Background Info:

 

Let me start by saying: I am GREATLY afraid of heights! However, because of this fear I try to do things to help me tackle it head on in the hopes of either A) over coming it or B) get comfortable enough with it that it is more of a sense of nervousness instead of fear. Regardless, I wanted to experience Dinner in the Sky because I read great things about it months earlier when looking to do it in Dubai. Sadly, I was leaving a couple days before they would open for the season. So...Athens it is!

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To begin with-I read reviews ahead of time stating the food would be just "okay". That you are really paying for the experience more so then the meal. Which, is not cheap by the way...it was around 137 Euros (or $160 USD). I booked directly on the website but Viator had it as well and if you are signing up for the first time (with an email) you receive an additional 10% off on everything you put in your cart and purchased. Anyways, when I booked I was able to add a note in regards to the menu. I misunderstood and thought we could choose between salmon and beef so I noted to give me salmon. In turn, the chef emailed me immediately and asked if I wanted both dishes to be salmon. Apparently, it is a 5 course meal with unlimited drinks (alcohol: wine and beer). I left it "as is" and thanked him for reaching out. Let me pause and add this note: my friend did make a request for chicken and shrimp instead of the options listed. She received confirmation that her request was received and when we were being strapped into our seats for dinner it was mentioned again and confirmed that she made a separate request. However, once in the air it was not an option. We still are unclear on the details but she didn't receive her request and they did work with her in offering compensation for the issue. I state this as a caution if you are a picky eater or have an allergy.

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The Experience:

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When we arrived we received a "welcome drink" and little finger foods (I didn't care for the food). You are advised to place your stuff in a keyed locker (free) except for your camera/phone/selfie stick. You also sign off on a waiver that you accept the risk of being high up in the air and won't sue in the off chance something goes wrong. There are 22 seats stationed around the table and the chef's are placed in the center. They arranged us in an effort to balance the crane once suspended in the air. I had the "pleasure" of getting a corner seat which made me feel like I was just dangling off the end...just perfect for my anxiety!! Once assigned to our seats (and after using the restroom) we were strapped in (very securely) with a little foot stand so our feet wouldn't just hang there. They give the signal and we slowly started our ascend of 167 feet in the air. I had a mixture of excitement and fear- I really couldn't look down out of fear of freaking out. That feeling of no control and fear of falling (or the crane snapping) kept flashing through my mind.

 

Meanwhile... the ladies to my right got super comfortable and started adjusting their seats all the way back (almost laying down). There were others dancing in their seat and taking pictures. I finally got my anxiety under control when they decide to rotate the table...so now we are slowly rotating clockwise to offer a different view. I literally thought I was being punk'd...and if that wasn't enough at one point they started raising us even higher. I tried to stay distracted by the food but it wasn't working- thankfully I had people I could talk too and pictures to poise for which forced me to put on a "I'm not scared" face. I will say the view of Athens was priceless. We watched the sunset and saw the Acropolis lite up at night which was beautiful. The food itself wasn't terrible, I enjoyed the salad, salmon and the chicken...I would have liked it to be hot instead of just warm but considering we were in the air...I understand. The entire experience lasted approximately 90mins...but it was the longest 90mins ever in life for me. When it was time to descend, we came down pretty quickly (at least at a speed faster then going up). They played a familiar tune that I can't remember the name of and had multicolor flashing lights. I was just happy and thankful for the ground that was closing in on my feet!!

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Overall...

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I would tell everyone to experience Dinner in the Sky- Athens or any city in one of the Countries that they offer it in. Depending on the extent of your fear and anxiety level that is....because for me I did struggle internally and this was a win for me that I didn't breakdown and beg to be taken back to land. I think having friends/people to talk too helped along with the unlimited wine!!