The Mistakes

#1: About the Islands

Most visitors probably don’t realize that nearby, amazing, authentic islands are accessible on a simple day trip. Aegina Island is the “pistachio” island as far as Greeks are concerned, but it does have a lot more to offer than ice cream and so many other pistachio-paste delicacies.

Then, we continue to the serious stuff!

Hydra Island

The hiding place of the rich and famous in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, …and now! No cars … no wheels! Visit Hydra!

#2: Athens is not a great base to use for exploring!

Visit the Acropolis and the rest of the main sites and leave! One full day and 2 nights will be fine… unless you have your reasons! Head for the touristy islands if you have to! Or …

Head to the Peloponnese

The Mythical Peloponnese!

#3: Visit the Acropolis at midday?

It’s all about suffering! Heat and the Greek sun!

The less painful way is to visit the Acropolis early in the morning. Get into the site at 8-8:30 am before the cruise people arrive at 9ish! The late afternoon can also be nice.

Athens heat is not joking. People forget hats, water, sunscreen, or plan nonstop walking. Locals slow down for a reason—copy them.

#4: Eating at tourist-trap restaurants near major sights!

Menus with photos, flags, and someone aggressively inviting you in? Run.

Walk a few blocks away, and suddenly the food is better and cheaper. Better? Wait until you are out of Athens. Even better – as already suggested with #2 – leave the big city asap!

#5: Choosing the wrong travel agent!

Meaning, allowing your travel agent back home to book a few days or more in Athens, then 4 days in Mykonos, and finally 4 days in Santorini! This isn’t the Stone Age! Google! Research! It’s all there waiting for you to cross-check and decide for yourselves.

Least worst scenario? Your agent is getting you on board the cruise ship for the touristy, lazy, perfect holiday!

If you want to explore the whole of “real” Greece, check the 15-Day Greek Odyssey!

#6: Ignoring the pickpocket risk

Greece (and even Athens) is very safe, but crowded areas, the metro, wherever it’s shoulder-to-shoulder, and the changing of the guard are prime pickpocket zones.

Keep bags zipped and phones secure. It’s like the rest of the world and the big faceless cities! Pre-agree (approximate) pricing when hailing a cab!

#7: Rushing meals

Greek dining is slow and social. Tourists get impatient waiting for the check or food.

Relax—no one’s in a hurry. Coffee isn’t grab-and-go here—it’s an event. Tourists rush through it and miss one of the best parts of daily life. Ask for the check 30 minutes before the time you plan to go 🙂

#8: Assuming Greece is “just ancient ruins.”

It’s an amazing landscape! Mountains and limitless coastline! People and villages (the best). Food and drink. Wineries and wine tasting. It’s about emotions if you play your cards right and visit the right places. It’s also about food & drink!

Have you ever had dinner by the water in the middle of summer (heat), among locals (not just tourists), and felt the unique summer vibe without the heat bothering you? High season, extremely busy, but still amazing!

The 10 Surprising Facts

[1] Greece is made up of thousands of islands: You’ve probably heard of Santorini, Mykonos and Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, bla, bla, … But did you know that Greece is made up of thousands of beautiful and way more authentic islands? Just to name a few: Hydra Island, Amorgos, Skiathos/Skopelos/Alonissos, Koufonisia, Kefalonia, … ! It is estimated that Greece is home to up to 6,000 islands and islets, with only around 200 of them being inhabited. Did you know that you are better off staying with mainland Greece? It’s just like the islands, but “real Greece” and not “made for tourists”!

[2] Greece has 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

[3] 80% of Greece is made up of mountains. There are over 20 ski resorts on the mainland part of Greece.

[4] No part of Greece is more than 137 kilometres away from the ocean (Aegean or Ionian Sea).

[5] The capital of Greece is named after the goddess Athena. The name of the city is Athina, not Athens (the Goddess of wisdom and warfare).

[6] Greece is the fifth largest producer of olives: The country has over 120 million olive trees and produces 1.2 million metric tons of olive oil every year. That makes it the fifth largest producer of olive oil in the world, after Spain, Italy, Morocco, and Turkey, and may be the number one producer if you take into account the much smaller size of the country compared to the other four.

[7] It’s one of the sunniest places in the whole world [250 sunny days – or 3,000 hours of sunshine – each year]

[8] There are more archaeological museums in Greece than in any other country [more than 110].

[9] Greek is one of the oldest languages still in use.

[10] Just like Athens, which is Athina for the Greeks, Greece’s official name is the Hellenic Republic. Greeks are known as Hellenes, and they call their country Hellas, an ancient Greek word.

All you need is online, waiting for you to “filter” it and get the best plan!