time as those of the Acropolis. The view from the top is magnificent.

After we returned to the ship we had our first High Tea in the Wintergarden. Two men (not pictured) decided to show up in robes, which I discuss in another thread.

 

We then returned to our DV1 aft cabin to enjoy the sail away.

 

At the point we hit open water the strength of the wind became apparent and the ship began rock from port to starboard. This continued all night causing me forgo any idea of having wine with dinner. Exterior doors on the promenade deck was closed and warning signs were in place. We attended the lecture on the Ottoman Empire by the resident historian during which loud bangs were heard, possibly from the sea anchors being battered? We were told that corporate has now dictated the times of the Port Talk (4:30) and Enrichment Leture(6:45)  to try and lessen the demand for tea and dinner at those times. It might be working as we found no line after the lecture and service there greatly improved from out last cruise. I had the Beef Wellington and DW the ricotta ravioli in a lemon sauce. I tried one of the ravioli and it was delicious. The lemon paired with the ricotta resulted in a taste that reminded me of a rich Italian dessert. It you see this on the menu, order it!

 

After dinner we were not so gently rocked to sleep. Tomorrow, our first visit to Turkey.

Edited January 19, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[Heidi13]

7 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

After we returned to the ship we had our first High Tea in the Wintergarden. Two men (not pictured) decided to show up in robes, which I discuss in another thread.

 

 

 

Just a quick clarification, as in the Wintergarden they serve, "Afternoon Tea", which is a completely separate meal from "High Tea"

 

High tea is served a little later (17:00 to 18:00) and comprises a full hot meal, followed by tea, cakes and scones. When growing up in UK, we often went out on a Friday evening after work and school, to one of the local village pubs for High Tea, and a couple of pints. It was traditional hot pub fare followed by the traditional triple layer stand with the scones and sweet treats.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 9 - Magic Carpet Ride

 

Today we docked in Kusadasi, Turkey to visit Ephesus.

 

Upon disembarking we were told to head towards the music and dancing. 

 

Today’s excursion was a tour of the Roman houses of Ephesus. It’s an additional cost from the other optional tour but well worth it. It’s hard to describe how spectacular this site is. The city was a port town in ancient times but the river silted up the coast and became a marsh land. This led to mosquitoes and malaria. That decimated this city of over 300,000 and the final blow came in the form of earthquakes and the city was abandoned. Because people left willingly, they took all their valuables, leaving only what they could not carry or did not want. The Roman houses have incredible mosaics, plumbing, and baths. The first picture shows how everything was discover, buried and knocked over. Everything you see raised up was painstakingly restored to the upright position. This was once the bus parking lot and columns were discovered underneath.

Here is the library today.

 

The Roman houses

The theater 

 

After leaving the site we were taken to a showroom for carpets that sponsored by the Turkish government. Turkey has a program to keep the art of handmade rugs alive. We were greeted with a fascinating demonstration of silk making

 

We then saw a demonstration of how s rung is hand weaved using a double knot technique. 

 

we were then brought into the showroom and offered traditional Turkey refreshments and a snack whole carpets, each with a unique pattern was shown to us. It was quite a demonstration. 

 

Everyone at the shop is employed by the government so no one is pressured to buy anything since there is no commission. I learned more about hand made carpets and their materials than I thought possible.

 

We had an awesome sail-away view as we left Turkey, bound for Crete.

 

[CCWineLover]

Absolutely stunning pictures and tales, Joe!  So many thanks for helping us all live vicariously!  Sounds like you are having a fabulous anniversary trip.

Kent

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 10 - Brokedown Palace

 

Today we return to Greece and visit the island of Crete.

 

 

It was raining when we docked in the morning, but just like our day in Delphi the weather cleared while we drove to the “Palace” of Knossos and it was a beautiful day. Crete is very mountainous with two peaks over 7,000 feet. They are made of limestone and there are thousands of caves, one being the mythological birthplace of Zeus. The snowpack trickles through the limestone and forms an aquifer. There are places at the beach where you can dig a small hole and drink from freshwater springs. The drive was long but scenery is worth it.

 

We had another excellent guide that was a wealth of information. She told us that at this time of year Viking is the only ship in port and when we tour Knossos, people from our ship will be the only ones there. Typically there are long lines to view the Throne Room but we were the first group and had the run of the place. The “Palace” was a misnomer when discovered and today is thought to be and administrative and religious site containing vast storerooms of olive oil and food. Since its discovery other similar sites of the Minoans have been found. The original columns were made from the single trunk of a large cypress tree and painted bright colors. The site is truly amazing. It was covered with crystallized gypsum, which gleams in the sun.

 

The elaborate system of rooms and staircases were thought to be the origin of the labyrinth and Minotaur myth. 

 

Bull jumpers

 

Storage jars and chard walls of storage room caused by a fire.

 

Throne Room

 

Bull relief at one entrance

 

We bid farewell to Knosos.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day as well as a time change. We get an extra hour of well needed sleep. I leave you with a lyric from Robert Hunter’s Brokedown Palace, “In a bed, in bed, by the water’s side I will lay my head.”

 

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[Mrs Miggins]

Thank you for this wonderful review and the splendid photo's reminding me of past travels. Your last line prompted me to listen again to the wonderful  Brokedown Palace from the Grateful Dead.  Apparently the lyrics were written by Robert Hunter on his first visit to London whilst "slightly" inebriated having drunk half a bottle of Retsina from a full case he had with him.   Not sure that Retsina was the drink of choice in London at the time, but it certainly worked.  

[DGHOC]

I too am really enjoying this blog. I love your enthusiasm and positivity.

We honeymooned on Crete in 1983 and have photos of us young things clambering all over Knossos. Your photos brought back lovely memories!

Continue savouring every moment!

[OneSixtyToOne]

Day 11 - Looks like rain, feels like rain, here comes the rain.

Today is a sea day so we slept in to get some needed rest. Clocks changed overnight so we got an extra hour in our favor.

We woke up to rough seas and rain. Looks like bad weather finally caught up to us. Exterior decks as are all closed.

 

 

After brunch we played a round of trivia in the Explorers lounge, went to the port talk on Messina, Sicily, and played a game of scrabble. The afternoon movie in the theater was Top Gun Maverick. Unfortunately we watched it on the plane ride to Europe. Tonight we have reservations at the Chef’s Table where they are serving the Xiang menu. Later tonight it’s a football party with the AFC playoff game on the big screen above the pool. I’ll pass on the 2:15 AM NFC game.

Tomorrow we visit Taormina, Sicily. Interesting side note, this is where the current season of HBO’s White Lotus was filmed. The latest weather report is rain but skies clearing later in the day and hopefully we’ll have sun by the time we reach Naples. If it only rains on a sea day, I’ll take that every time. For now I’m resting up for food and football. I’ll be home before daylight. Just might get some sleep tonight.

Edited January 21, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[FetaCheese]

We were in Chania on Venus in Dec. 2021.  The Agora (central market) was closing in 2022 for renovations.  It was a terrific place!

 

Do you know if a temp market was set up for the vendors?  Thanks 

[janetcbl]

Thank you for sharing your amazing photos. Great fun recalling a trip to that area many, many years ago.  Amazing how ruins don’t change!