Day 3--still cloudless beauty

Another good night of sleep (love it!). We awoke at 7, packed up a bit, had breakfast, and took the hop on/off bus--a good way to see central Athens in 90 minutes.  We didn't get off--just rode on top, enjoying the sun and the sites while listening to the commentary of the area. So thankful for the 45 SPF sunscreen. Around 1, we boarded our new Mercedes van for a 45 minute ride up the coast to Loutraki, just north of Corinth.  The quaint (charming!) hotel is on the Aegean Sea and we couldn't wait to jump in.  Soooo cool in the hot, dry air.

Then after a shower, we took off for a winery--one that Anna gets some of her wine from.  The temp hit 45 degrees centigrade,which is about 115.  Yikes. We tried several varieties from several different casks and loved tasting, comparing, critiquing.

Then on to dinner--which naturally begins around 8:30, my former bedtime.  I jotted down some of the selections Anna made for the group and here are most things we tried:  beer or wine, then tomato/onion/feta salad, endive salad, tatziki and bread, fried zucchini and dill sauce, French fries with egg and yogurt (excellent, tho is sounds weird), lamb with yogurt sauce, eggplant in a tomato sauce, beef sausage, plain fries with oregano, lamb chops, cheese tart, orange cake or brownie with ice cream.

Absolutely fabulous and we all rolled onto the van for the ride home, promising we'd fast tomorrow.  But then agreeing to meet for breakfast before 10.  This must be what a culinary trip is all about...but I'm loving it!