We booked our first trip to Greece when the pandemic hit, then a surgery and finally we were back on track, albeit a shorter trip due to a some scheduling conflicts. We have reached an age that says go see what you most want to without worrying if the most efficient or practical because you may not get there again. That said, we thoroughly enjoyed Greece and especially the Greek people.

First the logistics. Athens was our hub. We traveled to Meteora using the train/bus combo to Kalabaka and then a shared direct shuttle to Delphi and public bus back to Athens. Uber taxi to train station went smoothly, then staff inside station immediately checked tickets and directed us to platform. Clean, modern train that was delayed enroute, but the bus waits--Older bus with driver constantly on phone. Public bus Delphi-Athens late, but modern. Athens bus station quiet with lots of taxis out front or Uber taxi available. Visitmeteora shared van service to Delphi on time, safe driver and reasonable price. Highly recommend.

We flew to Mykonos (long story how we settled on that island) and tried out the iMove taxi app with mixed results. When waiting for one late/no show taxi, a fellow at a parking lot/vehicle rental offered to drive us to the airport for 20 euros. Turned into a fun experience (get into mini, but drive opposite to airport--car doesn't have enough gas so go to other lot and switch to another car--back on road and a couple of shortcuts later at the airport) with great music and lively conversation with a local.

On return departure day received message 5 am that our noon nonstop return flight to US delayed 5 hours. Alternative connecting flights might get us home 2 hours earlier but we waited for the direct flight--loooong day.

We used the airport bus upon arrival--very crowded at 3 pm. Rode the Metro for departure. Full mid morning, but nicer experience than bus.

We stayed in a mix of hotels and short term rentals. We like the space, cooking option, and occasional clothes washer in the rentals.

In Athens we booked two AirBnBs in the Kolonaki neighborhood. One at the square (under renovation), which was a fantastic location. Lots of restaurants, groceries, museums nearby, and easy walk to archeological sites. Even had an Acropolis view from balcony. The second was near Evangelismos. Not as close to services and sights, but close to Metro on tree lined street. Another rental via Booking.com in Kalabaka in central location. All reasonably priced and booked two months in advance (with cancellation option). Everything full by the time we arrived.

Nidimos Hotel in Delphi was interesting experience. We booked directly and gave our expected arrival as 12. Their email said check in 3, but luggage storage. Shuttle drops us at front door at 12:15 or so. Doors locked with sign "closed 12:00-2:30. Check in at 3." I call the phone number--No answer. I stand on the street with the bags while my husband explores--in through the parking garage, opening doors, getting in the elevator--finding a cleaner in the breakfast room who agrees to help by opening the front door and putting our bags behind a screen by the front desk. We go off to eat lunch and visit the archeological site with no idea if our bags will be there when we return--they were. The clerk checks us in, saying "Dial 5 to reach the front desk. We are open 24 hours.". (except 12-2:30pm)

Rania Seaview apartments on Mykonos was only disappointment. The various websites were confusing with a variety of photos and inconsistent labels on the types of rooms at Rania so I booked directly and ended up with a rustic room with a small window and patio with gorgeous view. Interior doors didn't fit so didn't close completely, dark basic bathroom, dirty floors. Location great at top of town so accessible by taxi and view of port. I still need to go back to the websites to figure out how I booked that "deluxe" room. Interesting atmosphere at night with occasional barking dogs and braying donkeys.

Some General thoughts:
All the beds except Nidimos were very firm, most innerspring, not foam. Nidimos provided a top sheet. (yea) Air conditioners worked well. Drains weren't particularly smelly. Quickly trained to put toilet paper in bin. Not much support for in room recycling.

Trip Report flag added ✈︎

Thanks, moderator, for flagging trip report. I'm definitely rusty.

For Meteora we hired a taxi driver in advance for private half day tour. Definitely worth it. Christos took us too see the caves, many viewpoints, and visits to Great and Varlaam monasteries (our choices). He also took us to St Stephen but we didn't go in. Too crowded for us. Christos thinks Great is the most important visit because of its museum. We briefly enjoyed both museums and the wine barrel, winch etc.at Varlaam, but mostly we admired the placement and construction of the monasteries and the beautiful scenery. We had great weather and there were many birds singing, making it a great outing until the tour buses converged and hordes of people were all trying to get into St Stephen at the same time.

We wholeheartedly recommend Christos mytaxi . Very personable, great communicator, safe and reliable driver. https://mytaxitransfermeteora.gr/

We walked to the Byzantine church in Kalabaka but it didn't mean much to us. Ate at Skaros tavern--another fun interaction with a local. And continued to marvel at the monasteries perched high above the town.

My husband wanted to find something at the pharmacy, but he doesn't speak Greek and the clerk didn't speak English, so he tried German and success! Another fun encounter. He rarely gets to practice his German.

Our time on Mykonos was mainly just for relaxing to start the trip. The town is gorgeous before and after cruise ship in town. A roundtrip ride on the seabus gives a great view of town from the water.

We hoped to go to Delos but strong winds cancelled the boats. In fact, it was so strong that it was difficult to stand upright near the windmills. Locals kept telling us how much they like the wind because it keeps the air fresh. I imagined it helps with the temps in there summer.

Our fun encounters were with the parking lot fellow and with the owner of Georgia's Garden restaurant behind the Matogianni Hotel. They took grandmother's farm, built the hotel but kept some fruit trees in the back where they installed scattered tables and serve basic food in a relaxed setting away from the cruise crowd. We were their second customers of the season. Great yogurt with fresh fruit.

