The Greek Riviera
In a fluke, Michael contacted his friend and colleague, whom is Greek and owns a home outside Athens that we were planning on going to Greece and where in need for some best places to stay, things not to be missed and restaurant options. All the usual things you ask a local. We like the local ‘hidden gems’. Are their any more, or have they all been exposed. Any how, ‘Spyro’ right away suggested we stay at his place about 25 minutes outside of Athens on the Greek Riviera? Who knew there was a Greek Riviera? Of course we jumped on the chance— a penthouse on the top-floor with wrap-around decks overlooking the Atlantic? Completely modern and access to a part-time concierge who has a brother as a taxi driver? We were in!
The first few days we spent going into the city— but we had a free day! So Michael and I decided to hob-knob around the ritzy neighborhood. What we learned was that many of the beaches are semi-private in that they are beach clubs where guests pay for the privilege of parking, renting a cabana, have access to chairs, snacks and drinks and of course, swimming in the sea. There is also a small nature spring lake — Lake Vouliagmeni. It’s also private with a beautiful restaurant and cabanas surrounding the perimeter. We elected not to go in the water because Michael forgot his bathing suit and contrary to popular belief, the Greek do where them in public areas. So off we went to the Four Seasons, the crown jewel of this area. The key to resort crashing is you just act like you’re staying there — even though it was probably painfully evident that we weren’t— given our lack of designer shoes and clothes, perfectly coiffed hair and an attitude of arrogance and entitlement. Some how we squeaked by and got a wonderful tour around the property by a delightful employee who assumed we had just checked in. We were wowed by the cyberlike super yachts parked in the inlet, the three pools (one was natural ocean water with sand) and the four restaurants. We walked along the boardwalk that circles the private cove, stopped at the bar for some water and when we tried to pay we were told it was complimentary. Nice. After 6.5 miles we were back to our accommodations and had our last dinner on the Riviera sitting on the sand watching the sun go down. Tomorrow we are off to Delphi and The Meteora.
