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Family vacations are a time to create memories and focus on your family time. After our time of quarantines and mandates, it is time to plan something fabulous for your family. A time of reflection, relaxation and adventure! Where is everyone going? What can we do that we haven’t already done? Oh, I’ve got you! London Are you wanting to venture to Europe and see some of the world outside of the U.S? London is the perfect place to start! I mean, they speak English after all! History buffs? Literature lover? Art novice? A week in London will give you delectable meals, London Tower with a tour with the nightwatchman! Spend an evening in the West End, taking in a show. Head up the Thames to Westminster Castle and tour the Queens oldest residence. If Harry Potter is on your mind, we can schedule visits to Oxford’s library and other sites used in the films around London.  Hawaii The top honeymoon destination is also a top family destination. There is no place like Hawaii. It truly is an amazing tropical spot in the Pacific. Each island has its own flavor so what you want to do is important in deciding where you want to stay. You can island hop quite affordably and easily, so don’t feel constrained to one choice! The top two are Oahu and Maui for families. Oahu offers so many great activities with a must visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Shaved ice, hanging ten and the amount of insta worthy photos, you’ll be hooked on Hawaii!  Cancun, Mexico Cancun offers that tropical paradise they’ve dreamed of! Cancun is a great option because it is top in service and choices among the all inclusive resort community. So many choices!! That means competitive pricing and excellent service. We make recommendations based on what activities for the whole family, non-motorized water sports are included, food, entertainment on property and beverages. We can plan an off property excursion too, like seeing the Mayan ruins or 4x4 trail riding. I hate to say it again, but there are so many options! When you don’t have to pull out your wallet every second of the day, you get to truly relax and rejuvenate!  Ocean Cruise So many amazing options with an ocean cruise. I’m talking about 7 nights, not a short getaway, but a true vacation. A different beach everyday if you’d like! Your options are almost endless when it comes to cruising. You can do the Caribbean, North East, Alaska, West Coast, Hawaiian, Northern European, Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, Russia, Africa. The choices are abundant. There are great itineraries, great ships and some deals to be had. You do have to be vaccinated and test for Covid, but once you are past the mandates you reap some sweet rewards! You can spend all day together cruising the ocean, dine in fine dining and enjoy a Broadway caliber show. We could pick a different destination every year to broaden your children’s horizons!  River Cruise That’s right! Children can climb aboard a river cruise and enjoy the great rivers of Europe, Asia, Galapagos, and more. I promise you will not be bored on a cruise down the Rhine. Every day a new village. Every day a new town to explore. You can choose to bike through centuries old villages or head to the world’s largest indoor Adventure Zone! Rock climbing walls, ultimate thrills and skills. Germany is a great place to start, but France and the Seine offer amazing vistas and food. Choices, I’m giving you choices!  Alaska By sea or by land, Alaska is America’s playground. The last great frontier with temperatures you can handle in the summer. Kayak up to a glacier. Hike through bear country (safely!) and enjoy nature's bounty. You’ll see moose, elk, bears and oh the fish!! If taking it easier on your vacation is more your speed a voyage on a world class ship might be in order. But hurry! This epic destination has been closed for a long time and it will be hot in 2022! Dates are selling out. Not just on ships but on land as well. Only so many people can fit!  You see, there are endless opportunities for you and your family to adventure and grow together. It is time to break out of the same ole same ole. I would love to help you create memories that will last a lifetime with your kids while they are young. “You ought to give him a taste of freedom, while he still thinks it's yours to give.” MackeyMouse Travel is a family travel expert travel agency. Knowing the resorts, the time of year and so many other things that make your vacation perfect! Contact us today to get your 2023 vacation planning started! mia@mackeymousetravel.com
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Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.There is something surreal and magical after reading The Diary of Anne Frank to climb the steps behind that bookshelf that hid her and her family & friends for over 2 years. To experience the space they called home is beyond words. Where they celebrated birthdays, holy days, anniversaries and grieved for their deceased family and friends. She describes being able to see out of a window on the roof. She could hear the bells of the churches, the bustle of the foot traffic of people going about their days. And the sound of the war that was ravaging their lives. Walking through those rooms reading her words will absolutely make an impression on you forever. I was 16 years old the first time I visited, 17 the second. I was struck by the personal effects in the rooms, under glass to protect them, of Anne and her sister. Posters of movie stars her dad