This famous theme park in California is full of movie magic. You know all about it, which is why you want to go. But now you're looking for Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets, and I can help you out. Find out everything you need to know.
Read more at our travel blog.
G'day, we are an Aussie family who share fun tips on the best places to take your young kids on holiday. Join us as we travel worldwide with our 4 & 5 yr old looking for family adventure!
Friday, 31 May 2019
What's your favourite summer road trip destination?⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Winding hairpin turns on the road to ๐ฌ๐ทSfakion in Crete, Greece.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Crete is one island that you could spend weeks exploring and still not see everything. It's huge!⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ "When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time." - Saint Francis de Sales⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We explored Crete with @specialtytoursgreece. Next time you visit Greece, be sure to check them out. While in Greece, I used my @tepwireless hotspot ๐๐๐, an essential tool for summer road trips.
via Instagram
Thursday, 30 May 2019
Italy By Train: Easy 21 Day Rail Itinerary For 6 Destinations
I recently travelled for 3 weeks around Italy by train and have put all my first-hand experience and research into this epic 3-week rail itinerary just for you. Start in Milan and travel to La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Rome, Florence, and Venice before wrapping up back in Milan. There are more highlights than you can count... this was my best rail journey so far!
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Wednesday, 29 May 2019
What name should we give this cat?⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ "Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality." - Nikos Kazantzakis⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ A purrrfectly friendly feline ๐ป at near Chania, Crete, Greece. Cats often roam freely in Greece - these ones are not considered strays, but rather part of the community and looked after by all.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ This shot was taken at "Venizelos Graves" which houses the graves of 2 prominent Greek statesmen, Eleftherios Venizelos and Sofoklis Venizelos. It's a beautiful park surrounded by with gardens, paved paths, stairs, terraces and benches under the shade of pine trees. From this high lookout point, it's possible to see over the entire city of Chania.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We were on a tour with @specialtytoursgreece exploring the entire island of Crete.
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Tuesday, 28 May 2019
1 Day In Milan: Da Vinci’s Last Supper, The Duomo & The Golden Triangle
We spent 1 day in Milan at the end of a whirlwind rail tour around Italy, and crammed as much site-seeing as we could into 24 hours. This 1-day itinerary visits Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, climbs the Duomo, and even squeezes a little time for shopping in The Golden Triangle. Be warned, this plan isn’t for the faint of heart. But then again, neither is Milan.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Monday, 27 May 2019
๐ฌ๐ทTag a friend who wants to visit Crete. ⬅️⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ ๐Venetian Bridge at Kato Moni Preveli in Crete, Greece.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Crete is known for beautiful sunny beaches and mouth-watering food. But it's modern history is completely fascinating.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We stopped at this scenic bridge on the way to Preveli Monastery in the south of the island. One of the Australian soldiers, named Geoff Edwards, involved in the WWII Battle of Crete sought refuge in the monastery. Upon his return to Western Australia founded a small township named Prevelly in the 1960s.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ If that name sounds familiar, you're right. The Margaret River Pro - one of the world's biggest surfing competitions - is held each year at Prevelly Beach in Western Australia. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ If you love history, get in touch with @specialtytoursgreece to join the annual ANZAC Tour In Crete in 2020.
