Did you know that 80% of the endangered Mediterranean Caretta Caretta, or Loggerhead Turtles, nest on the Greek island of Zakynthos? And that their babies return to the same beach they were born on to lay their eggs? A cycle repeated generation after generation for millennium. Zakynthos is a breeding ground for these amazing creatures and the perfect place to catch a glimpse of them swimming in Zante’s azure waters. Spotting turtles in the sea and visiting Turtle Island to see where they lay their eggs is one of the top things to do in Zakynthos, second to visiting Shipwreck Beach. This post covers the Caretta Caretta turtles in Zakynthos…

Greece is full of amazing, bucket-list worthy sites and Athens certainly tops the list. The history here is staggering, not only because of the remarkable Acropolis and other historical ruins here, but also because this is considered the birthplace of western civilization and the first known democracy, where citizens could vote on leaders, and laws, in 500 BC! It’s also where historical ‘greats’ like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle debated the meaning of life. Their work contributed to modern thoughts on many topics, including logic, morals, ethics, psychology, metaphysics, and more and helped to shape the modern world. This post covers the top things to see and do in amazing Athens.…

Corfu, in the Ionian Sea off the northwest coast of Greece, is a captivating destination full of fascinating landscapes and rich history. Sometimes referred to as the “Emerald Isle”, it’s Greece’s greenest island. It’s full of natural beauty from its ancient olive groves, citrus and cypress trees, spectacular coastlines, and azure blue waters. It’s also steeped in history from its Venetian, French, and British rule. From the UNESCO Heritage listed Old Town Corfu, to the fascinating limestone cliff formations in its rugged northwest, its many beautiful bays around the island, sunset spots on the west coast, and sandy beaches in the south, there are many things to see and do…

Paleokastritsa, or Palaiokastritsa is a coastal village on the west side of Corfu renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty with rugged cliffs and lush greenery soaring over crystal-clear turquoise waters offering many things to see and do. It’s one of the most beautiful coastlines in Corfu, loaded with several pristine beaches, cool cliffs, sea caves, and grottoes. A place well worth a few days to explore its beauty, although many visit as a day trip. It gets its unusual name, Paleokastritsa, which is Palaiokastritsa in Greek, as the area here was once known as Paleokastro, after an old historic castle (Paleokastro literally means old castle). This post covers the top…

The clifftop Eastern Orthodox Monasteries of Meteora, Greece truly are magnificent. Located just north of Athens, they are definitely a must-see. I was completely blown away by the majesty of the architecture and the landscape here. Plus, I visited in April, so the sunny weather and profusion of spring flowers made it idyllic. The Greek word Meteora means, “suspended in the air”, and these masterpieces truly are. At their peak in the 16th century, there were 24 monasteries here, some perched as high as 1,361’ (415 m), seamlessly built on top of ancient rock pillars. Today there are six functioning monasteries. Hermit monks started coming here as early as the…

Cape Drastis is a breathtaking natural wonder, a hidden gem nestled in the rugged cliffs and turquoise waters on the northwestern corner of Corfu. Its dramatic and awe-inspiring shapes are the result of centuries of wind and water erosion, resulting in a series of towering limestone formations that jut out from the sea like ancient sculptures. Making it even better, it’s remote and mostly untouched by development, leaving only its picturesque, natural beauty and a panoramic view that seems straight out of a postcard. Being remote, getting here is an adventure in itself. Not only do you go up and down narrow windy roads to reach the clifftop view overlooking…

Sidari, a small village on Corfu’s northwestern coast, is a popular stop for tourists when visiting the island. The coast here has a fascinating natural landscape feature called the Canal d’ Amour and several sandy beaches along its coast, all surrounded by the crystal-clear turquoise water of the Ionian Sea. It’s also lined with many restaurants and bars to enjoy dinner or drinks overlooking the sea and offers other day trip options, like the dramatic rock formations at Cape Drastis farther west, a popular sunset bar over Loggas Beach on the west coast, and more. This post covers the top things to do in Sidari, how to get there, and…

Corfu is a beautiful Ionian Greek Island rich with diverse beauty. From its rolling hills full of ancient olive trees, azure beaches, and stunning seaside rock formations, to its ancient historic landmarks, there’s many things to see and do in Corfu. Plus, it’s one of the few Ionian islands not leveled by the 1953 earthquake, so its beautiful historic buildings still stand in the center of the old town. Old Town Corfu is close to the airport and a popular stop on cruises, so you will likely be here for at least a day or two while visiting the island. Whether you’re here for one day or several, I’ve listed…

I once asked a Greek friend of mine what his favorite Greek island was and was surprised when he said Crete. At the time, it was just not an island that I had heard mentioned often. I decided to look into it and discovered that there really is a lot to see and do in Crete. In fact I learned that it’s the largest island in Greece! It offers breathtaking beaches, like Balos and Elafonisi, the Lefka Ori snow-capped mountains, the Palace of Knossos, where the ancient Minoans lived and ruled, charming Greek villages, and, of course, amazing traditional Greek food and hospitality. It really is a great island to…

I learned about Philotimo, the highest Greek virtue, from a Greek citizen that went out of his way to do the right thing for a complete stranger (me). The Word Philotimo Embraces Multiple Virtues It’s a Greek word, found referenced as far back as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. It doesn’t have a direct translation, but breaks down into the 2 words, ‘friend’ and ‘honor’. Something like a friend, or lover of honor, but much more.  It also includes other Greek virtues like; integrity, dignity, courage, family, community, and pride. It’s about choosing the right path, even when it’s not the easiest. Especially when it doesn’t benefit the giver, directly. What Happened…