Today we flew from Athens to Heraklion, the capital of the island of Crete. We arrived at the start of Oxi Day which is a celebration of the day in 1940 when Greece refused to allow Italy to occupy it during World War II. Italy then tried to invade Greece and was repelled, leading Germany to invade Greece. We got to see young people gather to participate in the annual parade which is part of the festival. We then went to the Heraklion Archeological Museum. The artifacts date back to the Bronze age, around 2000 BC. That's over 4,000 years ago. It's a vast collection that shows the history and culture of the period. The disc in the photos is the Phaistos Disc. It is 6 inches in diameter and contains an unknown script and language and its purpose is disputed.

Oxi Day is a day of remembrance and national pride in Greece. The celebrations are familiar to anyone who has spent time here on 28 October, but until this visit, I'd only imagined what happened through the pages of history books.

During a stay in Ioannina, my dear friends Epirus-traveller took me to Kalpaki, a beautiful spot in the Epirus landscape that you could easily drive through without realising the significance of what happened here.

On 28 October 1940, Mussolini demanded that Greece surrender to Italian forces. Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas refused. His answer became known as Oxi, meaning No, and Greece was at war.

Italian troops crossed from Albania that morning, advancing through Epirus towards Ioannina. Greek forces took up defensive positions around Kalpaki and the Kalamas River, where the main Italian assault began on 2 November.

For six days, Greek soldiers held their ground against infantry, artillery, aircraft and tanks, preventing the Italians from breaking through. By 8 November, the offensive had failed. On 14 November, the Greeks launched a counter-offensive, driving the Italians back into Albania.

Greece had achieved something remarkable. A small nation had stood up to the Axis powers and shown that they could be defeated. Its resistance boosted Allied morale and challenged the image of Axis invincibility.

Standing at the Monument to the Greek Soldier, looking out over the peaceful rural landscape, it's hard to imagine the fighting and suffering that took place here, all within my parents' lifetime.

On this day, every year, Greece remembers. And the rest of us say thank you.

We spent our first 4 nights in Andros during our 2 week trip to Greece this month. It was extremely windy and the water very choppy, but the weather was otherwise pleasant. We stayed in Chora, where there were only a handful of tourists around. Most of the activity in town was locals. Our hotel was Camara Suites (not to be confused with Camara homes), which I highly recommend.

Many restaurants were closed for the season, but there were enough open for us to enjoy. We got dinner in Batsi one night, which was completely dead. The restaurant we had hoped to try (Pomelo) was closed for the season, so we went elsewhere. Chora had much more life. We enjoyed Ta Skalakia, where we ate on our first and last nights. We loved the sweets at Laskari's Pastry (kalsounia and amygdalota) and brought some home with us. Our favourite morning coffee spot was Biriki.

Daytrips/sightseeing included: Andros Archeological Museum, Batsi, Panachrantou monastery, Episkopio village and The Bridge of Love, Tis Grias to Pidima beach, ancient Ypsili, the Paleopolis hike, and Menites village springs. We spent lots of time wandering around Chora and taking pictures of the lighthouse and castle ruins. We had a rental car and had fun driving around the island.

We loved Andros and hope to return. Staying in Chora was the right choice for a less-traveled island in the off-season. It was peaceful, but there were many locals around and it still felt alive. On a return trip, we will probably go closer to peak season so we can try some of the restaurants we missed out on.

I highly recommend Andros if you want to visit somewhere beautiful, but a little more peaceful.

Updated Itinerary for my first ever trip to Greece in September! I’m worried I am planning to do too much, however, I am already planning another trip back to other parts of the country. This itinerary is not including my travel days to/from the US, and am limiting it to Athens/Naxos.