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Friday, 24 May 2019
"There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism." - Alexander Hamilton⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Gorgeous colours of the Old Venetian Harbour in Chania, Crete, ๐ฌ๐ทGreece.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We recently explored the island of Crete with @specialtytoursgreece on a unique tour focusing on the ANZAC legacy from World War II. Australian, New Zealander and British soldiers heroically defended this small island against the Germans like it was their own homeland. After 10 days of resistance, they succumbed and were evacuated. Our visit coincided with the anniversary for the Battle of Crete, and the tour included many heartwarming moments.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #creteisland ⠀ ๐ธ: DJI Mavic 2 Pro
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Sunday, 19 May 2019
Heavenly sunbeams lighting up Pisa Cathedral, Italy.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Every photography lover yearns for perfect lighting, and these scene has to be one of my favourite "lighting moments" ever. It was completely surreal. ☀️We were just in the right place at the right time.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We travelled around Italy using our @eurail Pass. It might look like an humble piece of paper, but it makes these magical moments happen. ๐If you're planning a vacation around Europe this summer, it's definitely worth checking out eurail.com.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ And remember to pick up a @tepwireless hotspot, so you can stay online and share every moment with loved ones and friends back home.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #createyourownstory
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Saturday, 18 May 2019
The world's most famous fresco... "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Located within the unassuming Santa Maria delle Grazie (a church and Dominican convent) in Milan, Italy, this 15th-century fresco is amazing for so many reasons. ⠀ ⠀ da Vinci was supposed to only take 1 year to complete this, but took 4 because of his extreme dedication to perfection. ๐จHe even developed new artistic techniques to create the fresco - not all of them worked, resulting in the painting deteriorating quickly several decades after completion. The most recent restoration work commenced in the 1970's and it took over 20 painstaking years to complete.⠀ ⠀ This hall was bombed during World War II resulting in 2 of the 4 walls being damaged.๐ฉ Fortunately this was one of the walls to survive.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ But what is often overlooked in photos of this scene is the amazing perspective Leonardo used. The mural takes up the entire width of a wall, and gives the viewers a sense of realistic depth, as if the walls on the left and right continue into the fresco. We take this sort of idea for granted today. But in the 15th century, perspective was a radical concept. The lighting of the characters in the fresco even reflect what the original windows of the room would have looked like. Leonardo da Vinci is a genius, but it can't fully appreciated without a knowledgeable guide. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We took a tour with @WalksTours which included this church as well as rooftop access to Milan Cathedral. Two of the best things to see in this city. Oh, and getting into the Santa Maria delle Grazie is no easy feat. Only a limited number of online tickets are available, and sell out months in advance.๐️ So if you don't go with @WalksTours then you chance of seeing this marvel are very slim.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #takewalks⠀ #italianart
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Friday, 17 May 2019
"Venice is eternity itself." - Joseph Brodsky⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Cruising down the dreamy Grand Canal in Venice, Italy⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Did you know the world's most beautiful handmade glass is crafted on the island of Murano within the Venetian lagoon? We explored one of these glassmaking factories along with a monastery, the island of Burano and a world-class winery (the vineyard is a secret!) on a ๐คboat tour with @WalksTours.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Venice gets a bad wrap for being over touristed, and that may be warranted. But it's still a marvel in its own right, both of engineering and art. ๐ ️ This quote by Brodsky reminds me to look past what is misunderstood to find deeper enlightenment. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #takewalks
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Thursday, 16 May 2019
2 Days In Venice: A Survivor’s Guide To Canals, Islands & Crowds
