Greece - Greek Chaos, Ancient Glory & Island Bliss

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Schiphol at 7pm, quick lounge dinner by 8, and - surprise - another delayed flight at 9:45pm. We landed in Athens by 2am, luckily with a pickup waiting, and reached our downtown hotel by 3. The hour of half-sleep on the plane didn’t really count. 


After a short night, we kicked off with our signature move: a free walking tour. Walter delivered a lively three-hour crash course through Athens’ compact historic center - myths, ruins, revolutions, and all. The 30°C sun was a welcome change from autumnal Amsterdam, if also a sweaty one. Lunch in a local taverna revived us before a quick nap (Seb) and IT troubleshooting (Didi). Later we climbed the Acropolis, soaked in views among the crowds, and ended the day with Greek dinner and an early night. 





Saturday began slower: a walk to Exarcheia and the National Archaeological Museum, full of treasures from thousands of years BC. A quiet climb up Lofos Strefi offered Acropolis views (and slightly sketchy vibes). We wandered through markets and Kolonaki’s boutiques before hiking Philopappos Hill for a golden sunset and glowing Parthenon - crowned by a full moon. 




Sunday called for shade and slower pace. Brunch (disappointing eggs) and a street art tour through Keramikos introduced us to INO, Stamatis, and Sonke - Athens’ creative side in full color. Refueled with souvlaki street food, we capped the night with rooftop drinks overlooking the lit-up Acropolis and a lunar eclipse. Unreal.  




Our last Athenian morning was for local gems: Myller Café (best coffee) and Bougatsadiko Psirri for spinach pie and bougatsa - though someone’s stomach disagreed later 😬. A final Acropolis Museum visit and stroll through the National Gardens closed the city chapter before catching the metro to Piraeus. The chaotic 20-minute walk through the blazing port left us mildly homicidal. Time for island life. 

Paros welcomed us with postcard charm and mild madness. The first night was packed, but daytime revealed a calmer rhythm - whitewashed alleys, blue shutters, bursts of bougainvillea, and that timeless island vibe. While Didi worked, Seb camped out by the sea and went for a coastal trail run. Dinner by the waterfront with sunset views sealed the deal. 




Next day we hopped on a 25-minute ferry to Antiparos - more Greek chaos, somehow efficient. The island was quieter, with a breezy lunch and lazy beach stop before heading back for seafood: seabass divine, ceviche and gouna fish less so 😬. Then a move from Parikia to Naousa - buses, crowds, confusion. Naousa wasn’t as charming, but the sea-view apartment made up for it. Friends started arriving - time for scuba diving! 




Sunny morning at Santa Maria Beach: calm sea, good vibes. The dive was pleasant - lionfish, antique ceramics, and a talkative guide, Konstantinos, full of stories from commercial diving. Post-dive seafood lunch overlooking Naxos, beach chill, and dinner with friends - wedding weekend mode on. 

Wedding day! A slow start, quick dip, and then black vans whisked us to a “secret” farmhouse with pool and bay views - a stunning setting for Julia & Tamer’s celebration. Food, music, and dancing flowed late into the night. 





The trip back was a blur of connections - Naousa 🚌 Parikia ⛴️ Piraeus 🚇 Athens - with the usual delays and strong winds. One last dinner in Athens, a packed metro to the airport, and, fittingly, a delayed flight home.


Another unforgettable trip - stretching summer a bit longer, basking in Greek chaos and sunshine, indulging in souvlaki and Freddo Espresso, Acropolis views on repeat, and celebrating love on Paros.


Efcharistó, Greece. 🇬🇷✨


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