Top 10 Travel Experiences: Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounion, Greece

Temple of Poseidon - Cape Sounion, Greece

Today I begin a series of post based on my Top 10 recent travel experiences.  I will use travel from 2010 until now since those are freshest in my mind.  In 2010, I began international travel again, after stopping after 9/11.  Some of it was initial fear, but most of it was opportunity and finances.  I did travel to many national parks in the US during that time and some with my parents.  I'm so glad I was able to travel with my parents.  

Although this is the first in the series, it is not necessarily #1 or #10.  It is hard to put these in order since they are based on feelings of awe and wonder.  Those are hard to measure.  You will notice a theme that many of theme involve sunrises or sunsets.  Some I have covered in other blog posts and others are new.  I hope you enjoy this series.  

In July of 2021, a group of friends and myself took a tour to Greece.  We did it in the middle of the COVID-19 restrictions.  I thought (correctly) that it would be a great time to visit a popular tourist area during the busy season.  We were able to get good prices and low crowds at these amazing sites and this will be a trip I will never forget.  One member of the group had a recommendation from a friend that we not miss the Temple of Poseidon at sunset.  Although it was not part of the tour, we booked a separate tour to this site and I am so glad that we did.  It is a reminder that personal recommendations are some of the best ways to experience must visit locations.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Temple of Poseidon is an ancient Greek temple on Cape Sounion, Greece, dedicated to the god Poseidon. There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. Sounion's most prominent temples, the Temple of Athena and the Temple of Poseidon, are however not believed to have been built until about 700 BC, and their kouroi (freestanding Greek statues of young men) date from about one hundred years later.^[1] The material and size of the offerings at the Temple of Poseidon indicate that it was likely frequented by members of the elite and the aristocratic class.^[2]

It is important to visit it at sunset.  Otherwise, it is just another set of columns.  :)

As part of the tour, we had the opportunity to swim in the Mediterranean Sea.  You can see the temple in the background.  That was where we were headed after the swim.  Notice the smooth rocks on the bottom of the water.  They were a little difficult to navigate. 

Two of my favorite travel partners, we also had dinner/lunch included as part of the tour.  They are showing a traditional Greek salad, that became a favorite on the trip.  I still make this type of salad.  Of course, it never seems to taste as good as it did on this trip.  Perhaps it is the quality and freshness of the ingredients.  

We were blessed with a beautiful day and were treated to an amazing sunset.  The pictures below speak for themselves.  

I'm so glad we added this tour to our trip to Greece.  Highly recommend.  

 Magical Turkey - Part 2: Cappadocia

Cappadocia, Turkey, is world-famous for its surreal "fairy chimney" rock formations, sprawling underground cities, and breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon rides. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique volcanic landscape and historic cave dwellings carved by ancient civilizations and early Christians. 

Here is what makes Cappadocia famous:

• Fairy Chimneys (Hoodoo Landforms): 

  Thousands of cone-shaped, volcanic rock pillars formed by erosion, which dominate the Göreme Valley. 
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• Hot Air Balloon Tours: 

  Known as one of the best places in the world to fly, hundreds of balloons rise at sunrise to offer views of the valleys. 

Reflection: God’s creation is so amazing! I was blessed to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey. The incredible formations are from the lava flows of nearby volcanoes. There are three in the region. This was my first hot air balloon ride and I loved it! . I normally don’t like heights, but this was so smooth that it did not bother me. I must say that this is in my top 10 travel experiences so far. I was just overcome with amazement. I remember when I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time, I was so overwhelmed with awe that all I could think about doing was singing "How Great thou Art." I also called my parents (the connection was spotty - early days of cell phones) to tell them how I was feeling. They actually visited as part of their honeymoon trip to California. Dad had been out west, but for my mom. I can only think that she thought she had died and gone to heaven - in more ways that one. :)😍

• Underground Cities: 

  Ancient multi-story underground cities, such as Derinkuyu, were carved into the soft stone, serving as hiding places for early Christians fleeing persecution. 
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  Cave Dwellings & Hotels: 

  The region is famous for its "cave houses" carved into volcanic tuff, many of which are now boutique hotels. 

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• History & Monasteries: 

  Extensive cave monasteries, churches, and chapels featuring Byzantine frescoes are found in the Göreme Open Air Museum. 

Reflection:  First, I apologize for not including a lot of personal commentary and relying on information that I find.  I can't remember the details of what was said, but certainly remember the way it made me feel.  Walking in the places that early Christians would have been was especially meaningful.  Imagining how I would feel or what life would be like for them.  Then contrasting with the blessings of freedom of worship and freedom from persecution.  Although the world can be hard on Christians, at least we don't have to hide for our lives.  It's also inspiring to see how they determined they were to worship by creating spaces for worship.  

Although, I still have more amazing things to see in Turkey - both Istanbul and Cappadocia have been wonderfully exciting.  

