Elena Travels

Category: 2025 Posts

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.…

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • 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…