The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. Most of the streets have been closed to automobile traffic, though you should still keep a watchful eye for a speeding motorcycle or delivery truck. At one time it was the nightclub district, but most of these closed down when the government out-lawed amplified music in the area in the seventies in an effort to get rid of undesirables. The strategy was very successful and it is now an area of restaurants, tourist shops, and cafes. Though it is quite commercialized it is still a neighbourhood and arguably the nicest neighbourhood in central Athens. Most of the restaurants are typical tourist places but the quality of food is not bad, you should have a few enjoyable evenings and not be unpleasantly surprised by the bill. As for the tourist shops they are crammed full of stuff, some of it junk but plenty of interesting items if you feel compelled to bring back gifts to everyone you know. Most of the shops have pretty much the same stuff for pretty much the same prices but there are some that are more eclectic than others, selling antiques, hand painted icons, woodcarvings and paintings. If you wander around the Plaka you will find lots of other shops and even the regular tourist shops have amazing postcards that you can send home and make all your friends jealous. There are lots of jewellery stores. Most of them buy from factories and have the same stuff for about the same price. There are a couple that are artist-owned which have hand-made original pieces and also copies of ancient museum pieces. Gold jewellery in Greece is inexpensive, not because the price of Gold is any cheaper but because labour is. But generally the pieces that are hand-made by the artists will have more value then the mass produced pieces of the same weight. There are a few galleries like the Moraitis and there are several museums in the Plaka of special note the Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum and the Jewish Museum, which is right at the entrance to the Plaka at Nikis and Kydatheneon streets. What would a visit to Greece be without going to the Acropolis ? You can take a tour or wander up there yourself but during the summer, whatever you do, unless it is overcast, go early in the day. It can get very hot up there and gasping for breath can detract from your ability to marvel at the greatest of all archaeological sites. After climbing the steps you are at the entrance, or the Propylaea, which was completed in 432 just before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian wars, the main architect was Mnesicles, a colleague of Phidias. To your left is the Pinacotheca and a Hellenistic pedestal and on the right the tiny temple to Nike Athena or the Athena of Victory which commemorates the Athenians victory over the Persians. Supposedly this is the place where King Aegeus threw himself into the sea because he thought his son Theseus had been killed by the Minataur. But if this is the point he chose to jump into the Aegean then how good a king could he have been? The sea is miles away. If you are looking from the propylaea towards Piraeus on a clear day you can see ships waiting outside the port of Piraeus, the islands and the mountains of the Peleponesos beyond. The Parthenon and the other main buildings on the Acropolis were built by Pericles in the fifth century BC as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the inhabitants of Athens. The term acropolis means upper city and many of the city states of ancient Greece are built around an acropolis where the inhabitants can go as a place of refuge in times of invasion. It's for this reason that the most sacred buildings are usually on the acropolis. It's the safest most secure place in town. As little as 150 years ago there were still dwellings on the Acropolis. The best time to go up there is the spring when even this stone mountain is not immune to the proliferation of grass and wildflowers which seem to burst from every crack. The Erecthion sits on the most sacred site of the Acropolis where Poseidon and Athena had their contest over who would be the Patron of the city. Poseidon thrust his trident into the rock and a spring burst forth, while Athena touched the ground with a spear and an olive tree grew. Athena was declared the victor and the great city of Athens was named for her while Poseidon was given a small village in Syros after it was discovered he had merely ruptured a water main, (not really). The building itself contains the porch of the maidens or Caryatids, which are now copies, four of which have been placed in the Acropolis museum. Even having seen a thousand photographs one is still not prepared for the immensity of the Parthenon. The building was designed by the architects Kallikrates and Iktinos as the home of the giant statue of Athena. It took 15 years to build and was completed in 438 BC and is probably the most recognizable structure in the world next to the golden arches of MacDonalds. From a temple it became a church, a mosque and finally as a storage facility for Turkish gunpowder. In 1687 the Venetians bombarded it from below. A cannon ball hit the gun powder and blew it up. Below the Acropolis is the theatre of Herod Atticus built by the Romans in 161 AD and still used today for classical concerts, ballet, and performances of high cultural value. Further on is the Theatre of Dionysious the first stone theatre and home to Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides and Aristophanes. It was rebuilt around 342 BC by Lykourgos and then enlarged by the Romans to be used for gladiator fights. Below the Acropolis is the rock of Areios Pagos. The steps are very slippery so be careful as