Watercolorjourney.com art + travel tours with Mr. Black
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    • Palates and Palettes Artwork
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    • San Dimas H.E.R.O.E.S. Veteran's Monument
  • Reed Fine Arts
    • Capstone 2015
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  • Ceres
    • earthquake model
  • Jules
    • San Diego Mission Model
  • Student Projects

GREECE 2018.

Our Tour director was Marianna Xilinas, and our tour company partner was Explorica, Inc. Our student travelers/wedding party were Natalie, Mariah, Alyssa J, Simone, Emily, Alyssa R, Maria, Julissa, Lilia, Andrea, Adrienne, Jazmin, and Allyssa S. They were all wonderful traveling companions, great friends and excellent Americans while abroad. Air travel courtesy of Air Canada Rouge. Cruise accomodations provided by Celestyal Cruises.

Day One - LAX to Toronto to Athens.

The group at LAX, Terminal 6, Air Canada. Ready to go through security.
Lilia, Alyssa and Allyssa.
Mariah, Adrienne, and Emily.
Mrs. Tova Black and Andrea.
Maria, Simone and Julissa.
Jazmin and Natalie.

Day Two - Athens City Walk.

Met the tour director at the airport and checked into Candia hotel. Took the Metro to downtown for an Athens city walk: Syntagma Square, Hadrian’s Arch, Temple of Olympian Zeus. Lunch and shopping in the Plaka District.
View of the Acropolis from our hotel room balcony, Best Western Hotel Candia, Athens.
Adrienne, Andrea, Alyssa, and Lilia on the Metro, riding from the Metaxourgnio station to Syntagma.
In the National Gardens, Athens.
Syntagma Square.
Hadrian's Arch.
Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Residence in the Plaka District.
Tiny store in the Plaka District.
Ancient steps in the Plaka District.
Evening view of the Parthenon on the Acropolis from the hotel balcony.

Day Three - Athens Landmarks.

Athens guided sightseeing tour. Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the 2004 Olympic Games. Acropolis visit, Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike. Erechtheion. Acropolis Museum visit. Shopping in the Plaka. Greek dance and culture show.
Lilia, Julissa and Andrea outside the Panathenaic Stadium.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
The group listens attentively to our local guide, Ani, telling us about the original use of the Odeon.
Simone, Mariah and Alyssa in front of the Parthenon.
Simone, Alyssa, Mr. Black and Mariah. Caryatids holding up the entablature of the Erechtheion in the background (406 BCE).
Andrea, Lilia, Julissa and Mrs. Tova with all of Athens below them.
A caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support taking the place of a column or a pillar supporting an entablature on her head. The Greek term karyatides literally means "maidens of Karyai", an ancient town of Peloponnese.
The Parthenon is a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BCE.
Athens, view from the Acropolis.
Emily drawing and taking notes in her journal.
Alyssa, Allyssa, Maria and Marianna, our tour director, relax in Xenia Art Shop, a lovely place near the Acropolis.
Excellent lunch in the Plaka at Plakiotissa Taverna Mezedopolio.
Excellent lunch in the Plaka at Plakiotissa Taverna Mezedopolio.
Andrea with her Freddo Cappuccino at Coco's Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt.
Cool window display in the Plaka.
The Acropolis Museum.
Original caryatids, safely housed in the Acroplois Museum.
View from the museum.
Head of female statue, about 5th cent.BC
The plant head that topped the Parthenon pediment. Gypsum restoration, 1990.
Adrienne, Simone and Mariah.
Alyssa, Lilia and Julissa.
Pork gyros for dinner at Bairaktaris Taverna.
Lovely evening dinner with a great view at Bairaktaris Taverna.
Adrienne and Maria learn Greek dance from our tour director, Marianna, at Kalokairinos Tavern.
Male Greek dancers of Kalokairinos Tavern entertain our student travelers.
Traditional Greek dance with candles.
Turkish style dance with torches.
Everyone up to learn how to bellydance at Kalokairinos Tavern.
Mrs. Tova and Jazmin relax on the rooftop at the Best Western Candia Hotel.

Day Four - Delphi Excursion.

