Norwegian Jade on Where in the World is Kat Kong?

Argostoli & Corfu: Caves, Coastlines, and Venetian Charm - October 6-7, 2022

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation (Coming Soon)

Part 6: Prague: The Augustine & Old Town (Coming Soon)

Part 7: Charles Bridge & Prague Sightseeing (Coming Soon)

Part 8: Pre-Cruise Barcelona (Coming Soon)

Part 9: Virgin Voyages: Embarkation, Ibiza, Malaga (Coming Soon)

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Funchal, Crossing the Atlantic, Miami Arrival (Coming Soon)

Argostoli, Kefalonia: The Island of Caves

October 6: Subterranean Wonders

Today was a welcome later start, as we didn’t have to meet up for our “Melissani & Drogarati Cave” excursion until 11:15 am. It was a beautiful, clear day in Argostoli—perfect for heading into the hills of Kefalonia.

Into the Depths: Drogarati Cave

Our bus climbed through the scenic hills from the port to reach our first stop: Drogarati Cave. This cave was discovered around the 17th or 18th century after an earthquake revealed its entrance. We descended a long flight of stairs into the cool depths of the earth.

Once inside, we reached a massive chamber filled with orange and yellow mineral formations. We had some free time to explore the stalagmites and stalactites that have been growing here for thousands of years.

Heading back to the bus, we passed a local gift shop. It was funny to see that they sold many of the same “protection from evil spirits” souvenirs we had seen in Delos, including the Blue Eye ornaments and even the phalluses mentioned in my previous post!

The Turquoise Waters of Melissani Cave

Next, we drove to Melissani Cave, also known as “Cave of the Nymphs”, perhaps the most iconic spot on the island. It features a massive opening where the ceiling collapsed, creating a natural spotlight for the lake below.

We took a lovely boat ride through the cavern. The water is a mix of seawater and fresh water, and it is incredibly crisp and clear.

It’s one of those places where a photo doesn’t quite do the scale justice, but the video helps capture the feeling of being inside.

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The water clarity inside the cave is world-class. You can see straight to the bottom of the deep basin, making the boats look like they are drifting through the air rather than on water.

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On the bus ride back to the port, we were treated to some of the most idyllic coastal views I’ve seen. Kefalonia’s shoreline is dotted with white-sand beaches and that signature Ionian turquoise water.

Our excursion reminded me of when we visited Neptune Caves in Sardinia back in 2014. I think the water in Melissani Cave was more spectacular due to sunlight streaming through the caved-in ceiling.

An Italian Evening at La Cucina

For dinner tonight, we headed to La Cucina, the ship’s Italian specialty restaurant. This meal was not part of our Free-at-Sea dining package, so we paid a-la-carte, which was covered by the pre-purchased onboard credit. We weren’t super hungry, so we just ordered a couple of entrees and some wine.

Kaleb went with the Cartoccio di dentice rosso ai frutti di mare (red snapper and seafood cooked in parchment), while I had the fettuccine alfredo con funghi (mushroom fettuccine alfredo). Both were delicious and the perfect way to wind down after a day in Argostoli.

Corfu: Venetian History and Panoramic Views

October 7: Independent Exploration

On the morning of October 7, the Norwegian Jade docked in Corfu. We weren’t alone in port; we were flanked by Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas and Tui’s Marella Explorer. It was interesting to see the Marella Explorer specifically, as it was previously the MV Galaxy with Celebrity.

From this point on in the cruise, we had no more organized excursions booked. We were ready to explore on our own schedule. The port made it very easy by providing free shuttle buses to transport passengers from the pier directly to the city center.

The Old Fortress (Palaio Frourio)

Our first stop was the Old Fortress of Corfu, a massive Venetian fortification built in the 16th century. It sits on a rocky peninsula that was originally an island, separated from the town by a moat called the Contrafossa.

The highlight of the fortress is the climb to the highest point. It’s a bit of a trek, but the reward is a spectacular view. From the summit, we could see the terra cotta rooftops of Corfu Town, the deep blue of the Ionian Sea, and even the Norwegian Jade waiting for us in the distance.

Wandering Corfu Town

After descending from the fortress, we spent a little time walking through the winding streets of Corfu Town. The Venetian influence is everywhere, from the architecture to the narrow paved lanes. We stopped for a quick coffee to recharge before heading back toward the ship.

