Katakolon, Patras and Ferry to Ancona: Millenium series 24
Katakolon is the last stop before Athens. It is a quick trip to this quaint fishing village where the tourist amenities are few. There is a gift shop, jewelry stores but that is about it. We do find it quite relaxing to sit in a waterfront café and sip a Greek coffee, which seems to be one of the main activities here.
Then it is on to Athens, where we disembark.
See Athens and Santorini Millenium articles.
Spring in Santorini:Photos of beautiful wild flowers and exotic sunrise:Click Here.
It is time to leave Greece. At 11:30 in the morning we board a bus for Patras. The trip along the coast is scenic with views of the blue sea and small yacht harbors. The highway is bordered with wild flowers and by huge bushes of wild broom and Oleander in different shades of pink. After a quick stop for lunch, we arrive at the pier where we will catch the Super ferry to Ancona, Italy.
Things to see and do in Patras
Like a sentinel,the ruins of ancient Patras Castle sits on a hill watching over the city,. Nearby is a small forest with walking trails and a cafe, where one may sip a coffee and enjoy the view.
The cathedral of St Andrew is in the lower city, beside an older Byzantine church that was destroyed by the Turks.
There is a fine archaeological museum which contains mosaics, coins, statues from the Roman, Classic, Mycenae, Hellenistic, Old-Christian and Byzantine period. The city also boasts an excellent art gallery.
Psila Alonia Square is a must see, with it's elegant date palms, fountain, picturesque cafes and a panoramic view of the city. The Square also has a statue of the hero of the 1821 revolution, Paleon Patron Germano.
Another must see is the famous Odeum (theatre),a beautiful example of archeological odeums.
Our ferry arrives at 5pm, we board at 6:00 and it leaves at 8:30pm.The ferries are huge, carrying both vehicles and passengers. For the most part the vehicles are large transport trucks. Patras is the third busiest port in Greece.
With the help of the very accommodating ferry crew, especially the head steward who zips my mother, in her wheelchair up a very long escalator. We find our rooms and settle in.
The rooms are small and Spartan, with a large window. The ship is more like a cruise ship than a ferry, with dining rooms, a cafeteria and one special room for the truck drivers only. The truckers are obviously special repeat customers and are treated as such.
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