As I’ve mentioned before, Greece is beautiful and the people are lovely. You could spend a whole month or more there. I didn’t know that it was possible but this country had me in smiles every single day.
Switzerland was picture-perfect but the people were quite blunt.
We loved Russia, Germany and Spain but again, the people spoke with no emotion on their faces.
Some parts of Thailand reminded us of India and most of the Thai people were quite rude to us.
In the US, we only found straight roads and buildings and a decent crowd minding their own business.
The Italians were quite like us Indians, good at hospitality but terrible at maintenance.
But Greece was amazing, adventurous and romantic. What made the scenic beauty even more special was the hospitality that we experienced everywhere we went. We visited Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. Everywhere, the people were courteous and always had a smile on their faces (99% of the time, as there are always some exceptions around us). And Mykonos was totally romantic.
Before telling you why you’ll fall in love with the vibes and endless adventures in Greece, let’s first talk about its colours!
Greece can mesmerize you with its white and blue views. But, if you thought that painting companies were making millions because Greece was all white, you’re highly mistaken. The houses and steps are not painted but ‘whitewashed’. Whitewash is a mixture of slaked lime, salt and water. Impressive, huh? But why are the Greek islands and Anafiotika, a cute neighbourhood in Athens, mostly in these two colours?
There are several reasons why Greece is covered in blue and white. Some of them are mentioned below:
-An ancient belief that sky blue keeps evil at bay.
-In Ancient Greece, white was an important colour, for centuries, as it was associated with the gods and goddesses. White was used to signify divine power and purity.
-The blue was meant to pay homage to the islanders’ close connection with nature.
-Blue and white are the national colours of the country and their flag since 1822. Blue depicts the sea and sky while white represents purity.
-In 1938, Greece had an outbreak of Cholera. Ioannis Metaxas, the then dictator of Greece (1936-1941), made it mandatory for all houses to be whitewashed. The whitewash contained limestone which was a cheap and effective disinfectant. It was also probably the only medium available to curb the spread of diseases back then.
-During the Regime of Colonels in 1967, the Greeks upheld their colour scheme as a way of showing national pride.
-Initially, houses were made of stone, which would absorb a lot of heat and make the interiors hot. Whitewashing the exteriors helped cool down the indoor areas.
Why is the ocean so blue, too? Read all about it here.
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about how you can spend your time in Greece.
There are plenty of eateries all over Greece. You can enjoy various cuisines. We came across only a few restaurants that had slow service or bland food but even there the hospitality was top-notch. Nothing like we’ve seen before. It was interesting to know that every evening, the staff in every single restaurant got a talk and a reminder about how to handle customers, smiling all the time, serving, paying attention, being aware of what’s happening in the restaurant, the menu items, etc. No wonder their hospitality just made you want to come back again and again.
Of all the restaurants we’ve been to, we loved Nektar Lounge in FIRA the best. I repeat – their tuna tartare was to die for. Try it!
There’s a church, cathedral or place of worship every 500 metres. We went to many churches, Catholic as well as the Orthodox Churches. The interiors were lovely and peaceful, but many were dormant churches that were active only during special events. Nevertheless, we visited the ones that had their doors open to the public.
Athens is a happening place. And, if you’re a music freak, Athens can get addictive. We passed by a couple of music festival after-parties. Though they were barricaded, we could hear the music and feel the vibe of the event. We couldn’t attend an event in Athens this time but we would definitely do it someday.
We also got to watch a melodious orchestra playing in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). My first time and it was lovely.
If you hadn’t known already, Greece is also known for its nightlife. They have some rocking pub crawls happening after 2200 hours. We joined one and it was a pretty good experience. A pub crawl is when you visit a few clubs in groups, on foot. Pub crawls are a social activity. If you love meeting new people, you must try this out.
How does it work? Once you have registered online, you will be sent instructions on where to meet the host. Once you find your new partying tribe, you all will be taken to several pubs on foot. You may get a few shots complimentary, but the rest of the food and drinks are on a payment basis. Every pub crawl is different so check the information before you book your slot. Don’t forget to have fun!
I love ancient architecture and ruins. We started the Acropolis Hill tour from Hadrian’s Gate or the Arch of Hadrian.
