15 Days in... Greece!
- Joana Ribeiro Sabino
- Sep 5, 2018
- 9 min read
Oh, Greece... the country I image visit next year... And to be expected, I all ready did my research of where I want to go! Me and my husband love history, and because we live in Portugal, we wanted to go on an ancient civilization with in Europe. So we choose Greece! Yes I know there are other countries with ancient civilization in Europe... we will get there some other time ;) Lets resume a bit Greece. The country is strategically located at the junction between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. It has land borders with Albania to the north-west, with the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the north-east. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of the continent, the Ionian Sea to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Greece has the 11th largest coast in the world, with 13 676 km in length, numerous islands (about 1,400, of which 227 are inhabited). Eighty percent of the country is composed of mountains. Modern Greece has its roots in the civilization of Ancient Greece, considered the cradle of all Western civilization. As such, it's the birthplace of democracy, western philosophy, Olympic Games, western literature, historiography, political science, great scientific and mathematical principles, western performing arts, including tragedy and comedy. Greek cultural and technological achievements greatly influenced the world, and many aspects of Greek civilization were transmitted to the east through campaigns of Alexander the Great and to the west through the Roman Empire. This rich legacy is partly reflected in the 17 sites considered by UNESCO as World Heritage in Greek territory, the seventh largest number in Europe and the 13th in the world. The modern Greek state, which encompasses most of the historical core of ancient Greek civilization, was created in 1830 after the Greek War of Independence against the ancient Ottoman Empire. Currently, Greece is a democratic country and developed with an advanced and high income economy, a high standard of living and a human development index considered very high by the United Nations. Greece is a founding member of the United Nations, is a member of what is now the European Union since 1981 (and the Eurozone since 2001), as well as being a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 1952. The Greek economy is also the largest in the Balkans, where Greece is a major regional investor. I'm going to do what I have doing until now, that is to choose 3 places but with a different number of days. Athens (5 days), Sparta (2 days), and the island of Crete (7 days).
Athens
Athens is the capital of Greece. The city was also the center of Ancient Greece, a powerful empire and civilization, and is still dominated by fifth-century BC monuments. Athens is also a contemporary city, and it is not uncommon for the Kolonaki, Psiri and Gazi nightlife centers to be busy until dawn. Some areas of the city are reserved for pedestrians only, such as the winding streets of the Plaka district, filled with cafes, traditional taverns and neoclassical houses.
Accommodation
The average price of an Arbnb in this city is around 60 euros but you can find prices from 10 euros per night.
Transportation
Athens in my perspective and from what it was advice to me, its attractions are very close to each other, so what I have to advice is go walking. But if you can't do that, here are the options that you have; Cards for Athens public transportation. Like many European cities, Athens as its own cards to travel around. - Ath.ena Ticket: Paper rechargeable ticket that can be used again and again as long as it remains in good condition. Can be charged and recharged with products varying from a “90-minute ticket for all modes” to 5-day tickets. Airport transfer tickets and 3-day tourist tickets are available as well. Can be bought from and recharged at all Athens transport ticket offices as well as automatic ticket issuing machines. Half-priced Ath.ena Tickets are available but only from Athens transport ticket offices. - Anonymous Ath.ena Card: Plastic rechargeable card that can be used again and again. It can also be charged and recharged with products varying from a “90-minute ticket for all modes to 5-day tickets as well airport transfer tickets and 3-day tourist tickets. When is bought, it has to be charged with a bundle of five 90-minute tickets for all modes, or any other ticket product costing at least 4.50 euros. It can be bought only from Athens Transport ticket offices and be recharged at the Athens Transport Ticket offices as well as the automatic ticket issuing machines. A five-day ticket is 9 euros. You can also call a taxi or Uber in this city.
Attractions
This is my list for 5 days in Athens if you can go to all this places. I will start from the most important ones in case you don't have time to do them all.
