Greece
Greece is a land of unrequited beauty and an incredibly far reach despite it’s small size. Greece captivates both the jetsetters and backpackers. From the glorious mountains and monasteries of Meteora to the windmill laden cliffs of Oia in the islands. And in it’s capital, Athens, the remains of a culture that shaped modern Europe. Greece has a little something for everyone.
The first morning in Santorini, Bubs and I had breakfast at a restaurant over looking the caldera of Santorini. Like most mornings, I had a taste for something sweet. Bubs was fiending for cheese. A breakfast of Greek yogurt honey and muesli with a plate of fried saganaki fit the bill. As we sat watching the day begin for the yachts, sailors and tourists, we knew we had found nirvana.
I’m a person who likes to move but Santorini is a perfect place to stop and take in the views. Smell the floors. Enjoy the simple things. If Santorini’s mellow vibe can get me to slow down, it’s gotta be therapeutic.
If we’re talking islands, Greece is a fabled nation. You can pick and choose your own odyssey. Santorini, Mykonos, Kos? Just a few of the countless island beauties.
The Greek islands have also become my favorite place to start any trip in Europe. After flying into Athens from Chicago, the jet lag quickly set in. But the journey wasn’t over. A cruise to the islands the following morning didn’t initially sound to appealing. I predictably don’t sleep when on planes, no matter the class of travel. But booking a cabin on board was just what the doctor ordered. Stuffing myself with spanakopita and taking a nice nap all while cruising the Aegean was the best way to spend the first day in Europe. I would soon learn firsthand that this cruise is also infinitely more comfortable than the flights connecting the islands to Athens. Although the flight will save you several hours, I’m only cruising those islands from now on.
Greek food is the stuff of ambrosia. Greek salad, fresh yogurts and saganaki quickly come to mind while imports such as gyros and baklava from neighboring Turkey round out a small portion of the must-haves during any stay in Greece.
On the opposite side of the country near Albania, lies the otherworldly mountain range of Meteora. As if the islands weren’t enough, Greece has an incredible and still somewhat undiscovered range of mountains with medieval monasteries precariously perched along their cliffs.
On another trip to Greece, Bubs and I rented a car in Athens and took the four hour one way drive from Athens airport brings us to this strange alien land. The winding mountain roads and incredible views can actually be seen in very short order. No hiking is required for fantastic views which makes this place easy to see in a short amount of time. This area is deceptively small and easy to get around despite it’s appearance in photos. Of course for those that like to hike, camp, linger and explore this area has you covered. The hotels are sleepy in the spring time and the beauty is immense.
Exploring these cliffs and monasteries, we found plenty of moments where we were all alone. This kind of beauty won’t go unspoiled for long.
Greece packs a variety of types of beauty into its small size and we feel every traveler should experience this diverse country at least once. It has something for everyone in it’s timeless glory.