Santorini, Greece

I took a flight to Santorini frm Athens (Olympic Air), it took abt 45 mins. You can take a ferry frm Athens to Santorini too but I think it takes abt 5-9 hrs depending on which kinda ferry you decide to take.

Santorini is the largest island in Greece and it is absolutely beautiful. Before arriving in Santorini, I had this image in my head, that Santorini was gonna be really picturesque, with all the typical Greek houses etc. And I'm glad to say, I wasn't disappointed at all!

Weeks before my trip, I had Stereo Love on repeat becos I had to get into the "Greek mood" (I'm retarded like that....) If you didn't knw, the music video for Stereo Love was filmed in Mykonos (another Greek island) and watching the MV made me super excited! If you haven't seen the video, here it is:

Doesn't Mykonos look amazing in the video????

So anywayz I spent 3 full days in Santorini and stayed in Mill Houses (Check out http://www.millhouses.gr/ for more info)
Mill Houses is in Firostefani, a 10 min walk frm Fira, the main district in Santorini. And I'd strongly recommend this place! It's really convenient and the service provided was definitely top-class! They provide free airport pick up service and all the staffs are really friendly and helpful too!
I think we got a suite and opted for a room with the sea view!

Our room!

My dad hard at work haha.

Another reason why I love Mill Houses is becos they deliver breakfast to your room every morning!!!! Omg am I in paradise or what??? So basically what happens is that the night before, you're supposed to fill up this breakfast menu thing, and you get to select whatever you want for breakfast (as much as you like) and when you wake up, just ring reception and they'll deliver the breakfast to your room within 15 min!

We decided to have breakfast indoors for 2 days cos it was kinda cold and took breakfast at our balcony on the last day! Simply amazing!

Woohoo eggs, tea, coffee, bread, fruits etc.

The only bad thing I can think of abt Mill Houses is that you've to walk down loads of steps to get to the place. But I don't think that's too much of an issue cos most places in Santorini requires you to climb up and down steps too.

Took this panorama frm just outside my room!!!! Pretty amazing right?

Just outside my room!!!!

Taken frm the swimming pool! Yupz there's a pool at Mill Houses!

Stairs leading to the pool.

The water was too cold to swim so I was just chilling by the pool!

Anywayz I think it's a safe choice to stay arnd Firostefani or Fira as most buses leading to other parts of the island depart frm the bus terminal in Fira!

Another hotel in Firostefani! Most hotels look like this, like villas!

A church in Firostefani!

Fira.

Kamari Beach

We decided to visit Kamari Beach out of all the beaches in Santorini (completely random decision)! So we got the local bus frm the bus station in Fira, I think it's only 1.70euros for a one way ticket. The bus operates on a time table and it's not that regular (I think it's 1 bus per hr?) so if you're planning to take the bus, do check out the bus timings!

I'm not a beach lover but Kamari beach is a really nice place! Anywayz becos I visited Santorini in Early April, it was still pretty cold then! So the beach was kinda empty but I think it gets really crowded in summer!

Black sand!

With my family!

My friend recommended Red Beach too and I went there on my last day. But again, becos of the weather, the beach was really quiet! And in my opinion, I like Kamari beach better than the Red Beach!

Oia

When in Santorini, you definitely have to visit Oia to catch the legendary sunset! Oia is another town in Santorini, abt 20 min bus ride frm Fira! Absolutely stunning!!!
(But I went there at arnd 2pm so I didn't get to catch the sunset haha)

Get lost in the little alleys.

 

So pretty~

  

Posing in one of the little alleys.

I spent 3 full days there and I think unless you're a beach lover and plan to spend your time rolling in the sand, 3 days would be sufficient. My family decided to skip the visit to the Caldera becos the weather wasn't that fantastic when we were there (really windy with some rain) And according to my friend who visited Santorini before, it isn't really worth the visit (lol her honest opinion)

Santorini is a relaxing spot and it's perfect if you're looking for a "chill" kinda holiday. Even better if you're a beach lover! All in all, definitely a place worth visiting! X

Athens, Greece

I spent 3 full days in Athens, exploring the city and visiting some of the tourist sites. To be honest, I'd say 2 days would be more than enough if you're just thinking of checking out the city centre + popular tourist sites! I went there in Early April so the weather was just nice! It was sunny but not too hot, arnd 15deg! Perfect time to visit Athens!

Anyhowz my family stayed in Melia hotel. It's located near Omonia train station and a 15 min walk away frm Monastiraki Square (The main square in Athens) Quite a convenient location! Only drawback is that there's no wifi in the room, and if you want internet in your room, you'd have to pay extra! But there's free wifi in the hotel lobby.