had brought before they arrived, in the hopes of making it feel like home. I was their age, I couldn’t imagine living so confined with the fear of the unknown except for stories and news they were being told. How can someone of such a young age do that? My most recent visit was as a mother of teenagers. This time I saw the hiding place from the perspective of Edith and Otto Frank. Their fears they would be caught. Their realization that their daughter’s lives would not be the same. Their despair as they sat in silence during the day and created a life in the darkness of the night. Both perspectives have stayed with me and shown me that the citizens of the world are a lot like us but their experiences, trials and tribulations may be vastly different. Giving this insight to our children will make the world safer, better. Travel gives you that. If you'd like to see interior pictures, click here to visit the Anne Frank House museum website.  Mia Mackey, MackeyMouse Travel I am a travel professional helping families take meaningful, core memory adventures. I have been traveling since I was born and visited Walt Disney World the year it opened! I've visited over 14 countries and can't wait to expand my number next year. I love to talk travel, write about experiences and show families how they can see the world! It’s not as scary as it seems. We flew with one at 3 months old and one at 6 months old for their first flights. One of those flights was even international! Go prepared and have zero expectations for behavior and you will be just fine! 5 Things to Do:
5 Things Not to Do:
Travel is great with a baby. I recommend getting your little one out as often as you can. Taking them to museums, restaurants, buses, subways and out in general will help acclimate them to new environments. The more you acclimate them the better your flights will be!
Always use a travel advisor to book and help you plan your vacations! With connections in destinations, knowledge of current requirements for entry into countries and a passion for helping families make incredible memories, MackeyMouse Travel is the agency to use! Senior Trip! Do you have a senior? Do you remember your senior trip? We currently have seniors booked for Cancun and Disney World. Where would your child and their friends like to go? What about you going just to be on the ground where they are but give them freedom to be adults! I am the person to see for that. Walt Disney World - It’s not just for kids!!! Yes, 18 and 19 year olds can have fun at Disney and create lifelong memories with the kids they grew up with. Nothing says I’m ready for the world like a coordinated instagram shot with all your bestie wearing matching shirts and ears!  Universal Orlando - Much like a trip to Disney World, focusing your trip on Universal is a great way to ring in the new chapter of a young life! You have two world class theme parks and one amazing water park. I’d spend 2 days at the water park and I’m not always a fan of swimming and sun! Universal gives you thrill rides galore and some childhood favorites right along with that. Still want that amazing IG shot? No problem, you can done Hogwarts robes and wands! And who doesn’t want a pair of Harry Potter glasses?  Cancun, Mexico - Cancun offers that tropical paradise they’ve dreamed of! Cancun is a great option because it is top in service and choices among the all inclusive resort community. So many choices!! That means competitive pricing and excellent service. We make recommendations based on what activities the seniors want, non-motorized water sports are included, food, entertainment on property and beverages. We can plan an off property excursion too, like seeing the Mayan ruins or 4x4 trail riding. I hate to say it again, but so many options!  New York City - Broadway fans unite! Broadway is open, so taking a group of theater seniors to NYC is back on the table. We could set up tours that include the Today Show, backstage at Broadway theater and take in a show. Your options are only limited by your imagination. Shopping! There is shopping and world class dining! Yes, we can do that too. Paris and France - What would be better than taking your next profile picture with the Eiffel Tower in the background? Nothing, nothing would be better!! Paris offers food, museums, river dinner cruise on the Seine, cafe dining, Opera and world renowned shows. We can include a day at Disneyland Paris and a homage to Normandy Beach. You must take a train ride through the Loire Valley at least once in your life. France is not just for couples and romance!  Greek Island Cruise - We just did this with our senior! WOW!! If you don’t have Greece on your bucket list, write it in right now! We have a wonderful relationship with a Greek cruise line that visits 6 - 7 islands in a 7 night cruise. This is unheard of with the big brands. You might have 4 stops with a day on board. Not this line! The destination is the charm and reason you are there, not the ship. We can add 2-4 days in Athens pre or post to give you a chance to dive into the culture in depth and see more UNESCO - listed archeological gems in 10 days than you’d ever see anywhere else in the world. And, we make it easy and affordable!  Let me help you plan with a group of your child’s friends without the hassle of keeping up with who has booked, linking them to your trip and keeping up with due dates. I keep up with the “back office” part of travel and you just plan your wardrobe and photo ops! I gladly take on the strain of planning and hand you an itinerary to relax and explore!
