GREECE (HELLAS)!!

Our much-anticipated summer vacation to Greece finally arrived! We were traveling to the other side of the world, and I mean literally the other side, with our two good friends Chase and Anita. After two back-to-back red-eye flights, we landed absolutely exhausted. To keep ourselves awake and start adjusting to the time zone, we booked a museum tour to keep us awake!

Landing in another country always feels surreal. After nearly 28 hours of travel, I couldn’t believe it when we touched down. We took the metro into the city center to check into our Airbnb. The air was hot and dry, and I loved the feeling of the sun on my skin. The elevator, however, was ancient...so tiny and stuffy that Gavin and I barely fit inside. Every time we stepped in, I prayed we wouldn’t get stuck.

Our first stop was the museum… but first, food! Gavin and I grabbed veggie wraps at a nearby café, while Chase somehow ended up with a cold cheeseburger. Not exactly the Greek welcome meal we imagined, but we couldn't complain too much because we were in Greece!

The museum was packed, probably full of people also trying to escape the afternoon heat. We wandered through halls of ancient artifacts and more naked statues than I could count. Anita and I were standing near one when Gavin insisted we take a photo. I didn’t want to pose next to the naked man statue, but finally I plastered on a big, cheesy smile. Right then, a museum employee scolded me for being “disrespectful” to the statue! I was so confused. Gavin was the one taking the picture, but apparently, cheesy smiles are a no-go in Greece.

After soaking in the history (and the air conditioning), we headed back to our Airbnb for a “quick” nap… which turned into four hours. Honestly, worth it. That evening, we finally tasted the gyros everyone raves about in the city center. The line was long, but at just under $5 each, the pork and chicken gyros were to die for. Totally worth the wait!

That night we strolled through the bustling city, admiring the stylish little streets and soaking up the vibe. I was ready for a long night’s sleep… until Gavin casually told me Taylor Swift was dropping a new album. That piece of news gave me more energy than 8 hours of rest would have. Needless to say, I barely slept. I mean, new album announcement in just two days? How could I?!

Day 2 The next morning, we grabbed some pastries before boarding a ferry to Milos. Choosing which islands to visit in Greece is overwhelming; there are so many, but we’d heard amazing things about Milos. The ferry itself was an experience. Picture this: the doors lowering before we even docked, cars peeling out at lightning speed, workers in vests whistling and waving everyone forward. It was pure organized chaos, and in minutes, the whole ship had emptied.

Milos instantly charmed me. It’s a small, cozy island with so much character. We rented two ATVs which was the was best way to get around the island! And bumped our way to our Airbnb, tucked on a hillside about 15 minutes outside of town. Thank goodness for the ATVs, there’s no way our little rental car would have survived that dirt road.

Our first stop that afternoon was lunch! Gavin and I devoured chicken pitas and tried the famous watermelon salad. Let me just say it was tasty, but I’m not convinced giant chunks of feta are my thing. The only downside to our lunch experience was the cigarette smoke. People smoke everywhere, and the guy next to us seemed determined to burn through a whole pack before his meal was over. We had to switch tables before I gagged.

That afternoon, we zoomed around the island on the ATVs, taking in incredible views before cooling off at the beach. The water here is unreal. It is shimmering shades of turquoise and blue. Unfortunately, the UV rays were so strong and the sand so scorching hot that we didn’t last long. From there, we wandered through an old fishing village and made our way to the famous white cliffs. The boys were a little bummed we couldn’t cliff jump because of the rough waves, but honestly, just standing there and seeing the dramatic white rock formations against that electric blue water was breathtaking. No wonder those cliffs are used in so many ads.

We ended the night with more gyros, plus waffles and ice cream!

Day 3 Milos:

We woke up and grabbed a quick breakfast before heading out for our big boat excursion. I finally got my avocado toast, but I was a little disappointed it was more of a thin green smear than actual avocado. At least they didn’t skimp on the eggs, there were at least five piled on the sandwich! With that much protein in my stomach, I knew I wouldn’t be hungry the rest of the day.

To make the morning even better, Taylor Swift announced her new album on the New Heights podcast, titled Life of a Show Girl! Between that news and our adventure plans, I just knew it was going to be one of the best days ever!

In Milos, you can actually rent your own boat! We designated Chase as our captain. He listened carefully while the guide explained how to avoid the cliffs and navigate the waters. After just a few minutes of instructions, the guide gave us the green light, and off we went on our own! Honestly, a “no experience needed” boat rental would never fly in the U.S., but here it’s the norm! The ocean was dreamy. Our first stop was Kleftiko, a popular spot where we could jump off the boat and swim in the crystal-clear water near the white sea cliffs. The color was unreal against the rocks. Greece truly is so stunning.

