Traveling is one of our greatest passions, a way of life that can’t be denied. And since 2014 brought with it a break from our current lives, we took it as an omen to explore the world. It was without hesitation that we decided on Greece as our first destination abroad. Greece was a particularly special location for us – we were Humanities (an academic discipline that studies human societies and cultures) majors in college and one of the primary countries we studied was Greece. And so it was with a great deal of excitement that we set out to explore the land that we had learned about for so long.
We resolved to enjoy the islands of Greece in the Mediterranean first, wanting to relax a bit before really diving into the vast history of this ancient land. This brought us to the fantastic islands of Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete. Although we only allowed ourselves a few days in each place, these islands in particular (and Greece in general) left a lasting impression that will stay with us forever.
Always ready to have fun, the Greeks love to celebrate life. They’re polite, hospitable, generous and we found ourselves feeling both welcome and at peace. They also truly care for the well-being of others. A prime example of this is the fact that emergency health care in all of Greece is available free of charge to anyone, no matter their origin. We were extremely grateful for this, having to utilize their facilities almost immediately upon arriving in Mykonos. Not only were they respectful, they were incredibly efficient and we found ourselves wishing that the American health system was similar.
Most of Mykonos had a distinct desert feel about it, especially since we had opted to stay in the heart of the island. However, when we ventured to the coastal town, we came to see something that is altogether Greek: winding paths, white stucco buildings, calm people (both locals and tourists alike), and a tranquil ocean surrounded by inviting beaches.
Our favorite part of Mykonos was traveling to nearby Delos, a small island located in the Aegean Sea. Said to be the birthplace of Apollo (the mythological Greek god of music, truth, prophecy, and healing just to name a few), Delos was a vitally important religious hub and is now comprised of ruins that had at one time been Doric temples, an amphitheater, as well as local houses and markets. We trekked all around the area for hours, admiring the majesty that still remained. Little did we know that this feeling of admiration would become the hallmark for much of our time in Greece.
It was also in Mykonos that we had our first experience of authentic Greek food. Aware of the language barrier, the restaurant we chose cleverly used pictures to demonstrate the fare on their menu. As such, we pointed out a few things that looked promising. To this day, we’re not sure exactly what we ate but it was all absolutely wonderful! Since that first time, we’ve learned the names of our favorite Greek dishes: primarily gyros with the utterly yummy tzatziki sauce, Greek salads, moussaka, and the delightful desert known as baklava.
Our next stop was Santorini. Idyllic and iconic are probably the best terms with which to describe this beautiful island. For our 27th birthday, we journeyed to Oia. The bus ride alone was an adventure! Although we arrived in a somewhat harried state, the scenery that met our eyes more than made up for the fact the bus driver could not drive. Laid out on various descending levels covering the entire cliffside, Oia has white stucco buildings capped with blue roofs that overlook the crystal blue waters of the sea. It was here that we enjoyed our birthday dinner, taking in the setting sun that splashed vivid shades of sunflower yellows, carrot oranges, seashell pinks, amethyst purples, and soft violet blues across the sky. Needless to say, it was aesthetically pleasing to the eye. As the light sparkled across the water, we had a shot of ouzo (a Greek alcohol that tastes like black licorice and, to those who are unaccustomed, deadly strong) to commemorate not only our birthday but also the fact that we had the opportunity to experience this beautiful place.
Next on our list was to become our favorite island in the Mediterranean: Crete. Crete has it all: a wonderful balance between the city, the mountains, and the sea. We chose to stay in Hersonissos and it was here that we felt most at home. In fact, we were so impressed with this island that we chose to return in 2018 for five weeks and again in 2019 for two months.
While in Crete, we journeyed to Heraklion (also known as Iraklion) where we toured the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Minoan Palace of Knossos. It was the Palace that intrigued us the most, having been the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization and culture thousands of years ago.
We’re sure most are aware of the story of the Minotaur, a mythological beast that was half man and half bull. According to ancient folklore, King Minos of Crete forced the Minotaur to live in the center of an elaborate Labyrinth. Interestingly, the Minotaur is said to be the son of King Minos’s wife Pasiphaë and a snow white bull (aka Zeus in disguise). In order to keep the Minotaur fed, King Minos required that Athens provide fourteen youths (seven males and seven females) to be sacrificed every year. In the end though, the Minotaur was killed by the Athenian hero Theseus.
However, less common is the knowledge that this myth developed from the Minoans and their Palace of Knossos. And, although it is portrayed in a highly convoluted way, there is some truth behind it. According to our guide, the story of the Minotaur was created by the Athenians to prevent young, newly married, couples (those looking for a fresh start) from moving to Crete. Thus, the migrating Athenians became the sacrifices in the myth; the bull portion of the Minotaur represents the sacred symbol of the Minoans; and the Labyrinth part of the tale was pulled from the Knossos Palace itself, designed as it was in a maze-like pattern with small rooms in an ancient form of climate control. Over time, the story developed and grew, becoming what it is today. Now in ruins, the Palace is still striking, especially if you’re like us who are addicted to history and can easily visualize what it must have been like in its prime.
Our time in Crete would not have been complete without savoring the beach. As we listened to the waves crashing against the shore, the sound vibrating through our bodies, we found ourselves, for a precious moment, completely calm. A sense of harmony enveloped us and an exquisite surge of appreciation that we were lucky enough to experience such a beautiful location resonated through us.
After these Mediterranean islands, we journeyed to the mainland of Greece. There we experienced the city-states of Athens, Sparta, and Olympia. Altogether, Greece is a vibrant land with its own unique style, a style that has influenced cultures around the world for centuries. If Greece is not yet on your bucket list, definitely add it! We promise you won’t regret it. 😀
For additional photos, please see:
– Greece 2014 – Crete: Hersonissos
– Greece 2018 – Crete: Hersonissos
– Greece 2019 – Crete: Hersonissos
– Greece 2019 – Crete: Knossos
– Greece 2019 – Crete: Chania
– Greece 2019 – Crete: Balos Pink Beach
– Greece 2019 – Crete: Samaria Gorge
For more information about this country, please see our other articles:
– Greece 2014: Athens, Sparta, Olympia
– Greece 2019 – Crete: Hersonissos, Knossos, Chania, Balos Pink Beach, Samaria Gorge