Greek Bucket List

Have you ever felt the sudden urge to just drop everything and explore the world? In these last few stressful weeks of class, I can't help but imagine what my life would be like if I could hop on an airplane and see all the countries that have been on my bucket list since elementary school (and let me tell you, there are a lot of countries on this list). While I wish I could call myself a seasoned traveler, my bank account, fear of flying, and desired college degree are enough to chain me to Pennsylvania for now. So far, I've been all around the United States, but my international traveling experience is limited to a measly 4 places: Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and (of course) Greece.

After visiting Greece two times already- or three if you count the time my mom was pregnant with me- I'm pretty much an expert on all the cool places to see in the country. For today's blog, I thought I'd take on the role of "tour guide" and share some of the prettiest islands and cities Greece has to offer. So if you ever decide to travel in the future, here are my top suggestions.

The Best Places to See While Touring Greece
#1: Santorini
If you've ever seen a typical photograph of a Greek island, chances are the photo is of Santorini. Known for its white houses and blue roofs, this Cyclades island is a common destination for tourists. What makes this place so special is its rugged landscape; Santorini was destroyed by a volcano thousands of years ago, reshaping the the rock formations that make up the land. All of its villages were built on the edges of these rocks, so many buildings hug the cliffs and overlook the deep blue water below. While I haven't been to Santorini yet, seeing the island is definitely on my to-do list for my next trip to Greece.

Santorini, Greece

*photo courtesy of Mintstime*

#2: Athens

Athens is not only the capital of Greece, but also the most exciting city to explore in the country (in my own opinion of course). Here, you can see the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Theatre of Dionysos, and the birthplace of democracy all in one visit! I've been to Athens during both of my trips, and the Acropolis still has not lost its striking effect on me. And though the city is famous primarily for its ruins, it also has an excellent reputation for its nightlife and representation of Greek culture. One of the cool things to see uptown is the marching of the Presidential Guards (otherwise known as Evzones) in front of the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guards dress up in traditional Greek attire and march in front of the tomb to protect it. Unlike many of the remote greek islands, Athens is a bustling city and prominent center for business and culture. 

Athens, Greece at night

*photo courtesy of g4g Day*

the Evzones performing their march

#3: Kos

My final suggestion is the island where my family lives. Kos is a tiny island shaped like a lamb and is a great place to either relax on a private beach or shop at a family-run market. Boating, snorkeling, tanning, and eating are just a few of the popular pastimes here. During my first visit, I even got to bathe in a natural hot spring! Kos is home to the first hospital ever built, and monuments of Hippocrates (known as the father of medicine) decorate its ruins. The oceans are beautiful and the pebble beaches are calming after a year of stress and school work. And if you need a place to stay, my cousins hotel, The Cosmopolitan, is newly renovated and ready for new travelers every day. 

ruins from Hippocrates's hospital

Kos, Greece

the Kos coastline (notice the cute little goat)

Overall, Greece is a beautiful country and has a lot of different activities to offer its visitors. If you love to travel like I do, check out one of the places on my list- you definitely won't regret it.