1 - Athens Acropolis (Tickets 20 euros each). 2 - Partenon 3 - Athens Acropolis Museum (Tickets 5 euros each). 4 - Sintagma Plaza 5 - Olympian Zeus Temple 6 - Athens Agora (Tickets 8 euros each). 7 - Erecteion 8 - Athens National Archaeological Museum (Tickets 10 euros each). 9 - Herodes Penthouse Odeon 10 - Hefesto Temple 11 - Dionísio Theatre 12 - Athena Nike Temple (Tickets 5 euros each). 13 - Cerameico (Tickets 8 euros each). 14 - Adriano Arc 15 - Athens National Garden 16 - Benaki Museum (Tickets 9 euros each). 17 - Adriano Library (Tickets 4 euros each). 18 - Panatenaico Stadium (Tickets 5 euros each). 19 - Filopapo Monument 20 - Byzantine and Christian Museum 21 - Attalo Estoa 22 - Wind Tower 23 - Zappeion 24 - Athena Partenos 25 - Cycladic Art Museum (Tickets 7 euros each). 26 - Athens Ancient Temple 27 - Lysicrates Choragic Monument 28 - Athens Numismatic Museum (Tickets 6 euros each). 29 - Technopolis (Gazi) 30 - Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Photos of the Attractions
Video by; Visit Greece
Food
Horiatiki Salata - Greek Salad: Bright red tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, shallots adding spiciness, and the obvious Greek olives, sprung with extra virgin Greek olive oil and a large piece of creamy feta cheese on top, seasoned with salt, pepper, and oregano. In some places they may add capers, which adds a sour touch, similar to the effect of vinegar. Light, mouthwatering and traditional!
Photo by Flickr user; Alpha
Saganaki: This is an appetizer for cheese lovers! Yellow, hard cheese (one of many kinds, such as kasseri or gruyere) is fried hastily that creates a crunchy crust. When you bite into saganaki, the melted cheese inside will fill you with ecstasy. Tip: Sprinkle fresh lemon juice on it. Photo by Flickr user; Merle ja Joonas
Fava: Its origin? Santorini Island. It is a creamy starter you may (or must?) spread on your bread. On first sight, you’ll think you’re eating hummus. However, It has a unique flavour and is made using fava, the Greek term for yellow split peas (not broad beans, which are commonly known as fava beans, as well). Fava comes in many shades, with the most common being a sunny yellow. It is drizzled with olive oil and onions and is vegan friendly. Photo by Flickr user; Eftychia Zerde
Sparta
Sparta is a municipality in Laconia, Greece. The site is situated in the same territory of the old city-state Sparta.
Accommodation
The average price of an Arbnb in this city is around 70 euros but you can find prices from 8 euros per night.
Transportation
To Sparta the best thing to do is rent a car for 2 days in Athens and drive all the way to this city. Sparta is around 216 km's from Athens and 2h35 minutes drive. Renting a car in Athens airport for a medium size car is around 40 euros. But if this option isn't possible for you can always get in to a bus in Athens to Sparta. This is cover by a company named KTEL of Laconia or you can do it by train. With in the city the bus service is also operated by KTEL. You can call a taxi. No Uber service available in this city.
Attractions
This is my list for 2 days in Sparta if you can go to all this places. I will start from the most important ones in case you don't have time to do them all.
1 - Sparta Archaeological Museum (Tickets 2 euros each).
2 - Artemis Orthia Sanctuary
3 - Olive and Greek Olive Oil Museum (Tickets 3 euros each).
4 - Menelaion
5 - Leonidaion
6 - National Gallery of Art
7 - Leonidas Statue
8 - Manousakeio Museum
9 - Ancient Sparta
10 - Agora
11 - Lykourgou Statue
12 - Great Byzantine Basilica
Photos of the Attractions
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Video by; Ελληνικός Ήλιος
Crete Island
Crete, Greece's largest island, is known for its varied landscapes, ranging from the fine sand beaches of Elafonisi to the White Mountains. Mount Ida, the largest of the mountain ranges, houses the Cave of Zeus, birthplace of the Greek god according to mythology. Knossos was a legendary site known by the mythical Minotaur, with a man's body and a bull's head. Crete was the center of the mercantile Minoan civilization until about 1,500 BC. The dry natural landscape is covered in wild flowers in the spring and serves as habitat for rare birds such as the Royal Eagle. A huge forest of palm trees grows on Vai beach. The Samariá Gorge, a deep crevice about 16 km long, is a common destination for hiking. The local cuisine is based on seafood, herbs, olive oil and fruits.
