Greece is one of those places that if it isn’t on your bucket list, it needs to be. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people that know how to relax and enjoy life. Last year I had to pleasure of going to Greece for a friend’s wedding and I’m so glad I managed to find the money in my budget to go!
First of all, if you are on a budget and don’t think that you’ll ever be able to travel to Greece, think again. If I can do it anyone can, seriously! Our first stop was in Athens which we didn’t spend much time in we did a 3 island boat tour 1 day and then went to see the historic sights another day but the highlight and main part of our stay was on the beautiful island of Ikaria. Please put this beautiful island on your list of places to visit.
Ikaria is unlike anywhere I’ve been before (it was my very first trip abroad so that doesn’t say much but still). You can either get to the island from Athens by ferry or plane, we opted for the plane. It was a small plane and the flight was under 30 mins and when you land don’t expect a large airport because you won’t get one, it’s just large enough for about 1 plane.
Then you must take a taxi up the mountain to where you are staying, we stayed in Cavos Bay. It’s a very long windy road up the mountain with great views but don’t be in a rush. Our cab driver stopped in one of the towns along the way because he saw an old friend and decided to chat for a bit.
Nothing fancy but it cost just around $125 USD for the 4 days that we were there not bad, right? And you can’t beat the views from the balcony and the entrance is delightful.
Look at this view….and yes that’s a bee flying by my toe. There are plenty of them on the island.
You know what else you will find all over the island? Stray cats. They’re EVERYWHERE! But you get use to them so it’s fine.
Also, be prepared to walk everywhere and they have hills. Which is good so you can work off all the food that you will eat.
If you find yourself in Ikaria at Cavos Bay, down the street you will find a few little shops. One in particular sells homemade soaps and honey, I suggest you pick some up! The honey tastes a little different than the honey I’m use to because the bees that make the honey have a Mediterranean diet but trust me it’s amazing.
In the same area of little shops on the water are a few little restaurants or cafes. There is one on the corner (sorry I’m not sure of the name or if it even had one) but there is a nice old man that owns it and the menu is written on a chalk board, what you see is what you get. The prices aren’t listed and I’m pretty sure it’s just what he feels like charging at the moment which isn’t much. I think our lunch of a salad to share with hummus and pita was about $10-15 USD. Be prepared to talk because he will sit there and have a long conversation with you like old friends. Best part though is it is right by the water so you get to enjoy a nice relaxing lunch with an amazing view.
Just look at all the feta on that salad... I love it!
One more place that you absolutely have to stop by while you’re in Ikaria is the local ice cream place. In addition to selling goat milk ice cream (it’s amazing!) they also sell homemade jams and marmalade I ended up buying a view to take home. Also, you couldn’t beat their hours 8am until the last visitor amazing, right?
There are also so many cute little churches all over Greece. Here’s one that was near our hotel.
Now a trip to Greece would not be complete without going to the beach, I mean it’s pretty impossible to miss since you’re on an island. The town doesn’t really wake up and “open” until about 12:30-1 so if you make it out to the beach in the morning you can grab a lounge chair at no charge until the beach opens. If you want to stay its about 5 euros to continue using your chair.
So I’ll leave you with a few pictures of one of their beaches. Oh, yea and it is pretty rocky so be prepared with sandals if you have sensitive feet. And if you’ve ever had a chance to travel to Ikaria please tell me your favorite places to eat or things to do on the island because I definitely plan on going back.
XOXO
Comments
Post a Comment