Delphi guided sightseeing tour: Delphi site visit, Temple of Apollo Archaeological Museum of Delphi. Open air movie at Cinema Αίγλη: "Mamma Mia 2."
Private bus to Delphi.
Delphi occupies an impressive site on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus, overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the valley of Phocis.
The Treasury of Athens, built to commemorate their victory at the Battle of Marathon.
Local guide tells the group of the significance of Delphi to ancient peoples.
Greek inscriptions at Delphi.
Temple of Apollo.
Emily and Maria.
The Charioteer of Delphi, also known as Heniokhos, is one of the best surviving statues from Ancient Greece. Archaeological Museum of Delphi.
The Sphinx of Naxos at the Archaeological Museum of Delphi.
Kleobis and Biton, two Kouros at the Delphi Museum.
Bronze details.
The Melancholy Roman, probably Titus Flamininus ca. 195 BCE
Lunch in Delphi, at Taverna Omfalos.
"Mamma Mia 2" at the Cine Aegli, open air cinema, near the Zappeion in the National Gardens of Athens.
Everyone sang along!
Students enjoy the rooftop pool at night at the Best Western Candia Hotel.

Day Five - Celestyal Cruises: Piraeus to Mykonos.

Depart Athens on four‐day Aegean cruise. Mykonos visit. Weaver shop visit, art galleries, windmills, sunset on the island. Cruise overnight to Samos.
Greek style coffee at the Candia Hotel in Athens.
About to board the Celestyal Olympia, our home for the next four days.
Aegean Ocean, view from the bow.
Ms. Tova, Adrienne and Lilia in one of the ship's lounges.
First views of Mykonos.
Mariah, Simone, Alyssa and Mr. Black make a safe landing in Mykonos.
The group waits for our walk through town.
Picturesque Mykonos.
73 year-old Niki Xidaki in Little Venice is one of the last weavers active on the island.
These Mykonian textiles inspired Christian Dior and launched a cottage industry that endured over 25 years.
The entire group waits for sunset.
View from the former residence of a sea captain.
Hazy, but beautiful sunset.
The cluster of Kato Myloi (Lower Windmills), which rise proudly over the sea, on the small hill southwest of Hora (the city of Mykonos).
Typical Mykonian view.
In the White Beans Art Gallery.
Greek cat.
Dusk in the Mykonian harbor.
Shopper's paradise.
Waiting for tender boats to take us back to the cruise ship.
The majestic Celestyal Olympia.
After very rough waters, safe on the ship.

Day Six - Samos to Rhodes.

Samos visit. Breakfast at sunrise. Greek Orthodox Church visit. Samos winery tour and wine tasting. Heraion of Samos. Cruise on and visit Patmos. Dancing in the Muses Lounge. Cruise overnight to Rhodes.
Sunrise in Samos.
Adrienne, Andrea, Julissa, Lilia and Simone enjoy breakfast in Samos at the Aeolis Hotel.
Maria, Jazmin, Allyssa, Alyssa and Ms. Tova enjoy breakfast in Samos.
Natalie at breakfast in Samos.
Quiet and serene morning in Samos.
Photo ops.
Our local guide tells the history of Samos on our walk through town.
Interior of St. Spyridon, Greek Orthodox church in Samos Town from 1892.
Beautiful and intricate icon painting inside St. Spyridon.
The Malagari winery is featured at the Samos Wine Museum.
Winemaking displays at the Samos Wine Museum.
Of particular interest is the depiction of the cultivation of the vineyards in dry-stone terraces.
Traditional winemaking tools, tanks, laboratory instruments, barrel-making tools, that go back over more than a century. The huge wooden tanks were in use until a few decades ago.
In the wine cellar with furniture made from used wine barrels.
The Heraion of Samos was a large sanctuary to the goddess Hera.
Many construction phases are known, the first phase dating to the 8th century BCE.
The site of the temple's ruins, with its sole standing column, was designated a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Pythagoreion in 1992.
Greek carvings in architectural elements at the ruins.
Samian grapevine near the site of the Temple.
Pythagorion Beach.
Enjoying lunch after a swim at Remataki Restaurant on the Waterfront, at Pythagorion Beach.
Pythagorian harbor, where we waited for the tender boats.
Allyssa, Alyssa, Maria, Mr. Black and Ms. Tova arrive in Patmos Island.
Doorways of Patmos.
In Patmos, view of the Monastery of St. John the Theologian on the hill in the distance.
Quiet alley in Patmos.
Tiny, family built and run church in the Greek Orthodox style.
In Greek Orthodox churches on the islands, it is the tradition to light a candle upon entering.
Sunset in Patmos near Oklacà Restaurant Bar.
Alyssa, Allyssa and Maria find the perfect lunch at Oklacà Restaurant Bar, at the water's edge in Patmos.
Back on the Celestyal Olympia, it is Barbecue Night!
Dancing in the Muses Lounge.
Jazmin and Julissa dance it out!
Adrienne, Lilia, Julissa, Andrea, Jazmin and Ms. Tova relax after dancing in the Muses Lounge.

