Corfu is an island on the Ionian side of Greece. It is also referred to as Kerkyra. The lushness of Corfu comes from rainfall that happens on this island which is rare for a Greek island. Most Greek islands are rocky and barren. I found Corfu to be as lush as Hawaii. The flavor of the island was Italianate and Venetian since it is so close to Italy. We loved Paleokastritsa area and its magnificent beach.
The caves on the Paleokastritsa beach were breathtaking. We rented a boat and sailed through them. Seeing fish this way was fun for the boys. The colors on the rocks of the caves were stunning. The villages we drove through the mountainside were darling! Our villa in Paleokastritsa was called Villa Fiorita and the bougainvillea was front and center on this picturesque scene.
click on villahttp://www.greece.com/hotels/Ionian_Islands/Corfu/Villa_Fiorita.html Every morning, I’d make Nescafe in a vriki (a copper coffee carafe) and some tea for my husband and we’d sit outside on the balcony while our sons slept in. This gave us time to caffeinate and journalize about the events of the past day while it was still fresh in our minds. I did all the writing and my husband helped fill in the blanks. It’s a great way to stretch out the vacation by being present in the moment and cognitively strengthening and embracing our experiences. Lakones was one particularly colorful and quaint village where we saw people just sitting outside, quietly and peacefully, enjoying the night.
The evening dinners were not just delicious, but an opportunity for entertainment, too! The waiters were also dancers who dazzled us with the dance tricks we had never seen before. Corfu is a must-see for Greek islands!
waiters dancing on tables on top of fire
Sightseeing:
Achilleon Palace
St. Spyridon Church–houses the body and relics of the saint
Corfu town– many kumquat products
Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:
Athens is the capital of Greece. Millions of people live there. It’s everything you expect a capital city to be—populated, busy, exciting, full of monuments, shops, restaurants and traffic. Taking my sons through Athens was daunting as we had to be careful with subways, crossing streets, etc. My husband and I had seen Athens many times before as individuals or as a couple but seeing it through my sons’ eyes for the first time was precious to me because we had studied Athens for years and I was eager to show them our ancestral homeland. http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Art/
The Parthenon can be best understood and appreciated when you watch the video about it in The Acropolis Museum. To know what the Parthenon actually looked like in its original design is important because the stone color of it now is from years of erosion and pollution. Observing the marbles and the sculptures within it’s top layer is something you can appreciate best in person. The link above explains the architectural design of the styles of columns of various temples and buildings. Below are the “Elgin” Marbles housed in the British Museum in England. The controversy of the “Elgin” Marbles is a subject worth reading about. “Stealing Athena” by Karen Essex is a good book for adults to read about this topic.(last two photos from the internet)
Top things to do in Athens:
Parthenon
Acropolis Museum
National Archeological Museum
Plaka
Monasteraki
Mt. Lycabettus
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion
Syntagma Square
changing of the guards
Zappeion (National Gardens of Athens)
Benaki Museum
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Santorini is a Greek island worth mentioning in its own post here. So much to do for families!! It is the most photographed island of Greece ( if not the most photographed island in the world!). It’s historic volcanic eruption reached South America even and has created the breathtaking caldera views. There are so many excursions to enjoy on Santorini. A recommended stay of 4 days will give you the opportunity to do it all!
Besides the fulfilling shopping, eating and sightseeing, Santorini offered specialty excursions like:
sailing out to the active volcano,
swimming in the hot springs,
riding donkeys,
parasailing,
going to a winery,
museums,
scuba diving,
beaches,
Akrotiri museum (a buried city) was thrilling.
The everyday views and observations made us fall in love with this island. I have flown to the island and I’ve ferried there. The high speed ferry is a great option!
As touristy as Santorini is, we still saw local residents living among the luxury and posh clifftop villas. Who can resist visiting with a local? It enhanced our stay as we were on a break from visiting relatives in Athens and my father’s village.
