Cate's Diary
- Thread starter Cate
- Start date
Jenniquest
New member
Oh my goodness, your trip sounds like a dream. I can't wait to read all about it and hopefully some pics too! 
Cate
Long term member
Oh my goodness, your trip sounds like a dream. I can't wait to read all about it and hopefully some pics too!
& you, my WLF friends are sweet! I'm very excited about it. I'll have to start trying to learn some basic Greek now. I think it's only polite to try. I am reasonable with Italian & French but trying to pronounce some of the Greek names I realize I stumble with them. I will try. I dislike the arrogance of assuming everyone should speak English.
I have to get moving this morning as golf starts earlier with daylight savings.
Will be back later xoxo
Petal001
New member
The only thing I like about the change in the clocks this time of year is the thought that I get an extra hour in bed for one night . But of course that's all in my head as I don't sleep an extra hour . We are in reality dreading the dark evenings . I feel it has come on us very quickly this year .
Cate will you be visiting Crete ?
Cate will you be visiting Crete ?
Cate
Long term member
I absolutely love Daylight Savings ( & Spring & Summer). I love that it's 7.30 pm & light outside still & it's only the 2nd week in October. Love it!
We will be visiting Crete, Petal. Day 19 will be my birthday & we will be on Santorini
Our itinerary-
Abbreviation: [B,L,D] Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 1. DEPART AUSTRALIA
DAY 2. ARRIVE THESSALONIKI
Welcome to Greece and the port city of Thessaloniki in the country’s north! Meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director this evening for a welcome drink.
DAY 3. THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki is the perfect base from which to explore Greece’s Macedonia prefecture, and today we discover some of the picturesque local towns. We’ll visit Edessa and its waterfalls, and Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. This evening we’ll discover the beautiful waterfront district of Ladadika on foot before a group welcome dinner. [B,D]
DAY 4. THESSALONIKI - VOLOS
We begin the day in Thessaloniki’s upper districts to see the Theodosian walls and enjoy panoramic views over the city. We’ll then make our way towards Volos, stopping to tour the Royal Tombs in Vergina and the unique restored mountain village of Palaios Panteleimonas.
DAY 5. VOLOS
This morning we board the Mt Pelion steam train for a scenic journey up the slopes to the village of Milies. We’ll also explore the local villages of Portaria and Makrinitsa. [B,D]
Special Experience: We’ll try the famous Greek “tsipouro” at a traditional tsipouradika tavern this evening.
DAY 6. METEORA EXCURSION
Today we discover the amazing clifftop monasteries of Meteora. Monks have lived atop these ‘columns of the sky’ since the 11th century. The tallest of these incredible rock formations reaches 400 metres high.
DAY 7. VOLOS - NAFPAKTOS
This morning we visit Delphi, considered by the ancient Greeks to be the centre of the world. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological ruins including the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of Athenians and visit the museum, home to the famous 'bronze charioteer'. We'll then take a short caique ride to the beautiful islet of Trizonia for lunch at a local fish tavern and continue to the scenic town of Nafpaktos in the Gulf of Corinth this afternoon. [B,L]
DAY 8. NAFPAKTOS - NAFPLIO
Today we visit the home of the Olympic Games, Olympia. We’ll explore ancient sites including the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, and Phidias’ Workshop, and tour the museum. In the afternoon we cross the Peloponnese peninsula and make our way to the charming seaside town of Nafplio.
DAY 9. NAFPLIO
Admire the best-preserved theatre of Ancient Greece, the Sanctuary of Asklepio, in Epidaurus this morning. We’ll then return to Nafplio and explore the Castle of Palamidi, a fortress perched high on a cliff offering stunning views.
DAY 10. NAFPLIO - ATHENS
Mycenae is one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites and the birthplace of the culture that dominated during the late Bronze Age. We visit the site this morning, along with ancient Corinth, one of the major cities of antiquity.
