Hi, was there twice, a while ago.2008 and 2010. First time hung out in Athens then to Hydra and loved it. So laid back (at the time) and no vehicles allowed. Donkeys! Super charming. The. Off to Santorini, loved it for its total beauty, Oia was so great, the sunsets. Mykonos, day trip only. Heard it was super touristy. Next trip, Syros and stayed in Ermipoli. Neat town, not real touristy and kinda slice of life. Then on to Patmos (I think) where Revelations was written. Stayed at a cool hotel but island too small, and then off to Crete which we loved. All of it. Also loved the ferries-really neat way to travel. So much to choose from in the islands, tough to decide which to go to. Love the food, the vibe. Athens is so cool too. Those restaurants in alleys, late night dinners sitting outside in summer. Was there one summer during a full moon. We were on a rooftop cafe with views of acropolis gazing at a full moon. We outlasted all the other diners and had the best conversation with our aging waiter, Joseph, philosophical stuff. Dined there one more time, early September and the crowds were gone, totally. We had the rooftop to ourselves with Joseph, really weird and great. Love Greece.
Wow! Thank you so much for talking about your amazing adventures in Greece!! They sound completely magical!
I’ve heard that since Covid it’s gotten a little bit more crowded, but going on a shoulder season or off-season are definitely the ways to go.
I’m also happy to hear you had such great ferry experiences, mine were horrendous 😅😅😅 so much so that I may not ever take a ferry in Greece again unless I have to. Plus the prices 😳 €90 one way (and these weren’t long trips) from some destinations!
Very welcome. And yes, ferries are expensive. Love the islands. They are changing—we’re even back then. In a cool little shop in Hydra the couple who owned us told us there was a shortage of men as they all moved off island to Athens for jobs. Maybe it’s changed now? Take care! Happy travels!
Oh interesting about Hydra's lack of men! Most of the people I met who were working on the islands told me they live in Athens during the winters/off-season so maybe it's the same...
My daughter and I were just in Crete for a week - definitely not long enough! We were in a resort near Heraklion and also visited the town and Knossos Palace. I wish I’d read your article before as we wasted a while looking for a restaurant that had a vegan option!
I had been before many years ago with her dad where we did hire a car for a while and see more of the island. It certainly does have a lot to offer 💚🇬🇷
I love that you went back there with your daughter! Did she love it? I wasn’t there long enough either but I really wanted to see if I would love it or not so I can return—and so can you!!!
If you’re ever looking for vegan places while traveling you can just type “vegan restaurant” into google! That’s what I did!! There’s also a free app called “Happy Cow” but I google maps has more options.
That’s so cool that you explored Crete with a car in the past!!!
She did love it I think. She wants to travel more so that’s good. I do have the Happy cow app but I didn’t think of it! Also reception wasn’t always great on our phones. I did ask the tour guide and she just said ‘anywhere’! I think we will definitely be back :)
Awwwwww, thank you SO MUCH!!!!!!!! Your note just made my entire day, and I was already having a great one!!! In life I like to look at solutions instead of problems and I joke that I’m so optimistic and upbeat that I often annoy myself, haha!! I hope you like the other articles and find them helpful!!!!
Very comprehensive overview of your trip, the highs and the lows. I too love Greece. And Crete was really something.
Thank you! When you were there, did you get to other islands or Athens? Crete is so special 😍
Hi, was there twice, a while ago.2008 and 2010. First time hung out in Athens then to Hydra and loved it. So laid back (at the time) and no vehicles allowed. Donkeys! Super charming. The. Off to Santorini, loved it for its total beauty, Oia was so great, the sunsets. Mykonos, day trip only. Heard it was super touristy. Next trip, Syros and stayed in Ermipoli. Neat town, not real touristy and kinda slice of life. Then on to Patmos (I think) where Revelations was written. Stayed at a cool hotel but island too small, and then off to Crete which we loved. All of it. Also loved the ferries-really neat way to travel. So much to choose from in the islands, tough to decide which to go to. Love the food, the vibe. Athens is so cool too. Those restaurants in alleys, late night dinners sitting outside in summer. Was there one summer during a full moon. We were on a rooftop cafe with views of acropolis gazing at a full moon. We outlasted all the other diners and had the best conversation with our aging waiter, Joseph, philosophical stuff. Dined there one more time, early September and the crowds were gone, totally. We had the rooftop to ourselves with Joseph, really weird and great. Love Greece.
Wow! Thank you so much for talking about your amazing adventures in Greece!! They sound completely magical!
I’ve heard that since Covid it’s gotten a little bit more crowded, but going on a shoulder season or off-season are definitely the ways to go.
I’m also happy to hear you had such great ferry experiences, mine were horrendous 😅😅😅 so much so that I may not ever take a ferry in Greece again unless I have to. Plus the prices 😳 €90 one way (and these weren’t long trips) from some destinations!
Very welcome. And yes, ferries are expensive. Love the islands. They are changing—we’re even back then. In a cool little shop in Hydra the couple who owned us told us there was a shortage of men as they all moved off island to Athens for jobs. Maybe it’s changed now? Take care! Happy travels!
Oh interesting about Hydra's lack of men! Most of the people I met who were working on the islands told me they live in Athens during the winters/off-season so maybe it's the same...
Possibly. Hydra is so close to the mainland too. From what they said though it sounded like a total exodus, not part time. Not sure though.
My daughter and I were just in Crete for a week - definitely not long enough! We were in a resort near Heraklion and also visited the town and Knossos Palace. I wish I’d read your article before as we wasted a while looking for a restaurant that had a vegan option!
I had been before many years ago with her dad where we did hire a car for a while and see more of the island. It certainly does have a lot to offer 💚🇬🇷
I love that you went back there with your daughter! Did she love it? I wasn’t there long enough either but I really wanted to see if I would love it or not so I can return—and so can you!!!
If you’re ever looking for vegan places while traveling you can just type “vegan restaurant” into google! That’s what I did!! There’s also a free app called “Happy Cow” but I google maps has more options.
That’s so cool that you explored Crete with a car in the past!!!
She did love it I think. She wants to travel more so that’s good. I do have the Happy cow app but I didn’t think of it! Also reception wasn’t always great on our phones. I did ask the tour guide and she just said ‘anywhere’! I think we will definitely be back :)
I’m glad that this trip gave her the travel bug! How old is she?
I recommend looking on your phone, on the apps while in the hotel with Wi-Fi and deciding before you leave, I know it’s not always possible!
Often times people who aren’t vegan assume that there are options everywhere, but there aren’t always.
She’s 18. She loved being able to order unlimited cocktails in the hotel ;)
Yes I had been told loads of places did vegan so was lazy and didn’t do my research! You live and learn ;)
Sounds like it was an awesome trip regardless! 18 is a great age to experience traveling!!
Awwwwww, thank you SO MUCH!!!!!!!! Your note just made my entire day, and I was already having a great one!!! In life I like to look at solutions instead of problems and I joke that I’m so optimistic and upbeat that I often annoy myself, haha!! I hope you like the other articles and find them helpful!!!!