Photos: Day 1

Hello from Italy!

Well danika and I are in Napoli, Italy at the moment. It has been a very full on 14 days of travel, tours, meeting new people, eating new foods, sites, weddings, hotels...... and im only halfway through!

Every place we have been to, though only for a short time, have blown us away with the different lifestyle and colture, beautiful sights and kindness. I have been keeping a journal but it will not let me copy and past each entry *sigh* so here is what we have been up to in photos:

Day One:

Photo - 1. Flying to Athens, 2. Sunset from the plane, 3. Danika next to the view of the Acropolis from our hotel, 4. Myself next the the view of the Acropolis from our hotel, 5. Danika's purchase in the flea market, 6. a quick shot of vodka, 7. Arcropolis by night.

Our first night was in Athens. After hearing about all the problems and riots i was abit scared to be there. One night before the tour and one night after, i told myself, and that is all!
How wrong were we!!

Athens was BEAUTIFUL! We stayed in the Plaka districts and you would know that there was a current crisis. The people were lovely and helpful, the stalls were endless, the food was delicious, the weather was perfect and the view... wow!

I am so thankful i had such low expectations because I was just blown away and I know Danika was as well.

Everyone has a different opinion about Athens, i have heard many negative, but I will be back!

Today we met our Contiki tour group of about 19, and our tour manager Paola who was a darling! 4 Aussies, bout 8 or so from america, 3 from brazil and a few couple from canada made up our group and we went out to dinner t a beautiful resturant with greek music and dance and food.

Welcome to Greece!

Nicol & Danika xxx

WatchThisSpace

Well it's finally here... after weeks of planning, months of waiting, days of packing... it's finally here! Today we fly off on our "Aussie Euro Trip"...

The weekend so far has been an awesome one. I (Dank) have been in Bunbury since Friday night, so have seen lots of family - went out for a drink with the crew last night, and as Nic and I toasted our holiday over Barbados cocktails, the realisation sunk in -it' time to party like it's 2010!

Our bags are packed, cameras charged and money exchanged. We're off this morning to Perth International Airport... our flight leaves at 3.55pm. We will fly to Singapore and then on to ATHENS! where we will land at approx 9am. We will then fight our way through the ash cloud and firebombers to Plaka Hotel Athens, and meet up with the rest of the Contiki crew...

Until Athens - Yasou!

Itinerary

30th May - Travel

Fly From Perth to Athens

31st May - Athens

Check in to Plaka hotel and spend the afternoon getting a sneak peek at Athens, Europe’s oldest city. Meet our Tour Rep and fellow Contiki travellers.

Optional dinner in the rustic district of Plaka. Perched on the shady slopes beneath the Acropolis, Plaka is full of traditional tavernas that spill out onto the pavements.

1st June - Mykonos
Ferry to Mykonos - amazing views across the Aegean and of the rocky islands. Heard this is the absolute worst boat trip involved... 7 hours. Blech

2nd/3rd June - Mykonos
Beaches, free time, partying. Paradise Beach is an optional here - have heard great things about it.

4th June - Turkey
After another day of soaking up the sun, board cruise ship bound for Turkey and the Dodecanese. Settle in to your cabin and watch the sun set over the Aegean. Nightclub on board

5th June - Turkey
In the morning, wake up to the Turkish port town of Kusadasi. Rummage through the Grand Bazaar and go local bargaining for leather goods, jewellery or local crafts. Otherwise hook up with the group and our Local Guide for an optional excursion to ancient Ephesus, a stunningly preserved city that Mark Antony and Cleopatra once visited.

Our next port of call is Patmos, with its sacred spots and wild countryside. Explore the monasteries, traditional settlements and country churches.

Optional excursion - Patmos’ UNESCO World Heritage sites: the11th century Monastery of the Apocalypse and to the Grotto of St John – the hilltop cave where John the Apostle lived for many years.

6th June - Crete and Santorini
Optional excursion to the Palace of Knossos where our Local Guide will tell the story of this 4000 year old mythical Minoan Palace, where the minotaur (half-man/half-bull) was slain.

Next up: Santorini. From the water, look up at the iconic blue–domed, whitewashed churches.Head up the cliff and the twisting stone steps, take a donkey ride or take it easy in the cable car for views of neighbouring volcanic islands. Optional boat ride out to the active volcanic island of Nea Kamini. Cruise past lava formations and get up close to the active crater.

7th June - Athens
Piraeus, Syntagma Square, right in the heart of Athens and home to Greece’s parliament, where our tour ends. Stay at Plaka Hotel

8th June - Travel
Fly from Athens, Greece to Roma, Italia. Find Fontana di Trevi.

9th June - Napoli
Take le treni from Roma to Napoli.

10th June - Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius tour.
Guided tour of Pompeii (approximately two hours) takes in the Forum, the Thermal Baths, Vetti's House and the Lupanare brothel, buried by volcanic ashes from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Pizza Lunch then transfer to Mt. Vesuvius. Climb Mt, Vesuvius (approximately 45 minutes), and walk around the crater at 3,900 feet (1,200 meters).

11th June - Napoli
Assist with wedding planning!

12th June - Napoli
Wedding

13th June - Napoli

14th June - Travel
Fly Napoli, Italia to London, England

15th June - Explore London

16th June - Stonhenge, Windsor Castle and Oxford trip.
Short drive to Windsor, home to the royal family for 900 years and official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Options:

1. Take a free walking tour of Windsor to see the castle precincts, cobbled streets and historic buildings dating back to the 17th century.
2. Take an interior tour of Windsor Castle to see the magnificent State Apartments and St. George's Chapel (cost approximately Adult £15.50, Child £9.00, Seniors £15.50).
   

Stonehenge
The most famous prehistoric monument in the world, and now a World Heritage Site, Stonehenge stands alone in the vast emptiness of Salisbury plain. Options:

1. Explore Stonehenge independently
2. Take an audio-guided tour of Stonehenge to learn about the site's spiritual importance (cost approximately Adult £6.70, Child £3.40, Seniors £5.70).

Oxford
Christ Church, where the Harry Potter series was filmed, the Bodleian Library and the Sheldonian Theatre. Your visit includes free time to explore Oxford on your own also.

17th/18th June - London

19th June - Danika fly home, Nicole commence second tour.

Going this Month!

Hey Y'all!

29 days til we land in Athens! Booking our day trip to Pompeii from Napoli soon. Yay!

Danki

Y 55 Days Y

2 Months!

It's only 2 months until we take off - less than! 60 days til our Contiki starts.

Nicole is all paid up - I have a little bit left on my Contiki - to be paid by the 16th.

Still unable to find anyone on our trip, but Contiki have said our trip is 60-80% full.

VERRY EXCITED!!!!!!11

82 days until Take-off - Nicole

Hello, Nicole here just updating the layout abit to take away Ant as he is a sad sack and instead of comming on this awesome adventure he is flyng out to Canada tomorrow night for 8 days or so then 4 days in New York before coming home! Haha

Have a great time Ant!

Well only 82 days until Danki and myself fly Singapoore Airlines to Singapoore then to Athen arriving on May 31st to start the Mykonos Island & Cruising Contiki tour!!!! Damn i wish it were tomorrow like Ant!

Flights are booked, tour paid for (we'll my side anyways hehe) and what is left to book can wait afew more weeks. We have also selected to tour to check out while in Naples and London which will need to be finalised and booked! ooo i just got an email with my Certificate of Insurance... thats handy!

OMG ONLY 82 DAYS TO GO!!!!!

xxx