Can you take a minute and do the math on just how long ago 3,600 B.C. actually happened? Are you looking to stretch your borders, comfort zone, and concept of time? Are you ready to eat the best food in the world and do so with an epic view? It's settled: You're going to Greece.
While this is not your typical RV-style trip, it's fun to get out of your routine. You can include Greece on an RV trip of a lifetime through Europe, take a road trip all over mainland Greece, and scratch your driving itch by renting a car on one of the hundreds of Greek Isles. Or give your driving skills a rest and see how the other half travels.
If you choose the latter, you'll likely be flying into Athens. Take the Metro from the airport to the heart of ancient Athens—not just historic; genuinely ancient. One benefit of ancient cities? They're walkable out of necessity. Once you're here, you can walk wherever you need to go. Prefer not to walk? Take the Metro.
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Whether you plan to walk a lot or a little, wear solid shoes. Those crumbling ruins make for uneven ground around all the sites you want to see. They're called “ruins” for a reason.
In addition to its walkability, Athens has many beautiful museums, ruins, restaurants, and other activities. Most likely, though, you've come for the ancient sites. Feel free to pick and choose which ones you want to visit separately, or you can purchase the Athens Combination Ticket to see seven ancient sites for one price. The ticket is €30, and it's good for one admission each to the Acropolis, Ancient Agora archaeological site and museum, Hadrian's Library, Kerameikos archaeological site and museum, Archaeological Site of Lykeion, Roman Agora, and Temple of Olympian Zeus (also known as the Olympieion). The ticket is active for up to five consecutive days, so there's no rush to see them all at break-neck speed.
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The Acropolis and its Parthenon are probably at the top of your list— and everyone else's. Don't waste your precious time standing in the long line to get your Athens Combination Ticket. Instead, get your ticket at one of the less-visited sites, such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Archaeological Site of Lykeion, or the Archaeological Site of Kerameikos, none of which have lines as long as the one you'll find at the Acropolis.
It's worth noting that the Acropolis Museum is not included in the Athens Combination Ticket. You'll need a separate ticket, which is €10 per person. It's known as one of the best museums in the world, so you should put that on your must-see list. Other museums of interest are the National Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, the War Museum, and the Jewish Museum of Greece.
Is there an athlete in your group, or perhaps an Olympics enthusiast? Then you shouldn't miss the Panathenaic Stadium. This colossal stadium was built in 1896 for the first modern Olympics, with a capacity of 80,000 seats, and is also the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. Used again for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, many other games and contests have taken place here over the years, including the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. A walk through the Gladiator Tunnel reveals a timeline and history of the structure and the Olympics; the museum inside holds every Olympic torch from the summer and winter games dating back to 1896.
While 1896 may not sound that ancient compared to the other sites you'll find in Greece, the Panathenaic isn't the first stadium built on this site. The original racecourse made here dates back to the 6th century B.C., the second to 330 B.C., and the third iteration, entirely in marble, was built here in 144 A.D., before it fell into ruin for several hundred years.
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You can run! Admission to the stadium and museum includes jogging around the track, climbing the stairs, or otherwise using the stadium for your daily workout. Morning runners can enter at 7:30 a.m., half an hour before the stadium and museum officially open each day.
After several hours of walking around the ruins or an invigorating run around the stadium, you'll probably feel hungry. You're in luck. Greece has some of the best food in the world, and the friendly locals will be happy to tell you about their favorite places to find the country's best dishes. The tomatoes taste more like tomatoes. The seasoning combinations complement what you're eating instead of merely flavoring the food. The yogurt is light and fluffy yet also thick and creamy at the same time. You'll have to taste it to believe it. And the portion sizes rival those in the American south—no kidding.
Many accommodations in Athens include breakfast in the price of your stay. If you are staying near the ancient city center, they may offer that breakfast on their rooftop, with a view of the world-famous Acropolis. Breakfast often includes salad, vegetables, eggs, cold cuts, sweet and savory pastries, and yogurt with toppings such as honey, fruit, and nuts. Even those with the heartiest appetite will leave feeling full.
Other Greek dishes you'll find for lunch and dinner may include items you recognize from your favorite Greek restaurant back home: Souvlaki, tzatziki and pita, feta, and baklava are all authentic and popular choices. Some dishes you may be less familiar with—but should try at least once—include moussaka (like a meaty lasagna with potatoes instead of pasta), fava bean dip (resembling hummus but with a different taste and texture), ntakos (bread soaked in juices and topped with tomato, feta, and seasoning), or galaktoboureko (brown phyllo dough filled with warm custard and often topped with ice cream).
