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    Home » On the Road

    Discover Greece and Its Islands On a Guided Tour

    Published: Sep 24, 2019 · Modified: Aug 19, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley

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    For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamed of visiting Greece, and it’s Islands. Reading about Greek Mythology and the heroes of that time took me to the faraway land to discover Greece. 

    corner view of the Acropolis in Athens Greece on a sunny day
    Acropolis of Athens

    This is a sponsored post for Collette Travel. All opinions and images are my own.

    Town in Mykonos from the Beach showing crystal clear aqua water
    Mykonos

    Traveling is one of the great joys in life, but the thought of making all the arrangements for a trip to a foreign country can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be difficult if you let Collette Travel help you.

    Your trip will be more enjoyable if you don’t have to do all the planning. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit back and relax, enjoying all the shades of beautiful you’ll experience on your trip to Greece!

    How Can You Make Traveling the World Easier?

    Guided Tours take all the hassle out of travel, and that’s why I enjoy traveling on guided tours with Collette Travel.

    But that’s not the only type of travel options Collette offers. Let them make your travel dreams come true with the kind of travel that fits your lifestyle.

    • Classic Tours: Enjoy a refined take on the Art of Group Travel.
    • Explorations:  Experience True Adventures on Collette Small Group Tours.
    • Spotlights:  Come to know your destination during a Single Hotel Stay.
    • River Cruise:  The Best of Land and Sea, exploring the Worlds Most Beautiful Waterways.
    • Faith:  Set out on an inspiring journey on a Faith-Based Travel Experience. 
    • Private Touring: Enjoy a Travel Experience where you control the guest list.

    What type of travel fits your lifestyle?

    What Will I See on my Tour of Classical Greece and its Islands

    Greece is a gorgeous island rich with history. And although it’s not a big country (about the size of Florida) one thing to keep in mind is that 80% of the country is covered with mountains. 

    And that means hills and stairs to climb. But the sights you get in return are well worth the effort.

    We started in Athen’s before heading to Delphi and seeing the ancient ruins of the Acropolis in person will leave you speechless.

    stairs leading up to the Parthenon with tourists on the stairs
    Acropolis

    To think of all the great minds that walked those stairs before you. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all called Athens home.

    Octopus Salad on a blue plate in Athens, Greece
    Octopus Salad

    But we also had time to sample the local cuisine on a food tour of Athens. This Octopus Salad was ah-mazing, and although I’ve never been a big fan of octopus, this dish began changing my mind about one of the Mediterranean’s favorite seafood.

    From Athens head north to Thermopylae, Metéora, and Kalambaka 

    statue of a Spartan at Thermopylae
    King Leonidas

    Thermopylae was made famous by King Leonidas of Sparta, where his band of 300 Spartans and other Greek soldiers held off a Persian Army of 150,000+ for seven days, before being betrayed by a fellow countryman and slaughtered in an epic last stand.

    view of the rock formations of Meteora, Greece
    Meteora

    Metéora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the next stop on our tour of Greece. These colossal rock pillars began their formation more than 60 million years ago through a series of earth movements, water, wind, and extreme shifts in temperature. 

    Until the seventeenth century, the primary means of moving goods and people up the pillars was utilizing baskets and ropes, which I’m sure required a good deal of faith.

    In the 1920′ steps were cut into the rock making the complex more accessible via a bridge from a nearby plateau.

    view of Monastery buidings in Meteora with Orthodox Monk walking
    Monastery on Meteora

    “The first monks of Meteora arrived as early as the 9th century establishing an entire monastic community of 24 Monasteries on top of the giant cliffs, by the end of the 14th Century. They chose to do this not because it was easy but because it was hard, almost impossible. And they succeeded in this great achievement through their faith.”

    ruins of the oracle of Delphi in Greece
    Oracle of Delphi

    After our adventure in Meteora, we moved on to Delphi, where the Oracle foretold the future of Man. What secrets did the oracle foresee? Do you think she saw the state of the world we now live in?

    View from the top of Mount Parnassus at Delphi, Greece
    Sanctuary of Apollo

    This view from the top of  Mount Parnassus was spectacular. This was after consulting the Oracle at Delphi, where I was told I must visit the Sanctuary of Apollo at the top. Who was I to argue?

    woman holding a pink scarf in a running position at the original olympic stadium in Greece
    1st Olympic Stadium

    The Greeks have given us many things. Mathematics, medicine, philosophy, democracy, and the Olympics. And a trip to Greece wouldn’t be complete without visiting the site of the original Olympics

    pathway with columns in ruins in Oylmpia Greece
    Olympia

    The ancient Games were staged in Olympia, Greece, from 776 BC through 393 AD. Their return wouldn’t happen for 1500 years when the first modern Olympics were held in 1896. Can you imagine the athletes that walked these paths?

    Mycenae 

    view of the blue waters of the Argolic Gulf
    Argolic Gulf in Nafplio

    Greece may not be a big country, but what it lacks in size it makes up in the diversity of the landscape. On our tour, one of my favorite towns we visited was Nafplio. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the area of Argolis (eastern Peloponnese).

