12 | WINTER 2025
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Our Favorite Greek Islands for Travel Mykonos, Naxos, and Santorini
fic. Shops and cafes, gelato stores, souvenir shops, and traveling musicians provide a kaleidoscope of activity on the cobbled streets. Cafes and restaurants exist by side—each offering versions of classic Greek dishes. Moussaka, souvlaki, Baklava, Greek sal- ad and Pastitsio (The Greeks' answer to lasagna). Pic- tured is Greek meatballs . The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located above the city of Athens, Greece, and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architec- tural and historical signifi- cance, the most famous be- ing the Parthenon . Kamissa, our guide to the Acropolis, was a wealth of knowledge on all things Greek. Walking was steep and treacher- ous with loose marble and rocks on the steep incline and not a guardrail in sight. A short flight brought us to Santorini , the most visited island in the Cyclades. The crescent-shaped Caldera of Santorini is the biggest gem in the Aegean and one of the most impres- sive places to visit in the world! Our hotel, Apeiron Blue overlooks the Caldera. A semi-private Catamaran journey around the Calde- ra brought us around the inner circumference. The water temperature was good for swimming with
By Staff Photographer/Writer Ed Woods, USMC (ret)
The Theater of Dionysus, Parthenon, Athens, Greece
“A short flight brought us to Santorini , the most visited island in the Cyclades."
F rancesca and I were keen to understand the storied history of Greece, both as a na- tion and for it’s gifts to the world of gastronomy. Ancient Greek cuisine was characterized by its frugal- ity and was founded on the “Mediterranean triad” of wheat, olive oil, and wine. On our journey from Athens to the Cycladic islands we visited, bread, olive oil, and wine were components in every meal except breakfast.
Yana, our contact with Fantasy Travel in Athens, was able to schedule our hotels and activities from our arriv- al at Athens airport to our departure 17 days later. Athens Gate is a friendly 4-star hotel with a roof- top bar and restaurant with stunning views of the Acropolis. A three-minute walk brought us to the Pla- ka District . Plaka feels like a trip back in time. The oldest neighborhood in Ath- ens is filled with picturesque streets closed to vehicle traf-
plenty of room for the 15 people on board. About an hour before sunset, the captain became the chef, whipping up a complete meal—including the photo of the shrimp and mussels pasta dish (opposite page). Sunset is predictively awe- some and there are many boats to reach the Caldera.
tour of the Santo wines vine- yard and winery. Visitors can enjoy a fabulous sunset dinner at the adjacent S’perisma Bar & Restaurant —featuring wine flights from Santo Wines . Pictured on the opposite page is my artistically presented dinner of spaghetti and clams. Francesca and I are pic- tured with the stunning Katerina of Santo Wines .
Our final adventure on San- torini included an in-depth
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