Rhodes, Greece

Rhodes

If you read/watched Parts I and II of this series, you’re all filled in on Athens and Santorini. Now it’s time for the last stop on our trip: Rhodes 

We went to Athens for the history, Santorini for the beauty, and decided on Rhodes because it felt like a good balance of both. It also made us feel like we covered a solid amount of Greece as Rhodes is almost as far away from Athens as you can go, with Santorini being a nice middle point. 

Before You Go: decide if you want to take a ferry or flight. Depending on where you’re coming from, this ferry ride will vary since Rhodes is closer to Turkey than it is to Athens. The flight from Athens is one hour and is pretty inexpensive.

Transportation: I would recommend renting a car in Rhodes because it is a very big island and driving is really easy there. Tip: if you can’t drive a stick shift, request an automatic because most cars have a stick.

Accommodations: Rhodes is pleasantly much cheaper than Santorini, so for what we payed for one of the cheaper rooms we could find in Santorini, we were able to get one the nicest rooms we could find in Rhodes! The choice Rhodes hotel: Amathus Elite Suites. Amathus Elite Suites and Amathus Beach Hotel are located on the same property, so don’t let that confuse you when you arrive.  However, for the Elite Suites you enter into a smaller building where you’re given information on the special facilities just for the Elite guests. The rooms are quite large, they may be decorated a little on the...interesting...side, but you don’t even notice once you spot your sizable private pool and the ocean just a few hundred feet away. Does life get any better than this? There is an underpass that leads you to the beach, and of course, there’s a wait staff that will bring you drinks and such while you’re sunning yourself. Within walking distance, you’ve got the restaurant Le Gourmet, which has, in my opinion, the most authentic food in that area.

Old Town Rhodes

Rhodes has been called the crossroads of culture. Perfectly situated between the East and the west, historically, Rhodes has been a key player in world trade and has been home to a multitude of cultures such as the Minoans, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, and Italians. These varying societies have all left their stamp on Rhodes and have made it the vibrant place we see today. When you visit Rhodes, you’ll be spending the majority of your time site seeing in Old Town Rhodes. After seeing so many ancient ruins from the BC timeline, it was nice to change it up a bit in Rhodes. While many ruins still date back to the BC era, Old Town Rhodes is centered around a medieval castle and medieval walls. I’ve never experienced gothic architecture next to palm trees, but let me tell you, it definitely puts you in island mode while you’re site-seeing. Security seems to be in island mode as well, because there are some holes in the wall fit for exploring! The walls, known as fortifications, were reconstructed from the Byzantine era by the Knights of Malta (also known as the Knights of St. John Hospitalers) in the 1300’s. These knights were from affluent families and in 1309, they claimed Rhodes as their headquarters and transformed it into a bustling city. There are several gates along the fortifications; the Gate of St. Catherine (also known as the Marine Gate) is my favorite. Tip: wear a tutu so you can pretend you’re a fairy princess in a medieval wonderland for the day. Also, make sure you check out the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master. The Palace was used as a residence up until the 1900’s when Mussolini had it for a holiday residence. The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes holds artifacts found from all over the island as well as mosaic floors from the Hellenistic times, funerary slabs of the knights, and an indoor-outdoor feel I really appreciate in a museum. Make sure to climb up to the top of the clock tower for the highest and best view of the old town. They charge admission, but it includes a free drink, so...well worth it. 

Alright, alright, let’s go shopping and relax. In the midst of all this medieval architecture, we’ve got markets that resemble Turkish bazaars! Let yourself get lost amongst the squares. My favorite food was off the beaten path here: Giaourtoskordion. Tip: get the souvlaki. 

Down by the water you can see where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), the Windmills of Mandraki, and some really cool boat stores. 

Lindos

About an hour south of Old Town, is Lindos-a magical little beach community with it’s own Acropolis atop the hill. Do the ruins first, then relax at the beach. We’ve got the Castle of the Knights of St. John from the 14th century and the Doric Temple of Athena Lindos from 300 BC (again, this mix of medieval and BC years which I’m totally digging). And let’s not forget we’re still on an island, so take in those views of the Aegean sea. And Saint Paul’s Bay, which we’ll swim in shortly. 

