Is Greece on Your Bucket List?

Greece regularly ends up in articles and lists for things such as top destination, top searched country, and most beautiful. But for a first-time visitor to Greece, deciding on which town or island to visit can be overwhelming. Each has its own historical significance and beauty.

Of course, Athens is a must-visit city with the famed Acrop-olis and Parthenon as pictures don't do them justice. And on mainland Greece, you can also see Mount Olympus and Thessaloniki.

Some parts of the country can be reached as a port of call on a cruise. Or you can make your own cruise itinerary by taking advantage of hydrofoil ferries that have routes be-tween the more know islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. Islands give you a great mix of historical archaeo-logical sites as well as relaxing beaches and unforgettable sunsets.

There is something for every kind of traveler in Greece which is why it deserves to be on every travel bucket list.

Greece is a top destination for many people. It is no wonder why with its creation of the Olympic games, ancient ruins, beautiful islands, and fabulous food.  But how do you decide where to visit on a vacation to Greece?  Here are eight regions of Greece to help you pick your top options for your next vacation.

Ionian Islands
Located west of mainland Greece, the Ionian islands are most known for Corfu and Ithaca.  Corfu is a lush green island and has influences from its Venetian, French and British rulers of the past.  This is where you want to go for cultural heritage, music and art.  Ithaca, though not a typical Greek vacation stop, is most famous for Homer’s Odyssey.  You can see Ithaca and how it inspired Homer on a day trip via boat.

Northern Mainland Greece
The northern mainland region of Greece is best known for historical and religious connections such as Thessaloniki and Mount Olympus.  Thessaloniki is considered a cultural capital and is a popular destination on most Greek vacations where you can enjoy great seafood, beautiful coastlines, and historical experiences like the Byzantine Baths, see a statue of Alexander the Great, and dig into religious history.  Mount Olympus is known as the home to the 12 Greek gods in mythology and is also home to beautiful flora and fauna throughout its hiking and trekking trails.

Attica
Attica is the birthplace of western civilization rich in history.  This region is famous for its archaeological sites and monuments.  This region is home to Athens, the capital of Greece, where you can access the Parthenon, Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and many great museums.

Peloponnese
This region is most famous for Corinth and Olympia.  Corinth has a rich history of being at the center of many political and religious battles.  It was a Roman colony established by Caesar in 44BC and is known to Christians because of Paul’s letters in the New Testament of the Bible. A trip to see the ancient city ruins is worth your time.  Olympia, as you likely know, is home of the Olympic games which began in 776BC.  Olympia is home to the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Apollo, and the Archaeological Museum.  See where the original games took place and marvel at where the temples of the gods once stood.

Saronic
The cluster of islands in the Saronic region are a picturesque image of Greece.   Think no cars, island hopping by boat, private coves, and cobblestone pedestrian-only streets.  Aegina is the most popular island in this region with its close proximity to Athens on the mainland.  It is also home to the famous Aphea Temple, one of three sites in the “holy triangle.” This site is part of an equilateral triangle formed with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon.

Cyclades
The Cyclades region is one of the more popular regions for vacationers as this is home to Santorini and Mykonos.  But don’t limit yourself to just these well-known islands.  There are 33 different islands in this region.  Mykonos is known for its luxury holiday experience with both a bustling cosmopolitan city life as well as its breathtaking views of the coast.  Santorini has a bit of everything including excellent gastronomy experiences, the famous white buildings with blue rooftops that are the perfect backdrop to unforgettable sunsets, and an active volcano.

Crete
Crete is Greece’s largest island and has a bit of everything for the traveler.  On this island, you can see ancient archaeological sites, enjoy perfect sandy beaches, and hike through steep gorges.  Two of the most popular towns to visit include Chania, the capital town closest to the Samaria Gorge and Heraklion that is home to the Koules fortress.

Dodecanese
The Dodecanese islands are the southeastern set of Greek islands.  The more popular places to visit in the region include Rhodes, a popular cruise stop for its beaches and gastronomy.  Those looking for that perfect Instagram photo will want to include Symi in their travels.  This island is known for how its village has such a traditional architecture of two-and three-story stone houses.

So, what kind of Greek experience are you seeking?  Do you have visions of that perfect photo with the white buildings with blue rooftops in Santorini?  Do you want to see ancient cities and ruins like Athens?

I would love to chat with you about Greece and help you decide on which regions are just right for your next vacation and how to best pair them together.

Greek food is something special! Even the most discern-ing traveler can find something that is worth the calories. Here are the top dishes and drinks that are a must try on your next trip to Greece.

• Moussaka this is a traditional dish made of spiced meat, usually lamb or beef, cooked in tomato sauce and then layered with fried eggplant and bechamel sauce.
• Souvlaki - this popular dish is a marinated meat (chick-en, pork, beef, or lamb) served on a skewer and often eaten with warm pita bread
• Tzatziki - a simple dip made with yogurt, dill, cucumber, olive oil, and lemon. This dip is a fantastic addition to any appetizer or main dish.
• Choriatiki - this is a Greek salad served with almost ev-ery meal. A classic version of this salad has cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. It is served with oil and vinegar on the side to accommodate each person's dressing preference.
• Kleftiko - a traditional slow-roasted lamb dish that in-fuses lemon, olive oil and garlic.
• Spanakopita – A popular savory pie made with spinach, feta cheese, onions, and eggs, all wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo dough. It's perfect as a light snack or an appetizer.
• Dolmades – These stuffed grape leaves are often filled with rice, pine nuts, and sometimes ground meat, seasoned with lemon and herbs. A refreshing and satisfying starter!

