As many of you know we are big fans for food tours when we visit new countries. It is a fun way of learning more about the favorite foods of the culture. Although we had been to Greece before we had not taken a food tour on our first visit so we signed up for one this time. The Flynn’s joined us for this tour which we found on TripAdvisor: “Small-Group Greek Traditional Food Tour around Athens with Tastings”. Normally there might be as many as 10 people on a tour but today it was only the four of us with our local lady guide, Boula. She was a delight and we learned a lot about food customs in Greece. And there was way too much food during the 3.5 hour tastings.
Part of the breakfast buffet at the Moxy. It featured an interesting layout.
A traditional Greek breakfast item: spanakopita, filled with either spinach and cheese, or simply cheese. They were still warm…and delicious!
A very old chapel tucked in the middle of a very large city.
Spice shops are common. They sure smell good!
A stop at a honey shop where we tasted various types of local honey.
Abstract art dominated the building.
Passing what appeared to be a protest gathering on our way to the food tour. We kept walking!
Olive oil is used in many products including soaps. Greece also is known for its sponges.
Sausages waiting for customers to take them home.
Different types of olives for sale. Black ones were green at one time; they are fully ripened now. We had a tasting of both olives and olive oil.
Boula pointed out this very unique shop that only sells eggs….and wine! She says they seem to be successful.
Futile attempt to make a selfie with Michael and Sheri Flynn, Yvonne and myself.
Several street vendors were selling fresh olives.
Dried vegetables.
One of the many small tree-lned streets in the neighborhood. I imagine they are really appreciated during the heat of the summers.
Our tour guide, Boula, explaining what we were eating.
Dried meat and cheese samples.
Feta cheese. Somehow it seems to taste better here!
One of the typical “tiny” restaurants we stopped at for a food tasting.. They are very common here.
Pita bread, tzatziki, zucchini fritters and a marvelous chicken dish. Of course there was some local wine to go with it. This was a meal in itself!
Group shot.
Boula explaining how to properly make Greek coffee. It is strong.
A walk through the local market.
The fish market. There were no flies! We were told they hose the area daily and spray for insects.
Every conceivable type of seafood you might want.
Sardines and mackerel are popular here.
The adjacent meat market- immaculate cleanliness.
Candy similar to Turkish delight.
Greek candy. It was very sweet.
Produce market. The olives are bitter when picked; they need to be “brined” before being palatable .
Beautiful egg plants-all grown locally.
They are bothered by “taggers” as we are.
Calamari, butter beans, orzo. We are getting full!
Luckily we got to often sit and rest as we ate.
Typical street vendor selling salads and appetizers.
It is not a Greek meal unless there is ouzo (white liquid in glass), Greek yogurt with honey, fresh fruit (plums) and Greek coffee.
A lady stopped by to help Boula do a “reading” of our coffee grounds.
After the waking tour we retrieved our luggage and went to the Divani Palace Acropolis hotel which the tour is using during our stay in Athens.
Entrance to the Moxy hotel.
The arch of Hadrian, also called Hadrian’s Gate was built by the Roman emperor in131-132 CE.
Our room at the Divani Palace hotel
View from our room. We did not get the expensive ones that offer a view of the Pantheon.
We met with our fellow travelers in the early evening before heading to a local restaurant for a group dinner. Normally a Road Scholar tour will have about 20 people. Because our tour includes accommodations on a 40 passenger boat the tour group numbers 40. As a result they have arranged for 2 tour directors who would each have responsibility for leading their group of 20. Our group of six were assigned to a group being lead by Androniki Stavroulaki, a native of Crete. Each group met separately with the tour leader for a “get to know you” session. We quickly learned that “Niki”, as she preferred to be called was going to be marvelous guide for our tour of Greece.
The open outdoor, rooftop restaurant (Strofi) where we had our group dinner. What a view of the Pantheon!
Cheesy appetizer.
After dark the pantheon is lite.
A tasty Greek veal stew.
Greek yogurt with honey was served as dessert.
Niki gave us a list of some popular Greek phrases. Not as obvious as to how to pronounce them!
Tomorrow we begin our local tour of the marvels of Athens.
Steps for the day: 10,565. We should sleep well tonight!