DAY 11. ATHENS
After breakfast we discover the diversity of Athens on a city tour. Highlights include the ancient Acropolis and the magnificent Parthenon. We’ll also explore the Plaka district to get a taste of the local atmosphere. Tonight we’ll wander through the Thisio and Monastiraki districts on the way to dinner at a local restaurant. [B,D]
DAY 12. ATHENS
Enjoy the day at leisure to explore at your own pace.
DAY 13. ATHENS
Special Experience: Spend an incredible day cruising the Saronic Gulf and exploring the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. [B,L]
DAY 14. ATHENS - OVERNIGHT FERRY
This morning is at leisure before our afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. The incredible structure perches high on the edge of a cliff that plunges 65m to the sea. On a clear day, the area also affords views to the islands of Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, Aegina and the Peloponnese. Tonight we board an overnight ferry to the island of Crete.
DAY 15. CHANIA
Today we discover the delightful city and surrounds of Chania, Crete’s capital, including the Venetian Harbour, a short walk through the local market and a visit to Souda Bay and the WWII Commonwealth Cemetery.
Special Experience: Discover the 4,000-year-old tradition of winemaking on the island of Crete at a tasting.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure before we explore the Old Town port on foot this evening.
DAY 16. CHANIA
Enjoy a day at leisure to relax in the sun. The Venetian Harbour is host to a wealth of waterfront restaurants and an old port - it’s the perfect place to begin exploring.
DAY 17. CHANIA - HERAKLION
After breakfast, we depart for Heraklion, Crete’s largest city. Along the way, we’ll stop at Moni Preveli Monastery on the island’s south coast to visit the Australian Memorial, which commemorates the WWII heroic battle of Crete, fought in May 1941. The views of the sea here are stunning!
DAY 18. HERAKLION
This morning we visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, considered to be Europe’s oldest city (dating from the Bronze Age), and the largest archaeological site on the island. In the afternoon, we’ll take a walking tour of Heraklion’s old town.
DAY 19. HERAKLION - SANTORINI
Board the high-speed ferry to the island of Santorini this morning. After checking in, we’ll take a short tour to the villages of Megalochori and Pyrgos, and travel up to the monastery at the island’s highest point to enjoy the amazing vistas.
DAY 20. SANTORINI
The day is at leisure for you to enjoy beautiful Santorini at your own pace.
DAY 21. SANTORINI
The morning is at leisure before our afternoon visit to the site of Akrotiri. Covered in ashes during the Great Eruption, the city has been unearthed almost completely intact. We’ll also visit some of the island’s black sand beaches. [B,D]
Special Experience: This evening we’ll explore Oia, Santorini’s most famous and picturesque village, and witness an incredible sunset over the Aegean, before a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 22. DEPART SANTORINI
Today we bid farewell to Greece and begin our journey home.
DAY 23. ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
We will be visiting Crete, Petal. Day 19 will be my birthday & we will be on Santorini
Our itinerary-
Abbreviation: [B,L,D] Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 1. DEPART AUSTRALIA
DAY 2. ARRIVE THESSALONIKI
Welcome to Greece and the port city of Thessaloniki in the country’s north! Meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director this evening for a welcome drink.
DAY 3. THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki is the perfect base from which to explore Greece’s Macedonia prefecture, and today we discover some of the picturesque local towns. We’ll visit Edessa and its waterfalls, and Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. This evening we’ll discover the beautiful waterfront district of Ladadika on foot before a group welcome dinner. [B,D]
DAY 4. THESSALONIKI - VOLOS
We begin the day in Thessaloniki’s upper districts to see the Theodosian walls and enjoy panoramic views over the city. We’ll then make our way towards Volos, stopping to tour the Royal Tombs in Vergina and the unique restored mountain village of Palaios Panteleimonas.
DAY 5. VOLOS
This morning we board the Mt Pelion steam train for a scenic journey up the slopes to the village of Milies. We’ll also explore the local villages of Portaria and Makrinitsa. [B,D]
Special Experience: We’ll try the famous Greek “tsipouro” at a traditional tsipouradika tavern this evening.
