Athens
Day 1 and 2
One of the most mystical and historical places in the world is Greece and I definitely would say that it is one of my favorite places that I’ve traveled so far.
We flew in to Athens and arrived there late on a Sunday evening. That didn’t stop us from checking out Syntagma Square. This is the city’s main square which borders right onto the Parliament building. There you can see soldiers and guards in traditional dress guarding the building. A short walk away we found the central market. This picturesque place is a perfect place to spend some time. Even if you don’t shop for food, the restaurants in this lively, loud, and bustling market stay open all night long. We stayed there for around one hour to enjoy some gyros in a cone.
Next day in the early morning we headed to the Acropolis. I would highly recommend going there in the morning or the later afternoon since the mountain is very exposed to the sun and the temperatures can raise to quite uncomfortable highs. There, we were fortunate to explore some of the most famous and iconic structures in the world. On the way up we passed the Theatre of Dionysus. The Temple of Zeus is also worth a stop before reaching the famous Parthenon. The Parthenon always has ongoing construction to improve the structures and keep it safe to visit. However, there are plenty of opportunities to snap photos without the construction being too visible.
We decided to visit the Acropolis Museum right after our climb down from the Acropolis. It is located right at the bottom of the Acropolis and across the street from the acropolis metro station. It was quite a treat to cool down in its air conditioned rooms and soak in all the information about its huge collection of some of the most important archaeological finds from all over Greece. Next we endured the overwhelming heat of the Greek sun again and walked the 16 min to Kerameikos Cemetery. It’s one of the least visited ancient sites in the city, but also one of the most atmospheric. We dearly enjoyed wandering around the burial grounds which provided us with another rare retreat amidst all the chaos of the city.
From the Cemetery we took the 026 Bus to Mount Lycabettus. The hill stands over twice the height of the Acropolis but is worth the climb for the unparalleled views it affords. We were able to see across the Acropolis to the sea as well as all around the city and the surrounding mountains. The little chapel at the top is also delightful. The Lycabettus Hill Restaurant at the summit of the hill provided us a terrific service of little authentic Greek bites and cool drinks with an unbelievable view. If you don’t fancy the hike up, there is a cable car on the Kolonaki site of the hill.
Day 3 and 4
Mykonos
There are several options of how to gete to Mykonos but we decided to take the ferry. I highly recommend to rent a scooter or ATV for the duration of your stay. We went for an ATV and it was perfect to get around and to be able to take scenic day trips to different beaches around the island. Nothing is really all that far to get to.
We spend the morning wandering around through the maze of narrow alleyways of Little Venice where the buildings are painted in the famous white and blue colors and framed with the most beautiful pink flower bushes. There we found lots of cafes and restaurants, featuring local seafood dishes, as well as little souvenir and clothing stores. We wandered up to the famous windmills and strolled along the coast where little bars stretch out to the sea. Afterwards we took a horseback ride along the beautiful beaches of Mykonos and experienced a breathtaking sunset.
The next day, we spent the morning exploring Delos, a small island 25 minutes by boat from Mykonos.
The barren island is an archeological treasure thanks to the ruins of a settlement dating back to 3,000 BC. The outlines of houses, walls, statues, mosaic floors and towering columns are still present. While wandering through the streets and alleyways, you can imagine how wonderful and artistic those buildings once looked when it was a bustling town thousands of years ago. After a few hours exploring Delos, we took the boat back to Mykonos.
Mykonos is also well known for its nightlife, much of which actually takes place on the beaches. For example, Paradise beach is the most famous of all of Mykonos’ beaches. We drove there with our ATV which was quite adventurous since many hills were almost too steep to drive. There are also shuttle boats available to get to paradise beach if you don’t have a vehicle.
Day 5 and 6
Santorini
We decided to fly into Santorini since the fare was cheaper and rent a car from the airport to get around the island.
Before we went to check in to our Hotel we stopped at Santo Winery and signed up for a wine tour and tasting. Santo Winery is one of Santorini‘s most popular wineries. It sits right on the cliffs with the most picturesque architecture and the most stunning view of the volcano and caldera. They offer daily wine tours for €12 per person with two included tastings.
I highly recommend booking reservations at https://santowines.gr/visit-us/ beforehand since the tours are quite popular. If you just want to experience the wine tasting but you’re not so interested in a full winery tour, the winery also offers 6 and 10 glass wine flights with a Greek cheese plate pairing. Prices for the tastings range from €31.50 to €48.00.
After the tastings and checking in to the hotel, my husband and I hiked the trail Fira to Oia. This is one of the original historic trails many people hiked and hike the 9 km distance still today on the daily. The trail can be quite narrow and stony in some areas so I would recommend appropriate footwear when you’re attempting this hike. It took us around 2.5 hours to complete the trail.
Oia is a wonderful spot in Santorini with all its cafes and little boutiques. It is also the most popular spot to watch the sunset. The hotspot to watch the spectacle is Oia castle but be aware that the crowds there can be quite insane. Make sure to get there early if you want to get a good spot. The view from there, however, is stunning with all the white buildings and the windmills framing the setting sun.
The next day we discovered Amoudi Bay. This little fishing area, surrounded with steep cliffs, features several cute taverns, serving up the catch of the day. It also invites you to sunbath on the beach or cool down with a nice swim. The beach is quite rocky so please make sure to bring water shoes. The beach at Amoudi Bay is also a great spot to enjoy the sunset, if you want to avoid the massive crowds at the Oia castle. On the bottom of the stairs going down to the Bay, you’ll find some donkeys which are able to carry you up the stairs for a small fee. My husband and I wanted, of course, to experience this typical Greek mode of transportation.
To burn some calories after all the wonderful food at the tavernas, we went to Skaros Rock. This is not only a geologically interesting place but also historically important for the people of Santorini. It is Santorini’s first Fortress that was built around the 15th century in order to protect from pirates. You can hike up to the top in under one hour but be aware to bring some water since the hike is harder then it seems.
My husband and I spent the evening in our hotel, Dana Villas, which I can highly recommend. It is a incredibly romantic property tucked into the cliffs of Firostefani with fantastic views of the volcano and Aegean Sea. We had the Honeymoon suite which has a private pool that starts in the bathroom and winds its way out to the balcony (with bonus Jacuzzi jets). On the private balcony there were beautiful views of the volcano, which we enjoyed while wining and dining.
