EXODUS ADVENTURE TRAVELS | GREECE TREK | Part I

EXODUS ADVENTURE TRAVELS | GREECE TREK | Part I

My journey with EXODUS ADVENTURE TRAVELS through the captivating landscapes of Greece was MORE than just a vacation. It was actually the realization of a dream come true for me and my closest travel companion SheShe. We had talked about a trip to Greece together for years, and so were thrilled when the opportunity came. But this trip was way more than we expected! Join me as I recount the highlights through DAY 4, where every single moment was a testament to the beauty and allure of Greece.

As I touched down in Athens late the first night, I was so excited to be back in Greece. The last time I had been was over four years ago on my honeymoon. I checked into the AVRA HOTEL in Rafina. It was a beautiful, and had a great location close to historical landmarks, shopping, and restaurants. It was a very comfortable stay for my first two nights in Greece.

DAY 1) This morning I met up with SheShe and we did some exploring on our own before we met up with our group. I fell in love with the Saint Nicholas Church that sat on a point overlooking the picturesque coastal town of Rafina. The church is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of the sailors. It’s believed to have been built in the 11th century AD. It was just adorable and made a great backdrop for pictures! One thing to note…. Greece is one of the safest places in the world. I heard this numerous times throughout our trip.

Early afternoon we met up with our group. Thano was our guide and was absolutely excellent. He welcomed us and was so attentive to our needs throughout our trip. There were thirteen including us. Most of our group was from England, with a couple from Canada, and one from the east coast. Such a great bunch of people, and as always the best part about traveling with a group. You really get to know and become friends with one another over the course of the trip.

DAY 2) Early the next morning we embarked on our adventure. We gathered to take the GOLDEN STAR FERRY to Santorini, about 8 hours away. I was pleasantly surprised! It was more like a cruise ship…. so beautiful, spacious, and comfy. We were able to cozy into our seats with a working table between us, and settle into our day. We ordered the most delicious salad brought right to our table, and had a really lovely voyage.

Santorini is one of the most famous islands in the world. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, blue rooftops, and pristine whitewashed buildings…. you know the picture! Definitely it’s my FAVORITE place of anywhere I’ve ever been. Recognized as evidence of a volcanic eruption around 1650 BC, and commonly linked to the legendary lost city of Atlantis. As we approached and could see it from the ferry it was goosebumps for me. It is SO STUNNING! Some have even said it looks like snow-capped mountains.

Our accommodations in Santorini were at the HOTEL GOLDEN STAR, and what a charming hotel it was. A family hotel, that’s close enough to town (Fira) but still quiet, as well as easy access to local entertainment and sights. My room was spacious with a view overlooking the pool area. That night Thano took us on a walk through town up to the high-point to see the breathtaking views of the caldera. Caldera is referring to the crater caused by the volcanic eruption I was talking about earlier. We enjoyed a group dinner that night, prepared by two adorable ladies who were so eager to please us!

DAY3) Early this morning we left for our first TREKKING experience, along the CLIFF TRAIL. This is the BEST thing to do while in Santorini! We awoke early, stopped to buy some sandwiches, and were on our way. Our mission was to go from Fira to Oia, a total of six miles. Three words to describe it….. GORGEOUS, INVIGORATING, and MEMORABLE! Along the way the scenery was spectacular! For the majority of the hike, we enjoyed beautiful views of the Aegean Sea. Indeed the trail had many ups and downs, but all under perfect weather conditions!

Our guide kept a fairly good pace, with breaks along the way. Halfway we stopped and ate our lunch and were treated to the most delicious freshly squeezed orange juice. Without a doubt, you need to be in shape to do this trek, rated “moderately challenging”. We finally entered the village of Oia and it did not disappoint. I’d been waiting to visit this village since I first went. After a quick walk through the main part, the group took the bus back to Fira, while I stayed back to soak it all in! I loved every minute of it! WHAT A DAY! I’m thinking I could rent an apartment for a month and live there! SO DREAMY!!

Oia (pronounced Eeya) is a charming village nestled on the cliffs of Santorini. In addition to its whitewashed buildings with blue domes and narrow streets, it’s also known for its stunning sunset views. Unquestionably, Oia is a photographer’s dream…. coming from that background, I couldn’t get enough! Renowned for its luxury boutiques and excellent dining options, Oia is a MUST-VISIT destination for anyone!

The picture above of the TWO PINK CHAIRS is a spot that Prince Charles and Princess Diana dined while they were on their honeymoon. Lycabettus, is known to be the most beautiful dining balcony in Oia. Apparently the Obamas wanted the same experience but their security wouldn’t allow it. It has to be the most spectacular view in all of Santorini! Our guide, Thano said you could “try” and reserve it for mega bucks.

DAY 4) Having a free day on a trip like this is really nice! Although there were several options for us of visiting the BURIED CITY OF ACROTIRI, the well-known BLACK BEACHES OF KAMARI or visiting the prehistoric THERO MUSEUM, we chose to go back to Oia. Above all we loved our morning browsing and shopping the beautiful boutiques and taking more pictures! I promise….. you can’t get enough! It’s definitely what they call EYE-CANDY!

We ventured back to Fira to grab our first GYRO and then met our group at the hotel, to board the bus for the ferry, and then onto NAXOS. Our journey there was about two hours. It was a relaxing afternoon and much needed after all of our trekking. We checked into HOTEL AEOLIS. That night we were on our own for dinner. SheShe and I went to Mapu, which Thano recommended. DELICIOUS was a great word to describe it and a really fun vibe! Naxos is a favored vacation spot among Greeks due to its affordability compared to Santorini, while still offering stunning beauty.

You see what an INCREDIBLE trip so far. Stay tuned for Part II coming soon! My EXODUS ADVENTURE TRAVELS Greece Trek was indeed a thrilling experience and one I would HIGHLY recommend for the true adventurist!

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY SLIDE SHOW OF GREECE

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