TravElle Worldwide strives to provide personalized and unique experiences for our clients. Before establishing our official business, we provided services to a select group of clientele with tailored itineraries. One such trip was planned for a group of retired friends with travel in early 2019. Our lead traveler has kindly allowed us to interview her regarding her experience. Please welcome, Cheri! Let's dive right in and hear all about the incredible journey to Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete!
TravElle: Tell us, what inspired you to choose Greece as your travel destination?
Cheri: Well, my group of friends and I wanted to visit a place that was warm, beautiful, and somewhere in the world that none of us had visited. Although some of my friends are veteran travelers, Greece had yet to be explored. For me, I was new to traveling abroad (outside of cruising from U.S. ports) and I loved the idea of seeing the picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches. Greece isn't just a postcard backdrop, but it also has a rich culture and deep rooted history. What better way to connect to the foundation of Western Civilization by experiencing the country's ancient ruins and iconic landmarks like the Acropolis or Delos.
TravElle: Wow! That sounds absolutely amazing! What was the process like in booking your trip and deciding on which islands to visit or extra activities to complete?
Cheri: Our group totaled 6 ladies and we had a variety of backgrounds represented with retired nurses, teachers, and other business professionals. With that said, we voted on the country to visit and Greece easily won. Then we provided our travel organizer with our likes, dislikes, and travel styles. We gave her time to research some options for us and she took the time to get to know our personalities, which I think helped her to make excellent recommendations. I hosted a dinner party at my home where the travel organizer curated an All-Greek dinner/booking party for the group. She brought bottles of wine imported from the Greek islands in our selected itinerary, we had Greek appetizers, and even took a group photo in front of an Acropolis backdrop. Our travel organizer presented various activities for each day of our trip (multiple options per day) with varying difficulty levels. We voted on our favorites, which really curated a special trip just for us! By the end of the night, we had every aspect of our trip selected and booked with confirmation numbers in hand. She even created travel document books for us and ensured we had registered our travel with the State Department's STEP website. The difficult part was simply being patient enough to wait for our trip departure date to finally arrive.
TravElle: What a fun idea to plan and book your trip together. Waiting definitely can be one of the hardest parts when planning a trip for me. Once you arrived, what were some of the highlights of your trip?
Cheri: Oh, where do I even begin? Athens was a treasure trove of history. Exploring the Acropolis and witnessing the Parthenon up close was a surreal experience. We saw the first Olympic stadium, what remains of the ancient Temple of Zeus, and watched the most gorgeous sunset at the Temple of Poseidon looking over the Aegean Sea. In Mykonos, we fell in love with the charming narrow streets, iconic windmills, leisurely shopped, and visited the ancient island of Delos with an archeologist. Santorini's breathtaking views were unforgettable. Cliffs with white buildings and blue dome churches left us in awe. And Crete, the largest Greek island, offered a perfect blend of stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and delicious local cuisine.
TravElle: It sounds like you had an incredible time! Were there any unexpected surprises or memorable encounters during your trip?
Cheri: Absolutely! One of the most memorable encounters was touring Crete. Most people you talk to have heard all about Santorini and Mykonos, but maybe are not as familiar with Crete. We met locals on our private excursions in Crete, which really helped elevate our experience and gave us a better appreciation of true Greek culture. We visited a local mountain cheese farm, spent the day with a father-daughter duo touring several small towns, we met a variety of shop owners, tasted local herbs and olives, and sampled raki. We even had a private family-style dinner provided by a local restaurant just before we napped the afternoon away on an almost empty beach.
TravElle: That's fantastic! Now, what advice would you give to others planning a similar trip to Greece?
Cheri: Firstly, make sure to plan enough time to explore each destination thoroughly. Each place has its own unique charm and deserves to be savored. Secondly, don't be afraid to venture off the beaten path with your guide and discover local hidden gems. Thirdly, immerse yourself in the local culture, try the traditional cuisine, and interact with friendly locals. It truly enhances the overall experience. Lastly, don't overpack! I can't stress this enough. When you are island hopping in Greece, you most likely will be navigating on a ferry. Our transfers to and from the ports were taken care of, but if you overpack, it can be tiring carting your multiple bags on and off the ferry where you will have to walk on uneven or dirt pathways. Less is more. With having been my very first trip overseas, I learned that lesson by over packing myself. Since this first trip, I'm happy to report I get by mostly with a personal item and a carry-on these days.
TravElle: Wonderful advice! Any final thoughts or favorite memories you would like to share?
Cheri: We felt incredibly blessed to have had this opportunity to explore Greece's beauty and immerse ourselves in its rich history. From the awe-inspiring ancient ruins to the picturesque islands, every moment was a dream come true. We created memories that will last a lifetime! What an adventure!
TravElle: Thank you so much for sharing your incredible journey with us! Your trip to Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete sounds like an absolute dream. We can't wait to see where your next adventure takes you! As Aristotle simply stated, "Adventure is worthwhile."