I thought I might write out a few words of recommendation to anyone looking for a great vacation with some athletic challenge thrown in. My work in computer technology and microwave communications keeps me on the go. Most of the time I am in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area near my home in Arizona. I do get some travelling done in other parts of the U.S. by necessity, but there's enough to do close to home that I keep pretty busy here.
While I am writing this I find myself in a place not usually associated with my work, the country of Greece. I am here on business this time, though my introduction to this beautiful place goes back to a family cycling trip we had wanted to take for a long time. I have raised four sons to enjoy sunshine and outdoor activity. We do a lot of things together including hanging out at nearby Lake Powell to the North of us in a rented houseboat and riding our bicycles for recreation and sport in and around our region. I am the mountain biking type, mostly because I don't see any reason to try to compete with traffic that is much heavier and faster than I am, but also because I just enjoy the opportunity to see things while cycling that most people in cars can't see. Three of my sons prefer to wear skin-tight spandex and space-age helmets while they race around the county attempting to best each others' time. Let's see... did I say that I was into mountain biking? My activities are nothing in comparison to one of my sons who's life's ambition is to see just how much dirt he can stir up while in the saddle. He likes the downhill and rough terrain style. So I guess that puts me somewhere in the middle. I do spend a lot of time on the road going from place to place. Phoenix is a place where a lot of people like to get around on cycles. But with a mountain bike I can sneak through shortcuts and back road that the spandex-clad roadies will never see.
We took our enthusiasm on the road this past summer and did some cycling in Greece. This was not the usual vacation, mind you, but something we've all been working toward for several years. We were in the South of Greece for just over three weeks visiting a few islands and mainland locations. With all of the bad press that Greece has received lately you might think it would not be a fun place to visit. But I can tell you that the people and the services in this ancient place will make your visit enjoyable.
Our first stop after arriving in the modern capital of Athens was to visit the ancient capital of Nafplio on the Peloponnese. This place has a long history and offers some amazing sites along with great accommodations. We had a great time cycling through around the countryside near here and visiting the many orchards growing oranges, lemons and olives. And let's not forget the grapes. Wine making is big business in Greece. You can't visit Nafplio without seeing the magnificent Palamidi Castle. This magnificent castle has a storied history going way back to the Ottoman Empire and was a key part in the Greek struggle for independence from the Ottomans.
After Nafplio we hit the smaller islands of Kea, Kithnos, Andros and the large island of Evia before returning to the mainland of Greece through the town of Halkida. Evia proved to be some of the most challenging cycling we had experienced. On this island you'll find good roads and a healthy combination of terrains that will put anyone to the test. Watch out for the windy peaks near the southern town of New Stira. But the vista from up there is breathtaking. The people of Evia gave us great hospitality and plenty of help while we were trekking their island.
While I am writing this I find myself in a place not usually associated with my work, the country of Greece. I am here on business this time, though my introduction to this beautiful place goes back to a family cycling trip we had wanted to take for a long time. I have raised four sons to enjoy sunshine and outdoor activity. We do a lot of things together including hanging out at nearby Lake Powell to the North of us in a rented houseboat and riding our bicycles for recreation and sport in and around our region. I am the mountain biking type, mostly because I don't see any reason to try to compete with traffic that is much heavier and faster than I am, but also because I just enjoy the opportunity to see things while cycling that most people in cars can't see. Three of my sons prefer to wear skin-tight spandex and space-age helmets while they race around the county attempting to best each others' time. Let's see... did I say that I was into mountain biking? My activities are nothing in comparison to one of my sons who's life's ambition is to see just how much dirt he can stir up while in the saddle. He likes the downhill and rough terrain style. So I guess that puts me somewhere in the middle. I do spend a lot of time on the road going from place to place. Phoenix is a place where a lot of people like to get around on cycles. But with a mountain bike I can sneak through shortcuts and back road that the spandex-clad roadies will never see.
We took our enthusiasm on the road this past summer and did some cycling in Greece. This was not the usual vacation, mind you, but something we've all been working toward for several years. We were in the South of Greece for just over three weeks visiting a few islands and mainland locations. With all of the bad press that Greece has received lately you might think it would not be a fun place to visit. But I can tell you that the people and the services in this ancient place will make your visit enjoyable.
Our first stop after arriving in the modern capital of Athens was to visit the ancient capital of Nafplio on the Peloponnese. This place has a long history and offers some amazing sites along with great accommodations. We had a great time cycling through around the countryside near here and visiting the many orchards growing oranges, lemons and olives. And let's not forget the grapes. Wine making is big business in Greece. You can't visit Nafplio without seeing the magnificent Palamidi Castle. This magnificent castle has a storied history going way back to the Ottoman Empire and was a key part in the Greek struggle for independence from the Ottomans.
After Nafplio we hit the smaller islands of Kea, Kithnos, Andros and the large island of Evia before returning to the mainland of Greece through the town of Halkida. Evia proved to be some of the most challenging cycling we had experienced. On this island you'll find good roads and a healthy combination of terrains that will put anyone to the test. Watch out for the windy peaks near the southern town of New Stira. But the vista from up there is breathtaking. The people of Evia gave us great hospitality and plenty of help while we were trekking their island.
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