My Most Recent Trip - Magical Turkey - Part 1: Istanbul

 My Most Recent Trip - Turkey

Although I trust God to take care of me in all of my travels, I was a little apprehensive about going to Turkey especially with the things that were going on in the world.  It was October 2025 and things had settled down after the first attack on Iran.  I knew Turkey had many Muslims, but did not realize it was the state religion and that 99.8% Muslim.  Considering the friction over the years, I wondered how I would be treated or even how safe it would be for me as an "American."  I did try to follow one piece of travel advice -that may be needed in other locations as well - don't look like an American.  So I tried to look more European.  :)  Just in case.  You don't want to put a target on your back - especially traveling alone.  Of course as soon as they would hear my talk, they would know I was American.  My disguise may have worked - no flashy clothes - or my fears were unfounded, but I felt safe everywhere I went.  In many countries they depend on tourism for much of their economy, so keeping tourists safe is a priority.  They just see as a $$ and want to get as much of it as possible.  I have a story about that I may share in a later post.  My posts will follow locations and not necessarily in chronological order.  

Istanbul

The first and most magical city perhaps in the entire world because of its importance in history.  It has been the home of several major empires in particular the Roman and Ottoman Empires.  It has also been a major part of several of the world's religions including Christianity and Islam.   On the last day of my tour, the others had done a different order, I had a private tour with the most amazing tour guide in Istanbul, Arif Gokhan Rakici.  He provide so much information and expertise as a guide.  I highly recommend him.  

We started with the the most symbolic place and amazing place in Istanbul and where all of these important components of its history met is the Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

 

      

A famous inscription by a Viking Visitor.  

The hidden faces of Icons.  The Muslims worshipping below are not allowed to be in the presence of images other than Allah. 

The oldest mosaic in the church and the most detailed with the smallest mosaic squares.  

The back door. 

Topkapi Palace

Next door to the Hagia Sophia is the Topkapi Palace.  An amazing complex of buildings that was the center of the Ottoman Empire and home to the Sultans of Istanbul.  It includes several buildings that are now museums hosting the treasures of this era.  

A glimpse of my guide.  

Below is a view from the Seven Hills Hotel rooftop. A famous view in the city that I highly recommend. They have food to attract the birds.

The tall retaining walls are Ottoman. Largely the remains of the Palace of Justice, which was built by the Fossatis in the 1850's, it burned down in 1933.

The image below displays the Obelisk of Theodosius, located in the Hippodrome of Constantinople (now Sultanahmet Square) in Istanbul, Turkey. 

This monument is an Ancient Egyptian obelisk originally commissioned by Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC. It was transported to Constantinople and re-erected by Roman Emperor Theodosius I in 390 AD. The obelisk is constructed from a single block of pink Aswan granite and stands approximately 20 meters tall. It rests upon an elaborately decorated marble base that depicts scenes of the Emperor and his court at the Hippodrome. 

The image below shows the Serpent Column, an ancient bronze monument located in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, Turkey. Origin: Created in 479 BC to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Plataea, it originally stood at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.  Relocation: Emperor Constantine I moved the column to Constantinople (modern Istanbul) in the 4th century AD to adorn the Hippodrome

This is the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul.  The mosque is renowned for its hand-painted blue tiles and its six distinctive minarets. It is located in Sultanahmet Square, directly opposite the historic Hagia Sophia. 

The image below shows the German Fountain (Alman Çeşmesi), a historic landmark located in Sultanahmet Square (the former Hippodrome) in Istanbul, Turkey. Commemoration: It was a gift from German Emperor Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdulhamid II and the city of Istanbul, inaugurated in 1900 to commemorate the second anniversary of the Kaiser's visit in 1898. 

The Grand Bazaar

 below is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with construction dating back to the 15th century.  It features over 60 streets and more than 4,000 shops selling a vast array of goods including carpets, jewelry, ceramics, and spices.  The Bazaar is a major tourist attraction in Istanbul's Fatih district.  It was officially opened in 1461, making it a central hub of commerce in the city for centuries. 

This image shows the historic main entrance gate of Istanbul University, located in Beyazıt Square in Istanbul, Turkey. 

The image shows the Column of Constantine, a monumental Roman column located in Istanbul, Turkey.  It was erected in 330 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great to commemorate the dedication of the new capital city, Constantinople. 

The image below depicts the historical Fatih Mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey.  Originally built between 1463 and 1470 by order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the current structure is a reconstruction completed in 1771 following a devastating earthquake in 1766. 

 

My final night in Istanbul and Turkey, I went back to the Seven Hills Hotels to get some sunset pictures.   On the way there I had an interesting experience, but it was worth the trip.  

Final Thoughts:  Aside from visiting Jerusalem, Rome, and Cairo, Istanbul has to be one of the most important and awe-inspiring cities I have ever visited.  The combination of history, religion, and mystery makes it one of my favorite cities ever.  Even though I saw most of it, I still want to go back and feel the history.  Below is a final shot outside in line waiting to go into the Hagia Sophia looking at the entrance to the Topkapi Palace.  

Thank you, Istanbul!

More from the amazing country of Turkey in future posts.  Thanks for veiwing.