CaliforniaGirl09
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
We arrived in Athens early this morning after a very long travel day(s) from the West Coast. We left at about 7 pm our time on the 26th, had a red-eye to Frankfurt and then a 6 hour layover--ouch--before a 2.5 hour flight to Athens that arrived at 12:30 am. By time we got to the hotel it was 2 am on the 28th. It felt like we lost the 27th!
Here was our view for 6 hours--you are looking at my makeshift bed
It was actually much more comfortable than the flight. We all snoozed for a while--the place was empty when we arrived.
The good news is that the flights were free on miles for all four of us (me, DH, DS19 and DD16) and both were on time. The SFO to FRA leg was on United and the FRA to ATH leg was on Lufthansa. I really liked the Lufthansa flight--tons of leg room. The United flight? Not so much. I looked longingly at business. [BTW, following up on an earlier thread, Lufthansa has a 17lb limit for the carry-on, but they did not weigh any of our bags.] For those flying through FRA... leave plenty of time for border control. There was a huge line, and it was the only time I was glad I had such a long layover, LOL.
The ABD driver who picked us up (we had one pre-night booked although it was for less than 12 hours at the same hotel so it was included) was very nice and the trip was uneventful. He did point out the old airport where they are housing the refugees now. He said there aren't many coming anymore.
One funny anecdote... I was commenting that "I guess we are in the red light district" when we went past a bunch of sex shows/strip bars, and all of the sudden he turns the car into the hotel! Apparently, they are close, but it's not a bad part of town.
We booked a family room for the pre-night, and I was throughly impressed. Much much nicer than the adjoining twin rooms we are in now with ABD. We would have asked to stay in it if it had two bathrooms. But with 4 people the two bathrooms are huge. Excuse the mess. This was taken in the morning. I was too exhausted when we arrived to remember to take a pic. Check out the sitting room though!
We all took Melatonin to back get on track as quickly as possible as the ABD started the night we arrived, and it seemed to work for the first night at least. We woke up at 10:45 am.
Because of the long flight and early morning arrival, I didn't plan much the first day. I figured we all would be exhausted and didn't want to push it. There was also the heat ... ah, the heat. Expected but still a shock to this Californian's 70 degree system. 90+ and humid is just something you can't prepare for, LOL. Supposed to get hotter as the week goes on. Fun.
Anyway, we did the poet sandal maker (famous sandals) that took us a while to find, and then took a metro ride to the National Archeology Museum. DD16 wants to be an archeologist so it was a must do. Both were very fun.
You need cash for the sandals, which range 40 euros and up--and it's quite an efficient system. They fit you for the sandals, and then trim and put nails in the straps to keep them in place. Probably took 45 minutes overall with tons of Americans in and out. No AC in the shop though. You can google the poet sandal maker and read all about them. I ended up with the John Lennon's and DD ended up with the Cleopatras.
We'd planned to walk but were pretty sapped after the hot shop and decided to take the Metro. It was easy and fast, but we were warned multiple time--including by the ticketing agent--to watch our bags and wallets very closely. Apparently the section we were on was one of the worst for thieves.
Thankfully we arrived at the museum with all our things intact.
Definitely a must do for anyone interested in antiquities. We downloaded the Rick Steves podcast before we went, but ended up listening to only part of it as we didn't have two hours.
By time we got back and switched rooms (they'd put us in smoking rooms initially this morning), we only had a few minutes to get ready for the meet & greet at 6 pm. Our two guides are Mary & Chris, and both seem awesome (as usual with ABD Guides). Ironically Chris is from Oakland, which is very close to our home.
We did the intro in one room and then went into the restaurant for a very nice buffet meal. The group is about 35 with lots of older teens and young adults--wonderful for my kids. I counted only three younger kids (below 13 or so). Very happy about the group size, which is pretty ideal--especially after our disappointing 49 lsat summer. Should have mentioned this is our 5th ABD. We've done Ireland, Scotland, Backstage Magic, & the Baltic Add-on. We are signed up for #6 (China) next summer.
