The Brigatti On-Line Gallery

American Express 12-Week Greece Assignment - March-June 2007

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 23:54:16 +0100

The photographs of my American Express Greece Assignment - where I was located in Athens for a 12 week period between 27th March through to 28th June 2007.

I was staying at the Hilton Athens for this period of times (and became a Hilton Diamond VIP member in the process) and managed to use the opportunity to visit a number of the Greek Islands.

I visited 'Poros', 'Hydra' and 'Aegina' as part of a one-day tour, I visited 'Skiathos' on a weekend break, I took a week's holiday and visited 'Santorini' (during the Champions League week - no room at the inn!), I took a further weekend break in Syros, a tour to see 'Delphi' and 'Meteora' and a weekend break in Sifnos - with my mother who had visited during the last week of my assignment. Lastly, I couldn't leave Athens without visiting some of the infamous sights - so became an Athenian sightseeing tourist for a few days too!

An absolutely wonderful experience and great opportunity - which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Athens Fun with some Greek Friends

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 23:52:11 +0100

Upon my return from the Syros Island Hop, I managed to acquaint myself with a delightful Greek lady friend. We met up several time since - upon our return to Athens - and she was kind enough to show me around some of the nice local bars and places in and around Athens. What a delightful time it was for the last 3 weeks of my trip!!!

Island Hop 7 - Sifnos

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:40:38 +0100

I decided to spend my last weekend of the work assignment in Sifnos. I was recommended to visit this island, and decided it was definitely worth a trip. Another island part of the "Cyclades".

A very tranquil and very traditional Cycladic architectural island, and one which hasn't become too touristy yet!

In summary, we had a very "hot" (46-47^oC) and relaxing time!

We stayed in a Studio Apartment in Apollonia - called "Nikoleta Studios" - very nice accommodation indeed.

Delphi and Meteora Tourist Sites

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:43:30 +0100

For the 23rd-24th June weekend, I decided to go with a Coach Tour to visit Delphi and Meteora.

"Delphi" is an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in a valley of Phocis.

"Meteora" is an area in Thessaly (Central Greece) and Kalambaka is the city under the rock towers of Meteora. The thing that makes Meteora so special is the monasteries on the top of the rock towers. The tour group visited two of them during the trip.

The tour group stayed in an Kalambaka for the overnight stay, at a mid-class hotel called "Hotel Orfeas" - the accommodation did the job.

Island Hop 5 - Santorini

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 15:01:22 +0100

I decided to take 8 days off as holiday, between 19th to 27th May - part of the "Cyclades" Islands. This was due to the Hilton being fully booked between 21-24th May - as Athens was hosting the European UEFA Champions League 2007 Finals - between AC Milan and Liverpool.

I stayed in Fira (Thira) for the 10 days-stay, at the nice family-run hotel, called "Astir Thira Hotel" - overlooing the Volcano Island. I had to spend the last two days in one of their other hotels, called "Pension Petros".

Island Hop 4 - Skiathos

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:53:10 +0100

During the May-Day Bank Holiday weekend (5-7th May in the UK), I decided to visit Skiathos, which is the Greek Island in the North-East area of Greece - part of the "Sporades" Islands.

I stayed in Skiathos Town for the weekend stay, at a placed called "Hotel Akti" - overlooking the old-port.

Island Hop 6 - Syros

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:51:02 +0100

Decided to do a further Island Hop and visit Syros - during the 8th-10th June, again part of the the "Cyclades" Islands.

I stayed in Galissas for the weekend stay, at a really nice hotel, called "Dolphin Bay" - overlooking the Bay. Really nice!

Island Hop 1-3 - Poros, Hydra and Aegina

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:26:35 +0100

During Sunday, 22nd April, I decided to take a Island Tour - which involved a Boat Ride to visit three nearby Islands (from Pireaus). We visited Poros, Hydra and Aegina - which are part of the "Saronic" Islands.

Hilton Athens - Hungary Month (June)

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:51:19 +0100

During June 2007, the Hilton Athens theme was focused on "Hungary", including special menus, dancing and music. These photos were of the Hungarian Dancing and Music - really interesting!

Athens Tourist Sites

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:34:33 +0100

I decided to stay in Athens during some of the weekends that I was in Greece, and took the opportunity to visit a number of the Athens sites - including the "Presidential Palace", "Syntagma Square", "Acropolis" and other similar sites.