I visited Venice to see if it lives up to the hype and to explore the epicentre of the Venetian Empire that thrived during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Here’s my handy 2 day itinerary that covers Venetian museums, icons like Rialto Bridge and Doge’s Palace, and then spends a day away from the maddening crowds touring nearby islands Murano and Burano.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Finish this: The Leaning Tower of Pisa is...⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We took an amazing day trip from Florence to Pisa & Lucca with @WalksTours. It included a wine tasting ๐ฅ and lunch in the Tuscan countryside. I didn't expect to enjoy climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower as much as I did. When the builders realised it was leaning during construction, they tried building the top portion to lean in the opposite direction. So when we were walking up, we reached a point where it gets really bizarre, feeling like walking up and down at the same time. Totally trippy!⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ No surprises, but I was super dizzy ๐ by the time I reached the top of that spiral staircase. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Pisa Cathedral next to the tower doesn't get anywhere nearly the amount of attention that it deserves. That is one of the most beautiful churches I've seen anywhere in the world, and it's worth the daytrip for that alone. Oh, and it's leaning too if you look carefully.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ "What we need to do is always lean into the future; when the world changes around you and when it changes against you - what used to be a tail wind is now a head wind - you have to lean into that and figure out what to do because complaining isn't a strategy." - Jeff Bezos⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #takewalks
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Wednesday, 15 May 2019
There are some things that photos just can't do justice. And Michelangelo's David sculpture is one of those.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ It gives off such an intense energy - the piercing glare over the shoulder, staring down the enemy, ready to pounce with the slingshot. This doesn't come across in most photos of the statue. The detail in the eyes are amazing. It almost feels like he's about to leap off the pedestal. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We saw this and more on a "Best of Florence" tour with @WalksTours. Definitely the best way to see this beautiful city. ๐ฎ๐นHave you been to Florence before?⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ "Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting." - Sun Tzu⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #takewalks⠀ #loveitaly
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Tuesday, 14 May 2019
I was a bit shocked when I took this photo.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ It's probably one of the most photographed spots in the Vatican, but did you know it's located in the middle of the gift shop? ๐ณ๐Yep. True story. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ The golden early morning light hit the staircase in such a beautiful way that it created a range of green colours against the usual blue walls.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We explored the Vatican on a brand new "Pristine Sistine VIP" tour with @WalksTours. It required starting at 7:30am, but was totally worth it. We skipped the queues and got first entry to see Michelangelo's artwork in the Sistine Chapel, enjoyed breakfast in Pinecone Courtyard, and more. ๐ Our expert guide shared so many fascinating stories, I can't possibly recount them all... you'll just have to do the tour! ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #takewalks
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Monday, 13 May 2019
The Pantheon in Rome has to be one of the most fascinating buildings in the world. Built almost 2000 years ago, it still has the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. And it's in amazing condition considering its age.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ The Pantheon is free to enter, but we visited recently on a "Welcome to Rome" tour with @WalksTours. ๐ถ This tour stopped at other iconic sights like Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. It's a great way for a first-time visitor to Rome to cover a bunch of essential sites with an expert guide. And most importantly the tour included a ๐ฆgelato stop at one of Rome's best gelaterias. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ While travelling around Italy, I've been using my lifeline also known as @tepwireless hotspot. It helps us get around and stay in touch wherever we roam.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #takewalks
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Sunday, 12 May 2019
๐If you want to explore Rome save this post.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ The world famous, Trevi Fountain ๐ฆ in Rome, Italy.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Yep, I grabbed a coin ๐ฐ and flicked it over my left shoulder so that must mean that we're coming back to Rome! Good thing we've got @eurail Global Passes, which gets us wherever we need to go via train. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Did you know: Over €3000 is pulled out of the fountain every day by city officials and goes towards subsidising a supermarket for homeless and the poor.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Check out http://bit.ly/1ahkIRP for our brand new blog post about how to spend 2 days in Rome. I relied on Google Maps to navigate around Rome, and it works best with my @tepwireless personal hotspot.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #createyourownstory
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Saturday, 11 May 2019
"History is who we are and why we are the way we are." - David McCullough⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ The Colosseum in Rome is one of Italy's most well recognised icons. But it's also notorious for excruciatingly long queues. We went straight to the front of the queue with advanced tickets from @italytravels1 which included expert guide. Such a lifesaver! ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Have you been to Rome before? What was your favourite part?⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We've been getting around Italy with our @eurail Pass. It makes train travel super easy. And I really like their mobile app for checking train schedules.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #createyourownstory
