Alright, folks, grab your ouzo and settle in, because Mr. and Mrs. Knobby took on Greece in October 2015, and let me tell you, it was a mythological adventure of epic proportions (and a few near-mythical mishaps). We traded our Suzuki DRZs for a pair of BMW F800GSs, affectionately named “Athena” and “Apollo,” because, you know, when in Greece…

Our journey began with a flight itinerary that looked like a Greek tragedy: BOI-ORD-FRA-ATH. We departed at 8:23 am and landed at 1:05 pm the next day. We spent more time in the air than Icarus, minus the whole melting-wings thing (thankfully).

Five days in Athens! We stayed at the Palmyra Beach Hotel in Glyfada, which was lovely, even if the beach was more pebbles than sand. We did the tourist thing: Acropolis, Monastiraki, Plaka, Ancient Agora, Acropolis museum, National Archeological museum. We even did a walking tour, which mostly involved me trying to figure out if the ancient ruins were older than my knees.

Then, the real adventure began. We hopped on Athena and Apollo and headed for Delphi. The Hotel Apollonia was charming, and the site of the Oracle was… well, let's just say I asked if I'd ever find a decent parking spot, and the wind just howled.

Delphi to Karpenisi was a twisty mountain road extravaganza. The Avaris Hotel was a cozy mountain retreat, and the village of Platanos was adorable. We even braved the Thermopylae, where I tried to reenact the 300 Spartans scene, but Mrs. Knobby just rolled her eyes. The ski resort of Karpenisi was beautiful, even if we were the only ones on motorcycles instead of skis.

Karpenisi to Meteora/Kalambaka was breathtaking. The Dellas Hotel was a gem, and the monasteries of Meteora perched on those rock pillars were absolutely stunning. I swear, the monks had better views than my backyard.

Meteora to Monodendri took us through the twisty Pindus Mountains and the Vikos Gorge. The Zagori Philoxenia Hotel was a hidden treasure, even if the roads were so narrow, we nearly scraped the paint off Athena and Apollo. I’m pretty sure we saw more goats than people.

Then, Cephalonia Island! A ferry ride with Athena and Apollo was an adventure in itself. The Thalassa Hotel in Argostoli was a seaside paradise, and the beaches were… well, they were sandy! We explored the island, ate copious amounts of fresh seafood, and tried to figure out if the locals were speaking Greek or just making up sounds.

Back to the Peloponnese! Olympia was amazing, though I’m pretty sure the ancient athletes were in better shape than me. The Olympian Asty Hotel was great, and we soaked up all the history we could handle.

Limeni, Mani, was a coastal dream. The Limeni Village Hotel was right on the water, and the views were spectacular. The coastal road was tight, and I nearly had a heart attack every time we rounded a corner, but the scenery was worth it.

Monemvasia was like stepping into a medieval fairytale. The Hotel Lazareto was charming, and the fortress was incredible. We swam in the Mediterranean, explored the old town, and tried to avoid getting lost in the narrow streets.

Nafplio was our last stop. The Hotel Grande Bretagne was luxurious, and the Palamidi Fortress was a workout. We explored the beautiful seaside town and tried to savor every last moment of our Greek adventure.

Finally, the long journey home: ATH-FRA-DEN-BOI. We departed at 8:15 am and landed at 8:45 pm. By the time we got back to Boise, we were fluent in Greek mythology, experts at navigating twisty mountain roads, and slightly sunburned.

What did we learn? Greece is a land of stunning beauty, incredible history, and roads that will test your motorcycle skills (and your sanity). The BMW F800GS is a trusty steed, even when facing ancient ruins and goat-infested mountain passes. And most importantly, Mr. and Mrs. Knobby are always up for an adventure, even if it involves more twisty roads than a plate of spaghetti. Until next time, folks, keep your helmets on and your sense of humor handy!