Highlights of the Day
On our day trip to Mycenae, we stopped at the Corinth Canal, which separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Though too narrow for commercial ships, it’s still used by tourist boats. Mycenae, rich in myth and history, was excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, who discovered the famous Mask of Agamemnon. We visited the Lion Gate, the largest prehistoric sculpture in the Aegean. In Nafplion, we enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch by the coast. On the way back, a vendor gifted us an extra orange after bargaining. January is great for Athens but less ideal for the islands due to closures and storms.
Logistics
Accommodation: ATHENS MARRIOTT HOTEL (highly recommended)
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
Today, we’ll make a day trip to Mycenae. On the way, we stopped by the Corinth Canal. It cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth, separating the Peloponnese Peninsula from mainland Greece. The canal connects the Aegean and Ionian Seas, saving time for ships. Today, the canal is too narrow for commercial shipping. Only tourist boats and pleasure yachts pass through.
Mycenae is located on the Peloponnese Peninsula, west of Athens. It is home to important sites mentioned in Greek epics and has ties to many Greek myths. The Mycenaean civilization, part of the Aegean civilization, followed the decline of the Minoan civilization. Heinrich Schliemann, a German amateur archaeologist, excavated the site. The famous Mask of Agamemnon, seen at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, was found here.
The Lion Gate at Mycenae was built around the 13th century BC. It features two lion sculptures and is the largest prehistoric sculpture in the Aegean region.
After visiting Mycenae, we drove to Nafplion, a coastal town. On the way, we noticed orange trees lining almost every house. Many trees had branches hanging over fences, with large oranges easy to reach. We passed some street vendors selling oranges but didn’t stop because we were heading to lunch.
In Nafplion, we parked and found several restaurants. We chose one with a seafood menu and sat outside. We were the only customers. The staff were friendly, turned on a heater, and brought us menus. The food was delicious.
Before leaving, the manager and staff thanked us, saying we brought them business. 😊
Nafplion has a rich history. It was fortified many times throughout history, with walls built during the pre-Classical period. Later, the Byzantines, Franks, Venetians, and Ottomans strengthened its defenses. In 1829, Nafplion became the capital of Greece until it was moved to Athens in 1834.
The town has houses built on the mountainside.
On the way back, we saw another street vendor selling oranges. I asked if I could buy just a few to try. He said no, so we drove on. A few minutes later, we saw another vendor with loose oranges. I asked for three, and he initially said no. When I turned to leave, he called after me and agreed. I was thrilled and asked the price, and he said one euro. I paid with a ten-euro bill, and he shrugged, implying I owed him change. He then handed me three oranges for free. I insisted I should pay, and after some back-and-forth, he accepted the money and gave me an extra orange. I happily returned to the car with four sweet oranges.
The trip to Greece concluded. January is a great time to visit Athens. The weather is mild, and walking isn’t exhausting. All the shops are open, and everything is convenient. However, visiting the islands in January isn’t ideal. We had storms, cold weather, and most shops and hotels were closed. It felt quieter, but the advantage was no crowds for photos.
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