Sure, Greece is a dream destination for most. Stunning views, amazing food, tons of history – what’s not to love? When dreaming of a destination for so long, we tend to have visions and preconceived notions. But Greece had some surprises in store. Here are the biggest surprises for me in my trip to Greece …
How much I loved Athens
After countless blogs, Instagram posts and YouTube videos, the reviews of Athens were mixed. Most recommended needing no more than 1-2 nights as a stopover destination before sailing to the Greek islands. But beyond the obligatory Acropolis tour, Athens has a lot to offer. I could have spent hours peeking in and out of the shops and tavernas of Plaka or window shopping the luxury brands in Kolonaki. Athens is a city with grit and a lot to offer. It deserves recognition as a destination in and of itself – not just a layover to the Greek islands.
Beach water is cold
I was born and raised in New York, but the moment my toes hit the shore of Perissa (Santorini) and again in Agios Prokopios (Naxos), it was clear I am a Florida girl. I never thought to research the temperature of the waters in Greece. Countless pictures of bright, sunny skies and crystal blue water, my brain figured it must be just like the Caribbean. Wrong! Getting in the water took some time to adjust and certainly was refreshing from the hot sun. But, I found myself being less than my normal water baby self.
Variety of Foods
Long before I started planning a trip to Greece, I declared myself a Greek food lover. Granted, my understanding of Greek food is through an American lens and a broader “mediterranean” categorization. I could not wait for all the Greek salads, souvlaki, and (my favorite) grilled octopus. What I quickly learned is that Greeks love a variety of meats cooked in a variety of ways. From veal in a tomato sauce to grilled pork chops, there is something for everyone. With the exception of Feta, I never considered Greece a “cheese” destination, but being exposed to graviera, kasseri, and mizithra, it is now on the list. And, without a doubt, Greece is highly underrated in the coffee and wine categories. A Greek coffee definitely kicks you into gear, and the white wines were perfectly crisp and refreshing to meet the needs of Greek summer. I am keeping my eyes open for Greek varieties in my next wine haul.
It’s Hot, But With a Breeze
Schedules dictated that the only time the schedule of our 11 travelers converged on availability was in the bullseye of precisely when most recommend not traveling to Greece. One of the biggest reasons cited to avoid late July and the month of August is the heat. But here’s when being from Florida came in handy — the Greece heat had nothing on the hell of humidity we experience in Florida. Was it hot? Yes. Did we sweat? Yes. But, unlike Florida summer days, you could at least feel relief in the shade and count on an evening breeze. Once on the islands, the evening breeze was reminiscent of fall days. If you come from a hot and humid climate, then you will be just fine even in the dead heat of Greek summer.
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