Best of Greece Vacation: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini

Arrive in Athens and let the dream begin. The arid hills outside of the city are lined with olive trees giving the air a gentle floral scent that drifts along the terrain. You can see the Acropolis rising above the Old City, the pillars of ancient temples whitewashed against the open sky like clouds. The modern city surrounds the majestic antiquity blending the proud past with the friendly present. Walk along the Plaka, beneath the Acropolis, where the ancient buildings of Athens continue to stand and act as residences. You can practically imagine the men touting their restaurants, dressed in togas, proselytization the flavors of their restaurants. The cobblestones give an echo to each step. The scent of roasted meats and drizzled olive oil beckons to you. The delicacies of Greece are at your command; for a rich and unforgettable taste of Athens, sit along the lively pedestrian street of Drakou with the sensational delights at Skoumbri. The seafood is fresh, from zesty calamari to a burst of umami with each bite of grilled bream. Let the city pass you by as you blend into the feeling of seclusion amidst the dreamlike history.

Delve into the majesty of history that sits within the enclosed spaces and out in the open air giving the entire city of Athens a museum-like quality. Your private tour begins within the walls of the new Acropolis Museum, where each room is bursting with statues and mosaics, busts and texts, filled with knowledge and ancient wonder taken from right where you’re standing, all wrapped inside the subtle musk of antiquity. The white marble stares out at you from stoic faces that represent the western world’s ideology of knowledge, steeped in the mythological quality that enshrouds ancient Athens. Out the window you can see the pillars of the Acropolis looming over the museum.

Follow your guide up the hillside, each step bringing you closer to the fantastic temples atop the plateau. Stand beneath the Propylaea, the official entryway to the courtyard. Walk beneath the pillars, the thick, large frames more imposing than you ever imagined. Step into the open air of the Acropolis where to the left stands the Erechtheion, the temple dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. After they debated who should be the god of Athens; they let the city decide, and now an olive tree grows next to the temple to commemorate Athena’s gift to the people.

On the right you will come toe to toe with the central image of Greece’s past, the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, connecting you to Greece in the privacy of your imagination. Stroll around the commanding columns. The portico is elevated, the pediment offering displays of horses and men, women, and knowledge. In your mind you can feel the crowd dissipate, giving you a quiet moment to encircle one of the most famous structures in history, made to be perceived as perfect from every angle.  Eventually the crowd returns around you, the history of the acropolis revealed, and you make your way down the hill, stopping at the Pnyx, a small, rocky hill that was used as a meeting place for Athens’s democratic assembly. End your tour in Syntagma Square at the base of the Parliament building where the patient faces of Greek statues return in the form of the palace guards. Every hour their silence is replaced by orders and marching, changing the guards with precision and choreographed movement, giving the end of your private tour another quality enchantment.

Indulge in the rich treats of breakfast where the enticing aroma of citrus lingers around the fresh-squeezed orange juice. The velvety feta gives a sublime umami touch to the morning. After your meal you will whisper antio  (goodbye) to Athens and open your arms with a bright Kalimera! (good morning) to Mykonos. A private transfer will have you situated and comfortable within your accommodation, the glimmering sea displaying three shades of blue. The sand is pure white, embracing the gentle rush of water that runs along the shore. The hills of Mykonos roll and fade into the ocean, the sweet perfume of the sea mixing with the arid, and slightly citrusy, terrain.

The morning brings the inviting aroma of fresh Greek coffee, the sweet and rich flavor reminding you of the stunning sea outside your accommodation; as if you would need to be reminded. Mykonos is yours to explore, with plenty of secluded beaches to indulge in, luxurious restaurants to dine in, and tiny, cobblestone streets to get lost on. Even with so much to discover there is also a chance to visit the special, uninhabited island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo.

A short boat ride along the cool winds of the water brings you to the remains of a once prominent and prosperous trading port. Mosaics decorate the floors with geometric shapes, colors bouncing off of the marble. Lion statues stand poised, guarding the Sacred Lake where Apollo and Artemis were born. The island once attracted pilgrims from all over Greece attempting to reach and pay homage to Apollo's sanctuary. A gentle breeze winds through the ruins. An almost perfect façade of pillars and portico stands tall above the strewn boulders, a remnant of the wealthy and almost forgotten past. Within the museum you can see the smooth marbled bodies of Artemis, gracefully hunting, her hair raised, her hand poised, along with the tapestries and frescos that once made the island shine.

The whole of Mykonos is once again at your pleasure and leisure, dressed and set for your desire to visit its dreamy beaches or to meander its sensual streets. Whether you feel like strolling along the unique and secluded labyrinth of Mykonos Town or lounging on the beaches beneath the comforts of sunscreen and an umbrella, let loose and let yourself wander; there is no reason why you couldn’t try it all. Set along the shores of Paradise Beach, one of the most famous beaches in all of Mykonos, you can place your feet in the hot sand, sit beneath the cool shade of the umbrellas, and sip the ice cold drink prepared just for you. Dip your toes into the water and feel the refreshing chill against the beat of the sun. Relax on your personal lounge or watch people saunter by as you sit along the boardwalk. If you prefer more seclusion, you can enjoy the empty stretch of sand at Fokos, where the water drifts from turquoise to sea-foam, and back again, situated far from the vibrant bustle of the south shores.