An excerpt from my book, A Magic Carpet Ride:
“People gathered around dusk to watch the sunset and capture it on film. There we were, tourists and locals gathered together, waiting pensively for that moment when something incomprehensible like the sun works its magic in the form of a sunset. It’s a rhapsody and a kaleidoscope all in one. Like the starlight and moonlight of so many other nights I’ve enjoyed while traveling, it brings me back to the epiphany again, that we all share the same moon… the same stars. This cliffside view of the caldera has beauty that is ironic. The volcano that was so disastrous all those years ago, reached distances clear across the world. Yet, here in Santorini, all you see is beauty in the horizon. It’s hard to equate that something so disastrous and naturally violent can originate from a place of such beauty and calm…. Far out on a promontory, there was a couple getting dinner served to them. We saw a group of people assembling to watch the famous sunset. The sun was still shining on the side of a church so we posed for a family shot. We drove back to Fira and had dinner at Naoussa Restaurant, which was recommended to us.”
Hotel recommendation: Irinis Villa in Imeroviglio (which used to be a pirate look out point) or Chromata.
Restaurant recommendation: Naoussa and every single restaurant, actually!
Oia: drive up to Oia, the whitewashed clifftop village to watch the world famous sunset, shop in artsy boutiques and have dinner or dessert. Click on link below to order my book.
I highly recommend Santorini! I’ve been four times and I still want to return. Stories and recommendations on international travel can be found in my book:
A Magic Carpet Ride by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley. Proceeds will be donated to charity.
photos by Gina and Patrick Kingsley (except for those from internet)
Follow the lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:
*The suggested reading books I’ve included on most countries’ posts are for children and/or parents to read. Some parents have told me that reading a children’s book on a country gives gave them a simple “bird’s eye view” into what could otherwise be a complicated or complex history in adult versions.
Santorini at night is a whole other experience..I recommend taking a siesta so that you can reserve your energy for walking around the port town for shopping and dining. We like staying in Imeroviglio for our villa location. It used to be a pirate look out point.If you can walk down to Fira or Thira as it’s sometimes called, it is a good way to get exercise and avoid looking for a parking spot. The view in Imerovigli or Oia is worth it. It’s also a nice break from the city center. Driving up to Oia could take 20 minutes and that’s best enjoyed at sunset.
Make an evening out of Oia…take your sunset family pics, eat dinner up there and stroll through the boutiques. I have been 4 times to Santorini and I know I’ll be back!! There are so many excursions to do so stretching it out over several days gives you more energy to enjoy each outing.
world famous sunset at Oia, Santorini
Follow this lesson plan to build trip itineraries with your family:
Meteora , on the mainland of Greece, is a destination that inspires for many reasons. The geological features are just some of the details to explore. The religious significance of it brings a whole new appreciation and awareness of monastic life. It has been described as “suspended in the air or heavens”. The monasteries are built on sandstone rock pillars in an area of Central Greece. We stayed overnight in Kalambaka, the nearby town, and enjoyed a delicious meal. We reached Meteora by rental car from Athens. If you need another option, I’d suggest hiring a tour guide to take you there in an air-conditioned van or car.
Eastern Orthodoxy is a religion that dates back to Apostolic times. The sights, sounds, smells and feelings inside of an Orthodox church are powerful and engage all of the senses. Icons for visuals, hymns for sound, incense for scent, communion for taste and candlelight for feeling are all part of this process.
Meteora is both a religious and geological experience. Because it is so rich in meaning and beauty, there are so many facets to its brilliance! I wonder what our sons were thinking when they experienced Meteora and its breathtaking views. When you first arrive, you take in the altitude and the geological impressiveness of Meteora.
You take photos, you explore the hillside, and then you ascend to the monasteries. This can be challenging —Greece has many steep roads and inclines. In the picture below, my son is just a speck in the stairway. The physical breathlessness doesn’t even compare to the emotional breathlessness of the solemn and faith-filled ambience of what you find inside the monasteries.
At 1 minute, 30 seconds into the video below, there is an interesting interview from an actor who explains his conversion and what his journey into Orthodoxy means to him.
