From America to Athena (Greece): My idyllic vacation in the Cyclades.
I had a great start to my Greek vacation in the city of Athena (Athens), where I spent three days. In a way, it put me in mind of New York City. The hustle and bustle of the city was designed with camaraderie in mind. Different squares featured local shops, restaurants, and parks. I grew quite attached to the square near my hotel. It was nice being within walking distance of a cappuchino. Below, I've listed my favorite sites and attractions.
Places to visit in Athena:
Monastiraki's Flea Market--a great place to find some eclectic goods to take back as souvenirs.
Hadrian's Arch--drive by Hadrian's Arch (built to celebrate the Roman emperor Hadrian) while you explore downtown. It's free to view.
Plaka--A neighborhood filled with culture. Local vendors, cafes, neoclassical architecture, and can be explored on a walk through this dreamy atmosphere.
Acropolis--includes Parthenon, the temple of Athena, and other monuments). Afterwards, I would recommend visiting the Acropolis Museum, which features preserved pieces and copies of original artwork and architecture.
Syntagma Square--traditional Evzones (guards) complete a ritual every hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After staying in Athena, I traveled to Delphi, an ancient town that was home to the famous Oracle. It was a hike to see the structures. Walking on the beaten path and witnessing the remains of a once thriving civilization felt humbling. If you enjoy Greek history, I would definitely recommend a half-day trip to this archeological site.
On the way to my next destination (Kalabaka, Thessaly), I stopped in the charming village of Arachova, which is known as the "Winter Mykonos." This is said to be a popular destination to visit during the holidays because of their ski resorts, and traditional taverns. I would love to come back and nestle in during Christmas. It was quite magical during the fall and I can only imagine what it's like transformed into a winter wonderland. While there, I met a very kind shopkeeper, who advised me on my purchases with thoughtfulness.
Before I get into the adventures of Kalabaka, I have to stop and talk about the food, which was amazing! My mouth waters just thinking about it. I ate a lot of seafood, chicken, and some very good Italian food. Their "Greek Salad" featured a superior feta cheese to what's available in the states. I don't know, it just tasted different, better. The ingredients used were always fresh. There were bakeries everywhere, with some of the prettiest and yummiest little pastries. Checkout my favorite restaurants below from Athena to Paros to Santorini.
My Favorite Restaurants:
Αττικά Αρτοποιεία--a great Italian restaurant in Athena, with a great selection of baked goods, and pastries.
Pizzarella--another great Italian spot, located in Naousa (Paros).
Taverna Galini--amazing seafood spot located by the sea in Therasia (Santorini).
Pita Frank, Souvlaki & Gyros Place--I tried the chicken gyros and chicken kebabs, both were great. Everything was fresh and delicious. Naousa (Paros)
Chalet Maniatis--I stopped here after my trip to Delphi, and had a great Greek salad, with their delicious feta cheese, pictured above.
Ouzeri Halaris--great seafood in Piso Livadi (Paros).
Up in the mountains of Meteora, it was very cold. I was lucky to have stopped in Arachova prior to the excursion where I purchased a vest that kept me warm through the winds. One thing that I didn't take into much consideration while mentally preparing myself for this trip was the amount of cliffs I would have to travel on. Breathtaking views at breathtaking heights. But, it was well worth it to visit the monasteries.
Out of respect, visitors are asked to dress modestly, which was not an issue considering the frigid weather. Inside of the monasteries featured the most beautiful artwork dedicated to special figures in the church. You could leave a donation and light a candle in prayer. Hearing the history of each of the monasteries was moving. It was a spiritual experience.
After visiting the monasteries, I took a ferry to the island of Paros, which turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. The trip to the port was about three hours, so I caved and tried the Greek version of McDonald's, Goodys, and it was decent. If you're missing greasy fast food, this will definitely hit the spot. It also might make you wonder why fast food in the states isn't as good.
I stayed in a traditional hotel near the ferry port where I could view the sea from my balcony. While in Paros, I used a rental car to drive around the island and take in the stunning views of the fisherman's island. Here, I had some amazing seafood. I've included a list of my favorite places and beaches on the island of Paros.
My Favorite Places in Paros:
Piso Livadi
Parikia
Lefkes
Aliki
Naousa
My Favorite Beaches in Paros:
Golden Beach (Chrysi Atki)
Logaros Beach
My trip ended in Santorini. I have wanted to visit Greece, specifically Santorini, ever since I saw the The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. And, I must say, the movie does not do the exquisite scenery justice. It is hard to pick which postcard views to capture. Each sight as idyllic as the last. There were several beaches to explore in Santorini. I included a shot from Red Beach (Santorini), which was a nice place to take in the views. I wouldn't recommend this as a place to go swimming. But, it's definitely worth the stop. Near my hotel, I was able to see Kamari Beach, known for it's black sand. If you're looking for a place to lay out in the sun, and walk on the beach, I'd recommend visiting Kamari.
My Favorite Places in Santorini:
Oia
Thera
Kamari
Akrotiri
Therasia
Monolithos
My Favorite Beaches in Santorini:
Red Beach
Kamari Beach
While in Santorini, I spent my time traveling through different towns, admiring local art, and scenic views. There was so much to see, it was impossible to experience Santorini in it's entirety with my limited time. Though, I am grateful for what I did experience, the people I met, the food I ate and the many goodies I was able to take home to treasure.
My Favorite Souvenirs:
Donkey Soap (yes, donkey soap!)--I bought this on multiple islands. It's been almost two months since I've been back in the states, and I already need to order some more.
Greek Sunscreen--I picked up some sunscreen the night I arrived in Kalabaka. They served a traditional four-course meal at my hotel, before I scrambled to the stores. Shops and restaurants closed around 10PM.
An Evil Eye Ring--the evil eye is everywhere in Greece. There is lots of artwork and jewelry to admire. I chose a simple ring from a local jeweler near the ferry port in Paros.
Leather Goods (Bracelet, Crossbody Bag, and Handmade Sandals)--I spoke with the cobbler in Thera who made my sandals; he told me that they took a week to make but would last me a lifetime. I will definitely put them to the test because they feel like I am walking on air. He had me step onto the cobblestone to see if it was enough support, and it was.
Fur (Vest and Hat)--In the ski village of Arachova, I picked up a vest and hat, recommended by a local shop owner. This was a great purchase to navigate the cold winds.
Byzantine Art--When I visited Kalabaka, I stopped at a local Byzantine art workshop. Their products were stunning. I picked out a few as souvenirs.
I am very thankful to have had such a wonderful vacation full of great food and culture. I spent my vacation traveling with family and loved every minute of our experiences together. There are many places that I want to visit, but, someday I'd like to travel back to Greece.
I will treasure these memories for a lifetime.
(Visited October 2022)
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