GREECE
Ohh, Greece - its one of the perfect destination for history, architecture and culture lovers. This was enough to inspire me to visit one of the oldest city in the world. We spent our time between Athens, the largest city in Greece which boasts one of the most significant archaeological sites and getting lost in the blue and white charm of Santorini.
Exploring Athens during one of the worst heat wave in Europe did not stop us from being awe-struck by this amazing city. We began our exploration at the Acropolis. When we arrived at the Acropolis, we were greeted by long lines in the scorching heat. Within five seconds we were approached by a local Athenian guide who invited us on a group tour. We immediately obliged to her offer and jetted to the front of the line. Being crunched for time, it was the perfect opportunity to appreciate the architectural significance of the Acropolis with a guide who kept our interest peaked with many historical tidbits. The Acropolis (high city) is located on a rocky peak overlooking the city of Athens. We were also able to admire The Parthenon which is a temple dedicated to the goddess, Athena.
We loved Syntagma Square where we admired the Parliament building and the changing of the guard at the site of the tomb of the unknown soldier. We explored Monastiraki Square both in the daytime and at night. It is known as the most popular shopping area in Athens with the main attraction being the Flea Market where you can find antiques, souvenirs, ceramics and food to name a few. At nights, it was just as lively and vibrant with continued hustling and bustling.
We stayed in the heart of Athens and was taken aback by the open drug addicts and the number of homelessness visible in broad daylight. We conveniently traveled by taxi although a metro stop was a few feet away.
Let’s not forget the luscious Greek food literally my favorite food. While in foodie heaven, we enjoyed a feast every time we ate and made no qualms indulging daily in the flavors of Greek cuisine. Even without much research on restaurants, we were never disappointed with Greece’s gastronomy.
From Athens, we flew a 55 minutes flight to Santoini (Thira) on Sky Express. During our flight, we were able see the many of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. Santorini is 23 square miles and located between Athens and Crete. You can also take a ferry from Athens to Santorini but because of our constraints for time we opted to flying. Upon arrival, we obtained a taxi but try to avoid getting a taxi with operators located immediately after exiting the airport. As we walked further out the airport, we were able to get a taxi for half the price. Booking a private transfer prior to arrival is also an option.
We stayed in a unique cave Air BnB nestled in the cliff side in Oia, a town known for its stunning views and sunsets. Oia also seemed to have a good selection of restaurants which Meze Meze was a favorite of ours. We treated ourselves with strolls through this picturesque town which was ideal for our purpose of mainly lazing around and enjoying the idyllic atmosphere.
Santorini was truly a dream from tantalizing views, white cave homes, Greek hospitality, incredible architecture and without a doubt probably one of the most romantic of the Greek islands. It should definitely be added to your bucket list destination.
Quick Tips:
Wear comfortable shoes to the Acropolis
Beware of pickpocket
US dollars is not readily exchanged so bring Euros beforehand, ATMs or use credit cards
Greece is not just a place, its a state of mind - Unknown