Friday 2 August 2024

GREECE JULY 2024

A quick round up of our fabulous trip!


We have just returned from Greece and a whole month adventuring around a few of the Cyclades. I posted in real time, over on my travel Instagram account @hap_pea_travels so head over there if you want to look back in more detail. 

Santorini

First up Santorini. Santorini was only ever going to be a means to start our trip, a direct flight from Bristol, but we made the best of our time there. An island we'd have never chosen to go to, but we found bits worth seeing and can appreciate why it's such a destination island for some! We stayed in the south of the island, away from the cruise ship chaos but did venture to the hot spots of Oia and Fira. Four days was possibly one day too many. We could have saved a day here and a day on Antiparos and made it over to Folegrandos, but this trip, being our first island hopping, was always going to be trial and error, see what worked, what we'd do differently.... On the whole, we would change nothing, other than have squeezed in the extra island.

Day 1 - Kamari Beach Resort
Day 2 - bus trip to Fira
Day 3 - the Red Beach, Akrotiri
Day 4 - Oia

Milos

Milos was beautiful. On the cusp of becoming popular but still old Greek in parts. It boasts 70 beaches, but without a car, you can only reach a few. All buses go from Adamas €2 a trip. There is plenty we didn't see, so a return visit is on the cards one day and Jeff would have loved to have jumped off the rocks at Sarakiniko beach, but the sea was too rough. I would like to return to the island of Kimilos. Much smaller and really easy to get to.
Day 5 - ferry from Santorini to Adamas, Milos
Day 6 - bus up to Plaka
Day 7 - boat trip to Kleftiko and sunset in Plaka
Day 8 - Sarakiniko Beach & evening in Plaka
Day 9 - bus to Pollonia, ferry to Kimilos
Day 10- return to Kimilos, beach day


Sifnos

Sifnos, my favourite island! No airport, no cruise ships = fewer people! Most 'must see' places were accessible by bus. Beautiful, unspoilt villages, great pottery, and good footpaths for walking. Amazing dining spots by the sea and the best food. Super windy, got sandblasted for free! We stayed in a great little hotel, evening views of sunset skies.
We WILL return one day!

Day 11 - ferry from Milos to Sifnos
Day 12 - Apollonia, Ano Petali, Artemonas
Day 13 - Kastro
Day 14 - Faros and Chrissopigi
Day 15 - Kamares, beach day


Antiparos/Paros

6 days of chilled, laid back, relaxing Antiparos. An island with only one town, but with it's big brother, Paros, just across the water. Pretty main street peppered with pretty pink Bougainvillea at every turn. Timed our visit to see the Agia Marina celebrations, the night we arrived. Could have possibly stayed one day less and still would've felt we'd done the island. That said, we enjoyed a bonus beach day x
Day 16 - ferry from Sifnos to Paros, bus and ferry to Antiparos. Agia Marina celebrations
Day 17 - Beach day on the less windy side.
Day 18 - Day trip to Paros
Day 19 - bus to Agios Gergios
Day 20 - Cove day
Day 21 - Cove day repeated!!


Syros

Where the Greeks holiday! Ermoupoli, capital town of the Cyclades. Busy but a pretty, functioning town, lots of churches and lots of steps. Possidonia/Finikas bay - quiet, relaxed, small beach resort in the southwest of the island, where we've spent the past few days, relaxing. Our best accommodation of the trip, at the Black Pig. Fabulous views from the balcony. Could've happily stayed there longer.

Day 22- ferry from Paros to Syros, explored Ermoupoli and Ano Syros
Day 23 - Explore Ermoupoli, swim spot
Day 24 - bus to Possidonia/Finikas. Start of a 5 day stay at the Black Pig!
Day 25 - Beach Day
Day 26 - Beach Day
Day 27 - Beach Day
Day 28 - Beach Day

Pireaus/Athens

Pireaus, a practical place for the port, airport, and its proximity to Athens. A bonus, unplanned day spent in Athens, as there wasn't a huge amount to do in Pireaus. Much, cleaner, greener, safer, and just generally much better than we were expecting. Although hot - 40 degrees plus, we still clocked up nearly 20,000 steps.

Day 29 - farewell Syros, ferry to Pireaus
Day 30 - bonus day to Athens
Day 31- wander around Pireaus, fly home!



We ate the most deeeelicious food and enjoyed every mouthful! Will be very interested to see what the scales say on Monday morning!! We weren't over indulgent but I certainly had things I would normally avoid! But we walked 10's of 1000's of steps too. It's all about balance !!


So there you have it, a month's travels around the Cyclades. Santorini, Milos, Kimilos, Sifnos, Paros, Antiparos, Syros, Pireaus and Athens. Have been to some fabulous islands, eaten the most delicious food, and after 31 days together, 24/7 we still like each other xx


The flight delay home was a shame, never nice but when it's a late flight, it's even worse. Got into Bristol just after 4:00am and home just before 6:00!! I still have my unpacking to do, putting everything away, but all the washing is done, so we've made a start.

We loved it so much, we're planning something similar for the summer of 2026!

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