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Friday, 10 May 2019
2 Days In Rome: The Essential Itinerary For First Time Visitors
Rome is called “the Eternal City” for very good reason. It’s impact on the world has been, well, pretty eternal. Visiting Rome in any short timeframe is destined to be a challenge. I recently had only 2 days in Rome to explore the essential big-ticket attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trevi Fountain. Here’s how to do Rome like a pro.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Your chance to ๐win big.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ I've been using the Everyday Backpack from @peakdesign for several years and it has never let me down. This shot was taken in Meteora, Greece in March. I love the #peakdesign timeless styling and dedication to detail. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ They're about to launch their 9th #kickstarter campaign and it's going to be massive. But they're not pulling back the curtain to say what it is just yet. The big reveal is 21st May. However they're giving away this new product to 3 lucky winners. For your chance to win, just follow the link in my bio - @travelwithbender. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ This new project has been their toughest yet. All I know is that's got to do with photography and is been 4 years in the making. Can't wait!⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ I hope you win... good luck! ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ #findyourpeak
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Wednesday, 8 May 2019
The Academy of Athens is said to be the most beautiful neoclassical building in the world. And I have to agree. ๐ฎ๐ Wow, just wow.⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We explored the modern architecture of Athens on the "Beautiful Neoclassical" tour with @fantasytravelgr. Our guide Katerina, alongside tour developer Athina, led us past the Greek Parliament building, University of Athens, National Library of Greece, Numismatic Museum and more. The final stop was a guided tour of the National Historical Museum - something every visitor to Athens should see. Exhibits range from the War of Independence, to WWI and WWII.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We took another tour with @fantasytravelgr to discover the "Museum of Ancient Greek Technology". I was blown away by how much advanced technology the Greeks had 2000 years ago! We saw automated doorbells, rapid-fire crossbows, wine pouring robots, mini cinemas (with sound effects) and complex mechanical clocks. This museum does not receive the recognition it deserves. A lot of painstaking time has been put into each exhibit by studying ancient manuscripts and designs. You can't miss this place on your next visit to Athens.⠀ ____⠀ ⠀ @thisisathens
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How To Spend 4 Days In Athens: Best Historical Sites, Discount Tickets, Museums & Restaurants
There’s something about Athens that is simply timeless. The famous Classical period ended over 2,300 years ago, yet when we think of Athens, we still imagine Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato teaching philosophy, the invention of democracy, and massive advancements in medicine, science, and the arts. These things shaped the very foundation of our modern western society, and they all happened in Greece. With this first-hand, expertly crafted itinerary, your 4 days in Athens will cover the most significant historic sites and get maximum value out of your Athens City Pass.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
Tuesday, 7 May 2019
The famous Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, Greece. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ Completed in 440 BC and dedicated to the ancient Greek sea god, this temple is perched on a cliff 60 metres (200 ft) above the raging sea. Impressively, 16 out of the 38 columns are still standing today (only 4 were re-erected in the 20th century).⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We took a half-day tour here with @athenswalkingtours. The day of our trip was particularly windy and cold, but that didn't dampen our spirits. Getting up close to this amazing ruin was well worth it.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ "I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death." - Leonardo da Vinci⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ I'm a big foodie. So in Athens we also tried a Greek cooking class with @athenswalkingtours. It was fantastic! Our teacher, Fofi, lead a small group through the process of making spanakotiropita (cheese and spinach pie), Greek salad, tzatziki dip, roast lamb, dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), zucchini balls, and a yoghurt desert. At the end of the evening we got to enjoy our efforts (delish!) to the sound of live Greek music on classical guitar and bouzouki. Opa!⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ @thisisathens
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Monday, 6 May 2019
San Diego Zoo Discount Tickets – Cheapest Prices In 2019
I’m not going to convince you to visit San Diego Zoo. If you’re reading this, you’ve already done your research. You know you want to go. Now it’s just a matter of finding the best San Diego Zoo discount tickets. After all, why pay full price?