We may say in passing, “that is on my bucket list”. But have you ever made an actual list of your bucket list items? It’s like your goals, if you don’t write them down, you’ll never hit them (or get there for the bucket list items!) I thought I’d share a couple of mine and why they are on my list. I’d love to hear from you about your bucket list items. Leave a comment with all of them or just a few!
 photo from "Belmond"
Take a few minutes and make your list. It’s fun and enlightening to see where you want to go and experience. Be sure to include your significant other and children in this list because traveling with the ones you love is priceless! Always use a travel advisor to book and help you plan your vacations! With connections in destinations, knowledge of current requirements for entry into countries and a passion for helping families make incredible memories, MackeyMouse Travel is the agency to use!
Caribbean Cruise - This is a great option for large families. Cruise lines have gotten very good at offering staterooms that can accommodate 5 guests. You can even have a balcony room with an interior directly across, giving you more room with less cost! A 7 night Caribbean Cruise gives you entertainment, activities on board, with ships that have roller coasters, bumper cars, rock climbing walls and plenty of water slides. Shorter cruises don’t offer as much so let’s plan for a long and fun adventure filled week.  Spring is coming! I know I know, it’s not even Halloween yet! But, in the world of travel, spring is just around the corner!! Let’s talk about some of the HOT destinations for 2023 for families Walt Disney World - With the 50th Anniversary coming to a close soon, we know that Disney is going to be a special place to visit this upcoming year. All year, they will have extra magic sprinkled everywhere to enhance your Disney World visit. Cinderella Castle be host to the fan favorite “Happily Ever After” fireworks and show once again sometime in 2023! You can head over to Epcot where the World Showcase is ready to party too. Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride is highly popular but now with the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the park is buzzing! Hollywood Studios of course offers Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Tron is expected to open 2023. This is going to be the most amazing ride on Disney property and will sell out park reservations for months! So many new and exciting attractions and food, 2023 is the year you need to plan a visit to Orlando.  Universal Orlando - Universal is strong for 2023! But I’m going to remind you that UO is more than just thrill rides. Universal has been working on becoming a vacation destination all its own. This is the time, the spring, to visit this remarkable destination in Florida. You have deluxe resorts that include front of the line tickets. Resorts that have some of the most luxurious pools and lounging areas in the U.S. Great dining in the parks, at City Walk and the resorts. Volcano Bay is a must! I say this all the time, I don’t like water parks, but Volcano Bay is a water park you must try. So many great features, attractions and extras. If you “do” Universal and don’t go to Volcano Bay, you are missing the boat!  Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - Punta Cana offers that tropical paradise they’ve dreamed of! Punta Cana is growing and offering some of the best choices among the all inclusive resort community. An All inclusive vacation offers non-motorized water sports, food, entertainment on property and beverages, all in one complete package. Bavaro Beach is probably the most beautiful in the world! I love the palm trees that are plentiful. When you don’t have to pull out your wallet every second of the day, you get to truly relax and rejuvenate! Leave that sand wagon full of paraphernalia and go on a truly amazing vacation in 2023!   London - A week-long spring break in London would be perfect! The weather would be wonderful with flowers and trees in bloom. London is open and offers many cultural museums, castles, history, and royalty. It is not difficult to venture out of London to see some of the countryside. In 7 days you can see everything you want to see in London and have a couple of day trips out of the city. Stonehenge, Bath, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and so much more. London is a great destination to start sharing the world with your family!  Spring is the perfect time to travel, but we need to start planning it now. With Covid restrictions being lifted everyone is ready to go somewhere! Some places will require more time to plan and some will actually sell out. So, getting yours booked now is more important than ever before!
