What if the best travel companion wasn’t a camera or a notebook, but a quilt?
This idea sparked the beginning of my new adventure—Patchwork Passport, a blog where I take my quilts on travels and see how they shine in different places.
The Journey Begins
It all started when I was struggling to find the perfect backdrop for my mini quilt, More than Words. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t capture its colors the way I wanted. Frustrated, I made a bold decision: this quilt was coming on my next family trip. If I couldn’t find a setting where it truly shined, I’d declare it a failure and never look at it again!
And so, More than Words joined us on our February trip to Greece. Here’s how it went.
Chasing the Sun in Athens
While most families in Vienna spend February break skiing, we prefer to chase the sun. This year, the best flight deal took us to Athens.
Stepping off the plane, I was immediately struck by the golden light—it felt like stepping into another world, leaving behind winter’s gray for endless warmth. I couldn’t wait to photograph my quilt.
But by the time we reached the hotel, the sun had already set. The next day, I finally experienced that golden hour again, this time from the heights of Lycabettus Hill. As the sun dipped behind the hills of Athens, painting the sky in beautiful shades of orange and pink, I realized something: some moments are meant to be admired, not just captured. I barely took any photos of my quilt—I was too busy soaking in the view.
Quilt Meets Ancient Walls and Vibrant Street Art in Athens
Athens is a fascinating blend of old and new. As one of the world's oldest cities, it has been continuously inhabited for approximately 5,000 years. A testament to its rich history, the Acropolis—which means "high city" in Greek—still stands at its heart, crowned by the majestic 2,400-year-old Parthenon. From Philopappos Hill, you can see its ancient columns rising above the modern metropolis.
Standing at the Acropolis, it’s hard not to feel the weight of history. The struggles of the people who once lived here are long gone. Yet, the Parthenon still captivates us. Its size, beauty, and craftsmanship continue to inspire, just as they’ve inspired generations before us. In a way, the history comes alive, and for a moment, it feels like those ancient people could be standing right next to us, sharing the same view, the same sunset, and the same human experience. Through their art and their creations, their legacy endures.
But Athens isn’t just its ancient past. After Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830, Athens was little more than a village with around 4,000–5,000 residents clustered around the Acropolis. In just 170 years, waves of migration and urban expansion transformed it into a metropolis of over 3 million—a staggering population growth of nearly 60,000%.
You can feel it when walking through the city—both ancient and modern history have left their mark on Athens. While ruins whisper of the city's deep past, its walls tell a newer story through bold street art.
During the financial crisis, artists used murals to reclaim public spaces and express both struggle and resilience. Today, these vibrant works reflect protest, pride, and hope. Wandering through the narrow alleys, I couldn’t resist contrasting my quilt against these colorful backdrops.
One mural, in particular, stood out—a painting of a surprised woman who looked as if she was fascinated by my quilt! :)
Everywhere I turned, Athens offered new and exciting contrasts for my quilt. From the weathered stones of antiquity to bright street murals, I kept stopping to capture these juxtapositions. And then, purely by chance, I stumbled upon a picture-perfect moment: a bright yellow car parked under a citrus tree. How could I resist?
Discovering Athens’ Hidden Fabric Treasure
The next morning, I decided to check out fabric stores in Athens and was surprised to find an entire mini district dedicated to textiles, right in the city center.
I soon learned that Greek fabric shops don’t sell quilting cotton the way we know it—instead, you have to ask for "bedding fabrics" to find high-quality cotton. The selection was overwhelming, and I discovered that you can buy large, affordable backing fabrics for quilts! If you love textiles, this district is definitely worth a visit.
A Quilt on the Move: The Peloponnese and the Sea
Our next destination was the Peloponnese Peninsula, home to the legendary city of Sparta. Unlike Athens, which flourished in art and philosophy, Sparta built its legacy on discipline, resilience, and military prowess. If you’ve seen the movie 300, you’ll recognize the famous last stand of King Leonidas and his warriors—a true Spartan story that happened over 2,500 years ago.
As we journeyed south, I had countless opportunities to photograph More than Words in breathtaking locations, proving once again that bringing a quilt along was a good idea.
Our first stop was at the shore. The weather was chilly, and the wind was strong. While my kids skipped stones across the cold water, I found a stick, attached my quilt, and waved it like a flag. The wind caught it, and I loved watching More than Words dance against the backdrop of the dark blue sea and sky. Later, I laid the quilt on the rocky beach, where it seemed to peacefully listen to the waves as dried leaves tumbled across it.
That’s when I realized—this quilt loves the sea, just like I do. Even when the weather isn’t picture-perfect.
The next day, on our way to the southernmost point of continental Europe, we spotted an amazing, completely deserted beach.
While my family jumped into the water to enjoy the warm February weather (20°C!), I wandered off to explore. First, I laid my quilt on the stony shore, where it surprisingly blended into the background—the gray fabric almost identical to the pebbles.
Then, I draped the quilt over a striking rock formation, and suddenly—boom! It was the most fantastic backdrop ever.
That’s when I had another realization: More than Words shines best against a reddish-brown backdrop. Every picture I took with the brown stone looked fantastic.
What can I say? Backdrop matters!
Family, Fun, and the Patience to Photograph a Quilt
MMy family quickly learned that traveling with a quilt means frequent, unscheduled photo stops. "Could you hold the quilt here? Just one more shot!" I’d plead, as they rolled their eyes.
My middle son even rebelled—he refused to hold the quilt properly, so now I have a photo of its back displayed in front of a church on the Acropolis! 😆
But in the end, they were all incredibly supportive. My youngest, just six years old, after patiently posing for me even took some fantastic photos himself :)
Yes, this is photographed by a 6 year old! 
My husband documented me taking quilt pictures (very meta), and my oldest son became my last-resort quilt holder, always stepping in after everyone else refused.
A Journey to Remember
As I stood at the southernmost point of continental Europe, watching the endless blue of the Mediterranean stretch before me, I felt something profound.
This was a place I might never return to—a quiet, unremarkable February day in 2025, yet one that would stay with me forever. Every time I look at More than Words, I’ll remember this journey, the warmth of the Greek sun, the wind at the edge of the world, and this perfect moment with my family.
As we wandered through the sun-dappled streets of Athens and the scenic landscapes of the Peloponnese, we weren’t the only ones enjoying the warmth. Over 100 stray cats (yes, my kids counted) seemed to be everywhere, calmly roaming the cities and lounging in the most picturesque spots.
These peaceful creatures were a part of the Greek landscape, much like the history and scenery we were there to enjoy. So, at the end of my trip, I took this picture, as I felt the story of this journey wouldn’t be complete without remembering our cuddly friends :)
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it—my very first Patchwork Passport adventure! Traveling with a quilt has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, and I’m already excited for the next one. Where to next? I can’t wait to see where the road leads!
Have you ever taken a quilt on an adventure? Or is there another travel companion that always makes your journeys special? Drop a comment below and share your story—I’d love to hear what makes your travels unforgettable! And if you’re inspired to take a quilt on your next trip, let me know where you’d go!
Happy Quilting,
