Greece — Eco Akamai

Hello Beautiful Greece! We loved touring Greece with Adventures by Disney and all of our boys!

Day #1 We love arriving to our destinations early to explore a bit to get the lay of the land. We checked into our awesome hotel, Electra Metropolis Athens and while the boys relaxed, Bo and I toured about. We walked to The Presidential Mansion to see the changing of the guards and then through the Zappeion Garden. Then we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Lobby Athens, a burger lounge.

Day #2: We took a Red Bus city sightseeing tour around Athens and out to the Cruise Ship Ports. We opted for lunch back in the Plaka neighborhood for a delicious greek lunch at Regal Cooking and Bar. We had Mysticia shots afterwards, which translates to Tears of a Tree. And we learned some new words …

Thank you is Farristow (and sounds like FHarryStow)

Paricallo is Please

Kalimera is Good Morning

Then we joined our Adventures by Disney tour group for a fun welcome dinner at our hotel’s rooftop restaurant … with stunning views of evening views of the Acropolis!

Day #3: Today was the day to tour the Acropolis of Athens! After breakfast at the hotel, we were awed by the majesty of the restored buildings that compose the famous Acropolis, located on a flat rock overlooking Athens. We enjoyed the breathtaking views from the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and learned from an expert guide about the history of the citadel, which is home to some of Greece’s most famous monuments, including the Parthenon. Decorated with spectacular sculptures throughout, the Acropolis is a testimony to the greatness of Ancient Greece.

Then it was off to the Panathenaic Stadium for a Junior Adventurer Mini-Marathon … and Ryder won! Who knew he was so fast! We took a guided tour of the Panathenaic Stadium. Built entirely from white marble on the remains of an ancient Greek stadium, the Panathenaic hosted the first modern Olympic games in 1896.

For lunch, we enjoyed a lively lunch at a local taverna in the Plaka where we enjoyed an excellent meal while being entertained by live music and traditional very festive dancers. The food was plentiful and very delicious.

After lunch, we strolled along the streets of the Plaka, a vibrant quarter lined with red-tiled roofs and fragrant jasmine blossoms, where we delighted in the museums, monuments and variety of shops. Mak and I attempted to visit the Art Museum but it closes at 4pm. After an afternoon of resting, we walked around in Plaka to find Ryder a much needed hat. fFor dinner, we stayed cool with Aperol Spritzes and a very light dinner of delicious seafood at Place Seafood Bar.

My brother ran with the 1984 Olympic Torch, so this is a fun photo for our family!

Day #4: Today we toured Cape Sounion, Temple of Poseidon! We embarked on a scenic drive to Cape Sounion and the Greek Temple of Poseidon. Located in the southern region of Attica, Cape Sounion was known by the ancient Greeks as the “Sacred Cape.” Once we were on the Cape, we explored by foot the iconic Greek temple, immortalized in Homer’s Odyssey. We marveled at the wondrous Temple of Poseidon, perched 200 feet on the cliffs of Cape Sounion, built by the ancient Greeks in 44 B.C. in honor of the god of the sea. During our visit, we were awed by the impressive views over the azure waters of the Aegean Sea as your Adventure Guide brought the ancient mythology to life.

Afterwards, we took a scenic drive along the coast, past the pretty villages and beaches that line the stunning coastline. Then we stopped for lunch to savor traditional Greek flavors with a lovely unch along the warf of grilled grouper with a honey ice cream desert.

In the afternoon, we took a dip in the pool and then went back to the art museum. For dinner, we went to one of the famed hotels off of Syntagma Square for a fancy meal.

Day #5: Off to Santorini!

Our Quick 30 minute flight was a bit jerky on take off and on landing. It was the quickest flight that we’ve ever been on!. We visited the Volcan Winery, an idyllic family-owned winery, which has been in business from 1660 to the present. We indulged in a delicious wine-tasting event, then we roll edup our pants and delighted in some grape-stomping. After we worked up an appetite, we enjoyed a private lunch made with fresh local ingredients. After lunch, we visited the Volcan Winery’s underground museum and hear stories about this revered winery from its origins on, tracing its success from its well-tended vineyards to the tables of fine restaurants.

While en route to our next hotel, we enjoyed a stop in the town of Fira. We meandered down charming cobblestone streets lined with shops and cafés. And we took in a view of the caldera—a large depression in the ground resulting from the collapse of the volcano that formed this area.