Always use a travel advisor to book and help you plan your vacations! With connections in destinations, knowledge of current requirements for entry into countries and a passion for helping families make incredible memories, MackeyMouse Travel is the agency to use! One of my favorite things about Europe is the cathedrals!Oh, the cathedrals in Europe are AMAZING!!! Not just the cathedrals, but modest churches built centuries ago are just as ornate. I've been to Cologne Cathedral twice! Once by boat, sailing into Cologne over night was a magical sight!! The cathedral is lit up and absolutely majestic! The first time was by train. We came out of the train station and looked up and up and up! The cathedral was enormous and breathtaking! I recommend either form of travel to see this beautiful masterpiece. You can also see a piece of the Roman Road right next to it! Strasbourg is somehow on my families radar! Every trip I make to Europe includes Strasbourg. This sometimes in history German city and sometimes French city is easily one of my favorites! The cathedral is just a few steps from the river and I can't miss either of these during our visit here. The third picture is another church in Strasbourg where I got to experience a private organ concert. I had no idea this was a thing, but I will always look for something like it when I am in Europe next time! This was the most amazing evening spent on my river cruise with my friends at Adventures by Disney. I cannot wait to take my family and share this little gem with them!! Mia MackeyI love to travel, no doubt about it. But I most enjoy learning and experiencing things I've never seen before. It's also a thrill to take people with me who have never been! Their energy is contagious and I see so many things I missed before. I'm a travel planner and owner of MackeyMouse Travel. I would be honored to help you plan your next family adventure, couples getaway or bucket list trip! I have been in this industry professionally for over 10 years now. It amazes me that so many people do not know the value we can offer as travel agents. I hear so many times, I saw it so I booked it. I thought today would be a great day to share some of the value I offer to my clients. First, clients are more to me at MackeyMouse Travel than just people who booked their vacation with me. Through the process of working on a trip, often times we become friends. When living life, raising children, working, sports, dance, band, anniversaries, birthdays, it spills over into conversations I have with clients. I think that makes us much more understanding and willing to help someone (clients) who might need something quick or have a somewhat hard issue. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at some of the things travel agents can do versus you booking directly online. Experience
Relationships
Knowledge
AdvocacyWhen you travel to another country, you are at the mercy of your host country. If something goes wrong you are on your own. Whether that something is medical or “trouble” you have to navigate the embassy and try to get yourself or loved ones home while in the middle of a stressful situation. I’m in my home office moving and changing to get you on your way as quickly as possible. If you are landing in Paris at 2am and have a connection at 5am, but your flight is delayed because of a detour or delay in take off, I work to get your connection changed, transfers updated, hotel notified you will be late, reschedule any tours you may have had upon landing, so that you don’t have to stress about a thing! Online agency's do not do that! Speed Because I have a network of agents and suppliers I can be in contact with someone before you can google the question! I have quoted my specialties so many times I can do it blindfolded (or while driving telling my husband how to navigate a website!) and get you booked sitting at a pool bar! Most people take hours navigating and checking to make sure they aren’t doing something wrong. I know what is needed and get it done. You are on vacation to enjoy your family! Why should you spend your time in destination worrying over changes, questions, delays, bumps in the road? I am here to make sure you have what you need to have the time of your life! I understand the costs involved in delays and what it does to the overall experience of your trip. Using a travel agent doesn’t take away from the fun of planning your trip. If you want to plan, do it! I’ll be here to answer questions, offer advice, and advocate while you are on your vacation. But booking your trip with me is a must in these new days of travel and all that is happening in the world! I want to be your trusted agent and help you spend your vacation budget wisely and use up all of your vacation days!   