glorious Greece

Greece in October

Greece was a top item on my travel buck list and celebrating our 30th anniversary seemed like the perfect reason to go! Our anniversary is in July, but since we love our Cape Cod summers we decided to wait until October to make the trip. I also liked the idea of the islands being less crowded and not too hot. Well it did not disappoint! Before I get into our exact itinerary, here’s a little more on Greece -

The Greek Islands are a collection of more than 6,000 islands and islets scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Known for their stunning landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural history, they offer a unique blend of relaxation and adventure.

Santorini is famous for its dramatic cliffs, whitewashed buildings, and breathtaking sunsets. It's an ideal destination for romantic getaways and offers exceptional opportunities for wine tasting and exploring ancient ruins.

Mykonos, known as the "Island of the Winds," combines vibrant nightlife with beautiful beaches. It’s a hotspot for those seeking lively entertainment alongside traditional Cycladic architecture.

Each island brings its own character and appeal, whether it’s quiet villages, bustling towns, or pristine shorelines. Exploring the Greek Islands offers a chance to embrace wellness through the Mediterranean diet, outdoor activities, and serene natural environments.

We narrowed down the trip to visiting 3 islands with a day in Athens to start the trip off. Since we had never been there, Santorini and Mykonos were a must plus Paros.

We got a direct flight from Boston on Delta which was great! We landed at 7am the first morning and had a black car pick up at the airport to take us to The President Hotel Athens. We were able to change our clothes and keep our luggage at the hotel while we first went for coffee across the street and then took a cab to our 11am Acropolis tour which was booked thru Viator. The group tour was 2 hours which I highly recommend. Especially with it being our first day, it was nice to be led around and given the history along the way. I will not go into detail but the Acropolis was mind blowing to see in person and comprehend the history.

We then walk down the hill to the town of Plaka for a delicious traditional Greek lunch sitting at tables outside and enjoying the view! After walking thru the town a bit it was nap time so we went back to hotel, checked in and caught some sleep before heading to City Zen roof top for an amazing dinner with a view of the Parthenon.

Day 2 we flew to Santorini and checked into Santo Pura boutique hotel in Oia. Beautiful views and room with a private jacuzzi! After lounging by the pool in the afternoon and enjoying sunset we walk thru Oia town and down the steep hill to Ammoudi Fish Tavern for dinner.

Day 3 we woke early to take advantage of the yoga class included in our booking. After an amazing breakfast also included, we set off to hike the trail from Oia to Fira. Gorgeous views along the way, this hike was rigorous at times. The hike is about 6 miles total and most are advised to go the opposite way which would be more downhill. We were able to get a taxi from Fira back to the hotel. We scheduled a sunset catamaran cruise thru the hotel which left at 1pm was wonderful! It included transportation to the dock in Oia, drinks and dinner. Absolutely perfect sunset!

Day 4 we took a morning fast (2 hr) ferry to the island of Paros and checked into the Parilo hotel in Noussa, which is absolutely stunning with its modern simplistic decor and eco design. We rented an ATV on Paros which was so fun and made it easy to get around the island. We spent the afternoon lounging at Kolymbithres beach. Late afternoon we went into Noussa town to walk around and have a spritz and snack. In the evening we went to Siparos for dinner - highly recommend making a reservation.

Day 5 we took the ATV to the town of Lefkes and hiked the Byzantine trail. We decided not to hike the whole way to Prodromos as our ATV was in Lefkes, but enjoyed the views. We were eager to get to the beach and had packed up in the morning so we were able to go straight to Golden Shore Beach Club where you can either lay on the beach with towels or rent a chair for a low fee and enjoy food and cocktails. I highly recommend the Aperol Spritz! We returned to the hotel in the afternoon to lounge by the pool before heading to Naousa town for dinner at Sigi Ikthio - delicious!

Day 6 after another amazing breakfast and a walk we had a short 45 min ferry ride to Mykonos. We were happy to arrive to our hotel Le Boheme and have an early check in. The weather for the last 2 days of our trip was a bit cloudy with some rain. So we took the afternoon to explore town, enjoy our personal jacuzzi and walk to an early dinner Le Petite Table.

Since the forecast was for rain on our last day we decided to rent a car so we could explore the island and all the beaches comfortably. We also enjoyed wine tasting at an organic farm. Our last night was spent enjoying a final perfect Greek meal and packing up for the journey home.

All I can say is go to Greece whenever possible. I cannot wait for our trip back!

XO