Agriturismo is the new word for a special concept in traveling—agricultural tourism. We’ve done it several times now and it is one of the ways I incorporated my sons’ interests into our travel itineraries. Being an outdoorsy family with an agricultural flair back home, we especially enjoy getting a taste of this on our trips. One of my sons in particular has always loved animals and nature more than most kids. Enjoying nature, animals and plants in foreign environments and climates is educational and adventurous because you get to learn new recipes and engage into the cultural life of that area.
Locanda Rosati
The cooking class we took at Locanda Rosati in Orvieto took 3 hours and it was as fun as it was informative. Click villa:http://www.locandarosati.it
We drank wine while we cooked and took notes and photos. There was a kitchen full of cooks and the environment was so friendly. The dinner was served later in the evening to the other villa guests and that made an impression on our sons to know that their parents were involved in the process.
Besides following a cooking demonstration, there are other ways to get involved with the agriturismo process. Depending on which organic farm you stay at, you can be part of the farm to table experience in different ways. These photos are from various agriturismo villas we’ve stayed at:
milk the goats (served later to us as milk, ice cream…)
have wild boar served for dinner
collect fresh eggs (also used for breakfast)
go fishing and have it served for dinner
felt like a kid again!–with the animals…our dinner that showcased all the meals we learned how to make at the cooking class
Pyrgaki is the name of my father’s village in Peloponesseus, Greece (the peninsula). A village, called a “horio“, is always the most magical of memories for any child visiting Greece….especially when it’s one’s ancestral homeland like it is for us. My earliest memory of the village was being lost with my brother on a donkey. That memory made such an impact on me and on my next trip, I looked for Dori, the donkey, hoping to recreate that ride through the village. After many trips to Pyrgaki as a child and a teen, the most meaningful trip was when I returned there decades later to take my three sons for their first time. The family olive grove is the centerpiece of this village experience. The hundreds of olive trees with their wavering silver tipped leaves are a source of great pride for me as they yield the extra-virgin olive oil our family gets shipped to us back home, in America.
the olive grove behind my dad’s childhood country house
When the olive oil arrives, it is so darkly hunter green before it is filtered into the olive colored oil. It’s not the pale yellow oil you get in the grocery stores–it is FIRST PRESS and peppery good! The grapes must be harvested, too, every August (I think.) I was there in August of 1985 participating in this grape harvest (which migrant farmers do now, I believe) and it was hard work! I was bitten by so many mosquitoes and suffering quite a bit! But I knew then what a valuable experience this was. In fact, as a young girl, my father and I made homemade wine by smashing grapes (with our feet) off of our own grapevine and fermenting it ! Birthday parties were held under the grapevine pergola and now I have my own homegrown grapevine pergola.
sitting under a grapevine pergola
Our bee hives were another agricultural wonder in our backyard, growing up. When Daddy was the beekeeper in his official beekeeper outfit with snuffer and mask, etc….it was excitement all over the house. Sucking the honey straight out of the beeswax was the most intensely sweet (again, peppery!) taste, that I felt like I was in a sugar coma. Nothing will ever taste like homegrown honey from our backyard.
meeting relatives for the first timethe family cemetery…a church that our family helped build
my dad’s country homemy sister and I at our dad’s country home
suggested reading:
“The Two of Them” by Aliki (childrens book) but I doubt any adult can read this without weeping.
A zigzag tour of Italy is the convenient way to traverse the country. Starting in Milan and working our way back and forth through (Umbria and Tuscany) Venice, Orvieto, Todi, Spoletto, Sienna, San Gimignano, Florence, Rome, Bari (on this trip with our sons)….was our route this trip.
On other trips, I’ve done other cities that I recommend, like Sorrento. The fortress style of Orvieto, Todi, Spoletto , San Gimignano was picturesque but the grandness of Rome and Florence with all of the historical sites was significant.