School has started back for most of the country, we took Cara to Young Harris over the weekend and had a wonderful visit with new suite mate and her cat! They are so excited about this year, I just pray that we can visit them on campus and attend concerts, competitions and performances in person!! I pray for as close to a normal school year for all students, I think after the last year and half we need something that looks like normal! Flying Into Greece Covid restrictions are coming back from retirement. As the Delta variant makes its way around the world, more variants could be on the horizon and travel will be impacted. Stay with MackeyMouse Travel to find out what we know and how we can help navigate these treacherous waters. As you know, we recently went to Greece for an amazing adventure! I want to share the covid restrictions we experienced and some that friends of mine had that were different. First, we are vaccinated, think what you will, but we chose vaccination so we can attend any performances of Cara’s in the future and I assumed we would need to be to cruise. Most cruise lines do require vaccinated guests. Greece has their own requirements to enter the country. We had to follow guidelines for entering Greece, boarding the ship and returning to the U.S. All were slightly different and we jumped through every hoop gladly!! Entering Greece, we had a choice, we could be fully vaccinated or we could provide a negative covid-19 test within 3 days of arriving in the country. The country has created an easy online form to fill out and upload our documents so we don’t have to worry about carrying and showing all of these different documents to officials after landing. This was great, except at the time we went, we wouldn’t get confirmation (the barcode) we needed until we were in-flight, which meant you couldn’t print it!! You had to have wifi to show the actual PDF barcode. I knew we wouldn’t have that upon landing so I took a screen shot on my phone. Sadly, it was that simple, we just showed them the barcode and went on. Since returning home, Greek authorities have updated this process to send you the barcode before you depart so that you can print the document and present it when you land. I will say, the “authorities” were not really checking this document (screenshot) that closely. Sadly, they didn’t have the capacity to make sure it was legit, but maybe with this more streamlined process, they can check documents quicker and more thoroughly.  Airline Guidelines Getting into Greece was quite easy, airlines don’t make it hard, but we did have to show our proof of vaccination at check in (or negative covid test) to fly internationally. This is more of a proactive move on the part of airlines since you do have to have a negative covid test upon return to the U.S. It is required that you wear a face covering as soon as you enter the airport and throughout your flight. There is no time in the airport you can take your mask off, except to actively eat. Otherwise, you must be masked up. We’ve all seen the videos of people being taken off of planes for not following this mandate, or even for mouthing off about it. I will be 100% honest with you, my anxiety was high because I was nervous about someone showing out in the airport or on the plane. Thankfully, we were incident free roundtrip Wearing a mask on a 10 hour flight and then on the return 12 hour flight was not hard but not easy. We chose paper masks so that we could easily replace them if they were dirty or “got lost” somehow. I’m glad we did. It’s a thinner material and definitely easier for me since I’m so hot natured. If you are cold natured having a face covering will definitely help keep you warmer! I saw many hoodies up with masks, eye masks and blankets on our flights! I’m not able to do that because I will sweat to death!! The struggle with masks on planes, in my opinion, is the tiny amount of space you have in your seat and in the restrooms. As you may or may not know, I have back issues including arthritis. When it’s cold it aggravates it more. Sitting for extended periods causes more pain. So the restroom was a respite from sitting and gave me the opportunity to stand up and let my back stretch out a bit. But I could take the mask off and breathe freely for a minute. One thing I do need to mention is most airlines are experiencing delays. With covid restrictions for HR and in general crews can’t turn planes around as quickly as before, staffing issues do exist even for airlines and flight crews have time guidelines crews may have to swapped out. We had a 4 hour delay leaving Atlanta, mechanical delay followed by a crew delay. You need to travel with your patience and flexibility. We had snacks and devices so we plugged in, talked and watched tiktoks for 4 hours! I promise it’s not the end of the world. I did have to change our first day plans and it caused us to miss several things we were very excited about, but in the big picture, it didn’t ruin anything. Cruise Line Guidelines Our cruise was through a Greek based company and not mainstream that you may be used to. That said, our guidelines we had to follow may be different than U.S. based lines. In order to board the cruise we had to have a negative PCR covid-19 test. It could not be a rapid test. It also had to be within 72 hours of boarding the ship, not just 3 days. They were very strict on the 72 hour timeline which was tricky for those coming in from the U.S. and able to test before leaving home. We were able to schedule a medical group to come to our hotel and test us and email us the results. Our hotel would print the results if we had asked, but having the email was enough proof for the cruise line. Once we were at the pier we checked in first with our PCR test results and were required to wear a mask while in line outside. We also had a contact form we had to complete for the cruise line and at a separate desk we supplied this information. Once we were finished dropping our bags, we moved on to the temperature check table where we were provided a number to be called to have a rapid test done. The cruise line provided this test for us and it was a quick process, probably 30 minutes total. From there we moved inside to check in to get our key card and set up