We made several stops to swim, cliff jump, relax, and even play Farkel! One of my favorite spots was Tsigrado Beach! The water wasn’t as warm as Kauai’s, but with the hot, dry weather, it felt so refreshing even for me, who is a whimp in cold water. We were diligent with our sunscreen, though Gavin and I ended up looking purple from all the zinc. Honestly, I’ll take purple over lobster-red any day!

One of my favorite stops was Ladder Beach, where Gavin spotted five flounders under our boat!! From my past snorkeling gig, I knew flounders were rare, so I had to jump in to see them and I’m so glad I did! They were mesmerizing to watch as they glided along the sand, especially the tiny baby ones.

After our boat adventure, we decided to shower and head into town for dinner and the sunset! We walked up to the town of Plaka and enjoyed so many cute streets and shopping. This is what I pictured Greece looking like. We then ventured up to an old church that had the most epic views of the island and sunset. We were so glad we left the boat early! The views were just stunning and it was so magical up top.

We’d been talking all day about trying a pasta spot we passed the night before. Chase and I played it safe with chicken fettuccine alfredo, while Anita ordered gnocchi and Gavin went for orzo. Swimming all day had left us starving, so we started with an appetizer while we eagerly waited for our mains. The appetizer was so amazing and we were anxious for our entrees after that.

When the dishes arrived, everything looked amazing. But the moment Gavin and Anita took a bite, you could see the disappointment in their faces. They instantly regretted their choices. Chase and I didn’t want to rub it in, so we pretended ours wasn’t great either. Okay but to be honest, ours wasn't that good either, but definitely the best of the bunch. Not incredible, but at least the most edible out of everyone's. Gavins was by far the worst. This is when we started rating all the places we went with stars. This pasta palce maybe had 1 out of 5 stars and that was only because of the appetizer!

Still hungry for something satisfying, we went straight for waffles and ice cream. We knew this place wouldn’t let us down and we were right! 5 stars for the waffles! With dessert in our stomachs, we ended the night on a sweet note. The ride home was one of my favorite parts with the cool desert air rushing past us as the city lit up around. It was perfect ending to a perfect day.

Day 4: 

We bid farewell to Milos with one last tasty breakfast before hopping on our ferry to Paros. Recently voted Island of the Year, Paros lived up to this title right away!

We decided to rent mopeds to get us around the island, which turned out to be the best decision we could’ve made. It gave us the freedom to weave in and out of traffic and get around so much faster. The rental shop itself was super welcoming, decorated with rainbow flags to match their logo. The owner lit up when he noticed the rainbow on Gavin and Chase’s licenses, and he even insisted on taking a photo of them. He was full of recommendations for parties and beaches (including the nude beach, which he seemed very excited about). He definitely would have said yes if we had invited him. He was definitely the vibe.

Our mopeds, however, were only 50cc and pretty slow, especially with our huge backpacks. Crawling up the hills did at least give us the chance to soak in the views. The dirt road leading to our Airbnb was too rough for the bikes, but when we finally arrived, we didn’t mind one bit. The place was an adorable white stucco house perched on a hill, even better than the photos online. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the sweetest host, we were thrilled.

That afternoon, we headed to Aliki for lunch. Anita insisted on a seafood meal, and we weren’t complaining. We scored the only shaded table right on the water. Octopus was a must-try, so we ordered it grilled instead of boiled and I have to admit it wasn't bad! Chase, on the other hand, was very dramatic he spit it right into his napkin, claiming he couldn’t even swallow it. At least we all gave it a try!

I ended up ordering chicken and veggies! Not seafood, I know, but it sounded perfect in that moment. Gavin went with the traditional moussaka served in a clay pot, though he wasn’t thrilled with the mushy eggplant texture. Anita admitted she could tell the seafood was great quality but still isn’t a seafood girly. Personally, I was glad I stuck with the chicken. Five stars from me!

After lunch, we tried to relax on the beach, but it was so hot!!bI’m used to breezy beaches in Hawai‘i, and here the air was still and dry. I decided to wander through town instead of baking in the sun. Later in the day, we took the mopeds up to the towns of Prodromos and Lefkes. The ride was wild with hills upon hills, with one of the mopeds barely chugging along. But it was worth it. These towns were absolutely stunning, everything you imagine when you picture Greece: narrow whitewashed streets, blue roofs, wildflowers spilling down the walls, and cats lounging everywhere. We stumbled upon the best orange cake we’ve ever tasted, stopped for gelato, did some shopping, and marveled at how quiet the towns felt compared to the ferry crowds.