Our port stop here was relatively short, so we didn’t have as much time as we would have liked to deep-dive into the local shops, but even a brief walk through the town center was worth it.

A Churrascaria Feast at Moderno

Tonight’s dinner was at Moderno, the ship’s Brazilian churrascaria. This has been one of our favorite specialty dining venues ever since our Norwegian Sun Alaska cruise in 2016, so we were excited to experience it again. We redeemed our Free-at-Sea dining package on this meal.

The experience starts with an expansive salad bar featuring everything from traditional greens to specialized cured meats and cheeses. Brazilian cheese bread is also brought to the table.

Of course, the main event is the parade of grilled meats brought directly to your table by the passadores. My favorites are the picanha and the lamb chops.

We finished off with mango rice pudding and chocolate coconut tres leches cake for dessert.

Sunset over the Ionian Sea

As we sailed away from Corfu, we were treated to a stunning sunset. The sky turned vibrant shades of orange and pink, a perfect way to end another day in the Ionian Islands.

Tomorrow, we head to the world-famous cliffs of Santorini…stay tuned!

Rhodes & Mykonos: Medieval Knights and Mystical Ruins - October 4-5, 2022

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation (Coming Soon)

Part 6: Prague: The Augustine & Old Town (Coming Soon)

Part 7: Charles Bridge & Prague Sightseeing (Coming Soon)

Part 8: Pre-Cruise Barcelona (Coming Soon)

Part 9: Virgin Voyages: Embarkation, Ibiza, Malaga (Coming Soon)

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Funchal, Crossing the Atlantic, Miami Arrival (Coming Soon)

Rhodes: Medieval Grandeur on Our Own Terms

Morning in the Dodecanese

The Norwegian Jade docked in Rhodes the following morning, offering us a beautiful view from the deck as the sun hit the ancient harbor.

Today, we decided to skip the organized excursions and explore this famous medieval city on our own. Rhodes is unique because the inhabited medieval town is still contained within its massive original fortifications.

A Musical Lunch

As we meandered down the narrow alleys and through the fortifications, we stumbled upon a restaurant called Ta Mezeklikia. It looked unassuming from the entrance, but once we walked through the archway, we found ourselves in a large courtyard, generously shaded by an old tree with live music from an acoustic guitarist. What a great find!

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We were stunned by the portion sizes! Everything was fresh and delicious, with our stomachs almost bursting.

The Palace of the Grand Master

After lunch, we wandered through Old Town over to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. This 14th-century citadel is one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece and is incredibly well-preserved.

We finished our walking tour by strolling down the Street of the Knights, which looks exactly as it did hundreds of years ago, and visiting the Archaeological Museum before heading back to the ship.

Tonight’s dinner was at Cagney’s, the ship’s steakhouse. It was a classic, high-quality meal that hit the spot after a full day of walking.

Mykonos & The Sacred Island of Delos

Arrival in Mykonos

The next day, we stopped in Mykonos. Our morning was dedicated to an excursion titled “Delos: Birthplace of Artemis and Apollo.” We met at the ship’s theater at 8:15 am and boarded a ferry from the dock to the nearby island of Delos.

Delos is a massive, active archaeological site. Interestingly, it was also home to a high population of feral cats. Our tour guide was clearly a regular; she carried a bag of cat kibble with her and stopped to feed the cats at almost every stop on the tour!

A Surprising Lesson in Protection

During the tour, our guide stopped and pointed to a relief carved into one of the stone walls. “What is this?” she asked.

When no one answered, she proudly proclaimed, “This is a penis!” The group collectively gasped and then broke into laughter. There was a young child, about 7 years old, on the tour who immediately asked her mother what a penis was, which made for a bit of an awkward parenting moment!

We learned that phalluses were commonly carved into stone walls in ancient times to represent protection from evil spirits. Similarly, many people in the region wear blue eye jewelry to ward off the “evil eye”.

Back to the Jade

After the tour of Delos concluded, we headed back to the ship. Unfortunately, the timing of the excursion didn’t leave us enough of a window to explore Mykonos Town itself, but the deep dive into the history of Delos was well worth the trade-off.