• Ouzo – This iconic anise-flavored spirit is often enjoyed as an aperitif. When mixed with water, it turns a milky white color and pairs well with meze (small appetizers).
• Retsina – A traditional Greek wine that has been flavored with pine resin, giving it a unique and earthy taste. It's perfect for pairing with grilled meats and seafood.
• Greek Coffee – Strong, thick, and served with foam on top, Greek coffee is typically enjoyed slowly. Don’t forget to savor the grounds left at the bottom of the cup—it’s all part of the experience!
• Metaxa – A smooth amber spirit that blends brandy with muscat wine and a variety of botanicals. It's often sipped neat or over ice as a digestif after a meal.
• Mastika – A liqueur made from mastic resin, harvested from the mastic trees on the island of Chios. Its aromatic, slightly sweet flavor is best enjoyed cold.

Ready to explore the beauty of Greece? Start planning your adventure today and check out our other posts for more tips on navigating this stunning country!

Join our family as we review Utopia of the Seas, from Royal Caribbean.

We were on the first sailing of this beautiful ship. It’s the 2nd largest cruise ship in the world.

At a quick glance, it has the largest dry slide at sea, plenty of connecting stateroom options for those traveling together, 21 dining venues, 23 bars, 8 hot tubs, 5 pools, and 3 waterslides, making it a hub for entertainment and relaxation.


Royal Caribbean’s latest ships are split in design, which allows for more open space, more balcony cabins, and more natural light.

One of the areas that takes advantage of this is Central Park, with a lush garden, real trees and plants, spanning over 20,000 square feet.

The Utopia of the Seas features the largest variety of stateroom types of any cruise in the world, offering several unique family-friendly cabins designed to cater to families of many sizes, providing a fun and comfortable cruise experience.

#1 for families: The Ultimate Family Suite

This suite spans two stories, has a slide to travel in between the kids bedrooms down to the living room below and a whirlpool on the balcony.

Sleeps up to 10 guests, with an air hockey table, 85 inch TV, 3 video game consoles, 100 foot Lego wall, and more.


#2 for families: Aqua Theater Suites

These suites are unique as you can watch the shows in the Aqua Theater from the balcony. They sleep up to 8 guests, located in the back of the ship, they have large wraparound balconies that overlook the Aqua Theater, providing a direct view of the performances.

You can watch high-diving and acrobatic performances, including the show 'Aqua 80 Too,' which is a musical tribute to the 1980s.

#3 for families: Crown Loft Suites

Sleeps up to 4 guests, with a 2 story design and a balcony.

Coastal Kitchen restaurant access, concierge services, Suite Sun Deck access, priority embarkation/disembarkation, and more.

#4 for families: Ultra Spacious Ocean View Rooms

These rooms sleep up to 6 guests and feature a master bedroom with a king bed, a second bedroom with two twin beds that convert to a queen, and a double sofa bed in the living room.

- **Large balcony**: The balcony is spacious, perfect for lounging and taking in the ocean views.

The Utopia of the Seas offers a wide range of family-friendly entertainment and activities:

The ship features five pools, including two resort-style pools and one with a sloping beach entry on the top deck, providing plenty of opportunities for families to relax and have fun in the water.

The Wonder Playscape is a thrilling space for kids with slides, climbing walls, puzzles and other interactive features.

The ship's Adventure Ocean Youth Program provides full days of supervised activities and entertainment for kids aged 3 to 11, all complimentary to guests. The Royal Babies and Tots Nursery also offers care for the youngest cruisers for a fee.

Teens will enjoy the swanky hangout with daily programming like disco parties and game nights. The ship also has a Royal Escape Room and laser tag for family fun.

Dining options are plentiful, with over 20 unique venues including the Windjammer buffet, Sorrento's Pizza, and the Southern-inspired Mason Jar restaurant. Family-friendly dining options like My Family Time Dining are also available.

The Ultimate Family Suite offers a sprawling three-bedroom layout that can accommodate up to 10 guests, with amenities like an in-suite cinema, karaoke station, and a two-story slide.

Overall, the Utopia of the Seas is designed to provide an exceptional family vacation experience with a wide range of entertainment and activities for all ages.

Utopia of the Seas is the sixth addition to Royal Caribbean's award-winning Oasis Class fleet. The world's largest ship with the world's best features just got even better.

We were some of the very first guests at the grand opening of Sandals St Vincent.

This was our first trip to the island of St. Vincent. We were blown away by the friendliness and warm hospitality of the locals.

Want to hear our review about this resort and the unique features only offered at Sandals Resort St Vincent? Buckle up.

With the island itself, there are so many experiences to be found on St Vincent. Easily explore nearby islands like Bequia, Canouan, and the Tobago Cays. Due to the marine life, St Vincent is nicknamed the Critter Capital of the Caribbean. And it doesn't stop there. Hike to the island's volcano, fish for conch, visit the headquarters for the Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Sandals St Vincent has overwater villas, 11 dining options, two that are unique to this location, five bars and one of a kind accommodations.

Flight time from Miami is about 3.5 hours and once on island, the drive to the resort is about 45 minutes.

• 301 rooms and suites tucked away on its own private cove bordered by lush forest and a gently flowing river.


• A choice of eleven (11) dining options, three of which are exclusive to Sandals St Vincent.


• Sandals first Water Taxi transfers for all Butler Elite guest arrivals.


• Sandals first innovative suites featuring separate Media Rooms and Fitness Rooms with equipment.


• Sandals first one of a kind Two Story Overwater Villas and Two Bedroom Beachfront Butler Villas.

• Number of Rooms & Suites: 301


• Number of Room Categories: 15


• Resort Size: 50 Acres