Tour guides at the major cities and time built in to shop and sightsee was a perfect combination. As we walked around the important sightseeing spots, it fascinated me how my sons knew other details that I hadn’t taught them in our research units. For example, my youngest son knew many details from watching the movie Roman Holiday which I had recorded for us to watch but didn’t expect him to stay up and finish. The rest of the details they knew from their video game! –They knew specific details about the Medici family (when we arrived in Florence and toured there.) When we went to the Pantheon, they read an inscription and said, “Marcus Agrippa for the third time.” and they knew another inscription/emblem, SPQR, that was an acronym for “Senate and people of Rome”. They saw this emblem everywhere. My husband and I found this funny–-that video games can be educational, too, I guess. When I went to Rome as a 10 year old, I knew a lot of details from watching Masterpiece Theater’s I Claudius series with my big brother. Times have changed I guess.
spaghetti in squid ink
The Colosseum
The Roman Forum
the temples
the basilicas
the stadiums
Circus Maximus
The Pantheon
So much to see and research ahead of time—or to leave up to the tour guide. But I recommend preparing ahead of time–as an educator but mostly as a mother because it holds the kids’ attention better if they are engaged and looking for the right answer or something familiar in the information. If they are just listening to a tour guide ramble on about unfamiliar details, children can tune them out.
torture museums are a fun distraction for the kidsthe Vatican
Roma! ROMAHHHH!!!The city of fountains- 2,000 of them, reportedly. Why do people love Rome? The history, the architecture, the glamour and location, location, location. Italy is a great jumping point to see other European countries as it borders many fabulous countries.
When I went as a child, my trip to Rome was enhanced by watching I Claudius on Masterpiece Theatre with my brother, the historian. I enjoyed all of the landmarks from reading my guidebooks and because I recalled so many details from the “I Claudius” series. Now, going with my children was fulfilling because they had also prepared well for this destination and I was anxious to see if they’d connect with Rome the way I had as a child. We railed to Rome from Florence and stayed at the Baileys Rome Hotel.
What has always impressed me about Rome is that it’s laid out well for pedestrians. You can get around by map and the city seemed clean to us for such a major metropolitan city. As a child, I marveled at the way the streets were built around the landmarks. It felt like the antiquity and modernity of the city was merged into one. The next day we met our private tour guides who drove us around in a van.
Sightseeing itinerary:
A full day of sightseeing can take place in 7 hours, approximately. Start the morning with touring the treasures of the Vatican; Sistine Chapel and Basilica of St. Peter. After crossing the park of Villa Borghese, you’ll arrive at Vatican City, the smallest independent country in the world. Proceed to the Basilica of St. Peter to enjoy the art of the largest Roman Catholic Church in the world. The Pantheon was on our route and it is one of my favorites as it’s full of history and significance.
St. Peter’s Basilica
In the afternoon, you can explore the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Stroll by the Piazza Barberini to gaze upon the Triton Fountain and on to the Piazza Venezia. The Roman Forum, Senate House, Basilicas and Temples of the major gods are located in the Imperial City centre. Walk down the Via Sacra by the Arch of Titus where you’ll visit the Colosseum, ruins of the Arch of Constantine the Great and last stop on your tour will be the 5th century Christian Basilica of St. Peter in Chains and the world famous statue of Michaelangelo’s Moses.
Not to be missed is the chic shopping of Rome’s boutiques. The salespeople are as chic as the mannequins in the window displays. You will surely find something to buy and wear back home to remember your glamorous time in Roma.
The Spanish steps should be on your sightseeing route. My 10 year old son vividly recalled a scene in Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn on the famous Spanish steps. Rome leaves its imprint on every tourist. Cuisine, culture, history, shopping, etc…but for me, it’s the image of the concierge and customer service reps in their three piece suits in the middle of summer greeting me with “Prego! Signora!” Italia definitely earned the rank of #1 visited country!
