Athens
Our next stop on the cruise was the ancient city of Athens where we took public transportation to the Acropolis.
The Acropolis hill (acro - edge, polis - city), so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city and constitutes one of the most recognizable monuments of the world.
We hiked to the top of the hill for a closer look at the famous ruins and a beautiful view of Athens below. The mastermind of the construction of the Acropolis was Pericles who coordinated the work in the 5th century BC.
The Parthenon
Good looking brothers!
A handsome man!
Great looking guys!
Views of The Propylaia
Another selfie stick is sighted! Wait - actually 2 selfie sticks are sighted can you find the second one?
View of Athens
The Erechtheum Temple
Jessica with a view of the Theatre of Dionysus in the background
View of Athens and The Theatre of Dionysus in the background
We hiked down to The Agora for views from looking eastward.
The Agora, the marketplace and civic center, was one of the most important parts of an ancient city of Athens. In addition to being a place where people gathered to buy and sell all kinds of commodities, it was also a place where people assembled to discuss all kinds of topics: business, politics, current events, or the nature of the universe and the divine.
The Agora, the marketplace and civic center, was one of the most important parts of an ancient city of Athens. In addition to being a place where people gathered to buy and sell all kinds of commodities, it was also a place where people assembled to discuss all kinds of topics: business, politics, current events, or the nature of the universe and the divine.
Listening to Rick Steve's History of the Agora
Katakolon,Greece
This was our last port of call and is famous for Olympia where the first Olympics were held. We rode a bus from Katakolon to Olympia to see the ancient complex of ruins where the athletics had trained and competed so long ago.The Olympic Games were held every four years from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The first Olympic Games were in honor of Zeus the sky and thunder god in ancient Greek religion.
There is that Selfie Stick again!!
Entering the stadium where the Olympics were held - it is good we had a Selfie Stick OR we could have asked the photo bomber in the red shirt to take our picture.
Jon was first in the second group of runners followed by Jessica, Kelly, Tricia and Allison. Hal and I were starters and judges and Hailey and Preston were the photographers to document the event.
We enjoyed another day at sea before returning to Rome (Citiavecchia) and our last evening on board the ship was another formal night.
Rome - The Vatican
After disembarking the ship, we dropped our luggage off at the hotel and went to The Vatican. Officially the Vatican City State is a walled enclave within the city of Rome. With an area of approximately 110, and a population of 842, it is the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world by both area and population.
Vatican City State
Exploring the Vatican Museum
Pretty Sisters
St. Peter's Basilica
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Views of St. Peter's Square
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The numerous statues of apostles, popes and saints on St. Peter's Square |
An awesome couple!
Final Group Picture
We enjoyed a delicious Italian dinner together that evening and the next day we all traveled home.
This was (as I said before) truly a trip of a lifetime - to be able to share all of these historical sights, a Mediterranean cruise and most important - to make so many wonderful memories together!
What a fabulous trip! How awesome that you got to be there with your whole family!
ReplyDeleteHow we've loved "traveling" with your family, seeing the sights and all of them. I'm so glad you got to do this with your family!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I LOVE the picture at the top. What a great shot!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a trip of a lifetime for you and Hal with all of your kids and spouses! It looks like so much fun and you walked on very historic grounds. What a good-looking family you are!
ReplyDelete