It seems like this writing piece is intended for a marketing brochure; it is not. It is difficult not to praise and share the delights such a travel experience can bring.
From the breath-taking feeling of being on top of the Acropolis, marvelling at the Parthenon, and remembering that St. Paul preached to Athenians a few metres below, to strolling through the Plaka, stopping for Fava and Ouzo, before peeking into the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, Athens inspires.
Meteora with its incredible monasteries perched atop monoliths is an incredible sight. The islands of Mykonos and Santorini are as picture perfect as seen in promotional materials. As a matter of fact, your photography skills are irrelevant on Santorini; every photo is idyllic, even taken by an amateur, the scenery is just that beautiful.
A visit to Olympia is a re-affirmation that the spirit of sportsmanship was a brilliant idea to start with. It’s a thrill to run the 212.54 metres track of the Stadium where great athletes ran thousands of years ago.
Strolling through Pompeii is a must even when it is more than 35 degrees Celsius, an open air museum of unfathomable significance.
Enchanting, mystical, and colourful; these are words that describe well the experience of visiting Turkey. The exquisite beauty of the Blue Mosque, the treasures of Topkapi Palace, the history of Hagia Sofia, the friendly smiles in the Grand Bazaar and the Spice market all combine to fascinate and overwhelm the senses.
Istanbul is an amazingly buzzing port and it is such a unique experience to watch a ferry leave the “Europe” side and reach the “Asia” side within minutes. And indeed, Turkish delights are delicious, carpet weaving is outstanding, and the conquests of the Bosporus Strait beckon another visit to discover more.
Ending a cruise with a visit to Salerno, Sorrento, and finally, Rome…what can be better? The immensity spiritual experience of the Vatican, the outstanding wines (and Limoncello), and the fashion displays of shoes, clothing and furniture, so enjoyable.
There is more….but that will be for another time, when we can share a deliciously strong coffee and a long chat, smiling and being grateful for another glorious day of summer.
Written by Nicole Beaulieu, Director of Operations at Eton College
