Loved Greece:
My recent trip to Greece was an unforgettable blend of business and pleasure. I traveled with the Thareja Elders, which included four senior citizens, my wife, and baby Kiara. From Athens to Mykonos and Santorini, I’m sharing our detailed itinerary and experiences in hopes it helps anyone planning a trip, especially if you’re traveling with a baby, family or senior citizens.
Traveling with Norse Airways
We had no idea what Norse Airways was until trying to book last minute tickets. We flew with budget airline Norse Airways, and even their most premium (business class) seats were cheaper than United’s economy class. Imagine 90s first-class seats with modern touches!
So seats don’t fully recline but enough to make the trip so much more comfortable. The bathrooms were spotless.
Check-in was a breeze, especially with wheelchairs for the seniors.
Also we all have TSA Pre check and Clear.
Airport carts were a lifesaver.
To make things even easier, we rented a van to haul our luggage across Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, including ferry rides between the islands. We rented from Alamo, but check all car rental companies.
Staying in AirBNB – Villas: A Comfortable, Affordable Option
For each destination, we rented from Airbnb which were all “villas”. This gave us a more affordable, comfortable experience and kept us away from the tourist crowds. Highly recommended! But be warned some of our villas aside from Athens was a 10 min drive to main town. Also get your food from grocery stores or use Wolt. Wolt is Greece’s Uber Eats.
Athens: Ancient Marvels and Stunning Views
The view from the balcony of our Airbnb:
Athens was our first stop, and it was incredible. We visited the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill—both offering stunning views and steeped in history. Our Airbnb faced the Acropolis, which meant we could enjoy a breathtaking view right from the balcony every morning.
Definitely check out Lycabettus Hill: (go during day, it’s less crowded.)
Acropolis: Go during sunset, it’s faster, but still crowded. But so beautiful.
Travel Tip: Avoid Golden Star Ferries. The service was horrible, and the boat felt too enclosed. Instead, we found success using SeatJets and Fast Ferries, which we booked through go-ferry.com. They allowed our Van, had open decks We booked all VIP class tickets to stay away from crowds.
Mykonos: Venice of the Aegean
Our Airbnb:
Mykonos was everything we expected and more.
The town has this charming Venice-like area with winding streets and windmills dotting the landscape. If you love Indian food, Indian Palace (highly rated) is a must! It’s often said to be the best Indian food in Europe, and after tasting it, I’d agree.
Santorini: Sail and Savor
Our Airbnb:
Santorini was breathtaking. We took a catamaran ride around the island, which included lunch on board—a fantastic way to see the stunning coastline. For dinner, we dined at Skizza in Oia, with a jaw-dropping view of the caldera. It was one of those moments where you feel like you’re in a postcard. Skizza is just a chill pizza spot with great food.
View from Skizza:
Santorini: Sailing: Rent from SantoSails
We rented the one below. It was awesome! Lots of food, great service and amazing views. The main captains name is Theo.
Contact:
+30 694 458 8600
Final Stop: Athens
On our way back, we stopped at Golden Haveli in Athens for one last meal. The food was incredible—a perfect end to a perfect trip.
Food Delivery Tip:
There is no Uber Eats in Greece instead download -> Wolt and -> Dominos has its own Greece App
I also shared the Itinerary day by day:
| Day | Location | Activity |
| Day 1 (Monday) | Athens | JFK to Norse Atlantic Flight |
| Evening | Arrival in Athens at 6 PM, | |
| Pickup Car from Alamo, Transfer to hotel | ||
| Relaxed dinner in Plaka | ||
| Day 2 (Tuesday) | Athens | |
| Morning | Visit Acropolis and Lycabettus hill | |
| Afternoon | Explore Ancient Agora and Monastiraki Square | |
| Evening | Stroll through Plaka, dinner with Acropolis views – Golden Haveli | |
| Day 3 (Wednesday) | Athens to Mykonos | |
| Morning | Early morning ferry to Mykonos | |
| Afternoon | Arrive in Mykonos, check into hotel, relax | |
| Evening | Explore Mykonos Town, dinner at a seaside restaurant / Dominos | |
| Day 4 (Thursday) | Mykonos | |
| Morning | Visit Ornos or Agios Ioannis Beach | |
| Afternoon | Boat trip to Delos Island or chill in Mykonos Town | |
| Evening | Return to Mykonos Town, sunset dinner | |
| Day 5 (Friday) | Mykonos to Santorini | |
| Morning | Ferry to Santorini, check into hotel | |
| Afternoon | Relax at the hotel or explore Fira | |
| Evening | Dinner with a caldera view in Fira or Falafel Land | |
| Day 6 (Saturday) | Santorini | |
| Morning | Visit Oia, explore at a leisurely pace | |
| Afternoon | Return to Fira, visit Archaeological Museum or cable car ride or chill in pool | |
| Evening | Dinner in Fira or Imerovigli with stunning views | |
| Day 7 (Sunday) | Santorini | |
| Morning | Relax at Kamari Beach | |
| Afternoon | Half-day Sunset catamaran cruise around the caldera | |
| Evening | Final dinner in Fira | |
| Day 8 (Monday) | Santorini to Athens | |
| Morning | Morning flight back to Athens | |
| Afternoon | Optional visit to National Archaeological Museum or shopping | |
| Evening | Farewell dinner in Kolonaki or Golden Haveli | |
| Day 9 (Tuesday) | Athens | Flight Norse Atlantic to JFK |
| Morning | Leisurely breakfast, relax, Departure |
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