Woke at 7am to a very hot day already!! A quick breakfast, & it was off to the Acropolis on top of Athens highest, rocky hill. People think the Acropolis is the one building, but it's an ancient citadel containing many buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon. It was built over 2,500 years ago - can you imagine? Myth has it that King Cecrops (part human, part snake) set out to find a patron deity (Saint) for his city. He called on Athena (god of wisdom)...

After a very lazy afternoon in Delphi yesterday, we had a leisurely breakfast - again with that view!! What is it with Europe's obsession with Nutella? I've seen a man take 6 slices of bread & absolutely slather them with the stuff. I did some laps in the pool, then we walked into town again - a collection of hotels, eateries & souvenir shops. Very quaint. Got back to the hotel to wait to be picked up. The Delphi Palace would have been very grand in it...

Smooth 2 hour flight from Rome to Athens with Agean. Caught a taxi to the Royal Olympic Hotel & were given a lovely room overlooking the pool. Went up to the bar area & saw the most wonderful view of the Acropolis. Prime position! Tried the local ouzo. Up early for breakfast outside with that amazing view again & then off on our tour of Delphi & Meteora. Suburban Athens soon gave way to rural areas that grow cotton, olives & figs. Headed for ...

Caught the early train to Rome this morning, watching Tuscany roll by with its fields mainly being baled, then stored our luggage at the station so we could revisit this beautiful city. The last time we were married here, but no new shock surprise! Caught a taxi down to the Pantheon. Such a beautiful building. Not too packed, though we had forgotten the queues in Rome. Walked to the Trevi Fountain, which is always busy. Threw a coin in and said a prayer. Apparen...

Took the ferry this morning to Portofino, another postcard perfect harbour. The trip was just under 2 hours & after the first 20 minutes we pulled into dock & I said, "this isn't it!" Realised we were to stop twice more to pick up passengers. Doh! We were also taken to L'Abbazia di San Fruttuoso, which is the Abbey of San Fruttuoso, a Catholic abbey on the Italian Riviera between Camogli and Portofino. You cannot believe the colour of the Mediterranean ...