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Locarno and Cardada
After flying to ZRH from IAD on United, we took the train to Locarno and took a funicular, aerial tram, and chairlift up to to the top of Cardada. After enjoying the peak, we descended, visiting the Sacro Monte della Madonna del Sasso on the way. We checked in at the Hampton by Hilton Locarno before visiting the waterfront area of Ascona.
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A Warm Afternoon at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
We visited the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Northern Virginia this afternoon. As usual, we saw many beautiful flowers as well as a variety of birds. The highlights of this visit were seeing an Osprey catch a fish as well as spotting Baltimore Orioles.
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Leaving Athens
After a late breakfast at the Grande Bretagne, we went for a quick walk around the Akadimia district to the northwest of the hotel before checking out. We took the Metro to ATH where we departed on United in the afternoon for EWR.
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The Acropolis Museum
After breakfast at the Grande Bretagne, we visited the Acropolis Museum where we spent the entire morning. After lunch nearby, we visited the Areopagus, the hill closest to the Acropolis. We then walked back to the Grande Bretagne where we had dinner at GB Roof Garden.
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Mediterranean Easter Sunday
Today is Easter Sunday! Most things are closed, including museums and historic sites. So, after breakfast at the Grande Bretagne, we went to the beach near Piraeus to touch the Mediterranean for the first time. After walking around a bit, we returned and had roasted lamb, a traditional Easter meal in Greece, at The Greco’s Project.
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The Ancient Agora and the Pnyx
After breakfast at the Grande Bretagne, we spent the morning at the Ancient Agora. After lunch, we walked over to the Pnyx for views of the Acropolis and Parthenon. We had a quick dinner on the way back to the hotel, where there was an Easter gift waiting for us!
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From Lycabettus to Philopappou in Athens
After breakfast at the Grande Bretagne, we walked over to take the funicular up to Lycabettus. We checked out the church at the peak and walked down, visiting another church on the way. We then took the Metro to Monastiraki, had lunch, and visited Hadrian’s Library and the Roman Agora on our way to Philopappou, which had a fantastic view of the Acropolis.
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The Acropolis
After waking up at the Grand Bretagne, we had breakfast in the rooftop restaurant before heading out to visit the Acropolis. We spent most of the day walking around this historic hill and saw the Parthenon up close. After, we visited two churches before having dinner and returning to the hotel.
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Historic Athens Near Syntagma and the National Garden
After arriving in Athens, we checked into the Grande Bretagne at Syntagma Square. We watched the guard change at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and walked through the National Garden and Aristotle’s Lyceum. After lunch, we visited the marble Panathenaic Stadium and Temple of Olympian Zeus before dinner.
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DC Cherry Blossoms Peak Bloom
We headed to DC to see the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin this morning as the NPS declared peak bloom yesterday. Although the sky was mostly overcast, it was warm and the flowers were beautiful as usual. And, of course, it was busy!
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Here and there but not quite everywhere!