DAY 6. METEORA EXCURSION
Today we discover the amazing clifftop monasteries of Meteora. Monks have lived atop these ‘columns of the sky’ since the 11th century. The tallest of these incredible rock formations reaches 400 metres high.
DAY 7. VOLOS - NAFPAKTOS
This morning we visit Delphi, considered by the ancient Greeks to be the centre of the world. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological ruins including the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of Athenians and visit the museum, home to the famous 'bronze charioteer'. We'll then take a short caique ride to the beautiful islet of Trizonia for lunch at a local fish tavern and continue to the scenic town of Nafpaktos in the Gulf of Corinth this afternoon. [B,L]
DAY 8. NAFPAKTOS - NAFPLIO
Today we visit the home of the Olympic Games, Olympia. We’ll explore ancient sites including the Temple of Zeus, the Palaestra, and Phidias’ Workshop, and tour the museum. In the afternoon we cross the Peloponnese peninsula and make our way to the charming seaside town of Nafplio.
DAY 9. NAFPLIO
Admire the best-preserved theatre of Ancient Greece, the Sanctuary of Asklepio, in Epidaurus this morning. We’ll then return to Nafplio and explore the Castle of Palamidi, a fortress perched high on a cliff offering stunning views.
DAY 10. NAFPLIO - ATHENS
Mycenae is one of Greece’s most important archaeological sites and the birthplace of the culture that dominated during the late Bronze Age. We visit the site this morning, along with ancient Corinth, one of the major cities of antiquity.
DAY 11. ATHENS
After breakfast we discover the diversity of Athens on a city tour. Highlights include the ancient Acropolis and the magnificent Parthenon. We’ll also explore the Plaka district to get a taste of the local atmosphere. Tonight we’ll wander through the Thisio and Monastiraki districts on the way to dinner at a local restaurant. [B,D]
DAY 12. ATHENS
Enjoy the day at leisure to explore at your own pace.
DAY 13. ATHENS
Special Experience: Spend an incredible day cruising the Saronic Gulf and exploring the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra. [B,L]
DAY 14. ATHENS - OVERNIGHT FERRY
This morning is at leisure before our afternoon visit to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. The incredible structure perches high on the edge of a cliff that plunges 65m to the sea. On a clear day, the area also affords views to the islands of Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, Aegina and the Peloponnese. Tonight we board an overnight ferry to the island of Crete.
DAY 15. CHANIA
Today we discover the delightful city and surrounds of Chania, Crete’s capital, including the Venetian Harbour, a short walk through the local market and a visit to Souda Bay and the WWII Commonwealth Cemetery.
Special Experience: Discover the 4,000-year-old tradition of winemaking on the island of Crete at a tasting.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure before we explore the Old Town port on foot this evening.
DAY 16. CHANIA
Enjoy a day at leisure to relax in the sun. The Venetian Harbour is host to a wealth of waterfront restaurants and an old port - it’s the perfect place to begin exploring.
DAY 17. CHANIA - HERAKLION
After breakfast, we depart for Heraklion, Crete’s largest city. Along the way, we’ll stop at Moni Preveli Monastery on the island’s south coast to visit the Australian Memorial, which commemorates the WWII heroic battle of Crete, fought in May 1941. The views of the sea here are stunning!
DAY 18. HERAKLION
This morning we visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, considered to be Europe’s oldest city (dating from the Bronze Age), and the largest archaeological site on the island. In the afternoon, we’ll take a walking tour of Heraklion’s old town.
DAY 19. HERAKLION - SANTORINI
Board the high-speed ferry to the island of Santorini this morning. After checking in, we’ll take a short tour to the villages of Megalochori and Pyrgos, and travel up to the monastery at the island’s highest point to enjoy the amazing vistas.
DAY 20. SANTORINI
The day is at leisure for you to enjoy beautiful Santorini at your own pace.