    Lisa at the sliding glass doors overlooking the argolic gulf
    Nafplio

    When your hotel room has a view like this, it makes your stay even more memorable.

    Chef Dennis at cooking class in Nafplio
    Chef Dennis at work

    We had a cooking class in Nafplio, and they even got me involved in preparing one of the dishes. The cooking class was a lot of fun, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch after class.

    The extra special touches like the cooking class are what makes Collette Tours shine.

    Chef and owner at the Stables Restaurant in Nafplio holding sides of Lamb
    Special of the day in Napflio

    Dinner in Napflio was a special occasion. We met up with long-time blogging friends and let them pick our dining spot and ended up at a local restaurant whose name translates to The Stables. 

    When I asked the owner what the special was he, and the chef brought out sides of meat which the chef said was Ewe (female sheep).

    grilled lamb on a plate with french fries
    Grilled Lamb

    And it was spectacular! It was definitely the best-grilled lamb I had in Greece!

    Ferry from port of Athens to Mykonos
    Ferry to Mykonos

    After our stay in Nafplio, we were off to discover the islands of Greece. That meant taking a ferry from the port of Athens to our fist stop Mykonos. It was a beautiful morning to be out to sea.

    Collete tour group on the beach in Mykonos, Greece
    Tour of Mykonos

    When we arrived in Mykonos, we were taken to our hotel and then taken on a brief tour of the island.

    Mykonos is a magical destination, and my favorite of the two islands we got to see. The water was beautiful and was a serene background for this idyllic Greek town. Having our own tour guide helped us see more of this beautiful country. 

    Our tour manager Artemis (daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo) was always there to make sure we had everything we needed to make our trip as enjoyable as possible. 

    Whole cooked sea bass on a white plate garnished with lemon and greens
    Sea Bass

    When you’re on an island, fresh seafood is most definitely the way to go. This perfectly cooked sea bass is one example of the seafood we enjoyed on Mykonos.

    Maitre d' deboning sea bass
    Maitre d’ deboning sea bass

    It’s all about service when you visit Greece. And our stay at the San Marco Luxury Hotel & Villas was a prime example of just how good service can be at a Greek hotel.

    Chef Dennis sitting at a small table on a side street in Mykonos
    Chef Dennis in Mykonos

    We had a good deal of free time on Mykonos, and we took advantage of the hotel’s free shuttle to get back and forth to town. Lunch at a small cafe off the tourist path was a delightful way to spend some time relaxing and catching up on emails.

    3 of the Windmills of Mykonos with a clear blue sky
    Windmills of Mykonos

    The iconic Windmills of Mykonos were built by the Venetians in the 16th century and were primarily used to mill wheat up until the middle of the 20th century.

    A group of people standing on top of a sandy beach next to boats in front of a white washed building with a blue dome
    Mykonos

    Everywhere you turn in Mykonos is a picture ready to be taken. Postcard-perfect scenery that will make memories to last a lifetime.

    buildings in Oia on Santorini
    Oia on Santorini

    After a few days enjoying the peaceful, beautiful island of Mykonos, we took another ferry to Santorini. Our first stop was Oia, a coastal town on the northwestern tip of Santorini.

    blue domes and white washed buildings on a hillside next to the sea in Oia, Mykonos
    Blue Domes of Santorini

    When you visit Santorini, it’s easy to see why the Blue Church Domes of Oia are found in every advertisement for Greece. Among the white-washed houses of the island, these blue domes stand out like jewels along the landscape.

    catamaran in the Aegean sea by shoreline
    Catamaran Cruise

    If you’re looking for a memorable experience while in Santorini, I would suggest taking a catamaran cruise around the island. This cruise is a great way to see more of the landscape of Santorini and enjoy a fantastic afternoon or evening at sea.

    white platters of grilled shrimp, pasta with sauce and bread
    Catamaran Cruise Lunch

    The cruise Include a delicious meal, grilled on board with unlimited beverages of your choice. 

    swimmers in the Aegean sea with Lisa watching from the boat
    swimming in the Aegean sea

    The catamarans provide towels, noodles, life vests, snorkeling gear and even has wifi onboard so you can share your pictures on the cruise. This was one of the highlights of our stay on Santorini, and I highly recommend having your hotel arrange the cruise for you.

    pool and white washed buildings at El Greco Hotel on Santorini
    El Greco Hotel

    While on Santorini we stayed at El Greco Hotel and couldn’t have been happier. The property was gorgeous, and our suite spacious and close to the pool and restaurant.

    Shrimp and Pasta in a white bowl
    Shrimp and Pasta

    And speaking of the El Greco restaurant, their talented chef created delicious dishes expertly presented. A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach!

    bottle of Volkan Black beer next to full mug of beer
    Volkan Black Beer

    I do love trying the local beers when we travel. Volkan Beer is made with lava rock filtered mineral water and the best of local ingredients. Only rare Santorini grape honey and ancient Kitron citrus medica essence from Naxos are used in the brewing of Volkan beer.