Disclaimer: I am a huge lover of history, mythology, and archaeology, and like to keep myself busy with sightseeing etc. in general more than being on the beach for hours (don’t get me wrong, I enjoy that too, but I blame my ADHD lol)

Athens 9/10-9/14
9/10 - first full day in Athens, lodging is in Monastiriki. Explore the markets, eat, etc.
9/11-9/13 - 3 separate days for the following: Acropolis/museums, day trip to Delphi, day trip to Mycenae. Acropolis day most likely in between the two days with all the driving
9/14 - flight to Naxos

Naxos 9/14-9/18
9/14 - relax, explore Chora, Portara
9/15 - trip to Delos (will most likely include Mykonos due to ferry schedule, but really want to just see Delos)
9/16 - beach/relax
9/17 - trip to Mt. Zas
9/18 - flight back to Athens, most likely will stay close to airport for flight home next day. Looking into staying in Porto Rafti and maybe hitting Temple of Poseidon on the last day

I do want to go back again, hopefully 2028, for Crete and Kefalonia next. Thinking on future trips I would spend less time in Athens and not necessarily revisiting the locations in this upcoming trip

Long story short, was on my honeymoon. Was on Paros during our last night. Unexpectedly our Ferry was cancelled. Had to book a last minute flight back to Athens to get to Milos through Sky Express. Our connecting flight from Athens to Milos was then cancelled. Went to sky express booth in Athens airport was given an email to reach out to for reimbursement for hotel, food, transportation etc.

Shocker, this company doesn’t fuckin respond. I disputed everything off my card for that whole experience from them. Don’t take sky express. Thanks for the $600 back in my pocket!

I’m going to be visiting Athens with my mother in November, and I am beyond excited! We have been wanting to go for years, and have finally saved up enough to take this trip!

I’m going to learn some basic Greek of course, however is there anything else I should keep in mind?

The lighting during our visit to Delphi provided dramatic landscape views. The ruins are incredible and leave you amazed at how a steep mountainside could be turned into a vast place of great architecture and beauty. Kerameikos was also a worthy stop.

hi everyone! as the title says i will be visiting greece for the very first time in january!

i would love to hear about things that people love to do, touristy or not. i’m looking restaurants, lunch spots, casual hanging out spots, shopping, hikes and other adventurous things!

i would greatly appreciate any help and am so excited to experience culture i’ve always been in love with :)

for more context im going the week of jan 13 (landing) to the 20th (departing)

We visited Agios Nikitas during our last trip to Lefkada, and it was honestly one of the most beautiful little beaches we saw on the island. ❤️

Crystal-clear water, colourful houses and such a lovely little village right by the sea.

Have you been to Agios Nikitas? 🇬🇷

So I'm looking for the most beautiful views in mainland Greece during december. Meteora is my first guess, because when I saw it for the first time it took my breath away. But thats maybe everyones first guess.

Share your favorite location during mid december. We are ready for some small hiking if its in the nature, or maybe a beach?

Here's a photo of what kind of sight im looking for: (location: Agiannakis Beach - Παραλία Αγιαννάκη, its beautiful but please be careful in the turtle nesting season)

I'm looking at a couple of potentially nice accommodation for next year's summer vacation. I know it's too early, but there are a few that add a single day to the booking calendar every day, and currently I could book them for example until mid January. So if I wanted to travel in September I'd still have to wait 8 months, upon when I won't get good flights anymore. I asked whether I could book now already of course, but no: I need to wait. Are those places only open to locals, owners not wanting to plan too far ahead or another reason? Never seen this anywhere, and now I see several of those in Greece.

My route is Nafplio (4nights), Galaxidi (1-2?), Meteora (2), Athens (4)

Originally I was thinking of doing 1 night in Galaxidi and 1 in Arachova (after visiting Delphi), but now I’m thinking it might be nice to not have to switch hotels and drive back to Galaxidi instead after visiting Delphi for the day, then continue on to Meteora the next morning. The hotel I’m interested in in Galaxidi is also cheaper than the one I’m interested in in Arachova.

Would going back to Galaxidi after visiting Delphi and then continuing on to Meteora the next morning significantly increase my driving time in the “scary” mountain sections, or be relatively the same?