you climb them, but once you do you won't want to come down (unless it is 100 degrees). You have a great view of the Agora, the Plaka, Monastiraki, Omonia and much of Athens. It's a great place to watch the sunset, or to come up at night with a bottle of wine and your true love, and watch the lights of the city. Afterwards, continue back around the Acropolis and down the hill into the Ancient Agora below. Part of it is free and you can go through it to get back to Adrianou Street, or you can pay the entrance fee and walk the streets of ancient Athens. You may notice at the entrance to the Acropolis and the paths leading up to it the licensed guides, who for around 30 Euros or so, will give you a tour so that you may leave the area more informed then when you got here. The Monastiraki flea market is the place to be on Sunday's when it seems every Athenian is here either buying or selling. You have to get here early because after about 11am the crowd becomes impossible and if you want to take a break there are few tables available at the many cafes and restaurants in the area. You can wander around aimlessly or you can find someone who knows the flea market who can show you around if you are intent on buying something in particular. Much of the flea market is not really a flea market. It is a collection of small shops of which most of them are tourist shops with the same stuff you will find on Adrianou street in the Plaka. These are open normal shop hours and you can come here anytime. But weekends and Sunday in particular is when it is like a third-world flea market with people selling anything from antiques to what you might call useless junk and it goes on forever, beyond Monastiraki and into Thission and Psiri.

Greece is a peninsular country that juts out into the Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea. It’s located in Europe, east of Turkey and south of Albania, Macedonia, and Bulgaria. The country also includes over 1, 000 islands, the largest of which are Crete and Cyprus. While Greece is known for its picturesque coastlines, much of the country is mountainous. The Pindus mountain range is the most prominent, while Mount Olympus is the highest point in Greece. Best and Worst Times to Visit Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Greece because the weather is pleasant, and the summer vacationers aren’t around. It’s warm enough to swim in the sea and the sun is out. Keep in mind though, Easter is one of the most popular holidays in the country, so hotel availability can be sparse at this time. Also, many shops open in June and close in October, so you could face fewer options during the off-season. If you don’t want to deal with swarms of vacationers and soaring temperatures around 100 degrees F, avoid visiting during August. The scorching summertime attracts visitors, which causes rates to skyrocket. Also, temperatures drop from November to February, and Greece becomes chillier and cloudier. This time span is considered one of the worst times to visit if you’ve got your heart set on beach weather. Lodging Greece is a hot spot for honeymoons, family trips, and solo getaways. Here at Expedia.com, we offer the best selection of affordable hotels in Greece that suit all your vacation preferences. Whether you’re traveling with your kids or celebrating your anniversary, there’s a place for you. Some of these hotels feature restaurants with authentic Greek cuisine and complimentary breakfasts. Many of them provide a bar, 24-hour front desk service, and Wi-Fi access in public areas, too. You’ll also find a selection of Greece resorts that include additional amenities than those offered at the hotels. Some feature full-service spas and outdoor pools, while others present poolside bars and nightclubs. When you browse our assortment, you’ll find cheap deals on resorts and hotels in Greece that fall within your travel budget. Things to Do If you’re venturing to Greece to bask on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, head straight to Crete. As Greece’s largest island, Crete flaunts a picturesque coastline and secluded beaches. Balos Beach is a top pick and has been compared to the Caribbean for its white sand and clear water, while Vai is another favorite beach, surrounded by Europe’s largest palm tree forest. Island hop to other picture-perfect destinations, such as Mykonos and Santorini, which boast magnificent sea views, cobblestone streets, and the famous white-washed houses. There’s more to this Mediterranean paradise than the aqua water and white villas stacked along the coastline. The country is steeped in history, and Athens is one of the top places to see some of the most celebrated landmarks. Visit the Acropolis of Athens, which is an ancient citadel, and discover the Parthenon that dates back to 440 BC. While you’re in town, browse the exhibits at the National Archaeological Museum, explore Syntagma Square, and then rest up at one of the nearby hotels in Athens. Turn up the adventure during your Grecian getaway. Hike around the ancient sites in Delfi or explore the serenity of nature at the Aoos Gorge. Get some height with a rock climbing excursion at Mount Timfi, paraglide over Drama for a bird’s-eye view of the region, and whitewater raft in Tzoumerka. From sea kayaking around Kefalonia to mountain biking in Mount Olympus, you’ll see a different side of the Greek islands. Culture Greece has an extensive history, and much of its past is still celebrated and preserved today. The concept of theater was developed in Athens, while the Olympic games are traced back to Olympia. The Greek people are responsible for creating marble and bronze sculptures along with the style of Greek Romantic art.