Teppanyaki: Dinner and a Show

Once we set sail, we went to the teppanyaki restaurant for dinner. This specific dining venue isn’t included in the Free-at-Sea dining package, so we paid $49 per person plus a 20% gratuity. As I mentioned in my Planning and Pre-Cruise Athens post, we covered this cost with the purchased onboard credits.

The meal was a multi-course experience and a total show. The chefs are incredibly talented, performing tricks with their utensils and ingredients while they cook right in front of you.

We started with miso soup and a fresh salad before the main event began.

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The food was fantastic. We watched our fried rice come together while our seafood entrees were sizzling away in the background. Teppanyaki is always a fun time!

Tomorrow, we continue our tour around the Greek Isles with a visit to Argostoli…stay tuned!

Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation (Coming Soon)

Part 6: Prague: The Augustine & Old Town (Coming Soon)

Part 7: Charles Bridge & Prague Sightseeing (Coming Soon)

Part 8: Pre-Cruise Barcelona (Coming Soon)

Part 9: Virgin Voyages: Embarkation, Ibiza, Malaga (Coming Soon)

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Funchal, Crossing the Atlantic, Miami Arrival (Coming Soon)

Piraeus Embarkation Day

One Last View and a Charity Race Detour

Our final morning in Athens started exactly where the first one did: at the Roof Garden Restaurant of the Hotel Grande Bretagne. We enjoyed breakfast one last time with that unmistakable, clear view of the Acropolis as the sun rose over the city.

Logistically, the morning threw us a small curveball. A “Race for the Cure” was happening in central Athens, and several major roads right outside the hotel were closed to traffic. Our Welcome Pickups driver, Theo, was unable to pull up to the hotel entrance. We had to navigate a few streets on foot with our luggage to meet him at a designated spot outside the race perimeter.

Once settled in the car, Theo took us on a scenic route to the port of Piraeus to avoid the race closures. He pointed out popular beaches along the shoreline, explaining how we could rent houses across the street to enjoy the Athenian Riviera in the future.

The Piraeus Crowd

When we arrived at the terminal, it was packed. Upon walking in, we were given a boarding group number and settled in to wait. Periodically, numbers would be called to start the embarkation process. Because the terminal was so loud, a member of the port staff walked around holding a large sign with the current boarding number for anyone who couldn’t hear the announcements.

Eventually, our group was called, and we were finally able to board. Even as we headed toward the ship, we could see crowds were still pouring into the terminal building.

Stateroom 5051: Inside Cabin

Our home for the next week was stateroom 5051, an inside cabin on Deck 5. The room had everything we needed for a 7-night cruise. We had a comfortable bed and a functional layout that maximized the space. A major plus was the bathroom; instead of a standard shower curtain that usually clings to you, this stateroom featured a sliding glass door shower.

Life Onboard Norwegian Jade

Sail Away and a Quick Bite

After a modernized muster drill, we headed to the Garden Café (the ship’s buffet) to grab a quick lunch before sail away. The selection was decent, but we kept it light so we could save room for our big dinner later.

A French Feast at Le Bistro

For our first dinner onboard, we utilized our Free at Sea dining package at Le Bistro, the ship’s signature French restaurant. We actually ate at Le Bistro back on our 2016 Alaska cruise, and we were happy to find it was just as good as we remembered.

We started with my absolute favorite, escargot, followed by seared bay scallops and a rich mushroom soup. We also shared the crab salad and smoked salmon roulade.

For mains, Kaleb went with the lamb chops while I opted for the fruits de mer. We finished with a decadent marquise au chocolat that lived up to its name.

Port Call: Kusadasi, Turkiye

Early Morning Arrival

On the morning of October 3, we arrived at the port of Kusadasi. Our day was set to start early as our shore excursion (Magnificent Ephesus) had a meeting time of 7:45 am. We grabbed a quick but necessary breakfast at the buffet to fuel up for a long morning of walking.

We went to the theater to meet for the excursion, then the group disembarked, headed toward one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.

Walking Through Ancient Ephesus

Our tour guide led us through the vast expanse of Ephesus, providing fascinating historical context for the ruins surrounding us. It’s incredible to think about the level of engineering and artistry that went into these structures thousands of years ago.