So, after a full Greece trip of site-seeing and walking roughly 10 miles daily, the last day was just dedicated to beach time in Lindos, and this was one of my favorite days on the trip. For starters, this scenery is epic. Second, we’ve got the island-mode security situation again here: no lifeguards, which sucks if you’re drowning, but otherwise, float and water sport central!! I don’t know if anything has brought me greater joy than floating on an inflatable flamingo in the Aegean Sea. Also, you can just hop in a kayak or paddle boat, just don’t hit a swimmer and no one will care. No whistles, no yelling, just fun. AND you’ve got a couple beach options! My top two are: Lindos Beach which is the bigger beach, and Saint Paul’s Bay, which is more of a local spot. People are diving off cliffs, swimming up to boats, going into caves, and getting their floats a drink. Non stop fun for the whole family! Of course, there is also an abundance of shops and restaurants to truly make this an outstanding day trip.

One Last Stop

On your way back to your hotel, stop off the main road to the super local restaurant Taverna Maria. It’s got a family vibe (complete with grassy play area for kids) and feels like you’re in someone’s backyard. Local food and a caring staff, it’s a must.

Overall, I didn’t know what to expect when visiting Rhodes and was pleasantly surprised with the historical experiences paired with beach vibes. It was the perfect spot to partner with Athens and Santorini on my trip, I feel like I got a complete understanding of how incredible Greek history and culture is. Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to check out the corresponding YouTube video: 10-Minute Travel Tips: Rhodes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJkgfrdMI2M

Santorini, Greece

SANTORINI

If you watched or read Part I of this series, you’re all filled in on Athens, now it’s time to hit the islands! The second stop on our trip: Santorini.

Before you go: decide if you want to take a ferry or flight. The ferry ride is a little cheaper but can take between 5 and 8 hours, so for a little extra money, we got a flight that took less than an hour! 

Accommodations: there are two main hotspots you’ll want to spend some time in: Fira (Santorini’s capitol) and Oia (land of the blue domes). I found Imerovigli  to be the perfect place to stay. Being right in the middle, we were about a 20 minute walk to Fira and 20 minute drive to Oia. We were also separate from the cruise ship ports and excessive tourists, and we were able to get a room with a view of the caldera for a fraction of the cost! My hotel choice: Aqua Luxury Suites. Pull up to an unassuming building and enter to a staff that can’t do enough to make sure you have the best time possible in Santorini. Once they escort you out the back door to find your room, prepare yourself for possibly, the most incredible views in the world. Because it is difficult to purchase large clusters of real estate in this area, hotel rooms are often spread apart. Our room, known as the lovebird suite, was its own little hut. While the inside was cozy, we had two balconies: one for lounging and one for breakfast (which is free and delivered to your room every morning). We also lucked out with sunset views. Also, enjoy more views and delicious food at Aqua Luxury Suites’ restaurant. Tips when booking a room: As I said in the first video, book through hotels.com to get the best rates. Get a room facing the caldera (the caldera is that semicircle shape created from the volcanic eruption). Try your best to get a balcony, and, if possible, a small pool. 

Things to do:

Fira

Not to be confused with Thira (which was the original name for Santorini yet is still used sometimes in different forms), Fira is the capital of Santorini. A beautiful labyrinth of shops and restaurants, give yourself at least a day to experience all it has to offer. Tip: because Cruise ships dock here, it is pretty busy between 8am and 6pm, have a late start to your day and enjoy the sunset and nightlife. Like Athens, street food did outdo the restaurant food. Yogi’s Gyros ended up being my favorite place to eat. However, if you want a bit of ambience, the best and most popular restaurant seems to be Argo. Go there earlier in the day to make a reservation. Take whatever they give you because they will upgrade you to better seating if it becomes available. We ended up with a lovely sunset view. 

Oia

Famous for its blue dooms and white walls, it’s the most photographed city in the world and an Instagramer’s paradise. Oia looks like it was created by an interior designer. Even the gift shops adhere to the color scheme. However, while I’m not one who minds crowds, Oia took it to another level.  Avoid July and August, as it tends to be peak tourist season. May, June, and September are your best bet. Anyway, we ended up leaving pretty quickly (after snapping a few photos, of course) and coming back at night. It  was still magical and practically empty. We enjoyed a wonderful waterfront dinner at Sunset Taverna, and took in the night views.

Kamari

While Santorini isn’t known for its beaches, they are still pretty stunning. Located in the southeast of Santorini, Kamari is a beach town featuring a lengthy stretch of bars and restaurants. If you don’t want to stay near the caldera on your trip, this is a very fun community with a lot of hotels and more of a laid back vibe. Kamari beach has black sand and offers incredible views of the mountain Mesa Vouno. On the other side of the mountain, you’ll find two more popular black sand beaches: Perissa and Perivolos.

