relaxing on the beach with my book in Perissa (Santorini, Greece)
Wednesday was my last day in Greece (*sniffle*) and right now I’m in Rome, Italy! I left Greece wishing I had planned for two weeks there instead of just one. There’s so much I wrote in my journal about my experience of Greece, but I’ll just share the highlights here as I’m already behind on my travel diaries! (P.S. Thanks to everyone who’s been giving me great feedback about the information I’ve been sharing about my travels. It’s been amazing to hear from ladies who are now planning their own solo trips!)
In Greece, I visited the capital city and one of the islands: Athens and Santorini (I stayed in two villages on the island – Oia and Perissa). I enjoyed Santorini much more than Athens – maybe because I’m really an island girl at heart – but likely because lots of businesses were closed in Athens during August, so I didn’t get to experience as much of the city’s true atmosphere.
Overall, I felt such a strong sense of hospitality in Greece that I can’t wait to go back. Not once did I feel like a stranger in my black skin there. (Well, at least not until I got to the Santorini airport, but I’ll get to that later LOL.) Here’s 7 reasons why I fell in love with the country!
1. Delicious Vegetarian Meals
You knew this was gonna be #1! I really enjoyed all the vegetarian food I got to eat. Most of my meals were $12 euro or less, including an amazing 3-course meal I had at Maiandros in Athens: greek salad, stuffed tomato/pepper and baklava!
Photo Gallery: The Best Meal I Had in Athens
2. The Views from Oia (Santorini)
Everything in Oia was a photo op. The views from this village were amazing – sunset, sunrise, hillside, caldera – with cute little cottages dotting the landscape.
sunrise in Oia
hillside and caldera view from Oia
I also loved the architectural style of the buildings and churches, plus old steps and doors everywhere. Oia was a romantic, elegant, quiet getaway from the city feel of Athens.
Photo Gallery: Images of Oia
3. Black Sand Beach in Perissa (Santorini)
I loved the beach in Perissa! I got a little blacker laying out sunbathing for two days in a row. I even waded a bit (I’m not a swimmer LOL). The water was so warm and clear.
beach in Perissa (Santorini, Greece)
view of the caldera from Perissa
black sand, black feet
I also saw a few women sunbathing topless on the beach in Perissa. I was just looking around and then I did a double take…like, “Are those BOOBS?!”
While Oia had a more subdued atmosphere, Perissa feels like more of a fun beach town. It’s possible to enjoy yourself here whether you’re single or coupled up. You walk into any of the seaside restaurants and are welcomed in with a hearty hello.
4. Cheap Seafood
I also eat seafood (which means I’m really a pescatarian, but whatever), so I was happy to see that fish was so affordable in most of the restaurants I ate in. I had swordfish for dinner (twice!) for $10 euro, when in the U.S. swordfish (even frozen) is gonna run you at least $20 for an entree. The Greeks love their seafood, and there’s always some kind of fish and shrimp dish on the menu – especially sardines!
Photo Gallery: The Best Meal I Had in Perissa
5. Rakomelo
Yes, this drink deserves its very own section. I was all set to order me some ouzo, but at the end of my meal at Ntomatini, they served me a (complimentary!) glass of rakomelo instead. It’s smooth Greek brandy mixed with honey, cinnamon and orange. It.was.incredible. I really should have tried to find a bottle to bring back with me.
rakomelo – the best drink ever
6. Hot Greek Guys
Greek men are fine, I tell you. Fine! Even the police are cuties. I definitely enjoyed all the eye candy. If I didn’t have a man at home, I most definitely would’ve been getting my flirt on more than I did.
hot cops in Athens
7. Live Music in Perissa (Santorini)
In Perissa, there is live music at least one of the bars most days of the week! My last night in Greece ends with a blues-rock band playing covers on the beach strip at Noma Bar and Grill.
Midnite Johnny band playing blues and rock covers at Noma Bar & Grill in Perissa
I meet up with one of my older hostel roommates from Sweden (the younger people in the hostels I’ve been staying in are too “party happy” for me so far), who buys me a beer. (I’m not too fond of beer, and I’m not familiar with Amstel, but I drink it to be polite.) She also invites an older guy from northern Greece to join us. We all end up having a great conversation about music and the importance of enjoying life. Despite our age and nationality differences, we enjoy our brief time together, swaying in our chairs to a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” As I raise the beer to my lips, I think: Life is so unpredictable. And so very, very good.
On Wednesday, I flew from Santorini, Greece to Rome, Italy. Along the way, I was almost ARRESTED in the Santorini airport because a police officer was convinced that my passport was FAKE! Now that was a scary ordeal. But I’ll save that crazy story for another post…
Ciao for now!
Read my previous Travel Diaries:
- Travel Diary: My First Day in Greece and City Circus Hostel
- Travel Diary: Exploring Monastiraki, Plaka and Acropolis in Athens
- Travel Diary: Shopping in Athens, Sunset in Santorini
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Oh Rosetta, you kindred soul, you! Major props for linking to the Chante Moore video. Classic!
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The pictures are lovely!
I am loving the post about your travels and the pics. Thanks for sharing!
Rosetta,
This is such an inspiration…I can’t wait to take my first out of the country trip! There are so many places I would like to visit. You’ve just inspired me to go SOLO, in which, I don’t have a problem with. I am tired of putting my plans on hold waiting for others to join me.
Yes! I hope you begin planning your trip soon. It’s a little scary, but definitely empowering and freeing to be able to visit the places you’ve always wanted to go.
Loving the views in Santorini! That Rakomelos sounds superb. Love live music any and everywhere
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Jealous, jealous! Greece is one of the countries in Europe that I’ve been wanting to visit but haven’t had a chance to. I love light, fresh seafood, so I can only imagine how good it was. Enjoy the rest of your travels!
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Lovely pictures and great overall post! I’m a new reader but really enjoying your journey! Can’t wait to read more.
Loving this, Rosetta!
Thanks so much for sharing.
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Nice recap, Rosetta and looking forward to more of your travel diaries! And, *cough, cough* – did I miss the post about the new man!?
Ciao!
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Thanks for following along, Tameka! And yeah…the “I have a man now” news was buried in my last monthly review
Ha!
Well, enjoy the eye candy and your time abroad!
Read my latest blog post…We’re Not Done Moving Yet…
Santorini has been on my list for yeeeeeears. Can’t wait to go. You are so fortunate.
A few sisters have said the same thing about Santorini being a dream destination but I had never heard of it! I only went because some people at the hostel I was staying at suggested it. Now I see what all the hype is about