Italy - The Colosseum
Foto: The monasteries of Meteora (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Greece - The landscape becomes more rugged as we approach Meteora. Steep rock points protrude in the landscape. In the 14th century, hermits lived in these hard-to-reach places. Later, monks built monasteries on the rock points. Many monasteries were destroyed in wars. Six monasteries remain intact and restored. The view of the valley and the monasteries on top of the rocks is amazingly beautiful. We decide to go to the Monastery of the Holy Trinity. This monastery lies beautifully on a rock point but is also the hardest to reach. First, we descend via a winding path to the bottom of the rock. Then we climb up via a staircase carved out of the rock. In the past, monks were hoisted up in a basket. It is said to be one of the oldest monasteries in Greece. The monastery in its current form was built in 1456, but underneath older remains have been found. The present-day monastery is fully restored. The monastery featured in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only and the film Tintin and the Secret of the Golden Fleece. Inside, especially the main cathedral is very beautiful. From the courtyard, we have a beautiful view of the lower-lying town of Kalambaka and some of the other monasteries.
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Delphi
Greece - The Temple of Apollo is just outside of Delphi. Yesterday, I already walked past the entrance. Although it’s a short distance, we’re picked up by bus. Outside the hotel, I meet Jorgos, the new driver. It still feels a bit strange to step into his ...
Surprisingly trendy Xanthi
Greece - From Alistrati we continue to the overnight stop in Xanthi. The hotel is located in the city center. Here too, the Land Rover does not fit under the entrance to the parking lot. We are allowed to park right in front of the hotel. On the central square, ...
The Acropolis
Greece - Today, we leave early with a large bottle of water and a bulky Weekend Telegraaf newspaper on our way to the Acropolis. We’re still unsure what we’ll have for breakfast, but luckily the small corner shop is open. Problem solved. At the Acropolis, ...
The caves of Alistrati
Greece - We continue to Alistrati. In the center, we park our Land Rover in front of a little eatery. The owner immediately comes to meet us. He has worked in Germany for 30 years and wants to know everything about our trip. He translates our travel program for ...
The Games of Olympia
Greece - At the entrance to Olympia, I meet Saskia. She is guiding our travel group through the old city today. Saskia used to be a tour guide but met a Greek man. She has now lived in Greece for 23 years. In Olympia, the ancient sanctuary of the god Zeus, games ...
The island of Santorini
Greece - On the way to Santorini, the wind is directly against the ship. It gets so cold that I get up. At quarter to five, almost two hours later, the ship arrives in Santorini. It seems as if the entire population is on the shore with signs reading “rooms.” ...