July

July 1969 was one of the sweetest and most adventurous summer holidays I've ever had. I was 11 years old then and had been looking forward to discovering Europe for months! Dad had planned everything quite in advance. The only booking he had made was our cabin on  the ship - The City of Athens - advertised as a luxury vessel offering elegance and sophistication to all her guests and connecting Lemesos, Cyprus to Pireus, Greece - something like The Titanic! After a long delay at the port of Lemesos, we were welcomed on board The City of Athens - a warship, really, transformed into some kind of an ... ocean liner!!  No sooner had the ship sailed off than a terrible storm broke out and all passengers spent the night in their cabins, feeling seasick. I think I was the only passenger NOT to be seasick. As the storm got worse the following morning, our captain said that we had to stop at the nearest port which was the island of Rhodes. From there Olympic Airways.....safely flew us to Athens. However, just before landing, we were given instructions for.... bracing position and emergency landing! Hence my fear of flying!

We spent three days in Athens , sightseeing - that was the first time I visited the Parthenon and was so thrilled! Then we all went to Pireus where The City of Athens had finally arrived.  Dad had loaded the car on the ship. From Athens , Dad drove us across Europe: Thessaloniki - ex-Yugoslavia- Austria - Germany - Switzerland - France - Italy and back to Greece by ferry from Brindisi. It was a memorable 3-week trip - one I'm not likely ever to forget. I'd always carry all the great photos my parents had taken. Unfortunately, I lost them all in Famagusta during the Turkish Invasion in July 1974 

In the ensuing years, I had the chance to travel across Europe again and re-discover  the charm and treasures of an amazing continent.  

What's the most memorable trip you've ever taken?

Comments

[Alexia M]

Here i am in amsterdam buried in work on a cloudy day. I wish I was somewhere warmer and brighter like Cyprus. That's where I had my most memorable trip - on your magical island! I can still recall the day when KLM left Amsterdam on a cold September morning in 2005. I couldn't believe that 4 hours later I'd be greeted by smiling people everywhere and a dazzling sun! I also couldn't believe the island of Cyprus was a prosperous, European country just like the Netherlands and, in many respects, much better. Well, I spent a wonderful holiday - the best ever! And, I also found a great job in Lemesos quite by chance. I didn't hesitate to resign from my job in the Netherlands and take the job in Cyprus where I spent 2 wonderful, unforgettable years. I wish I could stay longer.

[Laura]

What a great story! An emergency landing must have been a terrifying experience. My most memorable trip was spending 15 magical days in Tuscany, Italy where my husband and I took the time to discover and explore one of Europe's most beautiful places while indulging in all sorts of Italian pasta!

[Lakis Ioannou]

Well, at age 11 you surely had a truly memorable trip! I have travelled all over the world both for business and pleasure but one trip I will never forget was hiking in Akamas with friends and family in August 2003. We stayed at Droussia Heights and from there we went off hiking covering more than 20 km each day. Despite the heat we really enjoyed the amazing wilderness and swimming in those crystal-clear waters of Akamas. In the evening, we drove to Latsi or Polis tis Chrysochous and had a huge fish meze!!!

[Lisa A]

Almost every summer we are taking our vacation to the Greek islands which they are near Italy, like Corfou and other ionian islands we been to like Zante. We like the all-inclusive hotels there because they are not expensive and they are family friendly. My most memorable trip was a family trip to Corfou in 2009. The beaches are super, the weather was great and the hotel also. They had every night entertaining program for the kids and other activities in the day. I love Corfou!!!

[Christina]

Your post today has brought back bitter-sweet memories. My most memorable and most romantic trip was on the island of Santorini 10 years ago with my ex boyfriend. We were deeply in love then and couldn't have enough contemplating those breathtaking sunsets.

[Haruko N]

Doha, Qatar was by far my most memorable trip!

[Constantinos T]

I really can't imagine a summer holiday away from the Cycladic island of Sifnos. Each summer in Sifnos is for me a memorable trip as I always discover something different and learn something new.

My most favourite place there, which I always visit, is the small chapel of the Seven Martyrs - probably the highlight of Sifnos island It is situated in Kastro village and has been built right on a rock in the sea. When the wind blows strong, the waves hit this tiny church and create a wild,breathtaking view. The church of the Seven Martyrs is built according to the traditional Cycladic architecture, as it is painted white and has a round, blue dome.

No matter how many times I've visited this chapel, I stand in awe when contemplating the immense blue and the island of Sifnos from up there. Although it's dangerous to swim there due to the rocks and the strong winds, I once had the pleasure to defy the danger and swim. That was the most memorable swim I've ever had in my life. It's also a great place for fishing.

[Jafar]

Wow! What a great trip you had through Europe at such a young age. I think that the great experiences you gained then were much greater than the bad memories of the storm and the emergency landing. My most memorable trip was 2 years ago in Puri, Orissa, India. I still feel blessed to have visited one of the most famous temples in my country - Shri Jagannath Temple. The Temple of Lord Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) was built approximately during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva and the wonderful structure dominates the landscape for kilometers around. Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of India. The majestic ancient temple of Lord Jagannath is situated in the middle of the Jagannath Puri.
The Aruna Stamba is in front of the main gate of Jagannath Temple. On the top of the stamba is the figure of Aruna the charioteer of Sun God. The Jagannath Puri temple is a great example of the Orissan style of architecture. In the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha ) there are a strange archaic type of wooden images of Sri Jaggannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra. Subhadra’s image is in between her two brothers and smaller in size.
History : The history of the present temple goes back to approximately the 12th century A.D. when the founder King of the Ganga Dynasty, King Chodaganga Deva began the construction of the temple, with the construction being completed by King Anangabhima Deva. As per available records, the temple existed in one form or the other since ancient times; being patronized by the Kings ruling Orissa at the time with some of the rulers pursuing a policy of neglect. With the construction of the grand temple around the 12th century, patronage of the kings was assured. The King acknowledged Lord Jagannath as the actual ruler of the kingdom with the King ruling on behalf of the Lord.
Over the years, the royal worship continued until the invading Afghans defeated the Orissa Kings and plundered the temple in the 16th Century. The temple priests saved the deities from the invaders until kings were able to reclaim the kingdom. With the Moghuls invading the empire again, worship stopped for some time and was restored again. The advent of the Imperial British East India Company and its successor British rule by the crown again brought the temple Management under stress. However, the British respected the right to worship of the Hindus at Jagannath and indirectly allowed patronage. They recognized Jagananth Puri’s King of Orissa (Gajapati Maharaj) as the Superintendent of the Temple and granted some revenue rights and privileges to the temple to run its affairs.

[Jeff]

Taking a cruise on the Royal Caribbean Panama Canal Cruises last year, which allowed me to see and experience one of the most incredible man made wonders of this world, the Panama Canal.