DAY 21. SANTORINI
The morning is at leisure before our afternoon visit to the site of Akrotiri. Covered in ashes during the Great Eruption, the city has been unearthed almost completely intact. We’ll also visit some of the island’s black sand beaches. [B,D]
Special Experience: This evening we’ll explore Oia, Santorini’s most famous and picturesque village, and witness an incredible sunset over the Aegean, before a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 22. DEPART SANTORINI
Today we bid farewell to Greece and begin our journey home.
DAY 23. ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Petal001
New member
Wow oh wow that sounds absolutely fantastic. You certainly will not be bored or idle . I would love to do something like this in the future as I feel there is so much to see .
Regarding daylight saving we will be dark by 6 pm by month end and getting shorter every day from then .
Regarding daylight saving we will be dark by 6 pm by month end and getting shorter every day from then .
Cate
Long term member
I know!
Jenniquest
New member
Ooooh this is a cruise? How wonderful! I'm super excited for you, cate!
Cate
Long term member
Thanks, LaMa, Em, Jen & Marsia. It's a guided tour, not a cruise. I don't think we'll ever do a cruise. I promise I'll post some pics when we get back. I'll put some on imgur & share them that way maybe. It looks wonderful! I'm glad we made a decision & I also don't have to book anything myself. It was becoming too daunting.
I didn't say anything last night, but we had a special meeting after women's golf yesterday & it was feisty- really feisty. Almost all of the women came up to me afterwards & told me what a great job I did & that it was probably the hardest meeting I would ever have to chair. I was seriously considering moving to another club before this meeting, but have reconsidered. I mean, they really made a point of coming up to me individually afterwards & making sure I knew that I had done a great job.
It would bore you silly to know the details, but one outcome I think will be that we may just have seen the last of B (LaMa knows who I mean) & she is the biggest problem out there. It was incredibly heated & she got really personal (not directed at me) & threw in her new position as Treasurer, without any explanation. I was thanked afterwards for asking her if she was sure, but not begging her to reconsider. Talk about baptism by fire. I can't imagine a meeting being like that again. She had insisted on the meeting (to amend bylaws), refused to contribute anything towards them, rung me up at the weekend to tell me how to run the meeting (take charge) & then threw a hissy fit.
I am so glad that is done & dusted. I feel the women will be more united & I will be more included from now on. I know the secretary, who has never been very friendly towards me, will be better from now on. We managed to communicate really well after the meeting. We actually had to have a general meeting after the special meeting & got quite a few things sorted. Phew! I didn't think I would learn to do this, but I think I will gain confidence as I go.
Having a day at home with G today. We may do some gardening.
I didn't say anything last night, but we had a special meeting after women's golf yesterday & it was feisty- really feisty. Almost all of the women came up to me afterwards & told me what a great job I did & that it was probably the hardest meeting I would ever have to chair. I was seriously considering moving to another club before this meeting, but have reconsidered. I mean, they really made a point of coming up to me individually afterwards & making sure I knew that I had done a great job.
It would bore you silly to know the details, but one outcome I think will be that we may just have seen the last of B (LaMa knows who I mean) & she is the biggest problem out there. It was incredibly heated & she got really personal (not directed at me) & threw in her new position as Treasurer, without any explanation. I was thanked afterwards for asking her if she was sure, but not begging her to reconsider. Talk about baptism by fire. I can't imagine a meeting being like that again. She had insisted on the meeting (to amend bylaws), refused to contribute anything towards them, rung me up at the weekend to tell me how to run the meeting (take charge) & then threw a hissy fit.
I am so glad that is done & dusted. I feel the women will be more united & I will be more included from now on. I know the secretary, who has never been very friendly towards me, will be better from now on. We managed to communicate really well after the meeting. We actually had to have a general meeting after the special meeting & got quite a few things sorted. Phew! I didn't think I would learn to do this, but I think I will gain confidence as I go.
Having a day at home with G today. We may do some gardening.