Author: Cascoly

The afternoon offered the city at leisure. Plaka beckoned with its labyrinth of narrow alleys, shaded by trellises and draped with bougainvillea. Cafés spilled the aroma of roasted coffee, olive oil, and herbs into the streets, while small shops displayed hand-crafted jewelry, ceramics, and textiles. Hidden chapels and Roman ruins punctuated the area, often appearing… Continue reading Chapter 2c: Plaka, Monastiraki, and Hidden Alleys

At its base, the Acropolis Museum offered a contemporary lens on antiquity. Its glass floors revealed archaeological layers beneath, connecting visitors to the foundations of the hill above. Pediments, friezes, and sculptural fragments were displayed to convey both narrative and scale. The museum emphasized context: metopes depicting the battle between Lapiths and Centaurs, votive offerings… Continue reading Chapter 2b: Acropolis Museum 

The morning light cast a soft golden sheen across the city, illuminating the jagged outline of the Acropolis as it rose from the heart of Athens. The hill’s rugged slopes were streaked with stone paths, worn smooth by millennia of footsteps. Clusters of olive trees clung to the terraces, their silvery leaves rustling in a… Continue reading Chapter 2a: Morning Ascent to the Acropolis

In 1999, we traveled through eastern Turkey at the start of a 5 week trip, some of the most isolated and beautiful terrain in the world.  We flew from Istanbul to Trabzon, a place I’d longed to visit after reading Dorothy Dunnett’s 2nd Niccolo book The Spring of the Ram. It’s another amazing combination of… Continue reading Ancient Cities and Wild Landscapes of Eastern Turkey

A work in progress – journals, history & travelogue. Based on our small group tours to Greece, Bulgaria & Turkiye Watch this space for upcoming chapters More Greece travel notes

Understanding Athens: History and First Steps Historical Context of Athens Athens’ history stretches across more than three millennia, its skyline marked by the achievements of civilizations that left indelible impressions on culture, politics, and architecture. The city was the cradle of democracy in the fifth century BCE, home to thinkers whose ideas shaped Western civilization:… Continue reading Chapter 1b: Understanding Athens

Arrival and Transfer to Hotel After a long flight from Seattle with stop in Istanbul (almost 20 hours elapsed – home to hotel) , I was ready to decompress. From the air, the city seemed to shimmer with a faint silver haze as sunlight struck terracotta roofs and scattered stone ruins. Flying in, the Aegean… Continue reading Chapter 1a – Arrival in Athens

Bulgaria surprised me. I found old monasteries tucked into the mountains, quiet towns with layers of history, winding roads, and plenty of places I had never heard of before the trip. The best parts were often the unplanned ones—local food, roadside stops, old streets, and the small details that made each day feel different. Explore… Continue reading Wandering Through Bulgaria

I’ve traveled through Greece exploring ancient ruins, historic cities, mountain villages, and scenic back roads. Along the way, I discovered the history, culture, landscapes, food, and everyday moments that made the journey through Greece so memorable. From the Acropolis to the Bosphorus – A work in progress – journals, history & travelogue. Based on our… Continue reading Journeys Through Ancient and Modern Greece

Living in Seattle has made the Pacific Northwest my home ground for years of exploring. Many of my travels have taken me through the Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, Washington coast, Oregon, and the back roads in between. These stories mix road trips, hiking, photography, small towns, and the landscapes I keep returning to, along with travels… Continue reading Journeys Through the American West and Beyond