Greece offers a wealth of unspoilt beauty, white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters as well as plenty of entertainment for all the family. The only problem you may experience is trying to decide where to stay as you will be spoilt for choice. Here at The Co-operative Travel we offer package holidays to all the best resorts, all providing a unique taste of Greece. Out and about in Greece Greece offers a variety of entertainment wherever you stay, whether on the mainland or one of the many islands. The capital Athens, named after the ancient god of wisdom, boasts beautiful beaches and clear waters so you can cool off in the heat. Beaches that are superb for those on family holidays are Vouliagmeni and Varkiza with tennis and volleyball courts and play areas for the children as well as water slides and quality restaurants. Many beaches in Greece offer facilities so you can enjoy a full day of fun. Of course no trip to Athens would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis and The Parthenon, which also boasts the latest addition of the Acropolis museum. Also worth a trip, Navagio Beach in Rethymnon> is named after the remains of a shipwreck, which can be found emerging from the pure white sand surrounded by the turquoise waters of a calm sea and enthralls its visitors. What to do on package holidays to Greece The main forms of transport in Greece are the buses and taxi, which are both plentiful and cheap. Car hire in Greece can easily be found but the air conditioned buses offer a much more relaxing journey at a much lower price. There are theme parks and water parks in many resorts in Greece such as the Allou fun park in Athens. You can also cool off in The Waterpark in Rhodes>, Watermania in Mykonos, Aegina Water Park on the island of Aegina and Aqualand in Corfu>. Shopping and eating out in Greece When taking cheap family holidays to Greece you will never be short of quality food and drink to keep you satisfied. Many of the local tavernas have a plentiful supply of local dishes such as Horiatiki, a type of Greek salad, Moussaka or Kalamari, which is a squid dish. Fresh fish is always on offer with a wide variety to choose from. Shopping in Greece is also plentiful with low cost goods of a high quality such as jewellery and leather goods. Book your package holidays in Greece Wherever you want to stay, whatever you want to do, you can assured that here at The Co-operative Travel we can help you find the holiday in Greece of your dreams.

