Kat here!

Last spring I spent two weeks in Greece (delayed honeymoon) and I am still dreaming of the food, sunsets, beaches and overall feeling of just being *relaxed*. The post-COVID small business owner burn out was real, and 2 weeks in this glorious country was the perfect way to recover.

I am so excited to share with you some tips, and favourite spots on the three magical islands we visited: Paros, Santorini and Crete.

PAROS

When I think of Paros, I immediately feel calm.

Paros is an island with quaint villages and white buildings, sparsely situated throughout the 193.3km² of beautiful landscapes surrounded by sandy beaches and clear blue waters. It was the perfect place to begin our two week trip. We felt like we could fully decompress in Paros.

The island is famous for its high-quality marble, which has been used in notable works of art throughout history. The renowned statue of Venus de Milo, displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris, was carved from Parian marble.

We stayed 10 minutes from Parikia, a beautiful port town with quaint bars and restaurants lined up along the pier, but many people recommended Naoussa as well. I would’ve been happy staying anywhere on this island.

VISIT: Lefkes (village) for a day and eat the Oreo ice cream at Μέλι cream (Μνημείο ηρώων, Lefkes 844 00). It was out of this world!

EAT: Bountaraki is an authentic family-run restaurant in Parikia; the wait staff treated us like family. Be sure to try the moussaka, marinated eggplant and Bountaraki salad. I would also recommend trying Souvlaki Kargas in Naoussa if you’re looking for a quick and fresh kebab-style meal.

STAY: Omilos Beachfront House if you are looking for a relaxing home away from home close to Parikia, 2 minutes from the beach or Paros Agnanti (these are affiliated hotels just down the road from each other). 

SANTORINI

If you've ever come across mesmerizing pictures of Greece showcasing the charm of picturesque blue-domed buildings, chances are you've stumbled upon the wonderful island of Santorini.

Santorini is known for its stunning sunsets, which are considered some of the most breathtaking in the world. Santorini’s unique geography with its volcanic cliffs and views of the Aegean Sea creates a wonderful ambiance, no matter where you are on the island.

We loved Santorini and we were able to stay in two different areas during our stay. We stayed closer to Kamari beach at the beginning, which is a more low-key,  affordable area (30 minute drive from Oia and Thera) and then we moved to a sunset view hotel for our last night in Firostefani. I am so grateful we experienced both parts of the island. Renting a vehicle or ATV is a must on Santorini.

Santorini was BUSY and HOT, even at the end of May! I honestly cannot imagine traveling there in July/August. As beautiful as Oia and Thera are, they are filled with touristy shops and overpriced restaurants with sunset views. If this isn’t your vibe, I’d recommend steering clear of these spots and finding local tavernas and shops off the beaten path instead. But definitely enjoy the sunset where possible! 

VISIT:  Santo Wines (Pyrgos Kallistis 847 00). Enjoy a glass of vino (or a tasting/snack), and enjoy the most incredible view of the caldera. Prices aren’t cheap but the experience is worth it.

EAT: Nikola Grill (Epar.Od. Firon-Ormou Perissis, Megalochori 847 00). The tzatziki, gyro and Greek salad were all excellent. This is a great stop on your way to or from Santo Wines.

STAY: Blue Dolphins (Firostefani, Santorini 847 00) if you are seeking a gorgeous, newly renovated room with the classic Santorini view. It was located in between Thera and Oia, in a quaint village called Firostefani. I can’t even describe how special this place was. 

CRETE

Crete was hands down our favourite part of the trip. Although we only stayed here for 3 nights (in Chania to be exact), I could’ve definitely stayed for at least a week. Nothing beats Crete’s warm hospitality, stunning landscapes and authentic culture.

The reason why Crete is so special is because of its rich and diverse history. It was home to the ancient Minoan civilization, one of the earliest societies in Europe, dating back to around 2700 BCE. And you can feel the culture and history everywhere you go.

Our home base was in Chania, and we took day trips to a variety of beaches and sites around the island. These day trips were anywhere from 1-2 hours (one way).  The island is huge! It’s the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, stretching 260 km long and varying in width from 12 - 60 km. You definitely need a car to get around. And whoever the driver is, ensure they are comfortable with heights. Driving in Crete is no joke, albeit unforgettable! 

VISIT: Elafonissi Beach. Crystal clear waters, pink sand… what more can I say? If you’re a foodie, Biolea is an organic olive oil factory we visited 40 minutes from Chania and they offer fun & informative free tours. Fun fact: the owner is Canadian!

EAT: Taverna Stomio on your way to or from Elafonissi. Picture a family-run taverna surrounded by mountains and animals such as peacocks, ducks, dogs and chickens wandering around!! Try the giant beans, dakos and saganaki.

STAY: The Tanneries in Chania. Stunning all around, and in the perfect location of old town Chania.

Lastly, I wanted to share some random thoughts/tips about our experience in Greece.

• There are stray cats everywhere!!!! No joke – everywhere.
• We were told to relax by our servers at least 3x on separate occasions. Greek time and service is 10x slower than what we’re used to here in North America. Nothing wrong with that! It just took some time to get used to. 
• Never order a frappe during the main course of your meal; the server will laugh in your face.
• The local garbage / recycling trucks are the size of a sedan. I don’t get it; but we found it hilarious. They must be working around the clock. 
• Pink Oleanders are wildflowers native to Crete and they make for the prettiest landscapes. 🌸
• Each village has its own version of traditional alcohol that you will be served at the end of your meal. Paros is known for Souma, Crete known for Raki and Santorini was a toss up between limoncello or something else.
• “Ne” means “yes” in Greek. Don’t get confused.
• Rather than supporting the tourist trap restaurants, try venturing out to the local villages and having a meal at a family run taverna. These spots are where we had the most authentic meals at the best prices. 
• You must have your motorcycle license in Canada if you want to rent one in Greece.
• We didn’t have one mediocre meal. Every dish was excellent. 🥗 🧀 🍗 

If you have any specific questions, you can always send me a DM on Instagram (@katerinanoel) and I’d be more than happy to share! 

Efcharistó, and happy travels! 😊🇬🇷