Today we visited the archeological site of Olympia where the first Olympics were held in 776 BC. The ruins and setting were stunning. We then traveled to Delphi and stopped at the quaint seaside village of Nafpaktos which has an iron and bronze sculpture of Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes who fought as a young Spanish soldier in the historic Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Tomorrow, Delphi.

Hi! My 2 friends and I have a wedding on Corfu in August. We have to fly from the US so flying into Athens makes the most sense.

I was thinking a few days in Athens, fly to Corfu, and do the Albanian riviera, and then end with the wedding activities.

Any advice on how long and what to do on the Albanian Rivera? I was thinking 2days/1 night.

Possible itinerary:
8/20-8/23 Athens
8/24 fly to Corfu
8/25-8/26 Albania
8/27-8/29 wedding activities on Corfu
8/30 fly back to USA from Athens

Does the above look decent? I know my friends might want to see other islands I just don’t see how that’s possible if we need to fly to Corfu.

Hi, all, this group is great. Quick question: I am taking a KTEL bus from the Thessaloniki Macedonia station to the Volos station, arriving 30 minutes before the ferry leaves (we arrive at 1:30pm, the ferry leaves at 2pm). I have never been to the Volos station and I really don't want to miss my ferry in November in Greece, right? Right. You get it. Do you think that 30 minutes is cutting it too close? I'm used to cutting it close on small islands because it's what's appropriate (no need to be there earlier), but I haven't done this exchange in Volos before. Any insights are welcome!

I’m looking for recommendations on the best universal travel adapter to take to Greece. I want to make sure it’s safe to use with my hair straightener and blow dryer without damaging either appliance. Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable adapter or voltage converter?

Γεια σε όλους!

I live in Germany now and struggle deeply with the winter. At the end of winter, around February, I try to visit a warmer place to have something to look forward to. I've been a fan of the Greek language and culture for a while now, so I was wondering if Greece around this time is worth it. If you were to choose the warmest place in Greece to visit during February, where would it be?

Oh, and I'm also a solo traveller, in case that helps :D.

Ευχαριστώ!

We left Athens and traveled toward Olympia which we will visit tomorrow. These are the place we stopped at along the way. My favorite was the photogenic cat at the Acropolis.

Hey everyone! I've been to Greece a few times and absolutely loved it, my partner is desperate to go so I'm booking him a surprise holiday for his 30th birthday. My issue is: I've been looking for an all inclusive, luxury resort, but I want it to be somewhere central where we don't have to travel for ages to explore and experience Greece in all its beauty, and that just doesn't seem to exist?! I'm super happy to go half-board, but I need recommendations for beautiful, luxury hotels, near the beach and central to lots of places to travel! Can anyone recommend any please? His birthday is this weekend and I kid you not I've been trailing through holiday websites for like 2 straight weeks and I'm starting to run out of time 😭

Hello! Any suggestions for dinner reservations in Athens for the holidays. Also, advice or suggestions on attending religious services for the cultural experience (as a non practitioner?) The Greek Orthodox churches are so interesting. In US we sometimes attend midnight Xmas Eve services. Will there be similar in Athens?

For those who have never visited Pozar Thermal Baths but they are in the mainland and look for a picturesque, close to Thessaloniki destination, relaxing place, with amazing views and chill vibe, make sure to visit!

Pozar thermal baths are located close to Aridaia and Orma and it’s the perfect place for a relaxing spa day with a very good price, amazing views and a spot to make beautiful pictures!

FYI: sometimes it can get really crowded since the pools are limited in space!

Hi, we are a family of three, we will visit Rodos in the beginning of November (coming from Marmaris by ferry). We were thinking on staying in one of the bigger hotels in Ixia or Ialysos (haven't booked anything yet). We have some questions for more experienced travellers.

We opted for Ixia or Ialysos because of the proximity to the city of Rodos and because it is on the west coast (watching sunsets from the hotel balcony or from the beach). Also we lean towards bigger hotels to keep us occupied, since we imagine swimming in pools or in the sea is no longer possible? We will rent a car and drive around a bit.

What do you think? Are other areas on Rodos nicer? Are those big hotels just ghost towns now or are there some visitors still?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!