The Panathenaic Stadium and The Church of Saint Isidore on Lycabettus Hill

Waking up to a hazy sunrise in the port of Piraeus.

For this stop we ended up getting a taxi driver and it was a lucky break. Dimitrus was very informative and we saw more of Athens than I dreamed we would.

Photo by Dimitrus.

Me and my family in front of the Kanari Port.

Our first stop was The Panathenaic Stadium. Once a racetrack, the stadium was rebuilt completely in marble around 144 AD. After being abandoned for years the opening and closing to the 1896 Olympics were held in this stadium.

Myself and Jenny.

Next we drove to Lycabettus Hill for an incredible view of Athens. The Panathenaic Stadium is on the far left and The Acropolis is on the right.

Photo by Dimitrus.

Photo by Dimitrus.

We walked a little further up the hill to The Church of Saint Isidore. It is a humble church built directly into the rocks.

Dad in front of the church.

An exterior chapel.

The inside of the church decorated with lovely images and few chairs for worshipers. The cave walls are visible above the altar. One of the priests was diligently cleaning the floor when we entered.

A small side chapel with plants in the window and a stack of crutches left behind from those who experienced a miracle.

The alter of the small side chapel.

Tucked away behind the alter was a reliquary with a small cross and some bones.

In another part of the church, a small hole in the rock which looked down towards a space under the main room, had an image of Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus.

Liz outside taking a picture of a pomegranate next to a large bell.

The city of Athens framed under a pomegranate tree.

The front of the church.

Jenny petting the stray cats on the way down.

Looking back up at the entrance gate.

Naples

After visiting Pompeii we spent the rest of the afternoon in the port of Naples.

Myself and mom.

Enjoying a late lunch at Ristorante Da Annarella.

Jenny, mom, and Liz.

Castel Nuovo.

We came across a lovely little succulent garden next to the Romeo Hotel.

Jenny.

On the way back to the ship we stopped at Caffetteria e Pasticceria Marsicano for some treats. We got little cups of chocolate and the traditional sfogliatelle; a crispy layered pastry sprinkled with powdered sugar and a creamy filling that has a hint of citrus.

Myself, Jenny, mom, and Liz.

Rain clouds behind Mount Vesuvius open to reveal a patch of blue sky.

Mount Vesuvius with the sunset over Naples reflecting in the glass.

Photo by Liz Kasper.

Posing in front of a flower screen on the ship.

Much to our surprise the ship sailed past an active volcano that night. The island of Stromboli has a small population and the volcano has been consistently active for several thousand years. It is nicknamed the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. It was absolutely astonishing to see the neon eruption late at night, highlighted by an almost full moon. Incredible to think that the first time we saw an active volcano was the same day we walked through the streets of Pompeii.