Travel Greece Travel Europe

If you are looking for a great day trip from Athens you can either take a road trip or hop on a ferry.  Here are my recommendations. Top Choices: Great Day Trip from Athens There are dozens of fantastic choices for a great day trip from Athens.  There’s a stretch of coast to explore, beautiful villages to encounter and of course there are those nearby islands. However, a few choices stand out to me as the best. Here’s my list of great day trips from Athens. Delphi Delphi is one of the most popular and most important archeological sites in the country, a worthy day trip from Athens that takes you to a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. This town sits 100 miles northwest of the Greek capital. It actually sits on a on pine-fringed mountain called Parnassos, which is pretty spectacular.  From here you’re within reach to equally spectacular views of the Gulf of Corinth. Set between the sea and the mountains is where the ancient Greeks built what they believed was the center of their world. A city of sanctuaries where a mystical oracle was located. According to Greek mythology, Zeus sent out two eagles to find where the “navel of the world” was and they ended up in Delphi. Like many places in Greece, there is a fantastic energy here. The ancient Greeks built their sacred temples in Delphi for a reason!  While here, visit the Temple of Apollo. Also check out the Delphi Archeological Museum where you can admire artefacts dating back to the 15th century BC. Highlights at the museum include the Charioteer of Delphi and the Sphinx of Naxos. Nafplio Another great day trip from Athens is Nafplio. Nafplio was the first capital of Greece when it became a country the early 19th century.... Continue Reading The post A Great Day Trip from Athens appeared first on Travel Greece Travel Europe. […]

Traveling internationally can be full of excitement and fun until you meet a scammer. Sadly, these kind of people exist wherever you go but you can avoid being scammed. Here are a few tips. Travel Scams Happen Luckily, I haven’t been scammed too badly during my travels.  When I lived in Greece, taxi drivers would try to cheat me all the time. When I didn’t speak the language, I am sure I lost out on money. The funny thing is they still tried to cheat me even though I clearly spoke Greek fluently. That was super frustrating. In any case, I got smarter later on and technology got better. I eventually only hailed taxis using a reliable app called TaxiBeat. In Athens, I experienced another kind of scam was pick pocketed on a bus. In Mexico City, a crook tried to steal my purse while I was taking a photo. Luckily, the local police caught him. Other than that, I have heard worse stories from friends who travel often. They unfortunately fell victim to various types of creative travel scams. It can happen to the best of us. Many travelers these days, whether in group or traveling solo, are being taken advantage of by shady people who act friendly and helpful. This is why you need to be alert and careful at all times when going to a different country. Scammers should not give you stress and hamper your vacation no matter what. Listed below are some usual travel scams you might experience during your trip and how to avoid them the best way possible: Travel Scam: Broken Taxi Meter As I mentioned earlier, Athens taxi drivers tried to scam me numerous times. The funny thing is they’d do that even after I learned how to speak Greek fluently. Here’s... Continue Reading The post 3 Common Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Travel Greece Travel Europe. […]

It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to plan for a romance filled holiday. Here’s a look at the most romantic islands in Greece. The Most Romantic Islands of Greece Over a span of eight years I have visited 30 different Greek islands.  There are similarities among various island chains. For example, the Cycladic islands are known for their whitewashed cubist buildings with Santorini and Mykonos being the most famous in that group. One thing I have learned is that each island has its own charms and local customs. If you love the thought of island hopping and have the time, Greece is a great destination to do this.   The Romantic Islands During my travels, I have visited islands that truly struck me as romantic destinations. In fact, my romantic comedy/women’s fiction novel Chasing Athens features a few of them I thought inspired romance. Here is my list of the most romantic islands in Greece: Hydra The only traffic on this quiet little island will be donkeys. That’s right. There are no cars allowed here.  There’s something about that atmosphere that makes it so relaxing. I’ve also had the pleasure of soaking in some amazing sunsets while visiting Hydra.  I love that you have to walk everywhere (it’s a tiny island so no problem) or hire a water taxi to hit various beaches on the island.  It’s also a quick trip from Athens. You can get here in about an hour by ferry from the Athens port of Piraeus. Romantic Stays: Porta Del Mare Suites Mastoris Mansion Suggested Tours: From Athens: Full-Day VIP Cruise to Hydra, Poros and Aegina Santorini It’s touristy. It’s crowded. You may have selfie sticks constantly swinging in your face. However, Santorini is a dream. It is worth the trip if you have never been.... Continue Reading The post 6 of the Most Romantic Islands in Greece appeared first on Travel Greece Travel Europe. […]