The site is still archaeologically active, and we could see teams working to preserve and uncover more of the city’s hidden history.

The highlight, of course, was making our way to the famous Library of Celsus. The ancient facade is impressive.

Inside the Library and the Great Theatre

Stepping inside the Library of Celsus, the detail of the restoration is even more impressive. Standing within the walls that once housed thousands of scrolls makes the history feel very tangible.

We continued through the sprawling ruins, marveling at how much of the city’s infrastructure—from the plumbing to the intricate floor mosaics—is still visible today.

Our tour of the site culminated at the Great Theatre. Climbing the steep marble steps provides a panoramic view of the ancient city and the road that once led to the harbor. It’s an incredible vantage point to imagine 25,000 people gathered here for performances or assemblies.

As the tour wrapped up, the photos taken earlier at Hercules Gate were available for purchase for just a few euros. On the walk back to the bus, we were swarmed by hawkers selling Turkish Delight. While I didn’t partake, several others in our group picked up some of the local candy. In a classic move, as the bus prepared to pull away, the sellers made a last-ditch effort to clear their stock, slashing the prices by 50% just as the doors were closing!

A Lesson in Turkish Rugs

After leaving Ephesus, our tour included a visit to a local rug gallery. On the way there, I saw an interesting store.

At the gallery, it was fascinating to watch a rug artisan at work on her loom, seeing firsthand the incredible patience and skill required for this traditional craft.

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We were offered complimentary wine and mint tea while the salespeople brought out the inventory. One rug in particular was mesmerizing: it appeared as a light blue, but after a practiced, dramatic shake from the salesman, it transformed into a deep, dark blue.

I asked about the price of that specific rug, and if memory serves, the opening quote was $35,000 USD. While there was undoubtedly room for haggling, that was well beyond our limit! If it had been $5,000, I might have at least paused to think about it. I don’t believe anyone in our group ended up making a purchase, but the demonstration was a great cultural experience nonetheless.

Back to the Jade and Evening in Patmos

We returned to the ship and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and walking along the promenade to enjoy the ocean breezes.

As we set sail for Patmos for a late-night docking, we decided to skip the specialty dining and try one of the casual sit-down venues. One feature I found very convenient was the digital status board that showed how busy each dining venue was in real-time.

We ended up at O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill (a clever play on “oceans”). It was the perfect spot for a relaxed meal as we prepared for our short nighttime visit to Patmos.

A Moonlit Visit to Patmos

Norwegian Jade arrived at the island of Patmos for a late-night docking. We met up at the ship’s theater for the St. John’s Patmos excursion before riding a tender over to the dark, quiet dock.

The climb to the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian was a memorable experience. The structure was illuminated elegantly against the night sky, creating a very reverent, almost mystical atmosphere. However, the trek wasn’t without its hazards; it was quite dark in several sections of the path, and unfortunately, someone in our tour group tripped and fell on the uneven stones.

Because of the late hour, the town was empty. There weren’t many vendors out selling souvenirs, and the tour felt a bit rushed to ensure everyone made it back to the tenders on time. We didn’t have any time to shop, but the items on display were beautiful—vibrant icons and intricate Greek handicrafts.

Tomorrow, we head to Rhodes to do some independent exploring… stay tuned!

One month in Europe: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Author’s Note: Apologies for such a long hiatus since my last public post! Kaleb and I traveled so much the past few years that my photo backlog and travel notes outpaced my ability to hit ‘publish’! Recently, Kaleb transferred my Blogger blog to a locally hosted site and incorporated a cleaner layout. This is the first post since the changes so past posts won’t have the new look. I like the way it came out and hope you do too. This travel blog is 3.5 years behind, but I hope I still capture the excitement that we had when we visited these incredible places. Thanks for reading and following along on our adventures!

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation (Coming Soon)

Part 6: Prague: The Augustine & Old Town (Coming Soon)

Part 7: Charles Bridge & Prague Sightseeing (Coming Soon)

Part 8: Pre-Cruise Barcelona (Coming Soon)

Part 9: Virgin Voyages: Embarkation, Ibiza, Malaga (Coming Soon)

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Funchal, Crossing the Atlantic, Miami Arrival (Coming Soon)

Massive travel deals were still going on in these post-pandemic times, which I immediately jumped on due to having revenge travel momentum. This time, we’d be in Europe for a month: 2 nights in Athens, a 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Norwegian Jade, 5 nights in Prague, then meeting up with my parents for 2 nights in Barcelona and a 14-night transatlantic cruise on Virgin Voyages to Miami. Whew!