Accommodation
The average price of an Arbnb in this city is around 80 euros but you can find prices from 10 euros per night.
Transportation Going to Create from Athens I would go by bot, but that's because I like adventure! This journey will cost minimum 150 euros for 2 adult passengers for a 7 days round trip, and it would take between 9h to 16h! Yes, only for the adventure ones ;) However you can always choose to go on a plain if you don't want to wait that long. My research show that you can find flights from Athens to Crete from 200 euros round trip. And the journey takes almost 1 hour. In Crete the best choice is to rent a car to drive all along the island. You can rent a medium size car from 70 euros for 7 days. If the last option its not possible for you, bus is your only option for a public transportation on this island. The company name that runs this island by bus is KTEL. They have lines and connections almost in all the island. You can also call a taxi.
Attractions
This is my list for 7 days in Crete if you can go to all this places. I will start from the most important ones in case you don't have time to do them all.
1 - Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Tickets 10 euros each). 2 - Vai 3 - White Mountains Protected Forest 4 - Arcádi Monastery 5 - Koules Fortress (Tickets 2 euros each). 6 - Psicro Cave 7 - Cretaquarium (Tickets 9 euros each). 8 - Rethymno Fortress (Tickets 3 euros each). 9 - Old Venetian Harbour 10 - Chania Archaeological Museum (Tickets 4 euros each). 11 - Agia Triada Monastery 12 - Kourtaliotiko Gorge 13 - Aquaworld Aquarium (Tickets 8 euros each). 14 - Crete Historical Museum 15 - Chrysoskalitissa Monastery 16 - Chania Navy Museum (Tickets 2 euros each). 17 - Zeus Cave 18 - Chania Lighthouse 19 - Watercity (Tickets 27 euros each). 20 - Toplou Monastery 21 - Agios Minas Catedral 22 - Lychnostatis Open Air Museum (Tickets 6 euros each). 23 - Knossos (Tickets 15 euros each). 24 - Acqua Plus (Tickets 27 euros each). 25 - Seitan Limania Beach 26 - Firka Fortress 27 - Crete Natural History Museum (Tickets 7,50 euros each). 28 - Limnoupolis vandland (Tickets 25 euros each). 29 - Morosini Fountain
Photos of the Attractions
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Video by; Visit Sitia
Food
Dakos The ever-popular Dakos is known by regional names throughout Crete…some call it koukouvagia in the east they call it kouloukopsomo (puppy bread). A fantastic Greek maze or salad reminiscent of bruschetta, but based on barley rusks or paximadi, not on bread. The rusks are lightly soaked in water or olive oil to soften them, and then they are topped with grated fresh tomato and myzithra, the creamy sheep or goat’s milk cheese. They are then drizzled with Cretan virgin olive oil and dusted with salt, oregano, pepper. Photo by Flickr user; Luigi Rosa
Smoked Pork Not an easy one to recreate outside of Greece, this dish of succulent smoked pork, is made in a multi-day process. First, strips of pork are marinated in vinegar for several days. Then a fire is made using local herbs - sage, bay, rosemary - and the meat is hung above it to smoke. The smoke is continuously stoked to keep the herby aroma infusing the meat. The final product tastes of the fresh herbs and can be served later, cold, in thin slices. Photo by Flickr user; Denni Schnapp
Cretan Salad
This salad is quite similar to the classic Greek Salad, however, the Cretan Salad is served with a soft cheese as opposed to Feta and with Paximadi. Depending on where you eat it, there can be a few added extras such as zucchini, egg, potato. There are usually at least 2 whole tomatoes along with it… Photo by Flickr user; Natalia Sedyh
That is all for now, I hope you enjoyed! And maybe we will see each other next year in Greece! Who knows ;) On my opinion, this is the ideal place for new couples. But you will always find something to do depending on your type of travel.
Be safe and have a nice travel!
Joana Ribeiro Sabino
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