Greece, here I come :)

Alright, I have been saying it almost everyday, counting down the days already, but it's true, I will be going to Greece in September. That's 227 days from right now. I am very excited. That was the best incentive for me to quit smoking, that way, I'm adding 100$/month to my vacation fund.

If you know me at least a little bit, you have to know how much I love history, especially anything to do with Greek Mythology. I have always wanted to go to Greece, but it had never seemed possible, prices were just out of reach. Until I found this little company called Contiki. Affordable fantastic trips, specifically meant for 18-35. I found the perfect itinerary for me, couple days in Athens, then embarking on a 7 days cruise around the Greek islands, including Turkey, Israel and Egypt, for a total of 13 days :) It seriously doesn't get any better than that.

I figured I should share my complete and detailed schedule, even tough it is still 8 months away.

The actual planning of the trip is to count the 1st day as your travel day. Well, since flying to Greece is a good 10 hours flight and then you add the time difference of 7 hours, that pretty much makes up a day.  I'll be leaving at 2pm from Toronto Sunday afternoon, should be landing in Athens after 7am, local time (midnight for me).

Day 1: Direct flight from Toronto to Athens ( This is the best time to sleep.)

Day 2: Arrival in Athens (Hotel included)
Gotta get used to the time difference, check-in my hotel and all that fun stuff. The actual tour doesn't start until the evening. I know, sounds funny. I am planning to try and meet up with people in my group, which should be easy if I hang around the Hotel. Then we have a big meet and greet and then an optional evening/dinner with the group. I intend to attend, only 37 euros, why not, great way to meet my new friends.

Day 3:  Athens to Olympia (Hotel, Breakfast, Dinner included)
Guided tour of Athens, The Acropolis, The Parthenon.
Corinth Canal.
In Mycenae, The palace of Agamemnon, guided tour and myths.
Napflion, Acronafplio Citadel (Free time for Lunch)
Olympia is where we will end the day, check into the Hotel, dinner, and then drinks by the pool.

Day 4:  Olympia to Delphi (Hotel, Breakfast, Dinner included)
Guided tour of the Olympic Stadium, Temples of Zeus and Hera.
Lunch stop
Afternoon in Delphi, Dinner at Hotel, then evening out in bars.

Day 5: Delphi to Athens ( Hotel, Breakfast)
Mount Parnassus, story of Troy
Sanctuary of Apollo!!!!
Syntagma Square (Athens) Greek parliament
Night out.

Day 6: Cruise to Istanbul: (Cruise Ship: all included)
All day cruise, all included.

Day 7: Istanbul  (Cruise: all Included)
Here it's tricky. You either buy an optional guided tour (all day long) with Lunch, or you wander off on your own. Err, I'll buy the tour and stick to my group, thank you. (105 euros). Guided tour of the city, then Lunch at the Topkaki palace, former home of the sultans. The Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, you see it all.
There is also an Optional Dinner option, 28 euros, which is a fancy Turkey evening, with dancing and everything. I might go, especially since the other option is to eat on the boat.

Day 8: Cruise to Mykonos (Cruise: all included)
Island of Delos (Birthplace of Artemis and Apollo)
See the famous windmills, visit the town, Free time.
Experience the worldly famous Nightlife and Partying of Mykonos (Paradise Beach)

Day 9: Cruising to Israel: (Cruise: all Included)
All day cruise.
Night out on the ship.

Day 10: Arrive Ashdod for Jerusalem (Cruise: all included)
Jerusalem,  Mount of Olives, Via Dolorosa, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Wailing Wall, guided tour.
Lunch at a Kibbutz, Cruise to Bethlehem.
Visit the Church of the Nativity.
Night out on the ship.

Day 11: Arrive Port Said for Cairo (Cruise: all included)
Guided tour of the Egyptian Museum and Bazaar, Pyramids & Spinx.
Cruise on the Nile with Lunch Buffet
Night out on the ship.

Day 12: Cruise to Crete (cruise: all included)
Morning cruise.
Afternoon off or Optional visit of the Palace of Knossos. 56 euros. Huh Helloooo, can you say Minotaur? I'm so there :) There is also another optional to visit a wine and olives place with traditional dancing (52 euros) but if I have to choose, I'm going to Knossos  hehe
Night out on the ship.

Day 13: Back to Athens ( Last day, Breakfast)
Last city tour, ends at noon.
My plane is around 3pm, so it works perfectly for me, with the time difference and all, I should be back in Toronto around 7pm, local. Nice for a Friday night, then I have all the weekend to get over all my emotions.

So that's it. I intend to keep a detailed blog (travelogue), take lots of pictures and videos and fill my head with souvenirs to last me a lifetime. It makes me dream just to talk about it.

227 days to go :)