Exploring Greece: Athens, Crete, and Santorini

Athens

Athens has the unique ability to both keep a keen eye on the past, while also looking towards the future. They are replete with archaeological sites, but also filled with entertainment, museums, nightlife, and modern cuisine. The Plaka neighborhood is centrally located, and a great area to get a bite, look at some shops, and explore.

One of the highlights of any trip to Athens is the Acropolis Tour. Make sure to book a 5-hour day tour (through your trusty travel advisor) to experience both the flavors of Athens and the Acropolis. Skip the long lines and let the knowledgeable guide get you through the crowds and teach you the history and fascinating myths of this stunning site. After you tour the Parthenon and all the structures of the area. Take in breathtaking views from the top. You begin your 3-hour food tour, wandering through authentic areas, specialized markets, and savoring local delights.

After a short Domestic flight from Athens to Heraklion, you are now ready to experience my favorite of the 3 locations, Crete.

Crete

Crete is a large island and a car is a must! It is large enough to explore for days, and I highly recommend you have transportation while you are there. We stayed on the far Eastern part of the island, Elounda. Known for award-winning beaches, and a slower pace of living, Elounda offers a bit of an escape from the crowds of the more well-known area of Chania. From traditional villages (one of my favorite places to eat was in such a village) to the Gulf of Mirabella, the Cave of Zeus, the Island of Spinalonga, and the Plateau of Lassithi, all is within driving distance, should you choose to explore on your own.

Take a day to explore the area. In less than one-half hour, you can visit Agios Nikolaos. It is a gorgeous town that surrounds Lake Voulismeni and exudes a laid-back vibe. With great restaurants at the edge of the water with captivating views and delicious traditional Greek foods, you are sure to love all this area has to offer.

Make sure to visit the Cave of Zeus, where you descend deep into a glowing green cave filled with both stalagmites and stalactites, in which it is said Zeus was born. Full and half-day tours are a great way to see much of the area, and a knowledgeable travel advisor can arrange those.

A quick Sea Jet takes you to our last stop, Santorini.

Santorini

Located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the world. The submerged volcano (or Caldera) is what remains today. Villages surround the Caldera with stunning white Cycladic architecture and breathtaking views. Walking along the Caldera side, one small village bleeds into another. From Oia to Fira, each has unique shops and restaurants to experience. You should not have a car on this island. I would advise you not to rent any type of vehicle, as the roads are filled and it is fairly dangerous to do so. I will say that summers bring many cruise ships and very many people. The towns are small and the cobblestone streets are crowded. While cooler temperatures prevail, my advice would be to visit this gem in the fall or early spring-time.

I suggest a private full-day tour of the island, where you can take in much of it and visit many of the sites you might otherwise miss. Visit Oia village early in the morning (to avoid too many tourists) and get those stunning photos of the domes that everyone covets. The red lava cliffs of Red Beach, the beautiful black sand beaches of Perissa and Pervolous, and the Venetian Light House are also worth the trip. A visit to the local winery uncovers hundreds of years old vines. You can sample the delicious wines, along with traditional local fare of crackers, nuts, olives, and cheese. A trip to the serene traditional village of Pyrgos uncovers ruins giving insight into the history of the area and the castle that once existed there. A great finale on the final day of your trip would be a sunset catamaran cruise around the island with a stop at hot springs, and a great Greek BBQ dinner and drinks. Yassou!

Athens

Aleria offers 5 and 6-course tasting menus and is, by far, one of the most romantic restaurants I've been to in Greece. Everything there was outstanding and I would highly recommend this for your first evening. Storfi is also a highly regarded restaurant in the area and a great alternative for another night. Aneton is a delicious spot for dinner as well and does a great job of combining both traditional and modern Greek cuisine, while using local fresh ingredients.

Crete

Restaurants to explore in the area include Platanos, located in Lasithi, Crete. A few minutes drive from Elounda proper, the traditional village sits high upon a hill. As we ventured there by car, we passed a shepherd herding sheep down the road, and it made for a fabulous experience that we talk about to this day. Despina Taverna is another wonderful restaurant for you to experience near Elounda. With impeccable service, outstanding food, and beautiful views, this restaurant exceeded our expectations. We even went back a second time (which is basically unheard of, for us).

Over a small jetty by car, or by boat, sitting along the water at Kanali feels other-worldly. The breeze beautiful, the water lapping along the shoreline. In short, this is one of the most romantic places to dine in Elounda. Karnagio in Agios Nikolaos is a delight, as you sit along the lake and take in the beautiful views while feasting on amazing grilled specialties.

Santorini

As we continue with the theme of outstanding Greek food, Metaxi Mas is a must-try. Located inland, in an untouched, much less touristy area of Santori (of which there are few), this restaurant is consistently praised for its outstanding food and wine. Armini Taverna is also an incredible spot to dine. A complimentary boat will take you to the restaurant, where you will dine on fresh fish and traditional Greek foods by the water.