One thing you should know about me is that I’m a yes girl. I do not believe experiences in life should be saved but instead savored. Life is precious and is not always guaranteed so waiting until retirement, until I am more settled, until I am more seasoned in my career, until my kids are older… will simply not do. So when I had the opportunity to join a yoga retreat in Greece two years ago as we were coming out of the pandemic, you should no longer be shocked to know I said HELL YES (of course after confirming with my husband that this was something that worked for us – it’s definitely a team effort and rare opportunity to be able to travel while raising young children).

This trip, just like my trip to Sardinia, Italy, was planned by the phenomenal Dimitra Yoga who still takes groups on several trips a year. If you are on the east coast and are looking for a well-planned, adventurous experience around the world, Dimitra is your girl!

Athens Layover

The yoga retreat was in Santorini, and from the United States, the easiest path was through Athens. I went with five other women, all eager adventurers, and since none of us had been to Greece before, we wanted to capitalize on our time here and immerse ourselves in the rich history and vibrant culture. We planned to get into Athens one day ahead of our retreat so we had ample time to explore the city’s iconic landmarks and indulge in local cuisine. After landing on a Friday morning and dropping our luggage at the hotel, we set out for the Acropolis and the magnificent Parthenon, marveling at the stunning views and ancient architecture. The only way you can survive the jet lag is to just keep moving, and as we wandered through the bustling streets on little to no sleep, we were in awe of the opportunity to travel to this new corner of the world.

We bought tickets to tour these ancient grounds that morning, but I always recommend grabbing tickets ahead of time to guarantee availability, as this not only ensures you won’t miss out on such a remarkable experience but also allows you to skip long lines that can form during peak hours. After securing our tickets, we strolled through Plaka, a picturesque village with narrow cobblestone streets which were lined with charming shops and quaint cafes, besides the penis keychains of course. When walking through this charming town, remember to be vigilant in keeping your belongings close by and to not be fooled by locals trying to sell jewelry by trying to make you wear it. Unless you want it, don’t wear it and keep moving!

To finish our time in Athens we enjoyed drinks on a rooftop bar at our hotel soaking in a final view of the Parthenon, a delicious dinner we tried not to fall asleep at and finally got to get our first good nights sleep before heading to Santorini.

Santorini Yoga Retreat

We arrived early in Santorini so we spent the day at a black sand beach club before we could check-in to our hotel and join the rest of the retreat arrivals. There isn’t a more perfect way to begin an island vacation halfway across the world by relaxing on a beach under an umbrella with your friends, catching up on sleep and just soaking in the beauty of where you are. I wish I could taste those bao buns again for the first time. Instead, I’ll settle for ordering them anytime I see them on a menu, hoping they are just as good.

For the sake of privacy and my respect for our yoga leader, I will not be posting exact locations of where we stayed, however, I will be giving you insight into my favorite places on the island, ensuring you get everything you can out of your own visit.

Where to Stay

This will depend on what you want from your Santorini experience. Oia is the picturesque white washed village with blue roofed churches that are usually used to portray the island. There are plenty of accommodations here with easy access to top restaurants, shopping and stunning views. If you don’t want to have to venture far and are looking for a romantic vibe this is the place for you!

Fira is a central location where you can access the island much easier when trying to venture out and explore that also has an abundance of shopping and dining experiences. It also has several night clubs that are very popular for those seeking late night fun. It can get extremely busy in Fira because it is also a cruise ship port. After being there on a day when a ship unloaded, I was very thankful we were not staying in this location. Again, to each their own!

If you are looking for a more private location, away from the hustle and bustle of the main attractions, I highly recommend Megalochori or Kamari. These locations offer smaller villages with unique shopping, delicious local cuisine, and wineries, while still accessible to Fira and Oia by car.