The country's capital, Athens, is the place to head if you are a history buff and must visits include the Acropolis and its museum, as well as the Parthenon on top. If you plan to explore some of Greece's 6, 000 islands from its capital, ferries take travellers to many, including Crete, from Piraeus Harbour. Greece's largest island, Crete, is also one of the most popular destinations with tourists. Depending on your idea of a perfect holiday, you could spend your days here visiting historic sites such as Knossos, lounging on the beach, exploring the mountains or splashing around in one of Crete's three water parks with the family. Corfu is another popular location with British holidaymakers with lively nightlife in Kavos; history in Corfu Old Town, a UNESCO world heritage site; golf, sailing and hiking opportunities on offer for active travellers; and beaches galore to relax and unwind on. Or, if you are after a completely relaxing holiday destination with world-famous golden beaches, why not consider Zante? (also known as Zakynthos) The vibrant resort of Lagunas plays host to loggerhead turtles who nest there. If you are looking for a resort on Zante where you can enjoy a few drinks after a day sunbathing, consider staying in the livelier resort of Tsilivi, and if you are a sport enthusiast, why not plan in a day trip by boat to Olympia - home to the original Olympics? Rhodes' vibrant resorts of Faliraki and Rhodes Town are magnets for holidaymakers who enjoy partying while they are away, but not all travellers who land in Rhodes Airport (RHO) are after a hedonistic break. The village of Lindos on the east coast is an ideal spot if you want a more serene few weeks away exploring the car-free cobbled streets, visiting the castle and taking in the view from the top of the Lindos Acropolis. Or, if you like to be active while away, why not play golf in the sunshine, take to the sea windsurfing, diving or kitesurfing or don your walking boots to explore Rhodes' beautiful landscape including the Valley of the Butterflies? To the north of Rhodes, Kos is a good value option for a fun-filled couple of weeks in the sun. The lively resorts of Kardamena and Kos Town both have plenty of bars and clubs in which you could dance until the early hours of the morning. But there's also another side to the island: venture into the mountain villages for a tranquil slice of Greece or visit Kos Town's 15th-century Castle of the Knights to find out more about the island's history. Book lovers and romantics should take a trip to Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands and the setting of Louis de Bernières' Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Passengers will land in Kefalonia Airport (EFL) and are likely to fall in love with the island as soon they step off the plane. There's the beautiful Myrtos Beach - one of the most photographed in the country; the unspoilt village of Fiskardo in the north of the island; and the popular resort of Lassi with two lengthy stretches of sand. Other Greek hotspots for holidaymakers include Skiathos in the Sporades Islands which boasts stunning beaches; the picture-postcard destination of Santorini with whitewashed houses and red and black beaches - Kalamata in the south of mainland Greece is a gateway for holidays in the Peloponnese region; and Mykonos, a destination which saw a surge of interest in flights to its airport thanks to it being the setting of a judge's home in the UK X Factor.

The situation in Greece is very grim, with economic output more than 20% below its 2007 level and one in four workers unemployed. The Syriza party which won power on 26th January was reported to be considering banning all-inclusives. Tsipras, now Prime Minister, had said in early December, that “We don’t agree with establishing an ‘all-inclusive’ resort model, which to a great degree cuts off tourism from local economies” and he was reported as favouring a growth in domestic tourism, difficult to achieve in a recession. Tourism employs one in five Greeks and accounts for a fifth of the economy, making it a political issue. There is a growing market for all inclusive holidays and plenty of supply – banning them may merely result in the business being displaced elsewhere. Elena Kountoura, the new Greek tourism minister from the right-wing Independent Greeks party in Tsipras’s coalition, “There won’t be any action against all-inclusive holidays… “On the contrary, further upgrading the quality of these packages will boost and extend benefits in local markets and communities.” Despite the recession in Europe and the fall of living standards across the EU the numbers of people taking holidays abroad has held up well. As a consequence of falling or stagnant living standards and the rise in the cost of heating and running a car household discretionary spend is under considerable pressure. It is a mark of how important an annual holiday has become, now seen by many in developed economies as a necessity, and by some as an entitlement. This is a major achievement by the industry – people now expect to take a holiday away from home, often abroad, and they will cut back on other spending when necessary to have that week or two away.