Planning the Month-long Trip

Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) was having a sale back in spring 2021 which included reduced air for the 1st guest, free airfare for the 2nd guest, free air deviation (meaning we could change the arrival date without fee), and Free-At-Sea (choice of 3 items between free dining/free drinks/free wifi/free gratuities/$50 shore excursion credit per port).

For the initial cost of ~$3000, we got:

7 nights in an inside cabin for 2 people
One-way economy air from SFO-ATH for 2 people arriving two days early via NCL’s air deviation program
Two specialty dining meals per person
$50 shore excursion discount per port for the 1st guest
One 250 minute wi-fi package

This was already a great deal, but it got even better - in early 2022, there was an American Express (AMEX) offer of “Spend $500, get $125 back” on Norwegian Cruise Lines. I found this offer on 7 AMEX credit cards held between the two of us and my parents. To maximize the savings and take full advantage of the offer, I also added the following to our cruise:

Pre-paid gratuities
Upgraded the wi-fi package to unlimited minutes
Purchased four shore excursions (utilizing the $50 discount for 1st guest)
Purchased $315 on-board credit (spent during the cruise on two more specialty meals, additional tips, drinks and barista coffee)

In the end, we paid about $2700 total for all the above.

Then in Feburary 2022, Virgin Voyages offered a nice deal on a 14-night transatlantic cruise on Valiant Lady from Barcelona to Miami, just $1239 per person for a Sea Terrace balcony cabin after stacking the early booking discount and 10% pay-in-full discount. Since my parents were finishing an escorted tour in Iceland in early October, the timing aligned perfectly for them to meet us in Barcelona for a leisurely voyage back to the States. Too bad there weren’t any AMEX offers for Virgin, but the cruise fare was already a good value as it includes gratuities, basic (non-alcoholic) beverages, wi-fi and all dining is specialty-level.

Flights

Even though we had free air deviation from NCL for our flight to Athens, we could only choose what day we wanted to arrive, not a specific air carrier. A Google Flights search listed a couple of one-stop options, and I hoped it would be on Air Canada, so we could apply for an upgrade to business class on the long-haul leg. Our air got assigned at 59 days before embarkation, and the flights were indeed on Air Canada! Business class upgrades were offered via a bidding process, where you submit however many Aeroplan points you were willing to pay per person. There was a red-yellow-green gauge showing the likelihood of acceptance; we chose 90,165 points to land barely inside the yellow range. It was a lot of points to be spending per person, but we thought that it was worth $100/hour to upgrade to business on a 9-hour red-eye from Montreal to Athens to arrive a bit more refreshed. Valuing Aeroplan points at 1 cent each, our 90k bid was our psychological limit—we added a few extra points just to edge out anyone else bidding exactly 90,000. We transferred little over 180k AMEX Membership Rewards points to Kaleb’s Aeroplan account and hoped for the best. Two days before departure, we got the notice that our upgrade request had been accepted! Cash price would have been close to $3000 per person.

Our Aegean Airlines nonstop business class flight from Athens to Prague was paid for by redeeming ThankYou points on the Citibank Travel Portal at a penny a point. The cost was $268 cash, or 26,800 ThankYou points per person.

The flight from Prague to Barcelona (connecting through London Heathrow) was on British Airways in Club Europe class. The tickets would have cost ~$800 cash per person, but I redeemed 35,000 Avios miles per person instead. Club Europe is considered business class, but the seats are the same as economy, with the middle seat blocked off on a 3-seat row. We would meet up with my parents on the leg from Heathrow to Barcelona as they were flying from Reykjavik.

After the transatlantic cruise, our flight home from Miami was on Southwest Airlines. 28,289 Rapid Rewards points was redeemed for my ticket, and Kaleb’s was free thanks to the Companion Pass.

