Greek Island Adventures

going back to greece – “i travel to find myself”
    • Thank you Greece. You are dreamy
      The last day of my trip before I go home, I have an early evening cocktail at the rooftop bar of my hotel. It is quiet and I’m looking out at the Acropolis, reflecting on my trip. In that moment I am so moved by the magic of Greece. I’m beyond grateful for a safe,… Read more: Thank you Greece. You are dreamy
    • Beautiful Athens
      I fly back from Chania, Crete to Athens. A short flight vs a 16 hour ferry. My dear friend Nikos picks me up in Athens. I’ve shared this story in prior years but in 2018 I had flown in to Athens with the plan to take an arranged taxi to the port for a ferry… Read more: Beautiful Athens
    • It’s hard to say goodbye to the Greek Islands ❤️
      My trip is approaching its end as I leave Crete to start my journey home. One last day to enjoy Chania before I head to Athens. This will be a quiet day, I’m eager just to sit in a cafe, go to the beach and enjoy Chania. This place was recommended as a good place… Read more: It’s hard to say goodbye to the Greek Islands ❤️
    • Chania, a beautiful town
      I leave Rethymno for Chania (pronounced Hania) via taxi. It’s about a one hour trip West along the coastline. The driver makes it easy and interesting. He tells me that he was born on Crete in a small village, like most people here working in tourism. He shares that his little village has 10 families… Read more: Chania, a beautiful town
    • No guardrails, literally and figuratively
      I’m “getting my bearings” here in Rethymno Crete, for sure it has taken a moment to settle in to such a big city on a big island after being in quiet Amorgos. But I’m determined to explore this island. I decide to rent a car for 2 days. I’m thankful to have this bright little… Read more: No guardrails, literally and figuratively
    • Goodbye Amorgos, hello Crete
      Today is a travel day, and a rather long one, as I leave this beautiful natural island for the vast island of Crete. But to get there…the ferries… It is a 2 hour ferry to Santorini, then a connection to Rethymno. This route only run 2 days a week, Tuesday and Saturday, which was tricky… Read more: Goodbye Amorgos, hello Crete
    • Cooking with Ms Irene
      On the ferry ride from Naxos I meet Ms Irene, quite accidentally. When we met briefly she shared that she “worked at Aegialis Hotel”, where I am staying. Later I find out that she and her husband Nick built this beautiful hotel. In the hotel van from the port, I also share that I would… Read more: Cooking with Ms Irene
    • Healing in Amorgos
      Behind this door, some magic will happen. This is where Vangelis will spend 2 hours with me, doing breathing exercises, some guided meditation and acupuncture. He is a psychotherapist and healer. Along with his wife Elena, they work with people to help them with better health and emotional healing. I think the first element is… Read more: Healing in Amorgos
    • Getting to know Amorgos
      What an interesting and unique island! My new French friend and I drive to the local village of Lagada where we are looking for the recommended shop of an herbalist and healer, IAMA. A local couple here has a distillery for locally grown herbs, made in to essential oils. The owner, Elena, shares their passion… Read more: Getting to know Amorgos
    • Hello beautiful Amorgos!
      A last morning in Naxos before I head out, I see Matena at the hotel. We met in 2021, so nice to see a familiar face and catch up on life One last coffee at a darling little cafe The port is, as usual, a crazy experience with ferries coming in and out. When my… Read more: Hello beautiful Amorgos!
    • Last day in Naxos
      I think the best way to leave a place is when you have a long list of things you would still like to do. As a wrap up my days in Naxos there are still many reasons to come back. I love these Greek breakfasts, especially the yogurt with honey. Or maybe in my case… Read more: Last day in Naxos
    • Naxos from the sea
      As much as I love Naxos by exploring by foot and car, I love it even more by sea. There are lots of boat tours from these islands that give you the opportunity to view it in another way. It also allows you to see inlets and coves that are unreachable by any other way.… Read more: Naxos from the sea
    • The beach, doughnuts and Apollo
      Yes, in Naxos you can have all of these in one beautiful day! My new friends from Aus and I head out to the beach after breakfast. We elect to go to Agios Propokitos, where we stopped for lunch a few days prior. The water is beautiful and the beach club has a great vibe.… Read more: The beach, doughnuts and Apollo
    • Back to the cooking class!
      I visited Naxos last in 2021, just as international travel had opened back up. I visited Basilico cafe for a cooking class, there were 5 people in the class and we were hosted by a beautiful young girl named Anna. Basilico is a 6th generation farm in the middle of Naxos. I had such great… Read more: Back to the cooking class!
    • Exploring Naxos with new friends!
      Naxos is a relatively large island, in fact the largest of the Cycladic islands. This is my third time here but I’ve never had the opportunity to venture around. I decided to rent a car for the day and drive the island. I arranged it last night and honestly it felt a bit overwhelming to… Read more: Exploring Naxos with new friends!

    Stepping Away and Stepping Back to A Place I Love

    This is a photo of me on my first trip to Greece. I was backpacking through Europe for a year-long adventure, and ended my trip in the Greek Islands where I spent about 6 weeks. This photo was in Santorini where a group of random travelers would park to watch the sunset. I cherish this pure and naive time where my life was ahead of me and all of my belongings were in a backpack. We would get a bottle of Amaretto and some pistachios (no idea why or where this started); one of us would go to a few bars to beg for a small bag of ice for the Amaretto. This is really where my live of Greece started. Perhaps I’m yearning for this simple, pure time – although the Greek Islands have emerged as one of the most iconic travel destinations in the world.

    This is my 14th trip to Greece, and each time I find something familiar and something new. Why the Greek Islands? For me, these islands are safe, welcoming, beautiful and unique. Each island holds it’s own unique geography, history and tradition. More than anything, I have found the Greek people to be kind and nurturing. There is a Greek phrase called “philoxenia” that literally translates to “love of strangers” or “being friendly to a stranger”. Philoxenia is a part of the ancient history of Greece, and I find it manifested as I meet people throughout my trips.

    Did I mention the food? I find the food in Greece to be so amazing. There is a practical element of eating “local” as each island needs to be dependent on itself. Most islands have their own type of cheese, wine and produce that is unique and special. And while I typically have a Greek salad every single day I am there, each one is just a little unique (and delicious). I always feel so healthy when traveling there – especially eating local foods, exploring and swimming in the amazing Aegean sea.

    Please join me in my journey – as I dance and fumble my way through a “next chapter”. My hope is that you will envision your own version of a next chapter, perhaps one that includes traveling to the place where you have always dreamed of, or where you have experienced a unique joy.

● About Me

I’m Elaine aka Elena, a travel enthusiast that has been working through corporate sales. I’m a solo traveler that loves to inspire people to follow their dreams for adventure. I believe travel is transformational. Travel is a way to remind ourselves that the world is much bigger than the one we know. Travel is a way to demonstrate that there are many, many different ways to live.