We settled into The Majestic Hotel Santorini, a luxurious upscale hotel located at the entrance of Fira with comfortable, modern rooms that offer magnificent views of the sea. The Majestic Hotel Santorini boasts numerous amenities including 2 restaurants, 3 fresh water swimming pools, a health and beauty spa and a fully equipped gym.

Then it was off to dinner in Megalochori. We savored the traditional Greek dishes featuring the freshest local ingredients in one of the most picturesque villages on Santorini.

Day #6: Santorini Fun in the Sun!

We ventured out on a private boat that's chartered for the entire day. We began by crossing the azure waters of Santorini's underwater caldera to explore the volcanic island of Nea Kameni—one of 2 black lava islets located at the center of the basin.

We loved the volcano hike! We marveled at the lunar landscape as you embark on a "lava walk" up to the volcano's rim, which provides an extraordinary view of the Aegean Sea below. We learned about the geology as well as the mythology of how Santorini was formed. Then it Swim in the Sea & Take a Dip in the Natural Springs time! We cooled down with a dive into the Aegean Sea for a refreshing swim. Then, we took a splash in the natural springs to enjoy their therapeutic effects.
After our swim, it was lunchtime in Thirasia. We traveled to a nearby fishing village on the island of Thirasia and dined on the water's edge at a local taverna.

In the evening, we enjoy the magical sunset and had dinner at the hotel

Day #7: The Archaeological Site of Akrotiri and the Blue Domes in Santorini and then off to Crete!

We explored the ruins of this "Minoan Pompeii." We learn about the volcano under Santorini that erupted in 1627 BC and how this Minoan Bronze Age settlement was buried in volcanic ash. That same ash preserved frescoes and other artworks for posterity. At the museum, we examined these artifacts as well as the instruments and tools of everyday life that were used by this lost civilization.

Afterwards, it was off to Oia’s main square, We were amazed by this picturesque village and how it is terraced down the steep slope of the caldera, with houses built into the niches. We visited old and new structures that vary in both size and grandness. After we explored the village, we enjoyed a relaxing lunch of kababs at a cliff-side tavernas.

In the later afternoon, we took a high-speed ferry to Crete. We loved our hotel, Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort and the boys had their own private pool!

Day #8: We took off on a private boat to Spinalonga, a former leper colony, and disembarked for a privately guided walking tour to learn about the haunting history of the island and pondered the ruins of this "medieval ghost town."

For lunch, we journeyed to the nearby fishing village of Plaka in Mirabello Bay and enjoyed fresh fist with stunning views.

In the afternoon, we were back at the resort for some fun at the beach. The boys took out SUP in the Aegean at the sandy private beach

For dinner, we booked in for sushi on the water at the resort … and had the most amazing dinner!

And the boys loved discovering Greece’s unique potato chips!

Day #9: Today we were off to see The Palace of Knossos. This extraordinary palace was restored in the early 1900s, with the grandeur and complexity of the structure kept intact despite its having suffered thousands of years of foreign invasions, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It was woven into Greek mythology, most prominently in the myth of the heroic youth Theseus who killed the Minotaur.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a private lunch served outdoors under a vine trellis in Arolithos & Learn Tzaziki-Making, a tangy yogurt and cucumber dip. The boys loved it!

We discovered the ancient ways of Crete in Arolithos, a village created to preserve the traditions of the island, and admire the displays of artwork, weaving, mosaics and costume. And then we made our own kombolói, a form of worry beads.. The kombolói ("worry beads") have been used for centuries in Greek culture to relieve stress or merely pass time.

When we arrived back to the hotel, we were off to the world class spa to get treatments. It was a super special treat!

Day #10: Hello Blue Zones! You are about to change our lives forever!

We started the day in the mountains of Crete in the rustic village of Bizariano. We enjoyed a leisurely walk through the village’s pathways led by a local host who shared stories and wisdom about Cretan culture and life. At Kato Karouzano, we were greeted by donkeys. Then we learned about cheese-making and had a meze-tasting to accompany a glass of raki—an anise-flavored aperitif—which gave us the full flavor of the bold Cretan culture experience. Next, we strolled down the hill to the village café for lunch on a private terrace … and were so inspired by the lifestyle

We spent the afternoon relaxing at the hotel and soaked up some beach time.

Then it was time for our farewell dinner. We raised our glasses to toast our fellow AVD adventurers at the resort and enjoyed a night of sheer entertainment as singers and dancers performed under the starry sky.

Day #11: It was time to say antío sas ("bye") to our first of many Greece adventures!

We continued to make memories at the Amsterdam airport as we traveled home.