Studied abroad here my sophomore year of college, and I can safely say Greece feels like home. I choose Greece because I wanted to live in a country that would really welcome me with open arms. Greeks are known for hospitality: when you eat at a restaurant, you’re usually also eating in their home. Welcoming you into part of their family is SO important. I’ve had restaurant owners take me out for drinks, wine shop keepers invite me out for lunch, and received complimentary dishes for being a return customer.

I studied in Greece during the height of their economic recession, and it was so interesting to be there during that time. Small things gave true indication to their economic crisis. For instance, you’d see lots of cats along the streets, and while it was a cat-lovers paradise, it was primarily because lots of owners could no longer afford to take care of their pets so they had to go stray. I ended up writing my senior thesis on Greece’s economic recession and their effects on political parties. Greece is a beautiful country, with so much history– If I can help you plan out your trip to Greece or anything else, please let me know!

ITINERARY

  • Summer of 2013 - 6 weeks in Athens, Greece
  • Summer of 2013 - 4 days in Mykonos, Greece
  • Summer of 2013 - 4 days in Santorini, Greece
  • Summer of 2013 - 3 days in Sparta
  • Summer of 2013 - 3 days in Volos

Athens HIGHLIGHTS

  • Late night mustard ice cream runs at Konstantinidis located in 3 Stadiou, Syntagma. A mix of mix of dijon mustard, brown sugar, and Greek honey. Don't knock it til you try it. 

  • Eating some really fresh Greek food. A few must tries...
    • Greek yogurt - some of the best yogurt I’ve ever had. It’s so creamy and tarty. I used to wake up every morning, buy a yogurt at the local shop/market and put either 1.) honey and oatmeal or 2.) fresh fruit in it. Delicious!
    • Gyros - I ate this almost everyday (also because it was one of the cheapest ways to feed myself)
    • Fredo coffee - I do not drink coffee at all, and someone I ended up with this almost everyday. Delicious iced coffee with foam on top. (Add in Baileys for a fun kick!)
    • Fried sardines - tastes just like fries!

  • Catching the sunset at Mount Lycabettus, the tallest peak in Athens, with a panoramic view of the city. 

  • Watching a open air movie at Open Air Thision, with a wonderful view of the Acropolis lit up at night.

  • Going to lounges at Gazi Square; night life at night, open air gasworks mart in the day.

  • Shopping at Monstiraki Square. 

  • Buying custom shoes from The Poet Maker— wonderful leather sandals that I still wear to this day (5+ years later)

  • Being in presence of history. Greek history is probably one of my favorite things to learn about-- it was amazing catching the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Parthenon. Others not in Athens but worth a visit is Meteora (one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. 

  • Having early morning runs around Panathenaic Stadium - stadium for 2004 Olympics. 

  • Becoming a master Greek chef -- not really but I did learn how to make stuffed eggplants, Greek salad, and Greek yogurt.  

  • Olive oil soap. The perfect souvenir. 

  • Making really good friends while studying abroad. Cliche, but for anybody thinking of studying abroad-- do it. I made one of my best friends, Ashley there and 5+ years later we are still celebrating birthdays together in Vegas, visiting each other in our respective cities, and laughing about our memories made together in Greece. 

 

MYKONOS HIGHLIGHTS

  • Going out at Cavo Pardiso. A club located on the side of a cliff, with a huge pool inside, and was only $15 entry!

  • Seeing giant Pelicans everywhere, affectionately known as Peter the Pelican. 

  • Walking through picturesque DT Mykonos and peeping into small shops and cute restaurants. 
 

SANTORINI HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cliff diving off the coast of Santorini. 

  • Riding a donkey up a cliff to the top of Santorini, Sisterhood of Traveling Pants anyone?

  • Catching one of the most beautiful sunsets in Oia. Because of the way Santorini is shaped, there is really only one spot you can catch the sunset at– in Oia next to the large bell tower .

  • Witnessing picturesque scenes with white houses and blue roofs in Fira. 

  • Hot springs / mud bath tour near Nea Kameni volcano. 

  • Taking a cruise around Santorini on a pirate ship.

  • Shopping in Oia. Besides catching sunsets, there's a lot of small fun shops to browse around. 

 

LOWLIGHTS

  • Don’t take the train up Mt. Lycabettus. Not worth the money, and your time is better spent catching the views walking up.

  • Staying in a crappy camp tent in Mykonos… but hey when you’re young and broke. 

  • Getting pickpocketed... didn't happen to me, but 3/10 girls on my trip did end up getting something stolen. 

Athens

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Mykonos

Santorini

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Volos

Ashley (how could I have a Greece study abroad section and not include her?!)