The Piraeus is the ancient port of Athens and still functions as the chief exit point from the city by sea for destinations amongst the Aegean Islands and elsewhere in the east Mediterranean. Domestic destinations include all of the Aegean islands except the Sporades and some smaller Cyclades and Dodecanese isles that require a connection. International destinations (apart from cruise ships) include Cyprus and the Middle East. NOTE: Recently, official spelling changed to Pireas - and all road signs in Athens and around updated accordingly. Understand [edit] Piraeus: Aerial view (looking northwest) of the zone of Zea; the background harbor is the central port of Piraeus (Kentrikó limáni), where cruise ships dock and ferries embark for Cyclades and Creta Since privatisation of the Port of Piraeus Authority [2] passenger facilities have improved greatly. Air conditioned tents have been set up at departure locations around the port and free wi-fi internet access is now available. Sailings (arrivals and departures) are posted outside the Coast Guard Building at Karaiskaki Square, the main bus terminal for the Piraeus suburbs. Sailings are also available online for cruise ships[3] or from the Ministry of Merchant Marine [4]. The area can become hectic, especially during the summer period, so allow plenty of time to navigate to the correct departure gate. By Metro [edit] Most travellers arriving in Piraeus from Athens make use of the very convenient Metro [5]. Line 1 terminates at the Port, from there it's a short walk to the Saronic Gulf ferries, hydrofoils and catamarans, or a free shuttle-bus ride to the ships sailing to Crete and the Dodecanses. Central Cyclades ferries conveniently sail from just across the metro station. Metro ticket costs €1.40 and allows unlimited connections on all modes of transport within 90 minutes. By bus [edit] Direct Airport Express buses [6] run 24 hours between the port of Piraeus and Athens International Airport [7]. Allow 90 minutes for the trip. Bus tickets to the airport, available from the driver, €5. The Airport is also accessible via the Metro, with a connection at Monastiraki. Metro tickets to the airport are €8. Other public buses connect Piraeus with its outlying suburbs, the southern coastal zone and with central Athens. Bus and trolley-bus tickets cost €1.40 and are valid for unlimited connections(including metro) within 90 minutes. They must be bought in advance (generally from kiosks or inside metro stations) and validated once on board. By cruise ship [edit] During the "summer season", a large number of cruise ships call on the port of Piraeus. Modest-sized ships dock near Gate E11, within easy walk of the Cruise Terminal A (Miaoulis). Large ships dock about 400 meters farther away near Gate E12, closer to the busy entrance to this harbor. In June 2013, a newly expanded Cruise Terminal B (Themistocles) opened near Gate E12. The two terminals can handle up to 25, 000 passengers per day. When Terminal B is closed, and all passenger facilities are handled by Terminal A, a shuttle bus links the ship(s) docked at Terminal B to Terminal A. From the Cruise Terminal, which is approximately a mile south of the Metro station, you could take a taxi (about € 9 one way to the Metro station), or you might find a city bus N° 859, 843 or 826 at Miaoulis avenue at the Apheteria bus stop in between E11 and E12. They all make a stop at the metro station (Stathmos ISAP). Buy a combined ticket (bus, metro subway) from € 1.40 per person (valid until 90 minutes after validation) and validate it when on board. Otherwise, you face a 20-minute walk with gates to ferry and freight docks on the shore side, and various commercial and civic buildings on the other side of the very busy Miaoulis Avenue. Stay on the harbor side of the road, and pass several gates all starting with the letter 'E'. The Metro Station (a yellow neoclassical building with white trim) is opposite gate E6 and is accessible by the (only) pedestrian bridge over the busy port road. From here, Metro Line 1 (green) links Piraeus with downtown Athens' Monastiraki station in 20 minutes; train departs every 10 minutes between 6:00 and 24:00. Get around [edit] The centre of Piraeus and the Port can be negoatiated easily on foot if you are not carrying luggage. Yellow trolley buses (trolley bus no 20) are useful for the run from the Port to Passalimani and then follow the very scenic route around the hill of Castella, terminating at the Line 1 Metro station of Neon Phaleron (Neo Faliro), near the Peace & Friendship and Karaiskaki Stadiums. Free shuttle buses inside the Port run from across the Metro Line 1 Terminal Station, around the north side of the port to the ships sailing for Crete, the Eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese. Public bus #843 runs from the Apheteria bus stop between the two cruise terminals to the Line 1 Metro station ISAP/Stathmos and beyond.