Suggested reading: Mission Rome: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure (Travel Book for Kids) by Catherine Aragon
The Vatican, located in Rome, is also referred to as The Holy See. Located within this enclave of Rome are the following religious and cultural structures:
St. Peter’s Basilica
the Sistine Chapel
the Vatican Museum
Our sons were fascinated that there are Popes laid to rest in the Vatican. When I went there as a 10-11 year old, I remember being fascinated by the sculpture of the Pieta. There is so much emotion shown in the body language of the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus in her arms.
A big surprise for us as a family (when I went there as a child in 1979) was that the Pope was visiting the Vatican that day!! We had no idea this was going to happen. It was the newly elected Pope John Paul II. A crowd was gathering and I remember the excitement in my mother’s voice when she told us what was about to transpire. My tall 20 year old brother put me on top of his shoulders so that I could see the entrance of the cardinals and Pope. Our 1979 photo is very blurry and our waving hand was in the way!Since I was the highest of all the spectators, the Pope saw me and I waved to him! It is an unforgettable memory for me.
newly elected Pope John Paul IIfrom internet
My sister found this newspaper clipping my mother saved for us re: Pope John Paul II around that time we saw him. He agreed to officiate at the wedding of a janitor’s daughter! Read this poignant article to learn about his kindness and generosity. Click on the picture to enlarge. The two most important famous people I’ve seen in person are Pope John Paul II who I waved to and Queen Elizabeth (who waved to a massive crowd that we happened to be in.) Both events happened on trips to Europe and will always be thrilling moments for me.
from internet
Swiss Guards at the Vatican.
For Rome highlights and itineraries, click on blog link below:
Milan, (Milano!) was an anticipated destination for me!The fashion, the frenzy, the food, the glamour……the very feminine trip highlight for me in my all-boy family. Right after Zurich, we railed down to Milan for a day of shopping. The guys all went to the Duomo which they found impressive because of the fascinating architecture and also because it housed “preserved hierarchs” as my son said.
the Duomo
The hotel we stayed at could not have been more glamorous!–The Milan Sheraton Diana. We had two hotel rooms b/c there were 5 of us. We pampered ourselves right away in all the fun luxury items; bathrobes and rose petals on the bed! The hotel breakfast dining hall was even glamorous!
It seemed that most of the crowds were in the courtyard by the Duomo, enjoying the sunshine and view. I strolled up and down the avenues of shops enjoying truly spectacular window displays and the way the shops were arranged inside. Milano was an easy overnight stay with an evening dinner of decadent pizza.
We shopped even more at night. I spent time alone walking through the many streets of stores. I jokingly call the high-end boutiques “clothing museums”.The boys were a part of the action, too, for a while because they had heard so much about Milan from me ahead of time so, naturally, they were curious….even if they didn’t buy anything! 🙂 After dinner, we shopped some more to make sure we didn’t miss anything! I don’t have any daughters to share this experience with but I do love my sons for trying to join in my fun and excitement! They are troopers and my husband is amazing for teaching them patience while a woman shops. This is a life skill if you ask me! haha…..
It is also referred to as Kerkyra. The lushness of Corfu comes from rainfall that happens on this island which is rare for a Greek island. Most Greek islands are rocky and barren. I found Corfu to be as lush as Hawaii. The flavor of the island was Italianate and Venetian since it is so close to Italy. We loved Paleokastritsa area and its magnificent beach. 
Seeing fish this way was fun for the boys. The colors on the rocks of the caves were stunning. The villages we drove through the mountainside were darling! Our villa in Paleokastritsa was called Villa Fiorita and the bougainvillea was front and center on this picturesque scene.
Every morning, I’d make Nescafe in a vriki (a copper coffee carafe) and some tea for my husband and we’d sit outside on the balcony while our sons slept in. This gave us time to caffeinate and journalize about the events of the past day while it was still fresh in our minds. I did all the writing and my husband helped fill in the blanks. It’s a great way to stretch out the vacation by being present in the moment and cognitively strengthening and embracing our experiences. Lakones was one particularly colorful and quaint village where we saw people just sitting outside, quietly and peacefully, enjoying the night.
