Dot, I am reading this with interest. Can't wait for the next instalment. I have been thinking of Greece for next year.

Thanks everyone, I think I'd probably best skip Greece.

Caitie - No, I never did get trekking poles. Thought about it but decided they would be too difficult to maneuver with in a crowd when I was in Italy. I did see quite a few people using just one, as Flying Kiwi mentioned and wish I had done that. Actually my COPD (emphysema) is more of a problem than the arthritis although the arthritis is bad too, as is the back problem. Oh well, I'm still alive and kicking but maybe not taking any more bus trips.
Really enjoying your tale Dot, sorry for bringing another topic into it.

Hi Luvtotravel!

Don't give up just yet. Have you consider a 7-day cruise or even one of those shorter ones for Greece? There were some people in my group that just booked the 7-day cruise. There are a lot of walking but mostly are flat areas. The only part that has steps is at Lindos in Rhodes going up to the acropolis.

Delphi is really too hard on the knees and these are marbled step. There are also 37 steep steps at one of the monasteries at Meteora.

Hi Dot!

Been enjoying your tale and anxiously waiting for the next installments. We returned from Greece just when you were leaving on your tour. What is your favorite if any? I like the islands. Keep the tale coming.

Luvtotravel: The trekking poles are extremely light and you get used to them quickly. There`s a technique for holding them properly. I found them very useful, even for just leaning on during those times when you have to stand around listening to commentary.
I`m inclined to agree with you that, unless they`re particularly leisurely, bus tours may not be the best for COPD, because they rush you around and give you very limited time in which to see and do things. It would be less stressful if you could travel at a more relaxed pace that is comfortable for you. It`s not a vacation if you`re under stress. Time of year may also be a factor. I imagine the warmer the weather, the harder it is on your breathing. Chances are you might find cooler weather places a bit easier going.

quote:

Originally posted by kujhwks:
Hi Luvtotravel!

Don't give up just yet. Have you consider a 7-day cruise or even one of those shorter ones for Greece? There were some people in my group that just booked the 7-day cruise. There are a lot of walking but mostly are flat areas. The only part that has steps is at Lindos in Rhodes going up to the acropolis.

Delphi is really too hard on the knees and these are marbled step. There are also 37 steep steps at one of the monasteries at Meteora.

Hi Dot!

Been enjoying your tale and anxiously waiting for the next installments. We returned from Greece just when you were leaving on your tour. What is your favorite if any? I like the islands. Keep the tale coming.

What about Santorini? Is the only way up by mule or walking?

Brenda

I'm afraid with my husband's knees and ankles, we've also left it too late for Greece. Oh well.

quote:

Originally posted by BrendaC:

quote:

Originally posted by kujhwks:
Hi Luvtotravel!

Don't give up just yet. Have you consider a 7-day cruise or even one of those shorter ones for Greece? There were some people in my group that just booked the 7-day cruise. There are a lot of walking but mostly are flat areas. The only part that has steps is at Lindos in Rhodes going up to the acropolis.

Delphi is really too hard on the knees and these are marbled step. There are also 37 steep steps at one of the monasteries at Meteora.

Hi Dot!

Been enjoying your tale and anxiously waiting for the next installments. We returned from Greece just when you were leaving on your tour. What is your favorite if any? I like the islands. Keep the tale coming.

What about Santorini? Is the only way up by mule or walking?

Brenda

I'm afraid with my husband's knees and ankles, we've also left it too late for Greece. Oh well.

Hi Brenda!

There is a tour bus that takes you up the mountain from where the tenders drop you off to the village of Oia and then drive to Thira (or Fira) where you can either ride the mule or the cable car down to where you catch the tender to get back to the ship. Thira, if I remember it right, has little hills but not too bad.

Thanks Susan, always wanted to see Santorini. That's encouraging. I'm just entranced by the pictures of it. Is it really THAT white and the sea THAT blue in contrast?

Brenda

Hi TD ~ Still enjoying your tale immensely. Thank you for posting.
I bumped into an old aquaintance the other day, we exchanged goss (as you do!)and she told me how she had been to Greece with TT. She (also)made the comment that there was a lot of people who were incapable of making the climbs involved with the tour.It seems that people don't realise what is involved re hills etc. Maybe TT should make a comment on the amount of climbing involved to fully appreciate this beautiful country?! I have noticed that the Greek tours are labelled as leisurely and comfortable.

BTW, she did have a wonderful time on her tour (don't know which particular one it was tho')and highly recommends going to Greece with TT.
But the strangest thing was to discover that we are both flying out of Sydney on the same day, although a few hours apart, my friend to Amsterdam and we, to London, talk about coincidence!!

Loving reading your tale so far Dot. Can't wait to hear about your experience of the cruise portion of the tour.

Well, I'm certainly not visiting the monasteries but you certainly did make them sound wonderful.
Really looking forward to the cruise portion. That sounds more my speed, as someone suggested.

Hi Dot,

Enjoying your tour tale and looking forward to the cruise details. Although I would love to visit Greece don't think hubbie's legs would take it - maybe the cruise would be more his speed

Scottie

After reading some of the comments on TT should say how hard it is for some of the places visited I have decided to go back and add a rating for the different sites. It will be at the top of each day. Stay tuned for more info.

What a terrific idea. Certainly helpful to me. I should go back to my "Best of Italy" tour and do the same. Of course some would say it's subjective, but the idea that you would say "steep uphill" etc. certainly doesn't leave much room to quibble.

Traveling Dot, sounds like a wonderful tour. I can't wait to hear about the cruise portion of your tour!

Glad the start of your cruise went well. I remember you asking me about the cruise portion of our tour and you wondering about rough seas....how was it really......were you lucky to have good sailings like we did?

Yes Mykonos was beautiful. We did not have to tender to shore as the ship moored right up to the wharf area. We then caught the buses into the town area, We too had Dimitri take our group around the Island and tell us of its history. It was a lovely evening and the setting sun was beautiful.