Expert: Christos Stergiou, founder, TrueGreece
Length of trip: 10 days
Highlights: Historical Athens, beaches of Patmos, and sunsets on Santorini
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ATHENS
Check into the design-forward Periscope Hotel in the Kolonaki
area of Athens—if you can
swing it, book the penthouse
suite with its private outdoor
jacuzzi—so nice after a long
flight... Spend the afternoon
exploring the neighborhood's
stores, restaurants, and
quaint cafes.... Check out
the traditional Plaka and
Monastiraki market areas,
or visit the new Acropolis
Museum.... Then dinner at
Kuzina restaurant, which
has a stunning view of the
Acropolis at night.
DAY 2: OFF TO PATMOS
Catch a flight to Kos then
connect by catamaran to
Patmos, my home island;
its beaches, quaint villages,
and excellent culinary scene
make it the perfect place for
honeymooners.... Check into
the Petra Hotel, a small (just 12
rooms), romantic spot close
to the beach that remains
undiscovered by the herds
of international tourists....
Spend the afternoon wandering
around Chora (the capital
city) and check out the circa
1088 Monastery of St. John....
Have dinner at Benetos
restaurant; you must try
the cheese and spinach
phyllo.... Take an afterdinner
walk around Chora,
followed by cocktails and
dancing at Café 1673.
DAY 3: PATMOS
Board a caïque (traditional
Greek boat) for a private
cruise to a series of nearby
islands.... Try lunch at
Pantelis, one of two restaurants
on a beach with nothing
else on it—they make
incredible fish, among the
best in Greece.... Enjoy some
unstructured downtime....
Have dinner at Vegghera
restaurant overlooking the
marina in Skala.
DAY 4: PATMOS
Visit Psili Ammos, arguably
the island's most beautiful
beach, or check out Grikos,
a picturesque fishing village
with a long beach.... Spend
your last night dining and
taking in the colors of the
sunset at Diakofti Taverna.
DAY 5: ON TO SANTORINI
Head back to Athens and
connect by plane to Santorini....
Stay at the Carpe Diem
Hotel, in the up-and-coming
village of Pyrgos—the rooms
are modern and spacious, and
each has a private pool.
DAY 6: SANTORINI
Head to the capital city of
Fira for some shopping, or
spend the day relaxing on one
of the black sand beaches....
Walk around the town of Oia
in the evening and take in a
world-renowned Santorini
sunset.... Finish the day with
dinner on the terrace at
Ambrosia restaurant.
DAY 7: SANTORINI
Start with a day trip to
Thirasia, a tiny island that
has a really authentic, Old
World vibe, or explore one
of the Santorini wineries,
like my favorite, Domaine
Sigalas.... Eat dinner at the
super-romantic 1800 Restaurant,
housed in a restored
mansion in Oia.
DAY 8: SANTORINI
Enjoy your private pool
and relax!
DAY 9: BACK TO ATHENS
Return to
Athens and check back
into the Periscope Hotel....
Sign up for a guided city tour
to see the Acropolis and other
major sites.... Have dinner at
Varoulko restaurant, known
for its creative seafood dishes
fresh from the Aegean.
DAY 10: FLY HOME