Of course, ones of major objectives on this trip was to visit some archeological sites and museums that we had heard about throughout our lives. I was not familiar with Delos before we started planning the trip but we couldn't get there anyway.

I did understand the importance of Delphi and the Oracle. I also understand why most sites moved their treasures to museums for preservation and have only limited reconstruction. I like to read about the site in advance and then just stand or sit while trying to imagine the people who were there centuries ago. I could get the feeling of Delphi at the main temple, the theater and the stadium. The site was smaller than I expected. Also enjoyed the museum. We easily covered the site and museum in 3-4 hours, so going in there mid afternoon through closing (8 pm in May) is uncrowded.

We had to dodge the bus tour crowds around the entrance. Also, the first restaurant we stopped in for lunch told us "sorry, full. We have another bus group coming."

Only fun interaction was in the ice cream shop. The fellow was a true connoisseur and had strong opinions about all the flavors of their homemade gelato.

We witnessed a heated encounter between the site ticket agent and a Greek woman. The woman was vehemently arguing her case. The agent just as enthusiastically responded and then turned to the next person to calmly sell a ticket. The angry woman stepped back up and they exchanged words again, then the agent served another customer. This went on for several minute. I later saw the angry woman in the site with companions so I guess she finally paid and got a ticket. Also saw a guard blowing their whistle repeatedly and waving at a fellow to get out of the stadium (clearly marked as do not enter). He just took his photos, waved back, then left before the guard could get there. Sheesh!

We were in Athens on International Museum Day when all were free, so we visited more sites than we would otherwise. The Ancient Agora was a highlight--large site with lots to see.

I also really enjoyed the National Archeological Museum on another day. I had seen online that there are some suggested routes, but the fellow handing out audioguides said just go thru the rooms and enter any number you want. I forgot I had downloaded a Rick Steves guide of the highlights. I hate it when I do that. My husband had developed a headache, the crowd was annoying and the artifacts are extensive, so we didn't stay as long as I would have liked.

I did see the choices of audiotours at the Acropolis museum. We started with the 2-hour tour, but switched to the 1-hour with additional stops for anything that caught our eye. Lots to see and learn.

We booked the 8:00 acropolis entry and entered thru the"back" entrance. The line moved quickly and we were able to climb the slope and work our way all around the site before the tour groups flooded the steps. It was easy to get annoyed with the Instagram wanna bes who stood in front of each building for at least 5 minutes while their friend took a million different shots. Then they changed places. So we exited the way we came without any glamour shots of ourselves. I was more impressed overall seeing the Acropolis from below and lit at night. Once on top, l found myself focusing on the restoration in progress--the supports put in place, the loads being lifted to the site, putting a finish on a column. Hard work.

We also visited the Ancient Technology museum. Popular with school groups, but still fun for adults to be reminded of many of the engineering accomplishments of early Greeks.

I had the Benaki on my list but we reached out museum limit before we got there.

The train, bus, van and seabus trips provided ample opportunity to view the countryside. We saw a range from dry hillsides to tree covered mountains, acres of olive trees, fields of crops, small towns, and traffic snarled cities.

We asked a retired veterinary prof we met on the Metro to the airport where is the livestock? Where does all the cheese and yogurt come from? He said that the goats and sheep are found in small villages away from the highways and railroad tracks. Which led to a discussion of cheese from goat milk versus sheep versus a blend. He believes preference depends on what you were raised with. He comes from near Thessaloniki and prefers blend but his wife prefers goat.

I lost a post so hope this won't be a repeat.

The large restaurant portions were a surprise. Salads enough for two or more. Most main course also huge.

Great souvlaki at Kalabaka tavern; ok in Mykonos. Great moussaka from Veneti in Kolonaki; poor at airport (no surprise). Best salads at Acropolis museum cafe and Psaras Tavern. Great veal ragout at Psaras too. When I commented on the size of the dish, the waiter said it would just be a starter for him.

I think we sampled every dessert made with honey including some cream filled and orange cake.

Gelato Caramel served up same unique flavors in Athens. (I always eat ice cream on vacation.)

We were impressed with the friendliness of every local we interacted with. Lots of smiles and welcomes. Commuters showing tourists how to scan their Metro tickets. Workers politely asking if they could take an open seat on a bus and others pointing out open seats on the Metro. Clerks offering advice on foods.

I would never drive in Athens. Double parked cars not leaving enough driving lane; drivers shouting and honking at a struck car and even at a trapped intercity bus. But our drivers were cautious and most drivers let pedestrians take right of way.

I'm not sure what I think about the tomb of unknown soldier guards and changing of the guard as a tourist attraction. Yes, their uniforms and march are unique and photogenic, but their duty is solemn.

I need to try harder at languages. I have never even been good at Spanish, which I started learning at 16. I got used to seeing and understanding Greek signs, but struggled with detailed menus and descriptions. My speaking and listening skills were pitiful, but locals were patient.

I would definitely return to Greece to visit more of the regions and small towns.

Thank you for writing about your holiday to Greece. It's always lovely to hear about other people's experiences and I'm very glad that you enjoyed yourselves. Greece is probably our favourite country to visit - although there are a few close seconds!

Thank you for the report, and glad you had a good trip.