We’ve just arrived in Thessaloniki to begin another Greek adventure! This one has been rescheduled (from three weeks ago) and we’ve vacillated daily about whether or not to go. Covid case numbers in Greece have been high but they are trending downward. We’ve packed masks, Advil and many Covid test kits just in case, but in the meantime, we’ll be cautious!
For a large part of our trip, we’ve picked coastal areas in the Peloponnese where we can eat outside in tavernas. Even the waiter at the outdoor pizzeria in Thessaloniki where we ate dinner this evening asked to see our vaccination card. We realize that we’ll need to carry it with us.
The U.S. dropped the mask mandate on planes the day before we flew here. Many on the flight wore masks anyway though some did not including some of the Delta flight attendants. The flight crew announced that masks are mandatory in the Athens Airport – we couldn’t leave the plane without one. Our cab driver also cautioned us saying that people on public transportation (even taxi cabs) are fined for non-compliance. We are happy to comply though some of those rules will change May 1.
Here’s our plan:
We flew Atlanta to Athens via JFK, then took a quick flight to Thessaloniki, our first stop. We’ll be here for 5 nights. Then we’ll take a flight back to Athens to pick up a rental car to visit Nafplio for 4 nights. Drive to Gythio for 4 nights. On to Kardymeli for another 4 nights. We’ll visit the small village of Koroni for 3 nights, Pylos for 4 nights and then back to Athens for another 4 nights.
This map of the Peloponnese shows some of the smaller towns we’re visiting – it won’t require too much driving between destinations – and that’s a good thing since gas prices are high in Europe too!
This is the week of Greek Orthodox Easter and pastry shops like this one in Thessaloniki are selling lots delicious-looking Easter treats.
