Sharing my incredible getaway to Greece.
Greece + the Greek Isles have been on my bucket list since I was a little kid; I buy a Greek Isles-themed calendar every year and tack it up in my office for wistful moments when I’m allowed a little daydreaming instead of computer-squinting. I’ve never been able to wrap my head around how those incredible beaches, steep cliffs, and bright blue waters actually exist, but I knew I had to see ’em for myself.
About a year ago, my boyfriend and I started kicking the idea to go. Not just talk about the someday, but actually planning the trip. We booked our flights in January and had everything hammered out hotel-wise by mid-March. But Greece didn’t feel real until we stepped off the ferry in Mykonos (after a 10-hour flight to Athens and then a 2-hour boat trip to the island), where I was greeted with a golden Greek sunset, rocky hills dotted with bright white buildings, and the ocean just a few feet away. Hello, Greece!
First stop: Mykonos, Greece.
Mykonos might be a small island, but it’s absolutely packed with good times: gorgeous beaches, amazing shopping (I found a Balenciaga, guys), scenic views, and amazing food.
We settled into our hotel (which was absolutely gorgeous) and then immediately changed for dinner on Ornos Beach at Costantis. I was ready to start taking in those views, so we opted for a place on the beach.
Our hotel was about 10 minutes from Mykonos Town, which is where you find those famed windmills, stone streets lined with white + blue buildings, and Little Venice. We spent hours wandering around, taking photos in the pristine alleyways and shopping the boutiques.
Second stop: Rethymnon, Crete.
Our initial reason for going to Crete: Dave had signed up for a marathon in Rethymnon. After we booked our flight, he searched around for races happening the same time we’d be in the country; what were the odds? Turns out, pretty damn good. He couldn’t pass that opportunity up and I was happy to add another island to the vacay list.
We stayed in Rethymnon, which was the cutest little town right on the coast. The water was beautiful + calm, and you could see the mountains in the distance. Our hotel was right in the middle of town, giving us quick access to shops, the boardwalk, and the ocean.
Third stop: Santorini, Greece.
Santorini has always been the main attraction for me when it comes to Greece. The incredible history of the island as a caldera, the can’t-believe-it’s-real seascape, and the amazing culture pulled me to Santorini like a magnet. We saved it as the last island because I knew it was going to be my favorite.
Last stop: Athens, Greece.
We wanted a day buffer in between leaving Santorini and leaving for home from Athens. Not only did this work in our favor (our flight from Santorini was delayed 3 hours; talk about airport hell), it gave us the chance to do a little exploring in the capital. I have been wanting to visit the Acropolis + Parthenon since I fell in love with Greek history in college, so we booked a hotel within walking distance to ensure we could easily check this box.
