Greece is one of those destinations that we will book year after year. It's popular for a reason!
And we get it. This trip - 9 days in May, covering Athens, Sifnos, and Mykonos - was a chance to experience it the way our clients do: on the ground, with the right people, and with no detail left to imagination. This was a FAM trip (short for "familiarization"), which means it was designed for travel advisors to experience destinations firsthand so we can recommend them with real confidence. Here's a sneak peak into our itinerary.
Athens: More Than a Layover
Athens tends to get treated as a starting point - a night or two before the islands. After this trip, I'd argue it deserves more credit than that.
We stayed at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, which is right on Syntagma Square with views of the Acropolis. The hotel itself opened in 1874; it has hosted kings, heads of state, and Winston Churchill, and you feel that history when you walk in. My favorite touch was the cigar bar, variety of Macallens, and pizza oven in the courtyard (for when you need a break from Greek food or need to feed the kids something familiar and delicious).
Our first full day included two experiences back-to-back that I'd recommend to almost any client: the Flavors of Athens Food Tour and the Acropolis. The food tour started near the hotel and worked its way through local food shops and the central market. Cheeses, meats, olive oils, honey - all from people who actually make them. I find that eating your way through a city is one of the best ways to feel the local energy. And isn't everyone excited to eat all the things when traveling? Fun fact I learned: phyllo just means dough, not just the phyllo dough we are used to here in the US!
The Acropolis came later in the afternoon. This is a must on every itinerary and the reason many stop here in Athens. It's even more grand and beautiful than you'd expect. Hot tip: wear actual sneakers, not sandals, even if it's hot. There is a ton of marble, and you don't want to slip. It actually drizzled a little bit when we were there, and we were supposed to walk from the food tour to the Acropolis. Having an on-the-ground partner is so key when traveling because we were able to get an additional transfer with a quick text!
The second day in Athens was the one that made me want to come back for a longer stay someday. We took a full-day cruise to Spetses. If you saw our Instagram story, you know how rough the waters can be! But it was a breath of fresh air from busy Athens, a slower pace in a small town. We then continued to Amanzoe for a property inspection - arguably the best property in all of Greece right now.
Sifnos: The Island I Didn't Know I Needed
Sifnos wasn't on my radar before this trip. It's smaller and quieter than the islands most clients ask about, and that turns out to be exactly the point.
We took a high-speed ferry from Athens and stayed at Elies Resort, a whitewashed Cycladic property built into a hillside with private terraces and Mediterranean views. Relaxed, understated, beautiful. The kind of place that attracts people who don't need to be seen (contrast to Mykonos). My view from my bed was the pool (which is huge by the way) and the ocean. Doesn't get better than that.
After a few site inspections on the island, we headed to our guide's local home for a traditional cooking session. We spent several hours cooking traditional Greek dishes together - laughing all the way - and then sat down and ate what we made. The food was exceptional. But that wasn't really the point. The point was being welcomed into someone's home, hearing stories about the recipes, about the family, about the island. It was the kind of experience that's hard to replicate.
The next day we did a private half-day cruise to Polyaigos and Kimolos — two small, largely uninhabited islands off the coast. Polyaigos is the largest uninhabited island in the Aegean. Turquoise water, volcanic rock formations, sea caves, complete quiet. We swam off the boat and snorkeled and didn't see another person for hours.
Mykonos: More Than Just A Party Island
Mykonos has a reputation - and it's earned. But there's a version of Mykonos that doesn't get talked about as much, and this trip showed it to us.
We arrived by ferry and checked into Cali Mykonos into one-bedroom pool suites with private pools on the terrace, overlooking the sea. It's a newer property with a design-forward approach that photographs beautifully and delivers in person. Most people think they should be right next to town, but I say, escape the crowds and traffic and stay on the East side of the island. You can always transfer in. My favorite feature of the hotel? The outdoor pilates reformers. Pilates girls, I got you.
Our first afternoon included cocktails at Scorpios and Nammos - arguably the two most famous beach clubs in Greece. We arrived at Scorpios by private boat, which is the right way to do it. Scorpios has a specific atmosphere that's hard to explain without being there - part beach club, part spiritual experience, part social event. It draws a a fun and stylish crowd. Nammos is just as fun, but also, you can shop at Chanel, Rolex, Gucci, etc. after a few drinks? Dangerous.
The following morning we were up early for Delos, which is where Mykonos surprised me most. A private RIB boat brought us to the uninhabited island - mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, archaeological site of ancient Greek civilization. We had a licensed guide who brought the history to life in a way that took us back in time.
We spent a lot of time on Mykonos inspecting hotels, which is so important for us to match clients with the right fit. Not everyone wants to be in town. Some are more adult than others.
We also strolled town with our personal concierge, shopping, eating, having more cocktails and taking all of Mykonos in. I absolutely loved this island and WILL be back.
Final Thoughts
Greece is a destination I've always recommended. After this trip, I recommend it differently - with more specificity, more confidence, and a much longer list of properties and experiences I can speak to firsthand. We'd love to help you plan it with our firsthand knowledge!