Day Seven - Rhodes to Crete.

Rhodes visit. Lindos Acropolis visit, Temple of Athena Lindia. Medieval town walking tour, Citadel of the Knights of St. John. Sunset wedding at sea. Cruise overnight to Crete.
On the island of Rhodes, walking up to the Lindos Acropolis.
Charming shops and food stalls all along the way.
A steep footpath climbs the rock above the city of Lindos to reach the well preserved Acropolis. First walled in the 6th century BC, the clifftop is now enclosed by battlements constructed by the Knights of St John.
Adrienne enters the ancient citadel.
Cooling off at the top.
Ms. Tova, Mr. Black, Simone, Natalie and Mariah at the cliff's edge.
View from the Acropolis, overlooking St. Paul's Bay.
Temple to Athena Lindia.
Charming local musician entertains tourists on the way up.
Our local guide explains the history of medieval Rhodes.
Walking along the Street of the Knights of Rhodes.
The Street of the 14th century home to the Knights Hospitaller, who once ruled here.
Ms. Tova, surprised with a silk recreation of her bridal bouquet from 15 years ago!
Ms. Tova, Tour Director Marianna and Emily before the surprise wedding!
Jasmine and Ms. Tova before the surprise wedding!
Adrienne, Lilia, Andrea and Julissa before the surprise wedding!
Maria, Alyssa, Simone and Allyssa before the surprise wedding!
Alyssa, Natalie and Mariah before the surprise wedding!
The entire Wedding party!
Captain Nektarios performs the ceremony on the bridge.
After "I do," again.
Hors d'oeuvre and canapes.
On the crew's private deck at sunset.
Emily, Adrienne and Maria.
Julissa and Lilia.
Jazmin, Andrea, Maria and Adrienne.
Alyssa, Simone and Allyssa.
Mr. and Mrs. Black and the entire wedding party aboard the Celestyal Olympia.
Private dining room.
Sharing stories in the Captain's dining room.
Excellent prime rib in peppered gravy, one of the dinner options.
Wedding bouquet with seafood in a handmade flaky crusted bowl.
Wonderful crew serenades the new bride.
Wedding reception in the Muses Lounge!
Best crew.
15 Years of marriage!

Day Eight- Iconic Aegean Cruise: Crete to Santorini to Athens.

Crete visit. Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Cruise on and visit Santorini. Cruise overnight to Athens.
Walking into Heraklion, Crete.
Julissa, Mr. Black and Andrea outside the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Ancient Cycladic sculptures.
Minoan treasures.
Hairstyle models.
Ancient Minoan snake goddess, c. 1700–1450 BCE
Opium diffusers.
Amazing murals show a culture dominated by women.
Gorgeous and somehow contemporary, Minoan culture and refinement are not unlike that of modern societies.
About to board the ship for lunch and the journey to Santorini.
Allyssa, Jazmin, Maria, Alyssa, Emily and Mrs. Black and Mr. Black enjoy lunch.
Delicious and varied menus at every meal!
Adrienne, Andrea, Simone, Natalie, Mariah, Alyssa, Lilia and Julissa enjoy lunch.
Just arrived in Oia Village, Santorini.
The town has whitewashed houses carved into the rugged clifftops, and overlooks a vast caldera filled with water.
Julissa and Andrea.
Natalie, Mariah, Alyssa and Simone rock Santorini style.
Beautiful blue glass, blue sky, blue ocean. Outside the Sivaris Gift shop in Oia, Santorini.
Iconic dome of Santorini.
Views upon views upon views.
A traditional Aegean sea windmill transformed into a fully equipped summer house.