Some people spend their whole lives exploring the Greek Islands. Dramatic rocky landscapes, white sand beaches, even whiter villages, crystal clear waters, town squares where you can spend the evening at outdoor restaurants caressed by warm Aegean breezes. Really, what's not to like? Here are four of our favorite best Greek Island escapes. Near the mainland but a long way from stress, charming Spetses shows off its rich maritime heritage with stately merchants' mansions and the Old Harbor, busy with bobbing yachts and fishing boats. Relax on pines-scented beaches on one of the island's many coves. Then again, if your idea of an island getaway involves sunbaking all day and dancing all night, Mykonos is the island for you. Over a couple of days or longer, soak up rays with Europe's beautiful people on stunning beaches like Elia and Paradise before heading back to Mykonos Old Town to catch the sunset from one of the Little Venice bars perched right on the water. Everyone eats late and parties even later, but you can always recover on the beach the next day! If all that hedonism is too much, see one of the most extensive ancient Greek ruins anywhere on nearby Delos. For many people, Santorini is the ultimate Greek island, with its haunting volcanic landscape, cliff-hugging towns and gorgeous whitewashed, blue-domed churches. Beaches come in red, white and black, the sunsets in a range of colors which will take your breath away. Come for two days to see why this is such a celebrity magnet, or stay for four days and feel like a VIP yourself. Of course history buffs have more than enough to occupy them in Greece. The island of Rhodes is covered in antiquities and later architectural treasures. Rhodes has its own Acropolis and other ancient glories like a stadium and theater, but the island was even more of a powerhouse in the Middle Ages, and it boasts the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe. Or escape civilization - ancient or modern - and tour the natural splendor of Crete’s Samaria Gorge, the longest and most beautiful gorge in Europe.

Your honeymoon in Greece is one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Great honeymoons require careful planning and lots of imagination. Share your dreams with us, we will deliver an impressive specially tailored itinerary for you and the love of your life. Beauty in Greece is exquisite; timeless; unspoiled. It was in this sacred landscape that romance and love was born. Greece is the birthplace of the winged God Eros, the son of Aphrodite; Whether you are looking for an ideal Greece honeymoon destination or just a romantic escape, the beauty and diversity of the Greek landscape forms the most romantic backdrop to celebrate your love. Search for your fairy-tale romance in the Greek islands, a perfect honeymoon destination bathed in sunlight all year long. Explore the islands on a cruise or island hopping, and enjoy sun-kissed beaches, superb natural landscapes, cosmopolitan resorts and traditional settlements alike or taste exquisite local dishes. Santorini and Mykonos rank among the most popular romantic getaways in Greece but don’t forget to pay a visit to other Aegean islands as well! Enjoy romantic sunsets in the Greek islands, evening strolls by the sea, relax in your hotel spa, have dinner under the candle light and enjoy the amazing view of the Aegean sea and the volcano of Santorini. All these and more in the Greece honeymoon package of your dreams.

See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold , excerpted from Rick’s guidebooks. Hi, I’m Rick Steves. For 20 summers I’ve been exploring Europe with my travel writing and teaching in mind — making lots of mistakes and taking careful notes in the hopes you learn from my mistakes rather than your own. In this series we’re exploring the Best of Europe. This time we’re in Greece. We’ll tour popular Santorini — an island on the lip of a still-active volcano. We’ll enjoy its romantic whitewashed villages, visit an archaeological dig on one of its ancient cities, and swim on its black-sand beach. Then we’ll cruise the Aegean to the island of Samos, where we’ll tour its sights by moped, ponder the ruins of an ancient temple, and rest in a quiet fishing village. And finally we’ll feast and frolic far from the crowds on tiny Lipsi. Greece lies between Italy and Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea. Starting in Athens, we’ll take an overnight ferry to the island of Santorini. Then we sail east to the island of Samos, and finish with a side-trip to obscure isle of Lipsi. It’s by ship that people have island-hopped the Aegean for centuries. This overnight boat from Athens to Santorini offers tickets in several classes. Deck class is cheapest, and can mean literally on the deck. For a few extra dollars an airplane-type seat can make life considerably more comfortable. And for even more comfort, try first class. Along with soft chairs and tables, you can be assured of some sleep in a stateroom. Our cabin has a window and a private shower. Cheaper cabins offer a shower down the hall. By the way, even passengers without a stateroom can go down to the cheap cabin deck and grab a free hot shower. Greek ferries are reasonably priced. In fact, this all-night cruise, including beds in a comfortable