MVP Travel - New Zealand Explorations

09/05/2026

A convent. On Corfu. Where only one nun lives. How? Why? I will never understand. ❤️ Corfu 🌴

09/04/2026

Loved Corfu. This is Kanoni Viewpoint. This is Corfu’s most famous and photographed scenic location, offering sweeping elevated views of the sea, the 17th-century Vlacherna Monastery, and the iconic Mouse Island (Pontikonisi). It takes its name from two artillery cannons the French placed here in 1798, one of which remains. The local airport’s runway is very close, making this a great spot for plane watching. Vlacherna Monastery & Mouse Island Access: Visitors can walk down the pedestrian causeway to visit the striking white Vlacherna Monastery or catch short local boat trips from the pier across to Mouse Island to explore the historic Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator. 🌴

09/03/2026

Local market in Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia. Also spelled Cephalonia. It’s the largest island in the Greek Ionian islands and the 7th largest Greek island overall. And I bet you’ve never heard of it. They have a fascinating WWII story where there were German and Italian troops stationed there. Until Mussolini fell. The Italians decided to stay and fight but were overwhelmed and surrendered. Then Berlin got involved and ordered their ex*****on. More than 5000 Italians were slaughtered. The story is told in a book and later movie called Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

09/02/2026

Now that’s an old sweets shop. Since 1890! Of course we bought some local delicacies, most of which we can’t pronounce! But delicious and you should go there when you’re in Argostoli.

09/01/2026

The Lion of Chaeronea. This battlefield between Athens and Delphi saw many battles. The lion was erected by the Thebes to commentate the lives lost in the defeat here by Philip of Macedon in 338BC. The lion was found in pieces in the early 20th century and when the site was excavated they found a mass grave of 254 people, believed to be the Sacred Band of Thebes. This was the site of many more battles over the years.

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

Chania Crete. Always on my list and now I know why. This is the old Venetian harbor. Chania has Venetian, Ottoman, Byzantine, and Greek architecture that reflects their many years of diverse rule. Fascinating.

08/26/2026

Graffiti is everywhere in Athens. Art or not? Lots of controversy and Athens has decided to embrace street art and their creators. It’s everywhere. Personally I don’t think it’s “art” but that’s me.

08/24/2026

Caption says it all. Cape Sounion sunset at the Temple of Poseidon. Weddings are held here. People come from all over just for the sunsets.

08/23/2026

Temple of Poseidon right before sunset. At Cape Sounion, about an hour outside of Athens. Come for the ruins. Come for the sunsets.