I wanted a dose of history, mountains, and beaches over outstanding food, but still, laidback. So, I picked Greece. I whittled my cities down to Meteora for the mountains and monasteries, Athens for the history, and, Santorini for the beaches. The closest airport to Meteora is Thessaloniki. So I added it to the list. Delphi was on the way to Athens, or so I thought. So, that too.
I chose to fly Airbus as much as possible because of trouble with Boeing. I used the Kiwi app. My flights were Turkish airlines going out. And Transavia/ French bee back. I didn’t have the best Turkish airlines experience. But happy to be alive 🙂 An old school rule of printing out all tickets and the itinerary worked really well. Transavia and French Bee were great, in spite of minor delays.
Documents are tedious to do but thats just the state of affairs. I had to renew my Indian passport to have a valid one for at least 6 months. I needed a Schengen Visa, as well. By the time I got around making all the hotel bookings, all slots were booked out. I requested the Greek consulate in New York City (NYC) to schedule me as courtesy. They were gracious to offer me a slot and it worked out. My experience with Greek staff anywhere was great 🙂
Anything is possible with some hustle. But I recommend planning for this trip 6-10 months in advance. I started 5 months in advance and wish I had started sooner. I visited End of May through beginning of June to include the memorial day weekend and the best weather in Greece before the tourist season starts.
This time, to not get confused with time zones, I added the itinerary to my digital calendar with activities in Greek time zones. I added my best friend as an invitee. I added notes as well. This worked out great, especially, when we needed to reschedule.
Thessaloniki: Recommend ~ 2 days
It was 2024, but some cash is still needed. The ticket counter was closed and online booking was not an option. So, as courtesy, the bus driver gave me an hour long free ride to Colombo. The neighborhood was safe and friendly traveling at 9:00 pm at night.
The White tower, Aristotelous square, arch of Galerius, church of St. Demetrios and rotunda were all within walking distance of my neighborhood. I walked the waterfront a few times and enjoyed the bustling market close by. Thessaloniki had a lovely vibrant, and relaxed vibe.
My friend picked me up and drove us to Meteora after. If not specified, you will likely get a manual shift car. So specify automatic otherwise.
Meteora: Recommend ~ 1 1/2 days
The first night, we rolled in at 4:00 pm on a Thursday night. So we went straight to Viewpoint Meteora, the featured image. Main observation deck of Meteora was just close by. We caught stunning views of the Kastraki village between the mountains. This is a beautiful and unique Meteora experience.
We checked in to our hotel, after.
The next day was packed. We went by monastery of Varlaam in spite of it being closed. We went to the great monastery of Meteoron, next. Note, the dress code is to cover the knees and shoulders. They offer sarongs gratis that you can use and drop off after use. Women are to wear dresses. Not pants. The monasteries themselves were wonderful to visit and also the views outside. The Holy Monastery of Rousanos was closed without notice. I timed these 3 such so that we have a relatively shorter path to the and then lunch back in the city.
We continued to toward Monastery of Saint Nicholas of Badova, the monastery of Holy Trinity, and Holy Monastery of Saint Stephan after. We drove to Delphi that night.
We were a bit rushed in Meteora and missed a monastery with just a day. So, I recommend 1 1/2 – 2. It was still hot in May, which slows down those not used to it. There are plenty of steps to climb. Every monastery has its unique hours and they differ with season.
Delphi: Recommend ~ 1 day
The drive from Meteora to Delphi was longer than I expected due to road closure. This would have been better as a day trip from Athens. Delphi feels like the best American national park with a city built in it. I had the best dinner of my trip in Delphi that night. The next day we visited the Temple of Apollo, The Ancient Theater of Delphi, and the Tholos of Athena Pronaia.
We went to the museum as well as some of the sculptures were taken inside to preserve them.
Even without prior knowledge of Greek culture, I could appreciate the preservation effort at multiple times of Ancient Greek heritage. The choice of location was the finest, as the old towns and temple looked at the mountains across.
It was very hot that day to walk in the open. If I had to do it again, I would factor in short breaks in the itinerary.
We drove to Athens right after.
Athens: Recommend 3-5 days
Day 1
Walking to the old coliseum, and Parthenon in the Acropolis seemed unreal. Again, we learned about various attacks throughout history and restoration efforts to assemble mere shards back to the original columns, sculptures, friezes etc. It might be wishful thinking to restore them back to their original glory. But it’s heart warming to imagine.
The temple of Hephaestus was next as the best preserved relic of its time. It was in the ancient agora. We went to the national archaeological museum after. I had body image issues after
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Day 2
The Acropolis museum was our first stop the next day. The Korai (maiden sculptures) were my favorite. There were several others with various tales of battles. They were split by Neolithic, Paleolithic and bronze ages to help us see the progression through the ages.
The next stop was the temple of Poseidon. This was another must do for us to get away from the city for a bit and enjoy the beech and cool breeze.
Day 3 & 4:
We bummed around beaches and walked around the city the next 2 days. It felt more like a food tour. We thoroughly enjoyed it as the food everywhere and service is just spectacular.
Santorini ~ 3 days
We crammed what my friend wanted to do the first 3 days because he would fly out after and I would have an extra 2.
Castle of Oia and walking through Oia is a very Santorini experience. I did that twice. The vanity quest to the 3 blue domey selfie is a one hour quest my friend was not going to do. I left that for after but it’s something I would do if I went there the first time.
We hiked Skaros rock and went to the lighthouse. The ancient city of Pyrgos was another one that I absolutely cherish.
We enjoyed multiple sunset dinners and watched the twilight unfold after, that I personally enjoy even better. The city lights are next. Santorini is expensive, to stay, enjoy experiences, shop and just generally get around. Think Beverly housewife.
My friend booked a sunset cruise we really enjoyed. We saw the white, red and black beaches. We snorkeled and saw sea bream. The cabin crew and other patrons were just great. I highly recommend if you like sailing. We went to wine cave tour that we enjoyed as well. Their porous rock is ideal for growing wine grapes and their technique of tying the wines like a wreath protects them from harsh winds. We learned that from the tour.
I didn’t get around scuba diving but that is an option as well, in Santorini.
It’s hard to go wrong in Greece. People were friendly and enterprising everywhere. There was history to learn and natural beauty to be admired everywhere we went. Greece ages like bitcoin. Makes you feel like a million bucks 🙂
Broad without borders 