Day 0: Pre-Tour Arrival
Snapshot3 stops: Newark, Copenhagen, Athens
Distance traveled: 5,178 miles 2 flights 1 taxi (40 minutes, 21 miles / 34 kilometers) 11,803 steps 5.25 miles |
I'm on my way!My trip started from Newark International Airport and continued to Copenhagen, where I had a quick layover before my flight to Athens. Copenhagen is a fairly small airport and my flight arrived early in the morning, so I zipped right through immigration in record time! I was quite nervous about missing my next flight so I practically ran to the gate, but it turns out I could have taken a leisurely stroll through the terminal and had a sit-down breakfast before my flight boarded. We arrived right on time at midday in the busy Athens airport, and I caught a taxi to my hotel for the night.
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After situating my luggage and a little relaxation, I was ready to get out and explore Athens and conquer jetlag with a long walk. I didn't have any specific plans for the evening other than finding some dinner, so equipped with Rick's Athens walk and my phone, I just explored. Walking out my hotel, I experienced two things that would become a theme for this trip: lots of hills and lots of heat! Greece is a very hilly country and it was pretty warm for May & June (especially after a chilly spring in the Northeast). The shower I had taken post-flight felt pretty redundant after 1 steep climb and 80+ degree heat (in the evening).
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It's all Greek to me!
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Insider Info: If you're staying in town, I highly recommend booking a room in the first tour hotel the night before the tour starts. But be sure to book in advance - especially in Athens!
I ended up having to stay in another hotel a few blocks away because the tour hotel was completely booked the night before my tour. At the end of our tour we stayed in the same hotel in Athens and there were 2 other RS tours checked in when we arrived - one coming & one going - plus us! I've found that tour hotels are also often recommended in the RS guidebooks, so independent travelers may also be looking for rooms. Contact the hotel several months in advance (or right after you book your tour) to reserve your room. I haven't achieved it yet, but putting this plan into action means no moving hotel rooms before the tour starts!