our onboard spending account. We received a lanyard with a contact tracing chip on it. This was in case anyone tested positive they could quarantine those that were close to that passenger. I was a bit nervous by this because 500 people were on that ship, we were going to be around people no matter what we did. But, anything to travel again!! We were required to wear masks on the ship and on excursions. We could remove them if we were eating or on deck socially distanced. They also had a touch-less temperature check set up on each deck that we were supposed to check in by noon each day. We would lower our mask, and tap our key card to take our temp and it would automatically update our folio that we had complied. Hand sanitizer was everywhere or our use. In restaurants on shore they’d often times give you a small bottle at your table. They were really trying to keep everyone safe and keep tourism open! The day before we were to depart the ship we were required to take another rapid test. Quick and easy, results were provided in our stateroom that evening so we could have it for check in at the airport the next day. These results were good for 3 days so as long as you left in that time frame, you would not need another test to fly home. My Thoughts on the Experience All in all I felt like we were well taking care of and safe. There were times things would slip below the protocol but for the most part it was consistent and followed. I do feel like the Greek’s for the most part did what needed to be done to have their cities open again. They had been shut completely down for 14 months. They were grateful to be working again and more than grateful Americans were visiting! During our trip, we mostly met other Americans. Europeans were still under stricter guidelines so you’d see one or two but absolutely no British citizens. British citizens still had to quarantine when they arrived home from Greece at that point so in speaking with a tour guide, they haven’t had many coming because who can afford to do that?! I also think now more than ever, using a travel agent is important. You can be as organized as Marie Kondo but regulations are changing rapidly. We had changes happening throughout the week. Mykonos went on more strict guidelines while we were there and about 3 days after we arrived home they had shut down night clubs and bars with no music allowed. Having someone at home that can make changes while you are in route is absolutely the best safety net! While you are on the plane, I can be adjusting your transfer to the hotel, I can let the hotel know you will be 4 hours later do not give your room away, I can let the medical company know that is supposed to be at the hotel shortly after you arrive to come later. So many times everything is smooth with no hiccups, but when they aren’t it can be a hard adjustment. It is my job to know all of the guidelines. It’s your job to make memories and have the time of your life! Now, where can I send you?  Love watching the flight tracker on Delta! Cara gives us a thumbs up we had landed! Our first selfie onboard! We are cruising!!!  Four days in Athens and 7 days on a Greek Isle cruise. Greece left us speechless! I’m going to be completely honest right now, Greece was never on my bucket list to visit. Cara wanted to go, she’s always loved it since growing up watching Mamma Mia a million times. So, the opportunity came up and we took it! I will say this, we will be going back! We enjoyed it that much! There is ancient history, biblical history, Ottoman Empire history, Venetian history, Roman history, medieval history, and even WWII history. You can go from ancient ruins to the top club destination in the Mediterranean in a matter of hours! The beaches, the water, the people! All spectacular!! We heard stories. We saw traditions. We ate all the food. I still can’t believe how we fit this much into such a short period of time. For my review, I’m going to do an overall (which is this one) and then I’ll do a review of each day. We did so much, you would have to read a book for me to get it all in one review! So buckle up and get ready to travel halfway around the world to a land of Gods, Goddesses, Royalty, History, and beaches!  We are lucky to live in Atlanta, because we had a direct flight from Atlanta to Athens. This ensures your bag is on the trip with you, you don’t have to wake up (if you fall asleep) to change planes and you get your travel over with faster. We flew Delta Airlines and our experience was overall very good. Were there hiccups? Yes, of course there were. We were flying during the re-opening of many of the countries in Europe post pandemic shut downs. Our flights were incident free, covid on the other hand was a little stressful. Luckily, the Greek government has streamlined one requirement so it’s not so unknown at take off. Understand that right now, covid restrictions are per country and change quite frequently. Having a travel agent is key to keeping up with all of this because it can and does change daily. We had to fill out a form entering Greece, that confirmation was emailed to us while in flight in the form of a QR code. We were asked for this code when we landed and were able to go right through the line. You either have been fully vaccinated or take a quick covid test that is negative. You’ll show your proof of that and on you go. Honestly, I’ve flown within the U.S. and had more questions than I did when we landed in Greece! The cruise line, all are different, required we have a negative PCR test which means we had to schedule one no further out than 72 hours before we boarded the ship. We had to make sure with time changes and possible boarding times that our test was in compliance. Luckily, because our flight was 4 hours late leaving Atlanta, our test was rescheduled for 8:00pm that night. So no worries!!  