There is just something about being on an island. It’s a combination of excitement, romance, adventure, and possibilities that is hard to describe. But after living on a dot in the Caribbean for many years, and spending countless vacation days on various isles all across the globe, one thing we know for sure is that we like it.
One of the biggest reasons why is the marvelous sensation of watching the ocean disappear into an endless horizon. It is almost like we can see to the end of the Earth and on to infinity. Did I say infinity? Because the feeling of the water in a swimming pool looking as if it is going off to the edge of the world is something that has also always intrigued us. Which is why we think that finding a Hotel with infinity pool in Gran Canaria is such a great idea.
Being in the water while it seems as though there is no end to the pool is pretty exciting, and gets even better as the sun goes down. We highly recommend it.
But it is not only at the pool that the island feeling is so strong, in the sea-view rooms at Marina Suites in Puerto Rico on Gran Canaria every morning features the vastness of the Atlantic as your backdrop to begin a new day.
From that fresh start there are any number of possibilities for each and every day. But don’t stress out, it is better to embraced the laid back concept of “Island Time” and find that real relaxation can come from letting go of that internal clock that seems to always tell us to get going, or we’re late, or there is something more important.
Leaving that all behind is what an island vacation should be all about. Discover the beauty of simply relaxing on a private terrace or balcony with a spectacular view of the ocean and Puerto Rico marina. Maybe we should toast the sunset with a glass of wine.
The spacious Family apartments in Gran Canaria are designed to offer an unparalleled island experience, with nautical-inspired design, contemporary furniture, and an attention to detail that makes everyone feel right at home from the first moment on.
In fact, this might just be the most family-friendly hotel in Gran Canaria. And to us, that makes it a home, a home base for fun, and plenty of unforgettable moments with your loved ones. Even better, in addition to enjoying the Atlantic Pool Bar, Virtual Cycling Room, yoga, pilates, Kids Club, and all of the other activities at Marina Suites, they are happy to help set up all sorts of adventures around the island.
There are fantastic golf courses and hiking trails that make for a great day, or as we like to say, “There is never a bad day when you are on a boat.” So a cruise across the water while seeking dolphins and whales is pretty much a must for us. Also, we think that the best way to see any island is from the water.
It harkens us back to the age of exploration and gets us thinking about what it would have been like to be seeing these islands for the first time from the deck of an old sailing ship.
Like we said, there really is something about being on an island.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
Even the competition struck us as a bit small for gods. The two were offering the city gifts and the best would become its namesake. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and water sprung forth, however it was saltwater so… not so good.
We learned from our intrepid guide, Dionysios, that ingenious architectural techniques employed by the Greeks helped to make it so sturdy. On close inspection we could see that the columns are not straight up and down, and they are also slightly bulging in the middle.
The Parthenon is only one of many tributes the Athenians dedicated to their patron goddess. Another is just a stone’s throw away, the Temple of Athena Nike. Built around the same time as its much larger neighbor, the version we see now is actually a reconstruction.
Originally the museum opened in 1874 and was up on the Acropolis, but as more and more artifacts were unearthed it became apparent that a bigger venue was needed. A location at the base of the famed rock outcrop was chosen and a completion for the design held but, as with almost everywhere in Athens, when construction began they discovered more ruins beneath the site.
Another highlight of the museum, and one of the only exhibits that allows photographs inside, are the Caryatids of Erechtheum. Caryatids are female figures that serve as columns, and the Porch of the Maidens on the Erechtheum is perhaps the most classic example. Replicas support the porch on the temple up on the Acropolis, but the originals are safely tucked inside the museum.
Even though the temple is small, it had importance much beyond its size because it marks the place where Poseidon’s spring flowed forth and Athena’s olive tree sprouted. It is also said to be the burial site of the mythic kings Cecrops, first king of Athens, and Erechtheus, who according to Homer’s Iliad was raised by Athena.
At first sight the forty foot high structure may not be overwhelming, but as we learned about its function we were duly impressed. This is the world’s first weather station. The tops of the eight sides each depict a direction of the wind carved in relief that a vane pointed to in the breeze.
From the best preserved temple we made our way to one of the worst kept, the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Yet even though only sixteen columns remain, it is still remarkably impressive. When construction began in the 6th century BC it was to be the largest temple in Greece, but wasn’t finished until Rome had taken control.
Evidence shows that it was around this time that burials began to take place within the circles. However, soon after our visit an ancient burial chamber was unearthed near Stonehenge.
What could possibly have inspired these ancient builders to drag untold tons of rock from so far away? It certainly made my little quest to see their handiwork seem pretty pitiful in comparison.
The final phase included the largest stones. This time the blocks were brought in from about 25 miles to the north. They were used to construct the iconic doorway like structures of upright stones topped by lintels, with each piece weighing up to fifty tons.
Whoever made the monument left no written records; so many aspects of Stonehenge remain a mystery. Over time a number of myths developed surrounding the stones, including one of the most often repeated which is that the Druids were the builders behind the mystical boulder circles.
More recently a visitor center and small museum have been added, where theories on how the stones may have been moved and how the builders may have lived are recreated in life-sized models. While interesting, these are little more than guesses because any indications of their methods have long since disappeared.
Inside the center, we browsed through old photos and memorabilia until we stumbled upon a serious collector’s item.
Jumping down from our lofty height, we were led through the middle of rainbow (a first for us!) and beheld what our adult selves thought we’d never see – the mythical pot o’ gold.
The human insisted the leprechaun show him his hidden gold in return for the little man’s freedom. 
Don’t get us wrong – we LOVE 
