While in Greece, if we were going to see old things, we might as well see REALLY old things! That was our logic anyway, so we made a trip to Mycenae, the home of a civilization that pre-dated the Greeks and peaked in the second millennium BC. To do the math for you, it is more than 3,600 years old!
Before heading to Mycenae though, we also took a little break from ancient sites to spend some time relaxing at a resort on the Ionian Sea. Doing a whole lot of nothing, but also sneaking in some time for snorkeling and hanging out on the beach.
Mycenae
The period of Greek history from about 1600 to 1100 BC is known as Mycenean. At that time, civilization was centered around Mycenae, and was the last phase of the Bronze age civilizations in Ancient Greece. According to Wikipedia, It represents the first advanced and distinctively Greek civilization in mainland Greece with its palatial states, urban organization, works of art, and writing system.
This ancient town is mentioned in Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. In fact, it was believed that the town wasn’t real until it was finally uncovered in the 1800s.
The archaeological site of Mycenae is about 75 miles outside of Athens, and we stopped there as we headed to Athens.
It is situated overlooking a valley, a strong defensive position for the palace.
The most famous within the site may be the Lion Gate, the symbolic and defensive entrance to the site itself.
We wound our way up to the top of the site, taking a brief detour to an underground cistern, before finally getting to the very top.
Overall, an interesting site and a good pitstop on the way to Athens (especially compared to an American road trip, where your pitstops may include seeing the world’s largest office chair or the biggest ball of twine).
Vacation Time
While on the Peloponnese peninsula, we decided to stop for some R&R for a couple days at a resort (and so I could spend a few days working – reality of remote working means we may be in Greece for two weeks, but I’m only off work for a week). We had our own pool, along with resort pools and waterslides.
Nate headed to kids club one day so that the rest of us could go snorkeling.
It wasn’t the greatest or most exciting snorkeling we have ever done (Jamaica for the win there), but it was a good way to spend a few hours.
We also spent a fair amount of time on the beach. It was a nice beach and good, warm water for hanging out in, though there was the whole “reserve my lounge chair in the front row with a towel while I’m not on the beach” situation going on, but enjoyable otherwise.
And then, of course, the piece de resistance, and really all our boys need to be happy when staying somewhere…
a buffet breakfast :eyeroll:
After this stop, we were heading to the center of it all – Athens! Coming up next.