The sun has kissed your cheeks giving you a gentle glow as the tan starts to set over you like a warm blanket. The secluded sand and water of the previous day gives you a restful energy. From the beach to the streets, today you can enjoy strolling through the delightful coil of Mykonos Town. The quintessential colors of Mykonos are white and blue, the buildings stretching along meandering cobblestones of the town that twist and turn, meant as a pirate deterrent. Shops and restaurants thrive with people along the waterway as the buildings climb just above the waves, making the stretch of homes and businesses resemble Venice. The scent of roast lamb and garlic tahini floats from storefronts, lingering around the open doors. Jewelry stores present opulent and pristine unique designs, giving passersby a reason to press their noses against the windows. Stroll down the lanes arm in arm, unafraid to get lost within the beautiful alleyways of the town. Let the fragrant and colorful salads catch your eye, the sweet honeyed baklava tempt you, and the entire island of Mykonos enchant you.

The morning brings with it the delectable light of the sun, casting a romantic golden orange along the horizon. Today you will depart from Mykonos on the hydrofoil, gliding over the opulent water of the Cyclades, and arriving beneath the cliffs of Santorini. The picturesque beaches of Mykonos are behind you but you look along the cliffs and can see perfection in the whitewashed homes topped with blue roofs, with the sun’s reflection bouncing from the walls to the water. The colors of the caldera shift from the turquoise water to the black sand beaches, and to the gray craggy islands in the short distance. You settle into secluded luxury, where infinity pools look like they stretch out into the sea, and the rich volcanic soil gives life to the local vineyards.

The island is at your pleasure, ready to give you the privacy or beauty that you crave in the picture-perfect setting that has tempted you. The beaches are lush and warm. The towns are traditional and quaint. Let the colors of the island overtake you, filling you with a sense of passion. If you haven’t gotten your fill, you can always embark on a semi-private sunset catamaran curse. Board the catamaran at Vliahda Marina, the mist of the water rising around you. The fragrance of grilled zucchini mixes with the lush salt of the sea. The skipper touts the history of the island, his words getting lost in the wind. You watch the quintessential hues of Santorini dip and drift as the boat glides passed the lighthouse situated high atop the cliff and past the red beach where the oxidized sand drapes over the cliffside, adding immensity to the narrow shoreline. The boat stops at the white beach, the limestone cliff climbing into the sky and reminding you of the homes that drifted away earlier. Jump into the refreshing cool of the water and notice the clarity, the grave-like floor of the sea visible beneath you.

The boat continues to sail towards the caldera, the history of the island written on the jagged black rocks sprouting from the water, a reminder of the most recent eruption in the 1950s. Step into the water and float within the warmth of the hot springs, the clear water suddenly a royal blue, the rocks on the island glow with a rustic shine. Aboard the boat the aroma of grilled calamari, sautéed chicken, and roasted bell pepper fill the air. The succulent succession of a multi-course meal cooked and enjoyed along the water brings you a closer connection with the beauty of the islands. The sun begins to set and the sails rise, catching the breeze and bringing you to shore. The sky is filled with the rainbow of sunset stretching from corner to corner, bringing the cruise and the day to a blissful end.

Santorini stretches over 35 square miles, filled with delightful wineries, seductive views, and superb pools; the hardest decision you’ll have to make is choosing what to do. There is always an awe-inspiring visit to the ancient city of Akrotiri. The city is known as the Grecian Pompeii, and the current rumor is that it was the inspiration for Plato’s tale of Atlantis. The streets are built on a grid, covered in ash and have been preserved for over 3,000 years. Stroll through the antique lanes where the essence of ancient volcanic activity looms large. Window frames remain open; pottery is positioned outside of doors. Multi-storied buildings have remained intact giving a sense of scale to the people and the city itself. Colored frescos bloom with vibrancy, such as two boys boxing, painted along the wall. If you haven’t fallen in love with history yet, you will here in the private space of the sensational remains.

The sunlight expands over the island, giving an extra twinkle to the sea below. The streets are filled with the freshness of pastries. On your last day on the island there is no reason not to indulge in the capacious majesty that is everywhere you look; all you need is to see more. Step along the gravel path that sits between Oia and Fira. The cliffs rise over 1,000 feet where the water sparkles with various hues of blue. The path was originally meant for the infamous Santorini donkeys that have helped build the islands infrastructure, and are coveted by the locals. You can watch the water shift from the breathtaking sapphire to a glossy emerald as it reaches the shore and the small harbors that wrap around the cliffs. The arid landscape brings a beautiful bouquet of brush in the breeze. Whether from Fira to Oia or the reverse, you can stop and admire the view; the sensations of the island blossom in more than just the beaches, reaching out from the water and the rocks, the buildings and the people, and the houses beaming in the afternoon light. Stroll along the marbled pathways of Oia, down the steps and onto the remains of the castle, where you can look out over the sea and feel like the island was made just for you.

Today, after a decadent breakfast, you will board your flight and be whisked away from Santorini bringing an elegant end to your Greece vacation. You have stepped into the private spaces of history, stood at the edges of enviable azure seas, strolled along the fantasy of aged cobblestone streets, and watched the sunset reflect off the white walls of Santorini. Your time in Greece may have ended but every time you close your eyes you will revisit the breathtaking majesties you found on your trip. Even though you may have left, the dream will never end.