On the way up, we saw theatres and heard the interesting history. The Theatre of Dionysus is the largest theatre on the Acropolis hill. It could accommodate 25,000 people in the 4th century BC. It was dedicated to Dionysus, the Greek God of Drama and Theatre.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre was and is used for musical events. It is one of the best open-air theatres in the world due to the Roman innovation that amplifies sound naturally. And, because of this feature, there is a no-heels policy when attending a performance here. This theatre was built as a circular theatre in 160 AD. It was reopened as a semi-circular theatre in 1955 and holds almost 5000 people.
The sizes of the structures are amazing. When you go up to the Parthenon, you will see how enormous the Roman buildings were. The shaft of each column (or pillar) was made of multiple drums that connected vertically to one another. It was wonderful to see such profound architecture of ancient times. We weren’t allowed to get onto the structure due to its age (more than 2000 years old) but standing so close to it was good enough.
You are not required to be fit or regularly exercise to walk up to the Parthenon. It can be a bit exhausting only if it’s a HOT day. So, keep yourself hydrated.
Athens has a huge designer outlet which houses plenty of good brands. You may not get the very expensive ones here but it was still a good buy. So, shopaholics, here’s a shopping haven for you!
Santorini is stunning. The hike from FIRA to OIA is quite a long one (10 kilometres) but you will enjoy all the best views on this track. You can read all about it here and decide if you want to do it or not. We think you should. It’s a good walk for adventurers and nature lovers alike.
We are blessed to see plenty of sunsets every day from various places, and we didn’t think the Sunset at Oia would be any different. So, we just sat at a restaurant and enjoyed the blue waters that became darker after dusk. But, if you like, you can find a restaurant with a terrace and a good view of the sunset over the waters. Point to be noted: These restaurants are a little more expensive than the ones from where the sunset is not visible. Fancy, right?
Instead of driving around the island to the numerous tourist attractions, you can book the Catamaran boat cruise. It takes you to some of the famous points. We saw the Red and White beaches from a distance. It’s mostly better this way because access to the Red Beach is not easy and the beach is mostly filled with black, brown or burgundy rocks and coarse sand. The White Beach is accessible only by boat.
We jumped in the cool water at Mesa Pigadia. We passed the Akrotiri Village and saw the lighthouse on the hill. The Santorini Caldera is also a must-see from the waters. When we approached the Hot Springs of Volcano Palea Kameni, we witnessed a slight yellow tinge in the otherwise blue waters. This was due to volcanic residue. Before jumping into the water, instructions and warnings are given because people have experienced the discolouring of clothes and jewellery many times. The water is cool and not HOT, though in some places you may find it lukewarm. Near the island of Thirassia is where you can jump in and swim again. The water is a bit rough, so stay close to the boat for your own safety.
All in all, it was quite a satisfying boat trip with the additional benefits of handsome (and pretty) young hosts, good food and fine wine.
There are many beautiful beaches in Mykonos. They are not covered with soft sands but the views from the shores are worth it.
If you’re in the mood for a night out, you can book a beach club crawl where you will get to explore the various beaches across the island. Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach are some of them. If you’re lucky, you can even book your stay right on the beaches. It was awesome seeing the whole place filled with party people. I was also tempted to dance on the table like the others, and therefore, I did.
Looking for a romantic place to stay in Mykonos? Check Mykonos Bay Hotel!
Mykonos is an attractive island known for its strong winds. Standing proudly are old windmills that are privately owned and overlooking the sea. It makes a great tourist attraction.
There are many restaurants around Mykonos. We liked Captain’s best. The husband enjoyed the Greek drink called Ouzo there. The vibes on one side and crashing waves on the other make walking along the seaside a remarkable experience.
This was our first trip to Greece and we loved it. We did not fancy all the local food though we liked a few of the dishes like moussaka. Maybe I’ll try to prepare it at home. Also, there’s a lot more to see in Greece (Ancient Agora, Mount Lycabettus, etc.) but we just listed a few that we liked best. Nevertheless, Greece was amazing and we would love to go there again. And, we bet that when you visit Greece, you will feel the same way, too. Safe travels!
Have you visited Greece? What did you love best there?
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enterFeature photo by National Geographic.
Photos of Odeon of Herodes Atticus by AthensByLocals, AncientTheatreArchive, ClipArt ETC.