Well, I'm sure I forgot something--totally brain dead--but I need to go to sleep. Early wake up call tomorrow.
Here was our view for 6 hours--you are looking at my makeshift bed
It was actually much more comfortable than the flight. We all snoozed for a while--the place was empty when we arrived. The good news is that the flights were free on miles for all four of us (me, DH, DS19 and DD16) and both were on time. The SFO to FRA leg was on United and the FRA to ATH leg was on Lufthansa. I really liked the Lufthansa flight--tons of leg room. The United flight? Not so much. I looked longingly at business. [BTW, following up on an earlier thread, Lufthansa has a 17lb limit for the carry-on, but they did not weigh any of our bags.] For those flying through FRA... leave plenty of time for border control. There was a huge line, and it was the only time I was glad I had such a long layover, LOL.
The ABD driver who picked us up (we had one pre-night booked although it was for less than 12 hours at the same hotel so it was included) was very nice and the trip was uneventful. He did point out the old airport where they are housing the refugees now. He said there aren't many coming anymore.
One funny anecdote... I was commenting that "I guess we are in the red light district" when we went past a bunch of sex shows/strip bars, and all of the sudden he turns the car into the hotel! Apparently, they are close, but it's not a bad part of town.
We booked a family room for the pre-night, and I was throughly impressed. Much much nicer than the adjoining twin rooms we are in now with ABD. We would have asked to stay in it if it had two bathrooms. But with 4 people the two bathrooms are huge. Excuse the mess. This was taken in the morning. I was too exhausted when we arrived to remember to take a pic. Check out the sitting room though!
We all took Melatonin to back get on track as quickly as possible as the ABD started the night we arrived, and it seemed to work for the first night at least. We woke up at 10:45 am.
Because of the long flight and early morning arrival, I didn't plan much the first day. I figured we all would be exhausted and didn't want to push it. There was also the heat ... ah, the heat. Expected but still a shock to this Californian's 70 degree system. 90+ and humid is just something you can't prepare for, LOL. Supposed to get hotter as the week goes on. Fun.
Anyway, we did the poet sandal maker (famous sandals) that took us a while to find, and then took a metro ride to the National Archeology Museum. DD16 wants to be an archeologist so it was a must do. Both were very fun.
You need cash for the sandals, which range 40 euros and up--and it's quite an efficient system. They fit you for the sandals, and then trim and put nails in the straps to keep them in place. Probably took 45 minutes overall with tons of Americans in and out. No AC in the shop though. You can google the poet sandal maker and read all about them. I ended up with the John Lennon's and DD ended up with the Cleopatras.
We'd planned to walk but were pretty sapped after the hot shop and decided to take the Metro. It was easy and fast, but we were warned multiple time--including by the ticketing agent--to watch our bags and wallets very closely. Apparently the section we were on was one of the worst for thieves.
Thankfully we arrived at the museum with all our things intact.
Definitely a must do for anyone interested in antiquities. We downloaded the Rick Steves podcast before we went, but ended up listening to only part of it as we didn't have two hours.
By time we got back and switched rooms (they'd put us in smoking rooms initially this morning), we only had a few minutes to get ready for the meet & greet at 6 pm. Our two guides are Mary & Chris, and both seem awesome (as usual with ABD Guides). Ironically Chris is from Oakland, which is very close to our home.
We did the intro in one room and then went into the restaurant for a very nice buffet meal. The group is about 35 with lots of older teens and young adults--wonderful for my kids. I counted only three younger kids (below 13 or so). Very happy about the group size, which is pretty ideal--especially after our disappointing 49 lsat summer. Should have mentioned this is our 5th ABD. We've done Ireland, Scotland, Backstage Magic, & the Baltic Add-on. We are signed up for #6 (China) next summer.
Well, I'm sure I forgot something--totally brain dead--but I need to go to sleep. Early wake up call tomorrow.
