Peek Into Our Anniversary Trip to Greece (Oct 2023)

We traveled to Greece in October 2023 to celebrate our wedding anniversary. October is considered the shoulder season, and we enjoyed fewer crowds and milder temperatures during our trip.

Day 1: Athens

We flew into Athens and began our journey with the UNESCO-listed ruins of the Acropolis. It was a cloudy afternoon with strong winds, a welcome respite from the scorching sun. The stunning ancient architecture, perched high above the city, was brought to life by our guide's detailed narration of ancient Greek history. From the Acropolis, we captured panoramic views of the city. Our day ended with an authentic Greek dinner, complete with a delicious honey-sweet wine that was a highlight of the meal.

Day 2: Mykonos

We woke early to catch the 7 am ferry from Athens to Mykonos. The ferry was huge and also transported vehicles. Braving the strong winds and cold (15 degrees), we took beautiful sunrise pictures on the deck. Onboard, food kiosks sold coffee, donuts, and sandwiches. After a three-hour journey, we arrived in Mykonos and started our sightseeing with a local guide. Our hotel room, overlooking the sea, was delightful. We had dinner beside the famous windmills, and our first sunset in Mykonos was breathtaking.

Day 3: Exploring Mykonos

We spent the day exploring Mykonos town. The colorful doors, stairways, and fences in different hues of blue were a photographer's dream. We booked a table at a seaside restaurant, hoping for another beautiful sunset, but it was a cloudy day, and the sun remained hidden. Nevertheless, our seafood dinner was delicious, and the owner treated us to sweet wine and cake. An evening stroll revealed a quieter town, as most tourists had returned to their cruise ships.

Day 4: Journey to Santorini

We left Mykonos and took a three-hour ferry ride to Santorini. The island was more crowded, reflecting its popularity. Our hotel was less impressive, located a 10-minute drive from Fira town and resembling a chalet more than a hotel. We visited Oia to see the blue-domed churches, enduring a two-hour queue under the sun for photos. However, the sunset dinner in Oia was worth the wait and did not disappoint.

Day 5: Santorini Exploration

We signed up for a half-day tour that included beaches, villages, and a wine tour, but nothing stood out. Determined to catch the sunset at the Fira viewpoint, we embarked on an uphill walk that took over an hour. The effort paid off as the sunset reflected on the Aegean Sea was absolutely stunning. We couldn't resist a Chinese restaurant we found afterward, satisfying our craving for Asian cuisine.

Day 6: Shopping in Athens

We flew back from Santorini to Athens, saving four hours of ferry time. We spent the day shopping at the Athens Designer Outlet and Zara. Unfortunately, one of our tour mates had her wallet pickpocketed at Zara. We ended the day with another Chinese dinner arranged by our tour guide.

Day 7: Meteora Monasteries

We traveled by bus to visit the Meteora Monasteries, perched atop towering rock formations. It was awe-inspiring to think of how materials were transported up the rocks to build these monasteries in the 14th century. We stayed at a hotel in the quiet town of Kalambaka.

Day 8: Truffle Hunting at Meteora

Our final day featured an exciting truffle-hunting experience with dogs in the woods. It was fun following the dogs as they searched for truffles, and the handler assisted in the digging. The dogs found several truffles, which we enjoyed in a delicious truffle pasta lunch.

Reflecting back, the stunning sunsets and the truffle hunting with dogs were the highlights of our trip to Greece!

Check out the YT shorts: https://youtube.com/shorts/RctXZdYP8ro