Zurich & Athens

Dec 26, 2012-Jan 2, 2013
AC878 YYZ-ZRH, Dec 28 LX1830 ZRH-ATH, Jan 2 LH1285 ATH-FRA, LH470 ATH-FRA

For our annual New Year's trip we decided to head to Greece.  After a great trip to Turkey earlier in the year, Greece was a natural European destination.  Because of the flight schedule we actually started with a day in Zurich before continuing on to Athens.  Zurich in the Christmas season was a nice transition to the warmer weather of Greece.  Although Christmas was over, there were still some Christmas markets set up.  After we arrived in Athens, we quickly forgot about Christmas and delved into ancient Greece.  In addition to Athens, the ancient cities of Delphi and Olympia were also major highlights of the trip.  We were also a little surprised to find ourselves in ski country on our way to Olympia.  Luckily, the roads weren't too bad and it was an interesting contrast to the historical sites.  We had a quiet New Year's Eve before heading back to Athens for our last day and flight home to Toronto.

Dec 26-27
Overnight flight to Zurich and day to explore the city

Looking across the Limmat River at the Grossmunster church and the old city

The pigeons looking out on Lake Zurich

Some of the Christmas stalls still open after the holiday

Dec 28
Morning flight to Athens and afternoon in the city

We started our tour of the old city at the Greek Parliament

The main commercial street (Ermou) leading to the Church of Panaghia

Adrianou Street in Athens

Temple of Adrian Zeus (6th Century BC)

Looking to Lykavittos hill from winding streets of Anafiotika beneath the Acropolis

The Roman Forum with the domed Tower of the Winds

Coffee cart as sunsets at Agora Square; our walking tour ends and head to hotel for dinner

Dec 29
Last full day in Athens starting at the Acropolis

Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre at the entrance to Acropolis

Acropolis guards start their morning rounds

Our first view of the incredible Parthenon (438 BC)

The front view of the Parthenon

Looking out at the city belowof the Acropolis as the rain clouds loom

We move on to the Ancient Agora and the walkway of the Stoa of Attalos marketplace

The well restored Temple of Hephaistos (450BC) in Ancient Agora

Looking up to the Acropolis hill and the Parthenon

Model of ancient Acropolis in the museum provides a good overview at the end of the day

Dec 30
After a somewhat rainy and snowy drive to Delphi we tour the Sanctuary of Apollo

The Temple of Apollo (330 BC)

Looking down at the Sanctuary of Athena (330 BC)

The Tholos (round structure) in Athena from within the ruins

Looking at the valley from the tarraced town of Delphi before dinner at the end of the day

Dec 31
Day trip to Olympia from Delphi

Looking across the gulf of Corinth to the Peloponnese on our drive to Olympia

Gymnasium in Olympia

Temple of Zeus ruins

The Krypi (200 BC) 100 ft tunnel leading to the ancient stadium

Olympic Stadium filled with 45,000 spectators and games in ancient times

The Philippeion close to where the olympic flame is ignited before each Olympic game

Ancient ruins outside of the Olympia sites

One of the many statues in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia

Bridge over the gulf of Corinth to Patra

Coastal village on our way back to Delphi

Jan 1
After a relatively calm New Year’s eve in small town of Delphi, travel back to Athens

Mountains outside sky town of Archova en route to Athens

Back in Athens from Lykavittos hill looking past the Acropolis to the Mediterranean

Jan 2
Very early morning flight to Toronto via Frankfurt