Last year I told my girlfriend, in so many words, that whatever she wanted to do for her 40th birthday the following year, I’d do it.
And I meant it.
There was talk about renting a beach house and playing around with a Slip ‘N Slide. Or maybe spend a relaxing weekend on Molokai. All doable.
Then I got word of the plans: we were going to Greece.
And she wasn’t talking about the musical.
Greece is one of those magical, mystical countries that I’ve only thought about, never seriously looked into. Unlike China, though, it’s fairly high up on my Place To Travel Before I Die list. I’d love to stroll around Athens, the country’s capital, and feast on things like moussaka, spanakopita and, of course, ouzo, Greece’s iconic drink.
We’re flying out tomorrow morning, spending roughly 24 hours in transit, before arriving in the country of 11 million people.
I’ve got no plans, no itinerary, I’m not even packed yet. It’s just a week in Greece with a jaunt to Crete, before heading home. (The rest of the girls will be staying longer.)
While I’m excited to see this country, rooted in so much history and lore, I’m even more interested to see how this trip will all work out.
For starters, I’m not planning it. Not that I’m OCD about planning — ask Melissa Chang about that! — but I do like to have a small say in where I’m going (or, at the very least, what I’ll be eating). But it’s not up to me — and I’m cool with that.
And secondly, I have never traveled with this bunch before. As the birthday girl referred to it today, “It’s my Random Friend Trip.” Truly is. So that should be interesting as well.
The truth is, it didn’t matter where we were going — Greece, Molokai, my backyard — as long as I was going to hang out with my turning-40 friend. We can eat souvlaki anytime.
So if you’ve got suggestions on places to visit, things to eat, post ’em here. I think the only things we’re definitely doing are eating Greek food and lounging at the beach. In 70-degree weather. Wish us luck!
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To learn more about Greece, click here. And don’t forget to follow my #CatTravels adventures on Instagram @catherinetoth and on Twitter @thedailydish.
19 Comments
Hello Cat!
Safe travels!
I’ll be waiting to read about your adventure!
Have a great trip and bring me back some Olive Oil please!
Head to Santorini!! 🙂
Unfortunately, I won’t have time. But the other three are!
Oh my golly. I am so J. Ever since I did a debate on the Parthenon in history class, I have been wanting to go. Looking forward to your posts.
It’s so surreal to actually SEE it in person. Loved it. I could’ve stayed up there for a few hours, just marveling at it.
CAT: Do you need a visa? The embassy one and plastic one! Safe travels…looking forward to bathroom pix!
LOL! I definitely have the plastic one!
Woohoo! We’re going to Crete later this summer (for a wedding). I can’t wait to read your impressions (find some great food for us, ok?). 🙂
Exciting! A wedding in Crete! What a great idea!
Being that I am Greek and I have been to Greece many times (my family still has an olive grove there) I know that I am biased but it is the most beautiful country! To see the Parthenon is a must but don’t forget to visit the museums, there is so much history in this small country. I’ve usually visited in the summertime when it is VERY hot and crowded but the beaches are the BEST in the world, clear, warm and beautiful. And the food? Of course, when in season it is so delicious, better than anything I have had here in the states. Greeks love the nightlife, they eat dinner very late, like 10 or 11pm and can party until 5 in the morning and still go to work the next day (I don’t know how they do it!). Greeks love to people watch, they will sit in a cafe sipping their frappe (which was invented in Greece, by the way) and spend the time just enjoying life.
I have been to many of the islands as well and I loved Crete, Criti (that’s how we pronounce it in Greece). You can’t go wrong going to Santorini, so beautiful to see the sunset from there. I have been to Mykonos, Zakinthos, Corfu, Patmos, Rhodes, as well as the mainland, Olympia, Thessaloniki (in the north), the famous monasteries at Metorae, Sparta etc. As my family is from Corinth, the Corinth canal is something else interesting to see. I can’t cover everything here and 1 week really is not enough time to spend there, imho, but you can always plan another trip in the future, right? 🙂
Whoa, thanks for all this! Yep, one week is waaaaay too short. I’m just heading to Crete after Athens; the other three are going to a couple more islands including Santorini. Too bad… but that’s OK. I’m just glad I got to spend a week here. And to be honest, I would have enjoyed a week ANYWHERE with these three! That’s really the most important!
Oh, and I didn’t realize the Greek invented the frappe. I guess I gotta try one!
Crete is overrated – I wanted to go there because of Knossos (Minotaur) but it was a big disappointment.
Greece is like Hawaii — it’s good to get out of Waikiki and the Polynesian Cultural Center. If you can take a bus ride to some small town where the “real people” live, on market day, that would be good. I spent about 2 weeks in Greece with a car about 30 years ago, traveling between Turkey and France. The biggest disappointment was a town named “Panorama.” I expected great views, but didn’t get them.
Nafplio is a great little town – just do a google image search.
I agree with Danny, Nafplio is a great place to visit.
Wah! I wish I were going! I’m only here for a week — I know, I know — so I’m just visiting Athens and Crete. The other three are heading to more islands after.
If you’re going to Xania, a very nice large town at the northwest corner of the island and also tranliterated to English as Chania and Canea, walk the Samaria Gorge. It’s a day trip that any of the tour places around town can connect you to. The largest gorge in Europe, after a short ride from Xania, it’s a great walk to the black pebble beaches on the Sea of Libya on the south coast of the island.
I’ve heard about this. In fact, we ran into some Canadians who did it. They said it took about six hours and required shoes. We only had slippers and sandals. Next time, for sure!