Greece - Athens / Αθήνα (Con't)

So I thought I would break down what I would want to do around Athens.

1. Central Market
1. I love the markets I have been to in England, so the ones in Greece will be well worth the visit. Won't stay too long in the market since there's lots to see but I want to drop by and have my picture taken and take in all the fresh food they have to offer!
2. Psyrri
1. "...where bars and restaurants are crammed on narrow pedestrian streets, is the liveliest of the central districts of Athens." (p.54) Rachelle and I love to people watch, so if we can grab a table here and eat wonderful Greek food and watch the locals and other tourists, it will be a blast.
3. Iraklidon Street
1. Rachelle and I love to walk. Iraklidon is just a short walk from Psyrri. There's plenty of cafe bars. I've been warned that the drinks are the priciest in the EU, but the nice thing about Greece cafes is that you can sip and sit for hours. That is if we are lucky enough to grab a table!
4. Kerameikos Cemetery. 
1. Rachelle and I are both lovers of good ancient Greek history. I think we will make the effort to walk down to the cemetery to see the funerary avenues of graves and monuments of famous ancient Athenians. I just hope picture taking is allowed!
5. Ermou Street
1. Time for shopping! We'll check out the famous leather shoes offered at the shops along this street. This street is pretty long, it "goes from Parliament all the way down (west) past the Monastiraki and Thissio Metro stations to the ancient Kerameikos Cemetery and old-gasworks-turn-cultural-center Technopolis in Gazi." (p.56)

More to come, just have to do some chores. Hope you're enjoying the list so far!

Source: Greece day by day - Frommer's 2010

Greece - Andros & Tinos

Rafina 
Is the fishing post where Rachelle and I will use to get to Andros. It'll take about an hour on the bus to get there (so says the guide book) but I am pretty sure Rachelle and I will enjoy the bus ride.

The island of Andros
pop 10,112

The ferry to this beautiful island will take about two hours. It appears that Andros is a major connector with ferries. You can catch ferries from the port to Tinos and Mykonos as well. And make connections to Syros and Paros in the high season!

Places to see:
Hora (Andros) 
pop 1508
Andros Archaeological Museum
Museum of Modern Art
The many beautiful beaches!

The island of Tinos
pop 8614
Hora, also known as Tinos (the port city)
Church of Panagia Evangelistria
Beaches

Greece - Athens / Αθήνα

I was going to do one big update but thought better of it. I will break each post into cities/regions I want to see in Greece with my trip with my friend Rachelle.

Αθήνα (as it's spelled in Greek)

What I would like to see:

1. The Acropolis
1. It's historical aspect, what history nerd wouldn't want to see it up close and in person?
2. The Parthenon
3. Temple of Athena Nike 
4. Panathenaic Way
5. Statue of Athena Promachos
6. Erechtheion
7. Theatre of Dionysos
8. Acropolis Museum
2. Ancient Agora
3. Hardrian's Arch
4. Temple of Olympian Zeus
5. Roman Baths
6. Panathenaic Stadium
7. National Archaeological Museum
1. I think Rachelle and I would both enjoy making a visit to this museum.
8. Benaki Museum
1. See reason above.
9. Goulandris Museum of Cycladic & Ancient Greek Art
10. National Art Gallery
1. Rachelle and I are both lovers of art. I couldn't think of anyone else to take in such a place.
11. National Gardens
1. I see myself easily enjoying an afternoon here, and I think Rachelle would love it too.
12. Parliament
1. I'm nerdy like that.
13. Athens' First Cemetery
1. Who wouldn't want to see this?
14. Planetarium
1. Longest inside running joke with Rachelle <3

Most Airport Security, don't be that annoying person...

This might seem straight forward to most of us who have traveled, but to the small few that haven't, listen up. You do not want to be that annoying person in the security line (the ones people are rolling their eyes at) so these are some very handy things I've learnt while going through international security.

• Skip the belt, no seriously, unless you're going to be willing to go through the effort of taking it off when you are piling your things into the little bins, pass on it. Not to mention you will look suspicious if you make any attempts of removing it prior to security.
• Shoes:
• Ladies, skip the heels. Most security officers will ask you to remove them. Unless you're V.I.P. chances are they will be watching you carefully on the plane. Heels (I mean thin spiked heels, catwalk...you know...) can be used as a weapon on the plane. Yes, some crazy person will attempt to use your shoe to attack someone. Or at least that's the theory I've heard.
• Runners/gym shoes with easy to do laces are ideal for men & women. You can easily have them being stylish. No seriously...you might as well keep looking cute.
• Men, don't wear heavy metal boots. Steel toe or heavy leather ones. Again, you will be watched. 
• Avoid: flip-flops and light weight sandals. Most air port security now requires your shoes to be x-Rayed. So avoid the embarrassment that I went through (I had to wait for someone else's heavy shoes to push mine through), and stick to a medium weight shoe/sandal if you must.
• Wear socks meant for the airport. Nice thick socks. Yes even if your flight is going somewhere warm. Think about it, do you REALLY want to stand barefoot where millions of people have walked through? Air port floors do not get washed THAT much.
• Lap tops/mp3s/cell phones: 
• if you can ask a staff member prior to going into the line if you should leave it in your carry on bag or if they would like to have it in the bin. THIS HAS CHANGED EVERY SINGLE TIME I'VE GONE TO THE AIRPORT!!
• Honestly, wait until you get through security to bring any water with you. Yes it's rather annoying to buy the mark up, but as far as I am aware, you are NOT allowed any liquids (that can't fit into that plastic bag) prior to going through security. Save the hassle of tossing that mostly full water bottle into the bin. Keep in mind an empty water bottle (reusable) is allowed in your bag. 
• No sharp objects. Really?? Check all the pockets of your clothes and luggage prior to even leaving for the airport. You should not be the person they have to screen the bag because you forgot tweezers or a pocket knife in your bag/pants. It also holds up the line, making you that annoying person.

Oh and for the love of travel, do not make any jokes about:

• bombs
• the middle east
• american politics
• aircrafts crashing
• violence towards anyone really

They are listening, and you really do not want to be escorted to the back room. 

Happy traveling. More to come, any further suggestions are welcomed & will potentially be added.

Traveling Tips

1. Make sure to tell your bank you are leaving the country and for how long.
2. Have all the bank emergency numbers written down in several places.
3. If you have a Visa/Mastercard make sure you have a pin on it. Or if it's chipped, make sure the chip is working.
4. Make copies of your passport information and give them to someone you trust in Canada. Have a second copy safely stashed somewhere with you on your trip.
5. Have a list of emergency contacts. Phone numbers, email, even if they're on Facebook/Twitter
6. Bring enough currency cash with you to pay for your accommodation and to purchase a SIM card/calling card and a few meals worth.
7. Make yourself aware of the transit system you're going to be using. i.e., Do they accept credit card payment on the trains? What time does the last train/bus run? Which station would be best to get to [enter city]? I have England pretty much covered if you have any questions.
8. Try your best not to over pack. If you forget socks, no worries, I know where we can pick some up for dirt cheap.
9. It's nice if you remember a wall adapter but not vital. You can pick one up in a hardware store. 
10. Remember to have locks on hand for your luggage when you're not at the airport. Never leave a suitcase unlocked in any room. That's just asking for theft.
11. Do not go about towns with a traveling bag. You'll stand out like a sore thumb.
12. If bringing a laptop, make sure you have keys or a way to secure it. Most towns/city have FREE wi-fi access as well.

I will be posting more when I think of them.

Vital Links

Train Travel Passes
British Rail Passes
Oyster Card, for London
Lonely Planet