stateroom, is costing us less than what we paid for our hotel in Athens last night. While speedy travelers can fly from Athens to the major Greek isles, we’re in the Aegean to relax, feel the breeze, and have a little adventure. For me, that’s best done on the ferry boats. Sunrise and our Greek-island dream come true — Santorini. Thousands of years ago this was one island, a volcano named Thira. Fifteen hundred years before Christ a huge eruption blew away most of the island, leaving a flooded crater surrounded by five small islands. Today, Santorini — one of the remaining islands — is a lip of the crater, lined with tourists. For 3, 500 years the volcano has destroyed a series of island settlements — the latest in 1956, when it toppled 2, 000 houses. Yet, locals still build and tourists still come. Why? Those who visit will understand. Luckily, we’re arriving here in mid-September, just after the peak summer months. Although this looks pretty busy, most of the students have gone home. And hungry local entrepreneurs are eager to talk us into following them to their beautiful little pension. Looks like we have our rooms. With mini-buses and mini-pickups, pension operators shuttle new arrivals to their accommodations. Upscale travelers generally arrive by air and stay at one of the many rental villas or posh hotels. Santorini’s main town, Fira, is an exotic white-washed town offering the quintessential Greek-island experience. Tourists come year after year to soak up the sun, and stroll the tiny lanes of this town perched 700 hundred feet above the sea. So what if Santorini’s a little touristy? That’s not necessarily bad. There’s lots of shopping, English menus, fruity drinks, and plenty of British and Scandinavian fellow travelers. We all enjoy the spectacular physical setting and unmatched views ironically created by the volcano. But don’t let being a tourist get in the way of enjoying some authentic Greek treats… Yogurt and honey is a wonderful local tradition. Greek yogurt comes plain and super creamy. Mix in a little honey…I’m one happy hedonist. One of the advantages of a tourist hotspot can be the very convenient tours. Even for the most independent-minded travelers, there are times when an organized bus tour is a fine way to spend half a day. At noon, our bus leaves for the five-hour tour of the highlights of Santorini. Guide: Kalimara. Kalimara is the Greek word for good morning. This is your guide speaking and my name is Evi. Now let me tell you where we go and what we’ll see today. This tour includes a visit to the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, a little free time on one of the island’s best black-sand beaches, plenty of information, and a ride to the summit of the island for a grand view. Up here, beginning in the 18th century, the monks in the monastery preserved and taught the Greek language and culture during centuries of Turkish occupation. On the road again, on our way to Akrotiri. Without wheels we’d still be back in Fira. A tour gives the island an air-conditioned once-over-lightly and gets us home in time for dinner. And there it is: Akrotiri, the highlight of this tour. Akrotiri is the most impressive dig I’ve seen in the entire Aegean — including anything on Crete. This was a large city. With only about one thirtieth of the city unearthed, much archeological work remains. An advanced civilization thrived here from 2, 000 B.C. until about 1, 500 B.C., when the island exploded in one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the history of our planet. The boom from the eruption was heard in Scandinavia…and was followed by months of darkness. The city revealed beneath the thick layers of ash and pumice shows a plan not too different from the present-day villages on Santorini. Narrow streets widen here and there into squares. Houses line the streets, some three, possibly four stories high. Guide: There is no doubt that this was a public building. In fact some archaeologists are convinced that this was the administration center of the town. On the ground floor there are some 20 rooms, not all of them investigated. A wealth of pottery continues to be unearthed. And most exciting, perhaps, has been the discovery of beautifully painted walls. The frescoes, now removed to the National [Archaeological] Museum in Athens, tell us much about the life of these ancient people. To date, the only intact room to be uncovered contained this fresco of lilies, or papyrus, and swallows. It’s an idyllic spring scene of flirting birds and spring blossoms explained by the guide with the help of color photos of the originals. One mural details a great sea battle. These young boxers evidently shaved their heads and sported long locks of curls. Guide: It seems that shaved heads was an indication of youth. Young people of both sexes, they used to have that haircut. And the fishing must have been pretty good. Guide: He’s naked; he’s a fisherman carrying his fish — they look to be tuna fish. Some believe this may have been the lost civilization of Atlantis. And many figure it was a tidal wave created by this eruption that swept away the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, just 75 miles south of here. Probably the tidal wave disrupted their merchant fleet and with it the Minoan economy.