I mean, who doesn’t like Greek food??? If you don’t, I’m not sure we can be friends. HAHA, I joke. But, both of my children grew up on gyros so, I knew we’d be just fine in Greece. Gyros, every single person said you have to have street vendor gyros. I’m here to tell you something about that. One, that was the only way we found gyros. Second, they didn’t use lamb! Most of the time it was chicken or pork. WHAT!?!? Still yummy, but yeah, not what we are used to. Greek salads are not a salad with greens. They have cucumbers, onions and tomatoes. Some include olives. But none, have lettuce or leafy greens at all. Which was fine, I ate my weight in it!!! Food is widely available and you can find something on just about every menu that you can eat. Their version of restaurants or cafe’s are called Tavernas. They are everywhere! Each taverna has a specialty and you can check their menu out before going inside. Now, two things, first, if a person is trying to pull you into the restaurant on the street with “the best” of any type of food, keep looking. Chances are really good it’s touristy and mediocre at best. Second, there is very little air conditioning and most Greeks eat outside. If you are like me and need constant A.C., carry a table top fan! I’ll be sharing my brand and pictures in future reviews, but it saved my life again in Europe!  You will not get bored in Greece! From world class beaches to ancient history you will find something that catches your attention. We enjoyed our private tour the first day in Athens because it was us and one other mother/daughter that we knew and our driver took very good care of us. He gave us hints and tips for our entire stay and we learned so much just talking with him while driving in the Peloponnese region of Greece. There are hundreds if not thousands of options for tours in your destination. I stuck with ones that gave us the most in the time we would be there. Now, this is a great idea, but you need to be physically ready for that and maybe not when it’s over 100 degrees! We kept up just fine, but we did take a sleep-in break one day on the cruise. The cruise line has their excursions and I’ll be breaking those down in future articles, but I would recommend talking to your agent before just booking what the cruise line offers. We had no problems whatsoever, but there are many options and splurging here and there might mean a much more in depth experience just where you want it most. Greece is all uphill! I swear it is!! There are many many stairs, hills and walks that just might be the one to cause you to re-think the next day’s activities. Our cruise line was great in that we were right in the port most days and could do our tour, then head out on our own. This isn’t always the case with American cruise lines because they have bigger ships and don’t stop in the smaller ports. Definitely stay tuned for more on that because I’m going to be giving you the pros and cons of both!  I’ve been to many amazing places. I always try to meet locals and talk with them about life and tourism and how we can be better tourists in their hometown. Greek people are very proud of their history. They are very proud of their heritage and want to share it with as many people as they can. It doesn’t feel like they do it for the money, they do it because they truly do want to share their culture with all who come. We didn’t find a place where language was a problem. Sure, we had moments where the accent was thick and it was asking over and over, huh?! But in the end, we were able to communicate and felt completely safe with our new Greek friends. This includes in Athens and on the cruise. Sure, there are places in any city that are undesirable and Athens is no different. But, we stayed within the neighborhoods we were told were safe and never felt threatened in any way. The stories! Greek people are natural storytellers. Everywhere we went, we heard fabulous stories of old and new. How a farmer handles their sheep or cows when they roam away from their farm. How children attend school and what they learn and do while there. We heard stories of love and romance from days gone by. We learned that George Clooney was on Mykonos when we were, we didn’t run into him, but didn’t try either. We saw where Jackie O’ loved to vacation when she visited Mykonos. So many stories! I can’t wait to tell you all about them all!!  Greece is fabulous. I cannot say enough how amazing the entire experience was. We cannot wait to go back. Our plan is 2023 and we are inviting our friends to go along with us. You really should see Greece and since we are planning so far out, deposit is low and payments can be applied. Now, that doesn’t mean if you want to go before then we can’t do that! We most certainly can!!
You can click HERE to get your Greek Cruise quote started! Don’t forget we can also book land only trips and can help you build the perfect itinerary. Each island has a different “taste” and knowing which ones you want to see is what we do. A cruise gives you an overall vision of the country and then we can plan your second trip back to visit specific spots more in depth! |
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