Tips to Make the Most out of your Greece Adventure

When people talk about traveling to Greece the options are endless, there are nine distinct regions in Greece, from the Aegean Islands to the Ionian Islands, historical Peloponnese, Central Greece, Thessaly and a few other regions. This just means that planning the perfect Greece trip requires plenty of time (if you want to see it all), or the information to narrow down your trip to just a spot or two. My recommendations when planning a trip to Greece and tips to remember for your time in Greece are:​

Start with some basic research. What does Greece mean to you? Is it all about white-washed buildings, and lounging on the shores of beautiful Aegean waters, then Santorini, Paros and Mykonos is the place to go for the upbeat iconic Greek Village photos and great beach experiences. If exploring the countless ruins and rich history of this once very divide land is of interest then time in the Peloponnese, Meteora or Crete would be a historians paradise.  

Think about your travel time. In Greece the ferry service is most common among locals and a great way to get from island to island, but they also offer reasonably priced flights around the mainland and from Athens to certain islands so you can make the most of your time without spending it all moving between places. 

Try to avoid peak season. Greece is exploding with visitors especially in the summer months. If you want the iconic blue domed roof photo in Oia then try to visit in the off-season, spring, fall or winter will give you the chance to see the sights without thousands of your closest friends. 

Learn some Greek. No one said it was easy or that the cyrillic alphabet seems natural for many of us roman alphabet people, but the effort you put in to learn a few Greek words will pay off with countless smiles and endearing remarks from the locals you interact with. 

Always be hungry. The food is incredible, fresh ingredients no matter where you turn. Try to find smaller restaurants and places with older Greeks eating so you can enjoy the rich and delicious flavors of their dishes. From moussaka (eggplant dish), saganaki (fried cheese appetizer), mouth watering tzatziki with the freshest herbs, and juicy doner or souvlaki kebabs. Once you've eaten all you can eat don't forget to end your meal with some Ouzo on ice. 

Take your time. No matter what you are doing in Greece take your time, during meals get comfortable and enjoy the experience, on walks through new areas stop to look around, while sightseeing give yourself plenty of time to take it all in.You will notice that everything is a bit slower in Greece particularly on the islands and each experience will be more special if you are able to slow down as well. 

Have fun! You are on an adventure, every day will present a new opportunity, learning experience or memorable moment. 

I cannot recommend a place to travel more highly than Greece, it is a spectacular country that one can easily fall in love with regardless of which region you visit.