Everytime I visit a city, I'd always join the free walking tour (if there is one)! I think such tours are very helpful and informative! Most tour guides would bring you arnd the city centre, point out the main tourist attractions and provide some background knowledge and history. And at the end of the walking tour, it's up to you to tip your tour guide! (For me, I'd usually tip a fiver cos I'm a poor student, jokes!!!)

And so, I went on the free walking tour while I was in Athens! (Check out: http://www.athensfreewalkingtour.com/ for more info)

Here are some of the places I visited:

 

Monastiraki Square

A very busy area filled with small shops and food places. You can find loads of restaurants selling gyro and souvlaki here. 

Small shops selling various products ranging frm slippers to dried food stuffs

We met our tour guide in Monastiraki and frm there, we took a little walk arnd and visited most of the tourist sites. 

 

On the way up to the Acropolis.....

Loads of graffiti on the walls.

More graffiti... I'M A BIRD~

Yikes Idk what is this place but I'm assuming that it's one of the agoras or sth....

Roman Agora

 



Tower of the winds in the background

Just my family and I posing for a photo!

I'm really bad with all the names and Greek history but this is one of the ancient ruins! You'll definitely walk past it on your way up to the Acropolis! If you're an EU student, simply flash your student card to get free entry. I think my parents paid 12 euros per person to enter and the ticket includes entry into the Acropolis, Ancient Agora and some other sites too!

Acropolis

 

If you don't already knw, the Acropolis is located on top of a hill and so on your hike up, you'd be able to catch a view of Athens. Very pretty!

 

And so this is the Acropolis! When you think of Greece, you'd definitely think of the Acropolis (even if you don't knw the name, I'm sure you'd knw that this is the famous Greek architecture!) This is a major tourist attraction so be sure not to miss it! (LOL YOU WOULDN'T....)

Entry is 12 euros each! According to my tour guide, it can get pretty crowded in the mornings so the best time to visit the Acropolis would be after lunch! My family visited this place just after 11am and it wasn't too bad!

National Garden of Athens

A beautiful park located in the centre of Athens. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it is now known as the National Garden. It is located just 5 mins away frm the Zappeion and the Panathenaic Stadium.

Zappeion

This building was used for some major olympic events before but now it's mainly used for meetings and ceremonies.

Hadrian's Arch

Located abt 5 mins away frm the National Gardens, the Hadrian is a gateway separating the old and new cities of Athens. 

The Parliament

The parliament is located in Syntagma. In front of the parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by guards (known as evzones) in traditional uniform. On the hour, every hour, there would be the changing of guards and they'll do some marching (similar to the changing of guards at London's Buckingham Palace except slightly less spectacular)

(The guards were still in their winter outfit when I visited hence the thick clothes!)

Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens

Pillars made of blue marble.

A statue of an orthodox priest (Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens) in front of the cathedral.

Did you knw that the main religion in Greece is Orthodox and the Metropolitan Cathedral is the largest church in Athens? As you enter the building, you'll see huge pillars made of blue marble and if I didn't rmb wrongly, the tour guide did mention that the marble's frm Mykonos (lol random fact!!!) And becos of the extensive use of marble, the interior felt significantly cooler!

And......

THIS PLACE!!!!! I can't rmb the name of this place!!!!!! I tried googling it etc but I just can't figure it out!!!! I'm sure it's some sort of stadium or sth but it's not the Panathenaic stadium!!!! Ahhh does anyone knw the name of this place? But anywayz you'll walk past it on the way to the Zappeion!

Mikrolimano

This place isn't in the city centre. We took a train to Faliro and then a cab (abt 3 euros)! There are buses going there frm Omonia too (not too sure which number) but I'd say just take the train + cab, you'll be less likely to lose your way haha!

So Mikrolimano is near the sea side and hence you'd expect loads of restaurants selling seafood! I went there during the day and it was pretty quiet but I think it shld be more lively in the evening. Do take a slow walk arnd the area and explore the place. This area can be covered in abt half a day

That's all I have for Athens! Didn't post pics but while you're there, do check out the Panathenaic stadium too! It's the stadium where the first Olympics was held! Definitely worth seeing! Also if you're into shopping, do check out Ermou Street where all the shops are!

Athens is a lovely place and I'm glad I chose to visit it over my Easter break this yr! Up next, Santorini! Stay tune for more of my Greek adventures! X