The Greek Islands
Greece
I have to confess up front that I am no expert on the Greek Islands. Greece has something like 6000 islands - I've been to two. I added it to our "100 Places" list because regardless of which island or islands you visit, it's an exotic and unique location that will leave an impression.
The pictures with Branelle or myself in them are all from Mykonos. Where you go depends on what kind of trip you want. Mykonos is known for having great beaches and even greater nightlife, like Club Ramrod. If you want luxury, go to Rhodes or Santorini. Every island is supposed to be unique. I'll take their word for it, but keep in mind that when you go matters as well. That nightlife Mykonos is famous for in the summer will be non-existent during the off-season.
One thing you can count on to be consistent from island to island are the souvenir shops. Greeks love to sell you something 'Greek', even if it's made in China.
The towns are interesting and where 95% of tourists will stay. Don't discount getting out to see the island on your own. Most islands are sparse but beautiful in their own way.
I was kind of bored to be honest in Mykonos and then we ran into our new friends Wes and Tam who suggested renting a car. It sounded like a great idea to us so we walked up to the nearest rental place and headed out of town.
We got this little Saffron Orange Fiat Panda - or the 'Fanda' as Nel liked to call it. Terrible car, but perfect for the tiny little walled roads of Mykonos. We cruised around the island checking out all kinds of places.
Sometimes simple stops like this little local eatery can be fun. Greek food is very Mediterranean - lots of meats, cheeses, breads and fruits. If you're a picky eater like me, you won't have trouble finding things to eat here.
This little basement bakery in Hora still uses the same wood oven they have for hundreds of years.
I'll warn you that roads in Greece are really suggestions. Some are extremely narrow and few are marked. Navigation can be tricky. Still, it's always fun to drive around in other countries.
When people think of Greek Islands, they imagine beaches like this. It's true, there are lots of beautiful beaches on most of the main tourist islands. That said, I'll restate something I say from time to time. If you're American and you're going anywhere in the Mediterranean just for the beaches, don't waste your time or money. I've been all over the world and the best water and beaches are right here in the Caribbean. It's cheaper and easier to get to as well. Go to Cayman of you want to swim. Go to Greece to go to Greece!
The biggest problem with the Med is it's just too cold most of the time. This was in September and it should have been warm, but even my wife who's from Minnesota where they swim in ice water in August and seem happy about it thought it was too cold.
Dinner in Hora - The menus will include lots of fish, but as I stated before you won't have trouble finding something you like even if you're a picky eater.
The Greek Islands are a tricky spot for me. I like to go places off-season to avoid crowds, but you really need to visit the islands here during the summer to get the full experience.
I can't really tell you which islands to visit, but I can tell you to visit some. I think my favorite way to see the Greek Islands would be hopping around on a sailboat for about a month. I think probably the next best way would be on a cruise ship. I'm not sure I would recommend just flying in as a destination and staying somewhere. I'm sure that would be fun too, but I can think of better places to do that.
Go to the Greek Islands at some point in your life because, well, they're the Greek Islands! It's not the cultural or historical trip that Athens, for example, would be, but it's iconic and unique. I'd go back and visit more islands at some point if Nel wants to. Only 5998 to go.
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