We ended the night perfectly: gyros in hand, a gorgeous sunset on the way home, and Bachelor in Paradise on the iPad!

Day 5:

We had a slow start to the morning, which was so nice. Brunch was at a cute little café we stumbled upon, and the highlight was definitely seeing their juice bar. They grabbed fresh veggies and fruit and juiced them right in front of us! But I couldn’t resist ordering another waffle, but I might be getting too old for that much sugar for first thing in the morning. It was delicious, just more than I really needed. Gavin’s toast looked much lighter and more refreshing for the time of day. Overall, I’d give this bakery a solid four stars!

Afterward, we hopped on our moped for a long ride to Naoussa in search of a beach day and a secret cliff-jumping spot we’d seen online. The first beach we found was absolutely packed. Beaches here don’t have much sand. What little there is is rocky and rough, and without chairs, we didn’t last long in the sun. That gave us the push to go find the cliffs, which ended up being right up the boys’ alley. They were doing all sorts of tricks off different heights. I stuck to just doing one jump. Honestly, I enjoyed watching everyone else having the time of their lives just as much. The water and scenery were unreal.

From there, we made our way into town for gelato and Pita Frank’s gyros, which totally hit the spot. Anita got a rose-flavored gelato that was surprisingly refreshing. Fueled up, we did some shopping. Greece seriously has the cutest little stores. Anita and I both picked out charm necklaces at the most adorable shop. Wandering around the port was such a treat, the boats, the whitewashed buildings perched on cliffs, and café tables set right along the coast. It was so cute and fun! Greece is also known for its nightlife, and while we thought we were eating late, around 8 p.m., we quickly realized people here don’t even start dinner until 9, and it goes on all night long!

Back in the main town we did a little more shopping! Gavin even scored the perfect button-up shirt. When it came time for dinner, we were overwhelmed by all the options and didn’t want to make another mistake, so we asked the cashier at one of the shops for a recommendation. She did not steer us wrong. The food was incredible! I had a huge veggie salad (so many greens my body was thanking me), and we all devoured the hummus, souvlaki, and basically everything that hit the table. We ended the night stuffed, happy, and so grateful.

Day 6: 

We had another full day to soak up in Paros! Breakfast was the spread. Gavin and Chase ordered a giant stack of pancakes absolutely smothered in frosting. They were good, but wow were they rich. Learning from my sugar overload the day before, I went for the avocado toast this time. Are you surprised? And let me tell you—it was a huge upgrade from what I had in Milos. Piled high with real avocado, it was fresh and perfect. I loved it, but Anita was getting tired of hearing me talk about my avacado toat. How could I not though! Meanwhile, Gavin and Chase were struggling to get through their pancakes… safe to say I won breakfast that day.

In the afternoon, we explored a few more little towns. We found the famous pink door in Marmara and wandered the coastal village of Livadi. Honestly, one of my favorite things has been all the cats roaming the streets. Why are stray cats always so cute?!

Later, we retreated back to our Airbnb to cool off and play a few rounds of Rummikub. It felt so nice to relax in our sweet little spot before heading out for our last night in Paros. We decided to splurge on a nicer dinner and, feeling brave, chose another Italian place. This one was already better than the last—set in a charming garden strung with fairy lights, with friendly staff and, best of all, no cigarette smoke lingering around us. The charcuterie board was unforgettable—the honey, cheese, and meats were perfection. Honestly, we each could have had our own and been happy. The pizza was just as amazing, and it all made for such a lovely evening with lovely friends.

Of course, we couldn’t resist a little more shopping afterward. I found the cutest pair of sunflower-print pants that will forever remind me of the sunny island of Paros.

To cap off the night, we went in search of the pistachio baklava we’d heard was the best on the island. When we arrived, the line was down the street. Here, instead of reservations, people just stand on the sidewalk until a table opens up, which I could never do. Thankfully, we managed to flag down a server and snag a piece to go. And let me just say, baklava hits different in Greece. Five stars for baklava!

Day 7: 

We bid farewell to Paros today! When the boys returned the mopeds, the same cheerful guy greeted them with a big grin and a playful, “Hello lovers!” He was so thrilled to see we’d had such a fantastic time on the island.

Waiting for the ferry, however, was not our finest moment. We had to stand just outside the port with hundreds of people crammed together in the sweltering heat. With our heavy bags, those 15 minutes of waiting felt like an eternity. Thankfully, once the ferry arrived, boarding was super fast. One thing I really appreciated about the ferries is that they were always on time. The ride back to Athens flew by, probably because we were chatting up a storm the whole way.

