Paris, Athens Greece, Mykonos Greece, Bar Montenegro, Corfu Greece, Messina (Sicily) Italy, Barcelona Spain and Amsterdam
By Ricky Tyus , Owner Tyus Tours & Travel
The Truth Travel Correspondent
From the picturesque avenues of Paris to the vibrant culinary offerings in Barcelona, each city presented distinct attractions and opportunities for exploration. We engaged with local gastronomy, identified noteworthy locations within lively markets, and gained insight into unfamiliar cultures throughout our travels. The experiences acquired during this journey have contributed significantly to a collection of lasting memories.
How We Vacation in Paris on a Dime
We traveled non-stop from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. With an 11-hour layover in Paris, we chose to tour the city during this period. Initially, we secured a location at the airport for our carry-on luggage and then proceeded to take the Paris Metropolitan train into central Paris. During the train journey, we had the opportunity to observe various intercity areas of Paris before disembarking at the Cathedrale Notre-Dame.
We visited the Cathedrale Notre-Dame in Paris, capturing a picturesque moment before continuing our exploration. Utilizing a hop-on hop-off bus, we toured several notable landmarks in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre Museum prior to its incident of theft. Additionally, we observed the renowned love-lock tradition, a symbolic representation of Paris as the City of Love.
After completing our tour of Paris on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus, we paused for lunch before returning to the Paris Metropolitan train in order to proceed to our next flight to Athens, Greece.
Athens Greece
We arrived late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning in Athens, Greece. After landing, we took an Uber to Grand Hyatt Athens, which will be our home for the next several days.
Grand Hyatt Athens is a five-star hotel featuring stunning views of both the Acropolis and the Aegean Sea. Guests can enjoy a wide array of luxurious amenities and modern conveniences, making it an ideal city-center base for business travelers and cosmopolitan visitors to Greece’s lively capital.
Athens, the capital of Greece, stands as one of the world’s oldest cities. Famed for its deep historical roots, cultural treasures, and lasting influence on Western civilization, Athens has grown into a vibrant metropolis with a population exceeding 3.6 million in its urban area. Today, it is not only Greece’s largest city but also a key economic hub in southeast Europe.
Our crew is presently in Athens to board the Princess Sun cruise ship, scheduled for departure on Saturday. Prior to embarkation, we will take the opportunity to explore the city of Athens.
Thursday:
We had an elevated dining experience at The Grand, an exceptional Athens rooftop restaurant and culinary destination where Mediterranean and Greek flavors come to life. Located on the 8th and 9th floors of Grand Hyatt Athens, it offers exquisite dishes crafted from the finest ingredients, all with breathtaking views of the Acropolis.
After dinner participants engaged in an activity called “A Tasting Adventure Greek,” which provided an opportunity to sample and learn about traditional Greek delicacies.
Friday:
In the afternoon, we took the Hop-on Hop-off Bus to see major Athens landmarks like the Acropolis Parthenon. Afterward, we had a light dinner, and most of the crew went to the Masina Restaurant.
Masina is a premium grill house specializing in charcoal-grilled skewers of exceptional quality. The menu features handmade, flavorful skewers, classic appetizers, and a welcoming environment enhanced by refined decor that distinguishes it from conventional establishments. Masina offers an ideal setting for family gatherings and other occasions, providing comfort and excellence throughout the dining experience.
Saturday:
We embarked on the Sun Princess, which departed from Athens with scheduled ports of call including Mykonos, Bar Montenegro, Corfu, Messina (Sicily), and Barcelona.
The Sun Princess is both the largest and newest ship in the Princess Cruise Line fleet at the time of our voyage. It can accommodate 4,320 passengers, with a maximum capacity of 5,189, and is staffed by 1,550 crew members. The vessel features 20 decks—16 of which are accessible to guests and 10 contain cabins. On board, you’ll find 29 bars and lounges, two swimming pools, eight outdoor Jacuzzis (whirlpool hot tubs), and 16 elevators.
The new Sun Princess ship has the advanced SISCO A-PASS 6 mobile system which is the mobile app that handles tasks related to passengers/crew safety, also facilitating a faster embarkation /disembarkation process and providing the cruise ship management with information for (and tracking) everyone on board.
The Princess Sun is a vessel measuring 1,133 feet in length, with a tonnage of 175,500 and a cruising speed of 22 knots. Constructed in 2024, the ship features convenient night lights within staterooms that automatically activate upon movement during nighttime hours.
The dining experience aboard Princess Sun was exceptional, complemented each evening by high-quality entertainment. On two occasions during the cruise, guests had the opportunity to attend Janine Johnson’s Soul Diva Soiree performances.
An Exceptionally Noteworthy Event
On the first day at sea, a young man initiated a conversation by inquiring about my place of origin. I informed him that I was from Toledo, Ohio, to which he responded that he had also been born and raised in Toledo. He explained that he was aware of my attendance on the cruise through a Facebook post shared by a mutual acquaintance and wished to introduce himself. Interestingly, Mark Hinton had previously met every member of my family except me: my brother, William Ellis, served as his football coach at St. Teresa; he attended school with my sister, Robin Tyus at St. Teresa; and he encountered my sister, Joanne Ricks, at the African American Festival held in July of this year. Notably, Mark currently resides in Las Vegas.
It’s amusing that we can journey halfway across the globe only to encounter someone who grew up right in our own neighborhood.
As our journey continued, each port offered new opportunities for discovery and relaxation. In Mykonos, we wandered through charming, whitewashed streets and experienced the island’s vibrant nightlife, while Bar Montenegro greeted us with stunning coastal views and historic architecture. Corfu captivated us with its lush landscapes and Venetian influences, and in Messina, Sicily, we explored local markets and tasted authentic Italian cuisine. Finally, Barcelona dazzled with its blend of Gothic and modernist landmarks, lively plazas, and unforgettable culinary adventures, bringing our European vacation to a memorable close as we reflected on the diverse cultures and friendships celebrated throughout our travels.
Upon arriving in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday, our group was divided, as we were lodging at different hotels and departing on separate flights. Along with Pamela and Elizabeth, I stayed at Hotel Arc Rambla Barcelona, a three-star establishment distinguished by its exceptional location. Due to ongoing street construction, local vendors relocated their shops and restaurants to the central median, which allowed us the opportunity to explore La Rambla Boulevard and visit a variety of unique vendor stalls.
Heading Home
On Sunday, we began our journey home, with an overnight stop in Amsterdam. Our flight arrived in Amsterdam at 11 pm, and our connecting flight was scheduled for the following day, so we stayed at the airport overnight. During our stay, we noticed mice in the terminal, which required us to remain vigilant throughout the night.
After 13 days, we returned to our starting point at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Throughout the journey, we traveled by plane, train, boat, bus, and taxi, visiting destinations such as Paris, Athens, Mykonos (Greece), Bar (Montenegro), Corfu (Greece), Messina (Sicily, Italy), Barcelona (Spain), and Amsterdam (Netherlands). During this trip, I had a unique opportunity to meet a new acquaintance who grew up in my neighborhood. Nevertheless, returning home remains a gratifying experience.