Hotels

As our flight was leaving SFO very early in the morning, I redeemed a Free Night Certificate (FNC) for an overnight stay at the Courtyard San Francisco Airport. I had to spend an additional 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (“topping off”) as the reward night cost 40,000 points and the FNC had a maximum value of 35,000. Cash rate for the stay was around $300. The FNC is a benefit of the Marriott Premier Plus Business credit card, a good value for the annual fee of $99.

I redeemed 130,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for two nights at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, located next to Syntagma Square in Athens. Cash rate would have been $700/night. I would have Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status by this time, so our stay would include complimentary breakfast.

In Prague, we would stay 5 nights at the Augustine. Instead of using Marriott points, I booked through the AMEX Fine Hotels and Resorts program (FHR), redeeming about 196k AMEX Membership Rewards points (at a penny a point) plus charging $200 to the AMEX Platinum Card in order to trigger the $200 FHR statement credit benefit. This method cost way less in points compared to the Marriott Bonvoy program. FHR benefits include complimentary breakfast, a $100 resort credit, early check-in/late check-out and a room upgrade when available, great perks if you don’t have status with the hotel chain.

For the 2 nights in Barcelona for us and my parents, I redeemed 200,000 Hilton Honors points for two rooms (50k a night) at the Hilton Barcelona. As I had Hilton Diamond status, breakfast would be complimentary. Technically, the second room I reserved wouldn’t be eligible for the breakfast benefit since I wasn’t occupying it, but so far, it’s always been offered.

Transportation

Since we would be gone for a month, it was cost-efficient to rent a car from Hertz one-way to and from the airport versus using long-term parking.

In Athens, Prague and Barcelona, I booked airport/hotel/cruise transfers through Welcome Pickups (save $5 with my referral link). The price was very reasonable.

The Journey Begins

We picked up the rental car the day before our flight, drove a few hours to the Courtyard San Francisco Airport and parked there overnight ($12.50). The hotel had no airport shuttle service, and taking Uber back and forth from the airport would have been more hassle and cost. Our room had been upgraded from a king guest room to a king suite with separate living room and bedroom. It was clean, comfortable and had a balcony overlooking the grounds. There was also a gift of local popcorn in the room.

Since we had a car, we weren’t limited to the few restaurants within walking distance. We drove to La Paloma in San Bruno for some yummy Mexican cuisine.

A Domestic Prelude: SFO to Montreal

Early the next morning, we checked out of the Courtyard, returned the rental car, and hopped on the Airtrain to the terminal. We didn’t have any time to visit an airport lounge for breakfast, so we grabbed some sandwiches and fruit before boarding.

The first leg of our journey was a 5.5-hour flight to Montreal. Although we were seated in economy for this domestic-ish stretch, Air Canada made the experience quite comfortable. As an Aeroplan member, I was able to take advantage of the free in-flight Wi-Fi. Having a power outlet available between the seats was also a major plus for keeping our devices charged during the flight.

Upon arriving in Montreal, we had a 2.5-hour layover—the perfect amount of time to retreat to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge. Because our connecting flight to Athens was in Business Class (thanks to our successful point bid!), we had full access.

The lounge was a welcome respite. In addition to a small buffet of snacks and salads, they offered plated main courses upon request. Despite having all these selections, I kept my plate light as we would be eating again on our next flight.

The Points Payoff: Air Canada Business Class to Athens

The long-haul leg from Montreal to Athens was on an Air Canada 777-300ER, featuring a spacious 1-2-1 business class configuration. Kaleb opted for the window seat to catch the views, while I took the adjacent center aisle seat so we could still be relatively close.

The seats were fully lie-flat and came with some high-tech bells and whistles, including a massage function and programmable lumbar support. While I can’t say I felt much from the “massage” setting, being able to adjust the firmness of the seat made a huge difference in comfort.

The dining experience was another highlight. I enjoyed a three-course dinner starting with an octopus appetizer (very fitting for a trip to Greece!), followed by gnocchi for the main course, and a fruit and cheese plate for dessert.

Dinner wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, though. We hit some notable turbulence right in the middle of the meal service—always an adventure when you have a glass of wine on the table!

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After the meal service, I was able to flatten the seat and get a few hours of sleep before the breakfast service began.