Day Nine- Cape Sounion Excursion.

Arrive back in Athens at Piraeus Port. Cape Sounion guided excursion. Temple of Poseidon. Glyfada Beach. Rooftop lounge.​
Narrated bus ride to Cape Sounion from the port at Piraeas.
Allyssa, Maria, Jazmin and Andrea view Cape Sounion from the gift shop patio.
The entire group, Temple of Poseidon in the distance.
The earliest literary reference to Cape Sounion is in Homer's Odyssey. As the various Greek commanders sailed back from Troy, the helmsman of the ship of King Menelaus died at his post while rounding "Holy Sounion, Cape of Athens."
Archaeological evidence indicates that Sounion was a sacred area as far back as the Bronze Age, but the temple was part of the ambitious building project initiated by Pericles, which included the Parthenon.
Maria, Natalie, Simone, Alyssa and Emily.
Maria, Allyssa and Alyssa.
An inscription confirms that the temple was dedicated to Poseidon, and it was built upon the remains of an even earlier temple whose foundations are still visible.
Along the highway route from Sounion to our hotel at Glyfada Beach, near Athens.
Rooftop view from the Emmantina Hotel, Glyfada.
Inspirational poster in Glyfada.
Emily, Maria, Simone, Jazmin and Mr. Black near the rooftop pool.
Simone, Mariah and Jazmin, Greek mermaids.
On the way to Glyfada Beach.
Beach view.
Sunset from our Emmantina Hotel balcony.
Last evening meal in Athens!
Sharing stories.
Old friends and new friends!

Day Ten- Athens to Montreal to LAX.

Hugs and kisses at the airport. THANK YOU Marianna!
Goodbye from Athens!
Lilia, Andrea and Mrs. Tova Black.
Simone, Mariah and Alyssa ready for the first flight!
Jazmin and Natalie.
Julissa and Maria.
Adrienne and Emily.
This is fifteen minutes after boarding, and we aren't even off the ground yet!
"Do they have Wifi?"
Waiting for our ride home, via shuttle2LAX.
Link to Tour Diary by Tour Director Marianna Xilinas
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GET  YOUR  GREECE  2018  LUGGAGE  TAG  HERE.
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Celestyal Olympia 4-Day Cruise Promotional Video
All content copyright E. Dominic Black 2023
  • Home
  • About
  • Art Travel Tours
    • SPAIN MOROCCO PORTUGAL 2024
    • Mr. Black's Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka 2023
    • ITALY & GREECE 2022
    • PARIS - SPRING 2022
    • JAPAN 2019
    • GREECE 2018
    • AMSTERDAM 2017
    • ROMA 2016
    • IRELAND, WALES AND ENGLAND 2015
    • ROMA 2015
    • CENTRAL EUROPE 2014
    • LONDON & FRANCE 2013
    • SPAIN 2012
    • ITALY 2011
    • PARIS 2011
    • LOCAL FIELD TRIPS
  • Paint and Wine Parties
    • Event Archive Photos
  • Portfolio
    • Photography >
      • ROMA 2015
      • SCAD 2014
      • PARIS 2011
      • BEYONCE
    • Palates and Palettes Artwork
    • Graphic Design Work
  • Watercolor Journey
  • Museum Collection Visits
  • Mural Projects
    • San Dimas H.E.R.O.E.S. Veteran's Monument
  • Reed Fine Arts
    • Capstone 2015
  • CTEC 2D Visual Design
    • Culminating Exhibitions
  • Media + Publicity
    • Commencement Speech
    • Testimonials
  • Facepainting
  • Contact
  • Links
  • SDHS
  • Family
  • Ceres
    • earthquake model
  • Jules
    • San Diego Mission Model
  • Student Projects