Once we docked, we had one last sweaty trek through the city with our bags to reach our final Airbnb. To our delight, it was located right next to the Olympic Stadium! After dropping off our things, we headed straight to the Acropolis for our 5 p.m. entry slot. We grabbed a quick gyro on the way (sadly missing the fries so tragic!) before making it to the gate. Somehow, we ended up right at the front of the line without even realizing it.

Walking through the Acropolis was surreal. Ancient ruins and statues surrounded us as we slowly made our way uphill the Nike statue, the Temple of Athena, and even a view of the Temple of Zeus in the distance. My favorite was the Parthenon. It’s mind-blowing to think it was built before Christ and still stands today. Of course, we weren’t alone; the place was packed with people snapping photos. The ground was uneven and slippery, with rocks scattered everywhere. At one point, a worker kept scolding tourists climbing on boulders to get the perfect shot with the Parthenon behind them; her job looked so miserable. 

From the top, the views of Athens were incredible. You could see so many major landmarks stretched across the city. Afterward, we did a little shopping, grabbed more gelato because that's what you do in Greece, and ended the night with a fantastic dinner at a café. Everyone’s food was delicious no regrets with this meal. We definitely feasted.

Before heading to bed, Chase mentioned a “secret” way into the Olympic Stadium. Naturally, we had to try it. We slipped around back and soon found ourselves sitting at the very top of the marble stands. It felt unreal. The city lights shimmered below us, and the Parthenon glowed on the hill in the distance. It was absolutely breathtaking I could have sat there for hours just taking it all in. Hands down, the best view ever! And an end to one of the best days ever! 

Day 8! 

Gavin and I got up a little earlier because he wanted to see if he could run on the Olympic track. We’d read online that it was possible in the mornings, but we weren’t sure if they’d actually allow it. We decided we had to try. When we asked the guy at the ticket booth, he smiled and said, “You can run as many laps as you want!” Gavin’s face lit up instantly, and he replied, “Two tickets, please.”

We jogged one lap to measure the distance and, to our surprise, it was exactly 400 meters! An official track. I timed Gavin and cheered him on with every lap. Soon, others around us got inspired and started running too! Of course, I don’t think anyone else was cranking out four laps in record time like Gavin he finished a mile in 5 minutes and 40 seconds! I was so proud of him. What a dream it was for him to run around that historic track. Afterward, we did a quick audio tour and learned some really cool facts about the stadium. Honestly, this might have been one of my favorite stops of the whole trip. The museum even had every Olympic torch from past games on display, which was amazing to see.

We grabbed a delicious breakfast at a café before hopping on a double-decker “hop-on, hop-off” bus for a city tour. Honestly, it felt so good just to sit while still sightseeing. The tour gave us a great overview of the city’s landmarks, and we rode it all the way to the Acropolis Museum. Inside, we saw countless statues and artifacts recovered from the Acropolis. We were extra thankful we’d booked it because it started to rain, which is super rare in Athens, especially since the forecast showed full sun for the next week!

Later, we explored one of the oldest neighborhoods in Plaka, did some more shopping, and of course, stopped again at our favorite gyro spot in the town square Tylixto. We also wandered through “Little Kook Land,” which is exactly as kooky as it sounds. Every inch of the place is decked out in a Disney-inspired theme. Right now it was Snow White. Honestly, I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on, but it definitely lived up to its kooky name.

I’d read about a famous chocolate cake we had to try, so we headed to Nancy’s Sweet Shop, which is said to serve the best. We got there right when it opened and ordered the cake. I hate to say it, but it was a little disappointing. It’s called sokolatopita, and while I was glad to try Greece’s version of chocolate cake, it wasn’t nearly as sweet as what I’m used to back home. Plus, it’s traditionally served with ice cream, but the scoop we got tasted like toothpaste, definitely not the sweet treat we were hoping for. Three stars! 

We did some more shopping before making the climb up a big hill for sunset. The walk was steep, and it seemed like everyone in Athens had the same idea. When we finally reached the top, it was so crowded that we ended up heading halfway back down to get a better spot. From there, we had a perfect view of the Acropolis glowing in the distance as the sun went down. Watching the sunset is truly the thing to do in Greece.

Of course, we had to end our last night in Greece with one final gyro from Tylixto (our second visit of the day! And one last scoop of gelato.

Greece, I love you and I’ll never forget this trip. Five stars!!