Sailing Through The Mediterranean
After weeks of sun-soaked beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lots of pictures, I'm finally sharing the highlights from our incredible journey through Greece and Turkey. From the vibrant nightlife of Mykonos to the stunning mosques of Istanbul, this trip was everything we had imagined it would be.
Mykonos: Party Paradise with a Price Tag
Our adventure began in Mykonos, the legendary party island that lives up to every expectation, including the price. We spent a long weekend (Friday through Sunday) diving headfirst into the famous beach club scene, dancing to incredible DJ sets, and soaking up the electric atmosphere that makes this island so vibrant.
The Reality Check: Mykonos is absolutely gorgeous, but be prepared for your wallet to feel significantly lighter. Everything comes at a premium here, from cocktails to simple meals. Our advice? Three days is the perfect amount of time – enough to experience the energy without going bankrupt.
Places I Recommend:
Spilia - Amazing dinner spot
Alemagou - Great food and cool day beach club vibes, with an awesome night party also
Santana - Cool beach club, went here for a DJ set at night
Scorpios - Great beach club for day and night partying
Corfu: Ionian Island Bliss
I’m honestly surprised I even made out flight after the weekend we had in Mykonos. but Alas, we arrived (barely) to our first taste of the Ionian Islands with Corfu, and what a change of pace it was. Staying on the west coast in a stunning Airbnb complete with our own pool and direct sea access felt like having our own private slice of paradise.
Corfu Town stole our hearts with its charming atmosphere and incredible dining scene. We spent one enchanting evening exploring the town and having dinner at σαγράδο, though looking back, I wish we'd allocated two full days to really soak in everything this historic town has to offer.
The highlight of our Corfu stay was renting a boat for a day – hands down one of the best decisions we made. The water here is so refreshing and stunningly beautiful that all you want to do is dive in and never get out. Four days on this island was perfect.
Lefkada & Our Live-Aboard Adventure: The Trip's Crown Jewel
From Corfu, we headed to Lefkada where we met our captain for what would become the absolute highlight of our entire journey – a live-aboard boat experience that we originally booked for two days but loved so much we extended it to three.
Why This Was Pure Magic:
Island hopping at our own pace
Swimming in the most pristine waters imaginable
Snorkeling among thousands of colorful fish
Stargazing under the most incredible night sky I've ever witnessed
July in Greece brings meteor showers, so the night sky was absolutely filled with stars – more than I've ever seen in my life. We spotted countless shooting stars, and I found myself staying up late just to catch the next one.
The snorkeling was phenomenal. We were incredibly lucky to encounter sea turtles, lionfish, and even an octopus in their natural habitat – probably the coolest diving experience of my life.
Pro Tip: Three days is the sweet spot for a live-aboard boat unless you're splurging on a luxury yacht. If you're planning a trip to the Greek islands, I cannot recommend this experience enough.
Kefalonia: Dramatic Beauty
Our boat journey brought us to Kefalonia, an island that took our breath away with its dramatic landscapes. The steep white cliffs contrasting against crystal-blue waters create some of the most stunning scenery you'll find anywhere in Greece.
While the towns are charming, they're quite small, and we found three days was plenty of time to explore the island thoroughly and soak in those incredible views.
Zakynthos: Tourist Central with Undeniable Beauty
Zakynthos was definitely the most touristy stop on our island-hopping adventure – it had a distinct spring break vibe, especially popular with British travelers. Despite the crowds, the island's natural beauty is undeniable.
We rented boats on two different days to explore both the north and south sides of the island, which was absolutely worth it. The shipwreck on the north side is incredibly cool to see, and honestly, some of the prettiest water of our entire trip was up there.
Food & Wine Highlights:
The island has exceptional restaurants and several vineyards worth visiting
We dined at Grampsas Winery & Restaurant – they make their own olive oil that was so incredibly flavorful I'm still kicking myself for not buying a bottle
Our final night dinner at Bassia on the hill was one of the most beautiful restaurant settings of our entire trip, with amazing food to match
Pro Tip: Make sure you visit as many Greek bakeries as possible.
Athens: History Geek Meets Foodie
We wrapped up our Greek adventure with four days in Athens, diving deep into the city's incredible historical sites and wandering the bustling streets. The city's layout is remarkable – you can see the iconic Parthenon from virtually anywhere, creating this constant connection to the city’s ancient history.
The Food Scene in Athens is absolutely incredible and honestly worth a return trip just for the culinary experiences alone. However, four days in the heart of the city felt like a bit much. Next time, I'd love to explore more of the northern areas or the coast, though after weeks of island life, we were pretty well beach-saturated by then.
Restaurant Highlights:
Dexameni - Really good Greek food
Attic Moon - Amazing Chinese food
Goat It Ice Cream - Really flavorful ice cream
Nakama Sushi Bar - Cheap and delicious sushi
Ermou 18 Beyond the Horizon - Good spot for sunset, views of the Parthenon and drinks
The Makers - Breakfast here was delicious
Ekiben Kitchen - Best burger, food was delicious all around
Hoocut - Not the best gyoros but solid
Istanbul: A Vibrant Cultural Finale
From Athens, we flew to Istanbul, and what an incredible way to end our journey. This city completely captivated us with its vibrant energy, rich history, and incredible diversity.
What Made Istanbul Special:
The food scene – absolutely mind-blowing cuisine around every corner
The markets – expansive and exciting, perfect for finding unique souvenirs
The mosques – architecturally stunning and spiritually moving
Cosmetics and pampering – Istanbul is famous for beauty treatments, and we took full advantage
I treated myself to one of the best manicures I’ve ever had and an extraction facial that was exactly what my skin needed after weeks in the sun and salt water, all at more reasonable prices than back home.
The Reality: Istanbul isn't as budget-friendly as it used to be, especially when vendors realize you're not local. Be prepared for constant price negotiations – from taxi fares to market purchases, everything involves some haggling.
Restaurant Highlights:
Galata Sunset - Fish was so good here
Moise Karakoy - Cute rooftop with really good food
Ali Ocakbasi Karakoy - Michilen star, and it shows. Best food we had the entire trip
Walton Breakfast - Had satisfying and delicious breakfast
Final Thoughts & Future Dreams
This trip exceeded every expectation we had. While I'd absolutely love to return to Istanbul, I'm already dreaming about exploring beyond the city – particularly the famous hot air balloon region and Turkey's southern coast, which I've heard is absolutely stunning.
Our Biggest Takeaways:
Live-aboard boat experiences in the Greek islands are absolutely worth the investment
Don't skip the smaller, less touristy islands – they often hold the biggest surprises
July in Greece offers incredible stargazing opportunities
Budget extra for Mykonos, but don't let the prices stop you from experiencing it
Definitely visit Athens and see the Parthenon, it’s so surreal to walk through one of the oldest cities in the world
Istanbul deserves at least 4-5 days to really appreciate everything it offers
Greece and Turkey delivered adventure, relaxation, incredible food, and memories that will last a lifetime. Already planning our next Mediterranean adventure!