27 Comments
I must agree with you!!!We went to Greece also last 2020 but only got to explore Athens. There’s much more to explore and see! People are kind and helpful despite not knowing how to speak English. Went to a supermarket looking for an international adaptor and had about 5 people to help me trying to understand what I need. haha…truly amazing trip that was!
Beautiful pics and the way you narrate your personal experience lures me to visit the place soon. I like your adventurous spirit and tempting food suggestions. Will try all your suggested places and public crawls.
Holy mother of God! This is so good! Greece has been on my bucket list since I was a teen. Blame it on the picturesque Bollywood songs. But your pictures are even better and it makes me want to pack my bags and go on a trip right away. I never knew the reason behind all those “whitewashed” houses. Thanks for packing so much information in a post. I’m sure going to refer your posts when I plan my trip.
Thank you, Shalini!
It was indeed a good virtual tour, i loved reading your previous posts on the other places you visited. Good you included individually how people are at different places
This blog radiates such excitement! Your love for Greece is infectious, and the way you’ve detailed the colors, hospitality, and adventures feels so immersive. Definitely adding this to my travel bucket list. Greece seems truly magical!
What an amazing post, Cindy! The way you’ve described Greece, combined with those stunning pictures, makes it impossible not to fall in love. I may not be much of a city-hopper when I travel, but if a place has beaches, hikes, boat rides, and sunsets, I’m completely sold! I can already imagine myself soaking in those sunsets and exploring the beauty of Greece.
You should, Neha!
We visited Greece 10 years back and we can’t wait to revisit! I can safely say Santorini is the prettiest place in this world according to me! And moussaka is a world famous Greek dish, I guess we are bound to like it!
You through your post made Greece visible in front of our eyes… I can feel the vibrant mood of yours when you were exploring Greece and that Billion Dollar Smile on your face I am sure made Greece even more happier than you. Keep Inking, Keep telling travel stories and keep exploring and I will love reading you
Wow! Beautiful pics of the place…you look stunning! Thanks for giving us a virtual tour of Greece, not sure if I’ll ever go there, but I enjoyed reading and seeing the pics….you almost transported me to the land of blue and white.
I think even if you didn’t write such a detailed about the hospitality, the beautiful, the shopping scene and the gorgeous beaches, anyone would be sold at why they’ll fall in love with Greece just by looking at your photos. I was in fact sold on it in your post about hotel you stayed at. For sure that’s where we’ll be staying. Appreciate you sharing your experiences and recommending based on your personal encounters
I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
More and more I read your travel diaries, my urge to visit Greece is becoming stronger. I think I should plan this in 2025 and revisit your blogs.
You should, Chandrika! All the best!
I don’t know what I love more, your stunning pics or informative writing. I think it’s a tie. When the two meet, there’s a resonating effect that I was totally immersed in your experience. I was like I was in Greece with you as you pub crawled (fun!!), watched the sunsets, and peered unblinkingly at the blues and whites!! Uff, lovely, lovely post. Greece is definitely on my travel bucket list. I hope I make it sooner than later.
Thank you, Ratna! Go to Greece, soon!
Greece seems to be an ideal travel destination for those looking for a wholesome experience while travelling.
You look happy and hot Cindy!
Greece certainly seems like a great place to spend time in.The food , the climate look great and the people look warm.
Thank you, Preeti!
Cindy, this makes me want to book a trip to Greece right now.The blue & white history is so interestin. I never knew that about limestone and Cholera. Also, love how you compared people from different countries—Greece really sounds like the perfect place.
But wait, where’s your green bag in the after-shopping pic? Did it make it back or was it left behind in all the shopping fun🤪
Hahaha, I think it was dumped in one of the other bags…
A beautiful post on Greece. Also, a good assessment of people in different countries. Being a Mediterranean country both people and weather are cheerful. From photographs houses look beautiful in white. You seemed to have scoured Greece very well. A great post.
Thank you, Abhijit!
Beautiful pictures Cindy. Travelling is a gift and through your posts, I get to experience virtual trips.
Love reading your travelogue. I could feel how much fun you had there
Such beautiful pictures and a great detailed post to go with them. Greece has been on my wish list for a long time but honestly, you gave me new places and stuff to add to my must-see list there.