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You can drink tap water in Greece. Restaurants in many European countries charge for water and will never serve tap water as a beverage option. Except for a few islands, you can drink the water in Greece, which will be offered complimentary with your meal at a restaurant.
Once you've familiarized yourself with Greek culture, history, and food, you may want to consider experiencing island life—Greek style. From Poseidon to Odysseus, the Greeks have long been a sea-faring people. And with hundreds of islands to choose from, you'll undoubtedly find one that inspires you. Whether you want Santorini's classic blue domes, Crete's unique history, or Mykonos' party culture in your photo backgrounds, you won't regret a few days (or an entire week) spent in the Greek Isles.
Santorini is recognized as one of the most famous islands in Greece, Europe, and the world. Famed for its sunsets reflecting off the village of Oia (pronounced “EE-ya”), this island's personality is at once vibrant and seemingly paused in time. The Greek flag's colors are a theme in most places around the country, but it's especially apparent in this island's architecture.
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The best place to see the sunset each evening is at Oia Castle. Arrive about an hour before sunset and enjoy the view.
The cobalt blue church domes set against whitewashed buildings make for striking, iconic photos, but the absolute uniqueness is in the cave dwellings. A massive earthquake in the 1950s damaged many cave homes along the island's caldera (the inside of the volcano that makes up Santorini and its neighboring islands). They've since been restructured as boutique hotels and villas.
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Oia, Imerovigli, and the island's capital city of Fira are all pedestrian-only. There are no street names, but there are plenty of slippery stairs and winding, narrow pathways. If you choose to stay in one of these lovely villages, you'll want to arrange your transfer from the airport or ferry terminal to your accommodation in advance. You'll be thankful for the guide who'll not only show you the way but also carry your luggage. Be kind and pack light.
Santorini is uniquely lovely, but it's not all photo shoots and charming villages. For those who didn't want to leave all the ancient ruins behind on the mainland, you're in luck. The former village of Akrotiri is sometimes called the “Greek Pompeii.” More than 3,600 years ago, a catastrophic volcanic eruption simultaneously destroyed the city of Akrotiri and preserved the ruins under volcanic ash. You can visit the archaeological site Wednesday through Monday and walk among the 5,600-year-old ruins yourself.
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It's popular to rent a car or four-wheeler to drive yourself around Santorini, but if you're interested in letting go of a bit of control, take the local buses. All buses come and go from the centralized capital city of Fira, and the system is surprisingly efficient. You'll be cruising in comfort on these full-size charter buses, air conditioning included—probably not what came to mind at the first mention of “local buses” on an island, right?
For active travelers, plan to spend one morning hiking the well-worn path between Oia and Fira. You'll gain some altitude no matter which direction you choose to walk, and you'll cover a solid 10 kilometers (about six miles). Up for a challenge? Take the excursion to Skaros Rock. It will add elevation (think “uphill both ways”) and about a mile to your distance. You'll find a secluded church overlooking the caldera, one that you can't see from anywhere else on the island.
Perhaps your idea of an island vacation doesn't include hiking at all. You may be more interested in a relaxing vacation. In this case, you'll want to schedule a half- or full-day boat tour, which will give you the chill island vibe you're looking for and views of Santorini you can't get any other way. Choose from the latest and greatest modern yacht or a traditional boat instead.
Most tours stop at the red and white sand beaches, black mountains, the (still-active) volcano, hot springs, and multiple snorkeling spots. A meal will likely be included onboard; if you're lucky, you'll get a crew that wants to show you their favorite secret places. Like the church on Skaros Rock, there's at least one church situated in a seaside cave, accessible only by boat.
With so much to offer and such kind people, a trip to the “Cradle of Western Civilization” might be the breather you need from your typical travels. Where else can you find philosophy and democracy intertwined with such unique culture and mythology? Whether you're into history, scenery, excellent food, or just looking to challenge your horizons, Greece could be the perfect place for your next life adventure.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Whitney O'Halek is a travel writer, author, and blogger currently living in the D.C. area. She started traveling in 2006 and basically never unpacked. Her husband is her favorite travel companion, but she's not afraid to go solo. You can follow her journey on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest @quickwhittravel. Visit her website quickwhittravel.com for more. ■