Snow capped mountain ranges were not what I was expecting to find in Crete. I was mesmerized from my first day, after seeing them glimmering above the deep blue Aegean Sea. You can see them from most places on the island, a constant reminder of their imposing beauty. I knew right away that I had to explore them. After asking around, I learned about one of its most popular hikes, the Samaria Gorge. A stunning descent from a peak at about 4,100’ (1,250 m) down to the sea, over 9 miles (15 km). It wasn’t too much later that I was hiking it. This post covers the hiking Samaria Gorge, how…

Melissani Cave Lake with its sunbeams streaking down to its ethereal blue waters is a unique geological phenomenon and a cool little tourist attraction. This fascinating lake became a stunner when the 1953 earthquake that wreaked havoc on most of the Ionian islands caved in part of the roof on top of it. Now sunlight streams in, illuminating the lake’s icredbily vibrant shades of turquoise and blue and makes the boats paddling in it look like they’re levitating above the water. The visit here is a short one, but worth the trip if you’re in Kefalonia. This post covers Melissani Cave Lake, how to get here, and what to expect.…

Santorini is definitely one of Greece’s most beautiful islands. With its stunning whitewashed buildings stacked along its craggily coast, iconic blue domed churches, winding streets, and breathtaking views, you must visit this island at least once in your lifetime. Beyond its beautiful views, however, there’s not really much else to do on Santorini, so when I learned about the hiking trail along the caldera of from Fira to Oia, I knew I had to do it. This hike really is a stunner. Especially in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. In fact, it’s become one of my favorite hikes in the world. How could it not? The trail…

Crete is one of my favorite islands in Greece. It’s home to Knossos Palace from the ancient Minoan culture which dates back to around the 20th century BC, the stunning hike down Samaria Gorge in the snow-capped, Lefki Ori Mountain range, the lovely cities of Chania and Rethymno, and so much more. It’s also home to some absolutely amazing beaches. In fact, some say Crete has the best sandy beaches in all of Greece, which I have to agree to! Balos Bay Beach, also known as Balos Bay Lagoon, is one of those amazing beaches. It’s stunning! This post covers Balos Bay Beach, how to get here, and what to…

Zakynthos, called the “Flower of the East” by the Venetians that ruled here from the 15th to 18th century, is rich with exotic, natural beauty. It offers sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, remarkable caves, giant rocks, hidden swimming spots, lush green hills, and more. This is the home of Shipwreck Beach, often listed as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, the Blue Caves, mesmerizing Myzithres Rocks, and is also the breeding island of choice for the rare Mediterranean Carreta Caretta, or Loggerhead Turtles, which you can swim with here. This post covers what to see and do when visiting Zakynthos, how to get there, where to…

Shipwreck Beach, often listed as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world, is a must-see on the Ionian island of Zakynthos. It’s breathtaking, with its white sandy beach embraced by limestone cliffs, some soaring 650’ (200 m) above the sea, and water so incredibly blue you can’t believe it. All this made even more intriguing by a rusting old shipwreck, the MV Panagiotis, lying on its beach. This post covers Shipwreck Beach, its best viewpoints, how to get here, and what to expect when visiting. Shipwreck Beach It’s not just the shipwreck itself that’s intriguing, but also the story behind it. This freight liner is rumored…

Paros is an enchanting Greek island, located a 3-4 hour ferry ride south of Athens and less than an hour from Naxos. It has many lovely beaches, beautiful whitewashed villages, a must-see, quaint old fishing harbor, Naoussa Harbor, on the northeastern side of the island, a vibrant nightlife, traditional Greek tavernas and fine dining options, as well as ancient castles, sanctuaries, and churches dotting the island. It also has its own island, Anti-Paros, another must-see, off its northwest coast. This post covers the top things to see and do on both Paros and its island Anti Paros. 15 Fun Things To Do On Paros Explore Parikia Old Town The capital…

Myzithres viewpoint is stunning. A hidden gem on the island of Zakynthos. Its massive, white limestone rocks stand majestically in the sparkling, azure sea with a sandy beach that becons you down to explore more. Surprisingly, these rocks were known as the Myzithres islands just a few years ago when an earthquake left a sandy beach on the strip of land between the rocks and Zakynthos. Since then, this area has become more popular, yet it’s still an underrated destination. And while there are a few tours to see this area by sea, most people drive to Keri on their own to see the spectacular views from several clifftop locations…

Naxos is not one of the more popular islands of Greece, but if you’re looking for a fun island with local charm for your holiday, it’s a great one, so let’s explore the best things to do in Naxos. Not only is it less touristy, there are many golden, sandy beaches along its coast, lots of delicious authentic tavernas and fun sea-side bars, the ruins of several ancient temples devoted to Greek gods and goddesses, an old Venetian castle, charming mountainside villages, the local exclusive liquor, Kitron, and Mount Zas, or Zeus, where, according to mythology, the god Zeus spent his childhood years. Naxos is the largest island in the…