Athens, Greece

Today, we embarked on an adventure into the vibrant city of Athens.

Opting out of a ship excursion, we decided to immerse ourselves in the heart of Athens and experience the city on our own terms. Having previously visited the iconic landmarks such as the Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon, we took things a little more leisurely and stayed in the city.

Our first stop was the charming neighborhood of Place, a labyrinth of narrow streets brimming with shops, cafes, and local artisans. We wandered through the busting alleys, browsing the colorful boutiques and admiring the traditional architecture that adorned every corner.

As our appetites grew, we found Scholarchio, a quaint taverna nested amidst the picturesque streets of the Plaka. Here, we indulged in a culinary feast, sampling delicious greek dishes. Unlike many of the other restaurants on the Plaka, Scholarchio is not a tourist trap, it’s a very authentic Greek restaurant and the food was amazing!

After purchasing every type of Tzaiki seasoning we could find (it’s my favorite) we stopped at Brettos. No visit to Athens would be completed without a taste of ouzo, the iconic Greek spirit renowned for its unique black licorice flavor and cultural significance. What better place to try it than Brettos, the oldest distillery in Greece.

Back on the ship, the evening promised a different kind of entertainment, starting with a performance by the very funny Kevin Jordan. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the game show Piazza Pandemonium where passengers completed in a series of hilarious challenges.