Like Zagreb, we had two stops in Athens, arriving late one night after our flight from Istanbul and departing early the next day for Monemvasia.

The second visit was on 5 July for two nights with the day in between visiting the obligatory (when in Athens) Acropolis and Parthenon. The heat was extreme in that part of Europe then; we arrived back in Athens mid-afternoon to 34 stifling degrees, and forecast to get up to the high 30s in the coming days.

We thought we might beat the crowds and heat if we got up to the Acropolis early, but it was not early enough because everyone else had the same idea! By 9.00 am, it was a slow shuffle up onto the famous site where it all became slightly more bearable being able to spread out a bit.

The Parthenon is spectacular and the history so ancient and fascinating, but the heat and crowds caused us to make a reasonably hasty retreat after an hour or so. Then, in the cool and comfort of our hotel room, we resorted to YouTube videos to fill us in on the detail of the famous sites!