Mesa Vouno

If you want to see some ancient ruins in Santorini, or some really amazing views outside of the caldera, visit Mesa Vouno. While you can walk up the mountain, why do that yourself? A cautious drive will just take you 15 minutes. At the top you’ll have beautiful views of the Aegean Sea, and you can check out Ancient Thera. Ancient Thera was settled around the eighth century BC, and became a very vibrant, built up city during its peak with public buildings, markets, baths, religious centers, private residences, and even a sewage system. You can still see the remains of the roads and buildings and get a sense for what a bustling community this once was. 

Emporio 

Emporio is the largest village in Santorini but you would never know it because it is extremely quaint, quite, and peaceful. Get lost in the narrow streets that are full of charm. Every door is ready to be on the cover of a magazine and so this is a great place to take some of those artsy photos. Emporio is not overrun with tourists so you can fully immerse yourself in Santorini life. 

Sunset Cruise

The sunset cruise was my FAVORITE thing to do in Santorini. There are a bunch of different companies that offer this, we used Spiridakos Sailing Cruises and were so pleased. The company  picks you up at your hotel, brings you down to the Vlychada Marina in the southern part of Santorini, where you get onto the Catamaran with a handful of other people (for a semi-private cruise, it seems these companies book up 16 people). On board the super fun staff serves you unlimited drinks and takes you past the red and white sand beaches, the lighthouse and the Caldera, and several places to swim and snorkel (including a hot spring)-TIP: don’t wear a white bathing suit in the hot spring because the sulfate will turn it orange or brown. This 5 hour cruise also includes an awesome dinner the staff makes fresh on board and some of the most picturesque views you will ever see. Also, is there a better way to view a  perfect sunset? 

Other Attractions

-Santorini has a winery and a brewery, if you’d like to do a quick tasting on your trip.

-A Photo Safari is when you hire a photographer for the day, which I thought was silly, but after three days of telling my husband  nonstop to take my picture, I understood why this is a thing here. Even babies are dressed to the 9’s ready for photo shoots.

-the famous donkey rides are starting to be discouraged, as it’s a pretty rough life for a donkey, enjoy the cable car in Fira for the same views and better smell.

Getting Around

The most inexpensive way to get around Santorini is by bus. The main bus station is in Fira and these buses travel to most parts of the island. However, keep in mind they don’t run all night and cabs in Santorini are really overpriced and prices double between midnight and 5am. A fun way to travel if you want a bit of freedom for the day is by ATV. I was scared at first, but this was actually really fun. They are 50 euros for the day and you can fit two people on them. You can get around the entire island on one of these...even go up Mount Mesa Vouno and stop in some random caves on the side of the road.

Santorini is the most romantic, breathtaking place I have ever been. Within the first hour of arriving my thought was, “When can I come back?” Pictures will never do this place justice, you’ll just have to go see it for yourself. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to check out the corresponding YouTube video: 10-Minute Travel Tips: Santorini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxsWgL0IsBQ

Athens, Greece

ATHENS

Between the main land and over 200 inhabited islands, there are so many different parts of Greece to visit. In this 3-part special edition I will be covering Athens, Santorini, and Rhodes. The first stop on our trip: Athens.

Before You Go

Figure out how many days you are able to go on vacation. If you want to visit multiple parts of Greece, I would recommend at least 11 nights (which is what I did). Make sure to look into ferry and flight schedules between Athens and the islands to coordinate your visit. If you plan to spend your time on just one of the islands, plan on one week. If you are only going to Athens, I’d recommend 2-5 nights. 

Also, make sure to pack an adapter for outlets. And note: not all hotels provide irons, so keep that in mind when packing.

A tip when visiting any foreign country, download the Google Translate app to learn a few helpful phrases or to get you out of a pickle. AND be sure to download maps of your destination from google maps offline so you can roam data-free.

Accommodations

We booked all our hotel rooms through Hotels.com. They provide competitive rates and the 11th night is free. Be sure to book through their app for their “secret prices.” For a major city, Athens is relatively inexpensive as far as hotels are concerned. I’d recommend getting a more inexpensive hotel in Athens and splurge when you get to the islands. Most importantly, try to find something within a 20 minute walk of the Acropolis, that way, you’ll be able to walk to most of the sightseeing you’ll want to do and all the markets and shopping. My hotel choice: The Royal Olympic. The Royal Olympic offers the Greek charm I was looking for, has a really helpful staff, is in a safe and convenient area, and has incredible views of the Acropolis from the rooftop restaurant.

