| We've all come across the idyllic Greek image | | | | stop. Don't bother with taxis, it's far to |
| of the sun-drenched, blue-domed chapel | | | | expensive and slow. |
| overlooking an expansive Mediterranean ocean. | | | | |
| Not only does Greece show that face, it also | | | | Ferry schedules are highly variable, so it's |
| exceeds expectations on all fronts, whether | | | | important to enquire in advance. You can |
| scenery, food, or culture. Overall, Greece is | | | | purchase tickets from agents all over the |
| an amazing destination that is easy to travel | | | | city, or at the port itself, though in peak |
| in and has countless memorable sights. For an | | | | season, it is possible for sailings to sell |
| easy, safe, and memorable vacation, Greece is | | | | out. |
| hard to beat. | | | | |
| | | | Which islands to visit? All of them, but if |
| So, where to go? On your first trip (believe | | | | you have to choose, go to the Cyclades, and |
| me, you'll want to go back), I suggest your | | | | in particular, Mykonos and Santorini. |
| itinerary consist of a few days in Athens, | | | | |
| and then the remainder of your time indulging | | | | Mykonos is charming, exciting, beautiful. The |
| in the Greek Cyclades islands. Why, because | | | | ferry trip is approximately 5 hours from |
| this will give you a nice variety in food, | | | | Pireaus. Mykonos features hotels of all |
| wine and perfect picture opportunities. | | | | quality levels, and a charming town centre |
| | | | (called Mykonos town). |
| Why Athens? | | | | |
| | | | Of all the Greek islands, Mykonos is by far |
| Why not Athens? Athens is fascinating. On | | | | the most popular. And for good reason: in the |
| first blush, Athens is hectic, a little | | | | peak season, Mykonos is active and friendly. |
| dirty, a little confusing. But it is also | | | | There are endless daytime and nighttime |
| packed full of history. You can't miss it - | | | | activities that will keep almost anyone |
| from almost anywhere you can look up at the | | | | entertained, with amazing dining and |
| Acropolis, or stumble across beautiful ruins | | | | beautiful beaches in abundance. |
| scattered throughout the city. The city | | | | |
| itself is an incredible museum of history, | | | | Mykonos is small. As a result, it also is |
| real, live, in-your-face | | | | quite crowded and expensive when compared to |
| two-thousand-year-old history. Not only that, | | | | other destinations. It's not unusual to see |
| but a walking tour of Athens reveals | | | | Paradise Beach filled end-to-end with sun |
| architecture from every era, modern and | | | | worshippers. |
| ancient, readily available. It's really quite | | | | |
| beautiful, particularly given how | | | | And in spite of what you might have heard, |
| pedestrian-friendly Athens is. | | | | Mykonos is the perfect destination for almost |
| | | | anyone: couples, families and individuals |
| Some easy must-sees if you only have a few | | | | seeking a respite from the ordinary. |
| days in Athens? Well, first off, stay near | | | | |
| Monastiraki square. It's easily accessible | | | | As for accommodation, stay in Mykonos town. |
| from the airport via Metro, and is walking | | | | You'll want to be there to enjoy the |
| distance to fantastic shopping, dining, and | | | | nightlife, and it's easy (and quick) to get |
| key tourist attractions like the Acropolis, | | | | there from the ferry port. In fact, you |
| the National Gardens, and of course, the | | | | shouldn't have a problem finding the perfect |
| Monastiraki flea market. | | | | get-away within a 5 minute walk of the ferry. |
| | | | |
| As for attractions, the Acropolis is simply | | | | Mykonos town is a pedestrian-only wonder, |
| amazing, and is definitely not to be missed. | | | | with white-washed walls and beautiful blue |
| Accessing the Acropolis is relatively easy: | | | | shutters over every window. You'll find it |
| simply wander up by yourself. There are | | | | easy to discover wonderful meals within your |
| promenades that lead up to the site, | | | | first few steps, and the shopping rivals that |
| featuring charming cafes and restaurants. | | | | of Athens. |
| There is a fee to enter, but the view from | | | | |
| the top is one you'll celebrate the rest of | | | | As you've likely heard, Paradise Beach is a |
| your life, not to mention the remarkable | | | | must-see. It's not the largest beach on the |
| historical experience found at the Acropolis | | | | island, but it is the most fun. With it's |
| site. | | | | various restaurants, bars, and back-packers, |
| | | | Paradise Beach is the destination for fun in |
| Monastiraki square also features amazing | | | | the sun and after the sun sets. |
| restaurants, and anything-goes shopping, from | | | | Transportation is easy, with buses and taxis |
| flea-market to high end. Again, an experience | | | | readily available. Unfortunately, it's too |
| no to be missed. | | | | far to walk conveniently from Mykonos town |
| | | | (unless you have a lot of time). |
| Athens is also a dining wonderland. | | | | |
| Recommended dining: don't go with a plan, | | | | From Mykonos, take another ferry to |
| just walk. Food, good food, is everywhere. | | | | Santorini. |
| You'll find as you walk that often | | | | |
| restaurateurs will stand outside, trying to | | | | Santorini |
| guide you into their restaurants; it really | | | | |
| makes for a charming stroll. | | | | Santorini is simply spectacular, and is not |
| | | | to be missed. |
| Onto the Islands | | | | |
| | | | The ferry terminal is about 20 minutes by |
| There are lots of options when considering | | | | taxi from Thira, the main town on Santorini. |
| the Greek islands: different destinations, | | | | Thira sits on the edge of the "caldera", a |
| different ways of getting to and from. I | | | | volcanic crater in the middle of the ocean. |
| suggest taking a ferry, they are simply the | | | | It's a view that is all at once breathtaking |
| best way to arrive at and see the islands up | | | | and inspiring. Find any hotel that's on the |
| close. | | | | caldera, and you are guaranteed more |
| | | | beautiful sunsets then you could ever |
| And a suggestion: some of the islands are FAR | | | | imagine. The shopping is varied, the coffee |
| away, as much as 11 hours away; a | | | | fantastic, and the sights unparalleled. |
| cost-effective and time saving idea is to | | | | |
| book a private cabin, and travel overnight. | | | | Santorini offers an entertaining nightlife, |
| | | | first-rate beaches, spectacular scenery and |
| I suggest this for a couple of reasons: | | | | truly romantic sunsets, making it one of the |
| first, cabins are relatively inexpensive, | | | | world's top destinations. If you have a day, |
| and, if you go overnight, you won't be paying | | | | head to Oia (E-ahh) to enjoy lunch and watch |
| for the cost of a hotel room. Plus, you won't | | | | the sunset with an unobstructed view of the |
| lose valuable time in transit; instead, do it | | | | Mediterranean. |
| while you're sleeping. Finally, and perhaps | | | | |
| not a consideration for everybody: smoking is | | | | I'd also suggest renting a car for one or two |
| permitted inside ferries in Greece, and it is | | | | days. It's not essential, but it does make it |
| very heavy. Coming from North America, I | | | | easier to go the long distances between beach |
| found the shear volume of smoke entirely | | | | destinations. |
| surprising. A private cabin gets you away | | | | |
| from that discomfort, plus you'll enjoy your | | | | All in all, Greece is a true wonder. It has a |
| own private bed. It's a win on all sides. | | | | distinct and charming national character that |
| | | | is infused with history and culture. You'll |
| Getting from Athens to the ferry terminal at | | | | never forget your first trip to Greece, and |
| Pireaus is very easy: simply hop on the metro | | | | you'll never stop thinking of your next trip |
| from the stop closest to you to the very last | | | | there. |