Things To Do

Fira to Oia Hike (6.5 Miles)

This was my favorite experience and is a must-do for those who are physically able. We took a car to the start of the hike in Fira in the morning and spent the morning/early afternoon hiking to Oia, soaking in spectacular views and making stops along the way. In order to find the start, head to the main square of Fira, near Hotel Atlantis. As you face the water, turn right and you will head towards the trail, keeping Oia in your sights, the caldera on your left and seeking the higher path when given a choice. This could take you anywhere from a few hours to all day to complete so make sure you pack a backpack with all of your essentials:

• Water with electrolytes and snacks to keep your energy up
• Wear a hat and bring sunscreen as there is little to NO shade on this trail and that heat will sneak up on you quickly
• Wear comfortable shoes with good traction, trail shoes if available. This trail is at times paved, for a short period on a road and at times a little rocky and steep. Bandaids aren’t a bad idea just in case! It’s really not a scary hike, but you can never be too prepared!
• Don’t forget your phone and/or camera to capture every step!

You can also take this hike from Oia to Fira if you prefer but that is a longer and more gradual climb, so if you’re staying in Oia, I would recommend catching a ride to Fira and walking back. This trail is meant to be savored, soaking in the spectacular views as you go. Ending in the beautiful white-washed village of Oia, enjoying a well-deserved meal and shopping is just the icing on the cake!

Shopping

One of my goals while traveling is to be able to bring a piece of my trip home with me that will remind me of the memories made and lessons learned. One of the more obvious things Greece is known for is their olive oil. I definitely brought home a few cans, however the thing I bought that I use every single day and it brings me so much joy is an olive oil dispenser that they used in many of the restaurants that I was able to buy at a local shop.

Leather and pottery are also very popular on the island and will last you years and years to come. Oia and Fira have an abundance of stores to shop at that provide both fashion stores and unique local vendors. Don’t be afraid of those side streets – that’s where all the goods are!

Many of the beach towns also have great shopping but they will be more beachwear and tourist fashion if that’s something you’re looking for.

Wineries

There are many wineries to check out while in Santorini, which is considered “the wine island” due to its rich history in winemaking and the unique volcanic natural environment that make perfect conditions for its production.

I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t a fan of Greek wine.

It had a vinegar taste to it that outshined any other flavors present.

However, my opinion means nothing compared to the millions of other people who find this wine devine. The wineries are still a fun experience to learn how it is made on an island that seems like it was created just for wine!

We toured the Gavalas Winery in Megalochori who are very knowledgeable and passionate about the wine they make on the island.

Horseback Riding

However, if you are a horse rider, I don’t want to discourage you from one of these excursions. This was a learning experience for me that while I like the idea of riding horses, it does not feel natural and my fight/flight mode kicks in. It didn’t help that I had a toddler horse that had to be led by a staff member and would occasionally throw a little tantrum. Also, don’t wear shorts.

There isn’t a corner of Santorini that isn’t stunning and I would take every opportunity to see as much of it as possible!

Enjoy Greek Cuisine

I believe that part of the experience of traveling to a new country is to indulge in the local cuisine, even if that means trying something you would normally turn down, like sardines or octopus legs.

If you’re a Greek salad lover (it’s not me), then you’ll be ordering this at every turn! Moussaka was a favorite of mine that I had not heard of before. It reminded me of a flaky version of shepherd’s pie. The hummus was phenomenal and always came with a healthy amount of toppings, as it should. There were lots of seafood pasta options, steaks and short-ribs were perfect for a bigger meal. I also couldn’t stop eating this mushroom risotto that is not pictured. Baklava or gelato was the perfect sweet treat to end (each) evening!

Catamaran or Sailing Tour

The Heart of Santorini

What Are You Waiting For?

I get it. Travel can be expensive, which is why you go with your girlfriends! You’ll girl math your way through that trip so fast it’ll practically be free by the time you takeoff.

In all seriousness, there’s never a right time to travel, just as there’s never a right time to move, get married or have kids. You either do it or you don’t. Life will keep moving either way. So whether you have this trip planned next year or you’re visiting a new city in your home state; take the trip.

Life isn’t meant to be saved for later, because later isn’t guaranteed.

My wish is that mama’s don’t feel guilty for setting aside time for themselves, that couples create new memories as they grow (instead of waiting until they grow old) and that you’re not just saying yes to a trip but saying yes to yourself.

Savor the moments. Embrace opportunities. Go to Greece.

Αντίο, 

Thanks for stopping in! Let’s stay connected and see the world together!