15 Memories to Make in Greece
I am back! It has been a busy summer finishing up my dance season and moving, but I am so happy to be writing again about my favorite topic, TRAVEL.
The greek islands encompass 4 seas: the Ionian, the Aegean, the Adriatic, and the Mediterranean. Between all of them you are for sure to be swept away by all of the hues of blue and green you will find on each island. Greece offers some of the most beautiful beaches and the perfect spot that most of us would call paradise, but these islands are made up of more than the vast seas that connect them.
There are so many Greek islands all offering something unique. I recommend grabbing the Greece travel guide to assist in your own travel planning in case you plan to add on more islands than listed below.
1. Wander around Oia and Fira
In Oia, you will find the highest point to view the Caldera. The cliffs are lined with the white and blue architecture. While snapping pics make sure to stop in the local shops as you climb up and down the narrow, white washed steps. You will be sure to find the island’s blue glass evil eye.
Fira is the island’s biggest town and is where you will enter Santorini if you travel up the mountainside by cable car. It is amazing to look out onto the water from Fira and see where Thira once stood tall.
If you would like a tour of Santorini plus wine tastings, I would recommend this tour.
2. Sip on Santorini Wine
Make a stop at a winery in the Cyclades. We stopped at Venetsanos which offered breathtaking views. Every table on its balcony opens up into a semicircle of the Aegean and the Cyclades. Enjoy a cheese plate with their paired wines while you take a moment to gasp at how incredible the cliffs formed from the volcanic eruption sit upon the Aegean Sea with its underwater caldera.
3. Visit the ruins from the ancient settlement of Akrotiri
Head south on the island to Akrotiri and walk around this indoor, preserved excavation. You will find this settlement’s ruins left over from the volcanic eruption that gave Santorini its caldera shape. Much of Akrotiri is unknown from the eruption, but there has been a lot of ideas formed that this is the location of Atlantis.
TIP: Stop by Red Beach before leaving the area. It literally is red from the volcanic rock.
If you are interested in someone organizing this for you instead of navigating here on your own I would recommend booking this Archaeological bus tour to Akrotiri & Red Beach.
4. Admire all the boats
Greece is dotted with so many islands that it is only natural to find boats everywhere. The Greek writing gives them so much character.
5. Take in the magnitude of the Acropolis
Athens has scattered ancient ruins all over. The Acropolis is home to the historical treasure, the Parthenon. You can catch a glimpse of the ‘high city’ from anywhere in the city of Athens, but it is most amazing up close. The temples were built for different greek gods and goddesses. The Parthenon was built for the goddess Athena. These temples where also created to retreat to when under attack. Understand that you will feel mighty small as you stand next to all of the Hercules columns.
Do not forget to look out from the Acropolis. You will find all of Athens below your feet and many other ruins such as the Temple of Zeus.
6. Take home a piece of the olive branch from the Plaka District
In Greek mythology Athena planted the first olive tree. You will find in the detail throughout Greece the olive branch on currency, in the architecture, and olive oil sold almost everywhere. Shop at the Plaka in Athens to find your olive branch so you can take home a little of Greece with you. I brought home a silver olive branch ring.
7. Eat Traditional Greek Food
When you are tired from shopping around the Plaka grab a bite to eat at a café or restaurant, and order some Greek food! Moussaka is my favorite treat. If you want, order a shot of Ouzo to try the liquor consumed in Greece.
8. Visit the giant windmills in Mykonos
The windmills in Mykonos are a staple to this island. Though they may not be in use today, they stand tall to be seen from every point in Mykonos.
9. Eat Lunch by the Water
Order lunch in Little Venice to sit on the water’s edge. You may get a little wet from the waves splashing up along the buildings, but the water’s aqua color provides a tranquil scenery for lunch.
10. Shop in a Sand Castle
You may get lost in the labyrinth like streets, but the beauty the floral balconies and the blue and white washed maze create is worth the wandering. Mykonos reminds me of a life sized sand castle. The cobbled streets were created in a maze pattern to protect the town from pirates.
11. Take in the florals
On almost all the islands I visited the pink flowers detailed every house and building I came across. You will find shops, boutiques, cafes, and homes to admire and there are no cars on the streets to distract your attention.
12. Play in the Aegean, Adriatic, Ionian, and Mediterranean Sea
In Mykonos, you have over 30 beaches in the Aegean to pick from depending on what you are looking for: family, party, remote, or nude to name a few. We stopped by Paradise beach which seemed to be relaxing in the afternoon, but a party beach closer to night fall.
Corfu offers beaches on the Ionian that are surrounded by cliffs creating a remote feel to your afternoon relaxation. The bays have resting rocks emerging out of the water that resemble where a mermaid could be found, or just a place to rest while snorkeling.
13. Search for Sea Glass
Paleokastritsa beach is lined with blue, green, and burgundy sea pebbles rather than sand. While skewering through the shiny stones you will find pieces of sea glass.
14. Visit a Fort
You will not find the blue and white washed buildings found all over Greece in the town of Corfu. Instead, you will find pastel colors of pink, orange, and yellow. In the town, you will explore two fortresses The New Fortress and the Old Fortress. The Old Venetian fortress rests along the edge of the sea and has longer hours for visitation.
15. Take a boat ride to the Blue Caves
Corfu’s beaches are surrounded with cliffs that encompass grand caves along the Ionian Sea. Hop in a for a small grotto boat ride to ride past mountain sized rocks before coming to a quiet beach reached only by boat, and the blue caves. The sunlight peeps through the cave and glimmers through the ocean water, creating a beautiful, blue glow.
You can always take the route of staying on a boat all day with this BBQ Boat Trip.
TIP FOR ALL OF YOUR TRAVELS:
I ALWAYS use Viator to find a book tours before my travels. They have the lowest prices and organize everything for you! You just need to show up ready to have fun!! Check out this link to start planning your next trip:Find and save on Things to Do around the world
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