First Day in Athens

Luxury at Syntagma Square: Hotel Grande Bretagne

After touching down in Athens and clearing immigration, we headed to the arrivals area where we were met by our driver, Theo. He was easy to spot, holding up a clear Welcome Pickups sign. It was a smooth, pleasant ride through the city directly to the Hotel Grande Bretagne.

Located right on Syntagma Square, this hotel is a landmark in its own right. Our room was wonderfully spacious, featuring a classic marble bathroom equipped with both a separate soaking tub and a walk-in shower—exactly what you want after a 9-hour flight.

Waiting for us on the table was a lovely welcome gift: a bottle of Pilavas Tentura (a traditional Greek cinnamon liqueur) and a box of chocolate-covered cake balls.

Lunch with a View at the Roof Garden

We headed straight up to the hotel’s Roof Garden Restaurant for lunch. The view boasted a direct line of sight to the Acropolis.

We ordered a few pasta dishes which were delicious. To cap off the meal, Kaleb ordered a coffee, which arrived with a delightful assortment of complimentary chocolates and macarons.

Adjusting to the Time Zone: National Garden and Ancient Landmarks

When traveling, we try, no matter how tired we are, to stay awake until at least 9:00 PM local time to force our bodies to adjust to the new time zone. With a few precious daylight hours remaining, we pushed through the jet lag and headed out for some initial sightseeing around the hotel.

We started at Syntagma Square, the heart of modern Athens, right outside the Grande Bretagne. We then wandered into the National Garden, a lush green escape from the city bustle. It was interesting to see a pond full of turtles.

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Our walk continued past some of the city’s most iconic ancient sites, including the colossal columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the historic Arch of Hadrian, both of which are within easy distance of Syntagma.

An Authentic End to the Day: Dinner at Meat the Greek

As dusk approached, our focus shifted to finding dinner. We explored Ermou Street, a bustling pedestrian shopping avenue, before stumbling upon a place aptly named Meat the Greek. We ordered what turned out to be the most delicious, vibrant Greek salad, accompanied by fresh, perfectly grilled meats. Such great pricing too! It was exactly the kind of authentic meal we were hoping for, and a perfect way to end our day.

Second Day in Athens

A Pre-Dawn Breakfast and the Trek to the Summit

The next morning, we woke up very early due to jet lag and headed to the Roof Garden Restaurant to enjoy our complimentary Platinum buffet breakfast. The sun had not yet risen, affording us an illuminated view of the Acropolis.

Afterwards, we left for the Acropolis to beat both the heat and the crowds. It was about a 20-minute trek from our hotel, which involved traversing steep, winding streets and climbing plenty of stairs.

Even in the early morning, the crowds were already starting to swell. We were glad we arrived when we did, as the temperature seemed to climb by several degrees every hour.

Walking Among the Caryatids: Exploring the Acropolis

Once inside the archaeological site, the scale of the history is breathtaking. We spent our time exploring the various temples and theaters, including the iconic Parthenon, the Erechtheion with its famous Porch of the Caryatids, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Seeing these structures up close, even with the ongoing restoration work, makes you truly appreciate the engineering of the ancient Greeks.

The reward for the uphill hike wasn’t just the ruins themselves, but the incredible 360-degree views of Athens.

After descending from the Acropolis, we continued our journey through history at the Roman Forum. Looking back up from the base of the hill, we could see the massive crowds now swarming the summit—we were definitely glad we made that early morning trek!

Logistics and Local Hospitality: COVID Testing and Aspro Alogo

Later in the afternoon, we had to handle a very “2022” travel requirement: the pre-cruise COVID-19 test. Even for vaccinated guests, Norwegian Jade required a negative result within 48 hours of embarkation. We located a testing site called Homed just off Ermou Street. It was entirely touchless with a quick QR scan for registration and payment, followed by results delivered straight to our inbox.

For our final evening, we drifted away from the main drag of Ermou Street into the quieter side alleys, stumbling upon a charming ‘mom and pop’ gem called Aspro Alogo. The food was simple, unpretentious and delicious.

The owner even treated us to a complimentary piece of halva and a glass of peach juice to finish our meal.

Our two nights in Athens flew by, leaving us wanting even more time among the ruins. But the sea is calling! Next up, we’re heading to Piraeus to embark on the Norwegian Jade for a 7-night cruise through the Greek Isles… stay tuned!