    Volkan makes four varieties of beer; Blonde, Black, Grey and White. During our stay, I stayed with the black, loving the color and flavor of the dark brew.

    Chef Dennis and Lisa at the bottom of stairs leading to a restaurant in Athens
    Chef Dennis and Lisa

    After a fantastic stay in Santorini we had a short flight back to Athens for one more night before our return home. We had time to explore the area around our hotel and found a quaint little restaurant at the top of the stairs pictured, where we enjoyed a delightful lunch.

    Wouldn’t you like to discover Greece and its Islands? Let Collette Travel make your dream vacation a reality. If you’re like me, you’ll how easy guided travel can be and how much more you can see and do when your travel plans have been thoughtfully crafted by professionals.

    If you love to travel check out these posts:

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz Cochico

      September 27, 2019 at 1:58 am

      I like taking guided tours because you get to learn a lot about the place. I wish I could visit Greece one day.

      Reply
    2. Amy H

      September 26, 2019 at 9:48 pm

      One of my Best friends (I refer to him as my twin) is Greek – He would tell me all about Greece, and One day I hope that I could travel there! All that food looks amazing.

      Reply
    3. rika

      September 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      I have never been there! I love traveling and Greece is on my list! It sounds like you had a wonderful experience!

      Reply
    4. Monica Y

      September 26, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      Greece is on my travel bucket list, I really would love to travel there and experience everything here, so amazing

      Reply
    5. Lynndee

      September 26, 2019 at 8:46 am

      Ahh, I certainly would love to explore Greece someday. The closest we got to Greece was when we visited Nashville because of their replica of the Parthenon. 🙂

      Reply
    6. Lisa Favre

      September 26, 2019 at 8:42 am

      A friend of mine moved to Greece 4 years ago and she’s absolutely loving it. I’d love to visit Athens! I’d love to do a mix of a guided tour and stay at her place.

      Reply
    7. Tasheena

      September 26, 2019 at 5:54 am

      I’ve always wanted to visit Greece. This looks like such a wonderful experience. I would love to take a guided tour.

      Reply
    8. Ruth I

      September 26, 2019 at 3:03 am

      SPARTANS!! No just kidding, I love that movie. Looks like you had a fantastic experience. The food, views and the people seems really nice.

      Reply
    9. Kita Roberts

      September 26, 2019 at 2:25 am

      Wow! Greece is such a beautiful place to visit! Not to mention all the stunning views they have and the delicious food they serve!

      Reply
    10. Terri Steffes

      September 25, 2019 at 10:30 pm

      Greece is number one on my list to travel to. I have it on my list for the same reasons as you: I got hooked on mythology in high school and read everything I could on Greece. I just got back from Tangier, where I got to see the cave where Hercules rested after his 11th labor. This is where he tricked Atlas into taking back the world. I was in heaven. It is a gorgeous spot, and I know Greece is full of this kind of story. I enjoyed seeing your photos.

      Reply
    11. Pam

      September 25, 2019 at 10:13 pm

      I have always wanted to visit Greece. Your post and all these pictures are just making me want to go more.

      Reply
    12. Agnes Dela Cruz

      September 25, 2019 at 10:06 pm

      What a great place to travel, to discover the people, food and the tradition! I will have this on my bucketlist.

      Reply
    13. Beth

      September 25, 2019 at 9:39 pm

      What a wonderful trip! It looks like you and Lisa had beautiful weather and a lot of fun! I went to Greece when I was about 9 years old and have always hoped to go back. I think we drank from a fountain that was supposed to guarantee a return visit, but so far, no luck. It was fun to see some of the same landmarks again on your blog. I remember racing some of the other people in our tour group at the Olympic stadium.

      Reply
    14. Sue Reddel

      September 25, 2019 at 6:58 pm

      Wow!! You sure covered a lot of territory on your trip to Greece. Collette really does such a wonderful job with all their tours.

      Reply
    15. cait

      September 25, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      i have always wantd to visit Greece and your pictures im sure dont do it justice- thanks for putting such great tours and places to visit on here!

      Reply
    16. Sophie Gillum-Webb

      September 25, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      I really love Greece. It is such a beautiful and family friendly place to visit!

      Reply
    17. Alli Smith

      September 25, 2019 at 9:50 am

      Greece is certainly a dream trip on my bucket list! I’d love to visit Santorini and see all the famous blue-domed churches. I love all your photos and the food looks amazing.

      Reply
    18. Amber Myers

      September 25, 2019 at 8:26 am

      Yes! I need to get to Greece one day. I love your photos. I hope I can make it at some point. It’s gorgeous there.

      Reply
    19. Denise

      September 25, 2019 at 8:19 am

      I have never been to Greece, but it looks so beautiful from the pictures that you have taken. I love all the different areas and seeing the blue water.

      Reply

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