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
The ruins of the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece. ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ I have been looking forward to visiting Delphi for many years, which was once considered the centre of the world in ancient times. Within the temple, the Pythia (high priestess) would provide prophecies once a month after getting high on natural ethylene escaping from a chasm in the earth's crust. Ancients considered that Apollo possessed her body during these trances. Even Alexander the Great consulted the Oracle of Delphi before waging war against Persia.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ We took a day tour from Athens to Delphi with @fantasytravelgr, which included return bus ride and guided tour of the nearby museum.⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ While in Athens we also enjoyed a food & wine tour ๐ท with Marina from @greekality. She customises each tour depending on the tastes and preferences of guests. We went to some amazing wine bars and gained a lot of insight about Greek wines. Highly recommended! ⠀ ⠀ ____⠀ ⠀ #lovegreece
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Sunday, 5 May 2019
One of the stunningly scenic secret Athens locations only locals know about - Strefi Hill - with the Acropolis on in the distance.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ There were no tourists here. ๐๐ And we only found it because our new friend, Nicole, volunteers in the "This Is My Athens" program. It's a free service that connects visitors and locals, so they can show tourists an unfiltered, organic view of Athens, Greece. These aren't professional tour guides, rather passionate locals who want to showcase their fascinating city. Nicole took us to her favourite cafes, street art and views. This unique experience should be on every visitor's itinerary.⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ You can book your own free tour at myathens.thisisathens.org or check out my most recent article on travelwithbender.com for more photos and details.⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." - Marie Curie⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ One other secret viewpoint was shared on a different tour. I won't say what it is right now, but trust me when I say it blew my socks off... and we had it all to ourselves. @athensbybiketours runs sunset tours around the Acropolis in Athens. ๐ฒThe best part, you get fit at the same time!⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ @thisisathens
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Saturday, 4 May 2019
Looking up at the Temple of Hephaestus within the Ancient Agora of Athens. Built in 416 BC, this is one of the few ancient Greek temples that remained in situ, it hasn't been reconstructed like others. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ ⠀ We explored Ancient Agora of Athens amongst other popular attractions & museums around the city using our #turbopass Athens City Pass. It includes public transport access, a 2-day hop-on-hop-off bus and shopping discounts. That makes life so much easier as a tourist!⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ ⠀ While in Athens, we took a guided "evening highlights and meze" tour around the city centre with ๐ฌ๐ท@greeking.me. ⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ ⠀ And if you ever wanted to see a 6'9" (205cm) guy dancing the Zorba ๐บ, check out the recent article on travelwithbender.com titled "Athens Cruise Shore Excursion Ideas: 5 Unusual Experiences". @greeking.me run a fun small-group dance experience that includes a delicious dinner afterwards. ⠀ ⠀ ___⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #thisisathens⠀ #lovegreece
via Instagram
Friday, 3 May 2019
This is classic Greek island beauty... The town of Hydra on the island of Hydra. ___ We took a 1-day cruise from Athens ๐ณ️ with @athensdaycruise to see 3 islands in the Aegean sea: Hydra, Poros and Aegina. An easy way to get a taste of island life when tight on time. ___ Inspired by the island we also tried an 8-course degustation menu at Michelin ๐ star restaurant, @hytra_restaurant, located within the Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens. Its an experience to behold. You can choose to pair your meal with wines or cocktails. ๐ค๐๐นGuess what I chose? ___ Falling in love with Greek wines, we wanted to find out more about locally produced varieties and went on a Wine Tasting Experience with @athenswalkingtours. ๐ท 5 flavourful wines paired with cheese... A perfectly relaxing evening. ___ For more details check out the recent blog posts on travelwithbender.com. ___ #lovegreece #greekeaster
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Thursday, 2 May 2019
Sailing in the Aegean Sea with @adrenaline.hunter. ๐ฌ๐ท #greece_moments ___ "What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest are not only useless, but disastrous." - Thomas Merton ___ We sailed from Athens along the coastline for 5 hours, gliding through tranquil deep azure waters. Sipping sparkling wine, snacking on Greek meze, soaking up the sunshine... ๐ Ah, the stuff dreams are made of. Its only €90/pp which is excellent value considering the amount of food & wine included. ___ And for a full fledged food experience ๐ด we later took a Gastronomic Journey with @argotravelgroup to taste all the flavours of Athens. That included 10 tastings from cafes, delis, restaurants & food stands. My favourite was the hot loukoumades - light, crispy fried donuts soaked in syrup. ___ More more juicy details about these 2 experiences, check out the latest blog posts about Athens on travelwithbender.com or follow the link in my bio @travelwithbender.
via Instagram
Wednesday, 1 May 2019
How To Discover Modern Athens In 5 Easy Steps
3000 years of history is impossible to ignore in Athens, from your first glimpse of the iconic Acropolis, to ancient remnants scattered throughout the city centre. But there’s more to Athens than its history. I found 5 ways to experience Athens as it is today and uncover the remarkable journey that brought it here.
Read more at our travel blog.
Read more at our travel blog.
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