I’m a yes girl. I’ve always prided myself on that. Travel has been a natural extension to that facet of my personality – I love how it continually pushes me out of my comfort zone and forces or invites me to try things I’m not sure how I feel about. In some cases, I’m lucky enough that something I assumed I’d loathe – camping or cruising, for example – turns out to be unexpectedly entertaining. This is what I told myself as I stared at the ceiling in a dark hotel room in Athens, Greece, wracked with nervous insomnia, tossing and turning the night before checking in for my first ever group travel experience – a Contiki Greek Island Hopper. I’d just wrapped up my first week in Greece in what is more or less my usual style – independently, slowly, and either solo or with a temporary travel buddy. It was sublime. And I was about to switch gears entirely. Twelve days. Four stops. Eighty people. One group. My yes girl ways had gotten me this far – when Contiki invited me to join one of their trips anywhere in the world, I certainly wasn’t going to start no girling then! — but in the weeks leading up to the tour I started to doubt my decision. I confided in close friends that I thought I’d made a mistake – how was I, an independent traveler with a control freak streak and a penchant for eye rolling, going to enjoy two weeks under the thumb of a tour group? I started to descend into panic – what was I even going to write about? Thirteen days later, I was back in that same Athens hotel, staring at the ceiling once again. But this time, I was smiling. Guys. I can’t even explain the warm fuzzies I have when I think about this trip. You’re going to hear all about the mouth-gapingly gorgeous beaches, the world-famous beach parties, the whitewashed cities and the dreamy sunsets. Yet when my mind wanders to this trip, something else comes up first, and it was the aspect that had actually stressed me out the most, pre-departure: the group itself. I was terrified there would be no one there I’d connect to or click with, and I’d spent the bulk of the trip muttering sarcastic jokes to myself while everyone else jovially toasted their new found friends over ouzo. Turns out, my fellow Contikiers were amazing. The vast majority were Australian, though there were Americans, Canadians, Brits and other passport holders strewn about as well. I was impressed with what a wide range of backgrounds and careers the group came from, from medical field graduate students to tech geniuses to high school teachers. But what I came away with most of all? What an overall smart, funny, and genuinely sweet and lovely group of humans they all were. Months later, I’m still in touch with a fair amount of them – the close group of girls I bonded with has a Facebook thread where we update each other on our lives, while a larger group of the full crew we partied with keeps me regularly giggling. Upon parting, many of us made plans to visit and/or travel with each other again – and I genuinely plan to do so. When I was describing the trip to a somewhat skeptical long term expat friend of mine, I kept coming back to one description: refreshing enthusiasm. To my knowledge, I was the most well traveled person among the 80ish people on my tour. But rather than feeling frustrated by that, I felt refreshed by it. Many in the group were in the discovery phase of their great love affair with travel, and I loved the keen conversations that took place every day about big dream trips, travel bucket lists, and where we were all headed next. There was no one-upmanship, no jaded pretension, no cheaplympics — just a bunch of people cheering each other on in their plans to see the world in whatever way they got excited about. Why Contiki? Why do people chose group travel? I expected that for most, it was because they were uncomfortable with the idea of traveling independently, or at the very least more comfortable with the idea of traveling on a tour. And that was true. But there were answers that surprised me — some were backpacking Europe independently all summer and simply wanted a vacation from their travels. Some typically traveled solo and wanted a built-in party crew for the Greek isles. Some were couples looking for a stress-free getaway — and even one set of honeymooners. And there was at least one pesky travel blogger constantly asking all kinds of “what motivates you to travel?” style questions. While I don’t have much to compare it to, there were a few things that I gave Contiki kudos for: • A Niche Audience. Contiki is known for being fairly nightlife oriented and specifically targets the 18-35 crowd (the group I bonded with was mostly 23-30). For the most part everyone knew exactly what they were getting into, and there was an upbeat and youthful vibe. Even those that didn’t party like rockstars were laughing over the recounted antics at group breakfast the mornings after. • Great hotels. Our Athens digs had a gorgeous rooftop overlooking the ocean, our Mykonos hotel was Mediterranean chic, the Santorini base was seconds from downtown Fira, and our Ios accommodation was so amazing I plan to return for a minimum of a week someday in the future.