Sightseeing

Acropolis:  

Mostly constructed during the 5th century BC, the Acropolis of Athens is home to ancient, notable buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon. Here, stand in wonder as you observe the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and theater. Also consider the strength of the architecture that has endured thousands of years of wear, including wars, fires, and earthquakes. The Acropolis Museum is nearby and holds all the found artifacts as well as an excavated ancient Athenian neighborhood beneath the museum. TIP: if you visit during the summer, climbing up to the Acropolis during peak sunlight hours gets very hot. Do the ruins early in the morning or closer to the evening and do the museum while the sun is as its brightest.

If you want to see other ruins and excavation sights, you’ve got The Arch of Hadrian, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, and many others all within walking distance (if you’re a good walker). TIP: sidewalks and ruins contain a lot of marble, so I found Athens very slippery. The traction on my three dollar flip flops was not ideal. If you don’t want to walk, whip out that cell phone and rent a scooter! Pick one up on the side of the street and leave it wherever you want. Payment is completely controlled by an app on your phone. 

Delphi:

If you just can’t get enough of those ruins, rent a car and take a day trip to Delphi (if you want to spend the money and devote some more time, you can do a bus trip with a tour group, but the drive is pretty easy...2 and a half hours...but easy nonetheless). Located on Mt. Parnassus, Delphi was settled around 1500 BC. About 700 years later, it became known as the center of the world and served as a religious sanctuary dedicated to Apollo. Leaders from all over the world would come to the oracle of Apollo to seek guidance on major issues (like war, colonies, and religion). Like the Acropolis, there is also a museum there that holds artifacts found on site. 

*Hidden Gem: about 10 minutes before you reach Delphi, you’ll go through the delightful village of Arachova. Stop in for a meal! 

Food

One thing I was most excited for about this trip was the food. Here is a list of Greek food you should try: Greek yogurt with honey, koulouri (from Beneth’s…kick it up with some feta inside), baklava (also from Beneth’s), moussaka (like an eggplant lasagna), Zisis’ fish in a cone, baked feta in phyllo and honey, spanakopita, lukumades (from Lukumades), nuts, olives, gyros, souvlaki, any and all seafood, ouzo (alcohol), and Greek coffee.

-I didn’t have any particular breakfast that was remarkable.

-street food was almost always better than restaurant food

Top three restaurant choices: 

-For a traditional feel and live music: Klimataria Taverna (overall, tavernas will often have an authentic feel)

-For really interesting cuisine: Mavro Provato, which translates to The Black Sheep.

For romance and the most beautiful, panoramic views in Athens: Orizontes. This restaurant is a must just for the view! It sits high on a hill (also know as Mount Lycabettus) and from the streets of Athens, looks as if it might be another magical set of ancient ruins. Take a cab to get most of the way up (tip: cabs in Athens are reasonable and you can use your Uber app, it just won’t give you the price beforehand, but between midnight and 5am prices double). Anyway, when you get out of the cab, you take an elevator up to the restaurant. There’s also a cool old church up there and multiple spots to overlook Athens, even if you’re not eating at the restaurant. There are stairs you can take back down to the street...a much more romantic journey than the elevator. 

Lastly, if you want one of the most whimsical dining experiences of your life, check out “Little Kook” which is a fairy-tale inspired cafe.   They change their decor to a different theme every few months. I lucked out and entered just in time for Mary Poppins. Their desserts were a bit extreme for me (not a sentence I ever thought I’d say), but there’s some ice cream outside if you just was to pass by and transport yourself back to childhood. I should also note: there is ice cream and gelato everywhere in Athens. Sweet tooth satisfied.

Shopping

Even though many stores carry the same souvenirs (and many are made in Italy), I really enjoyed going into the shops because they carried clothing and kitchen tools that are unique, special, and will work in my everyday life! In my opinion, the street with the best shops is, I believe called Adrianou- across the street from Hadrian’s arch is a road that runs northwest called Lisikratous, walk that about 5 minutes and take a left onto a vibrant shopping street. There is also the Athens market which has lots of fresh produce, if you’re looking for a snack. And different flea markets, if you’re looking for a more one-of-a-kind souvenir. 

Other attractions

What a joy to see a Greek tragedy performance in its native language! Catch Oedipus Rex at the Athiniais Theater! 

Greek guards have the most fun uniforms. Every hour spectators can watch the changing of the guards. 

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Athens has made it a priority to showcase a unique glimpse into antiquity amongst a modern metropolis.   Here, at the epicenter of a culture that runs so deep, you are inundated with tangible history. Thank you for reading, feel free to ask any questions, and please check out the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_pTaxfUuQg