Slip into a slower pace in Greece

greece

Slip into a slower pace in Greece

Greece is dreamlike. That’s if – like ours – your dreams are colored by zigzags of blue-white houses, fragrant olive groves, pretty fishing villages, and visions of a balmy Aegean Sea.

Happily, this trip weaves these things together at a blissfully gentle pace. We’ll take you through some of the country’s lesser-traveled corners; moving gradually south from quirky Thessaloniki to the Halkidiki peninsula and around the Sporades Islands, with a sublime finale on Sifnos. Equal parts slow and sweet, this one’s a recipe for contentment. Tried and tested, of course.

When

May-October

Price

From $26,230pp excl. flights

(based on 2 ppl sharing)

How long

11 nights

Ideal length

Days 1-2

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki often slips under the radar. But Greece’s second-largest city entirely holds its own as Athens’ eccentric, characterful younger sister. There’s a patchwork of 20th Century and Byzantine architecture, candlelit wine bars, galleries, graffiti, vibey nightlife, and a thriving food scene.

Days 1-2

Day 1

Make yourself at home

Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, you’ll have plenty of time to settle into the On Residence hotel – in all its Gatsby-era glamor. Have a drink beneath the art deco chandeliers and step out to stretch your legs along the city’s sunny, strollable waterfront. We’re all for taking it easy on day one.

Day 2

Of markets and meze

After a relaxed morning, you’ll head out on an afternoon culinary tour. Having been awarded City of Gastronomy status by UNESCO for its blend of Ottoman, Balkan and Mediterranean flavors, the food in Thessaloniki is something special. And strolling between the busy stalls of Modiano and Kapani markets, where the narrow arcades are overflowing with juicy tomatoes, lemons, vats of glossy olives, fresh seafood, blocks of salty feta, and rings of kolouri (a Greek sesame bread that originated here) – you’ll taste it all.

Days 3-4

Halkidiki

Just a short 1.5-hour drive and you’ll arrive on the three-pointed Halkidiki peninsula. It was on the third point, Mount Athos, that the sight of “an iron cross on a rock by the sea” convinced travel writer Bruce Chatwin of the existence of God in 1985. It’s that beautiful. And it’s also the birthplace of Aristotle. Kind of a big deal.

Days 3-4

Day 3

Scouting out Sithonia

After settling in at your hotel, The Danai – family-run, complete with a private beach, and set in the green bluffs of the Sithonia peninsula – you’ll set out to explore the island beyond. From Parthenonas, on the slopes of Mount Itamos, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the Aegean Sea to the ancient Greek city of Toroni and the quiet fishing village of Porto Koufo, with its lake-like natural harbor – there are views for days. And days.

Day 4

Laid-back living

Today, a day at leisure, is all about going at your own pace. You might want to head out and explore nearby Old Nikiti Village, dotted with blossom-filled wooden balconies and home to the hilltop Church of Agios Nikitas. Or you might want to stay put and soak up your sublime surroundings at The Danai (and make the most of their very, very select wine cellar). The island is your oyster.

Days 5-8

The Sporades Islands

When you’re sailing on your private yacht around the Sporades Islands, the getting there is as good as the arriving. Scattered across the blue-green waters of the northern Aegan Sea, the four main inhabited islands – Alonissos, Skopelos, Skiathos, and Skyros – are coated in dense pine forests that spill out onto beautiful hidden bays. They’re some of the best beaches in all of Greece.

Days 5-8

Day 5

All aboard

After breakfast, you’ll climb aboard your private yacht and sail roughly 60 nautical miles towards the Sporades Islands. Anchoring at Kyra Panagia island en route to climb to its namesake monastery (and taking a cooling dip in the water on the way down, no doubt), you’ll arrive on Alonissos. Known for its rugged landscapes and National Marine Park reserve, which protects rare seabirds, dolphins, and endangered Mediterranean monk seals, this is the quietest of the islands. You’ll want to soak in the silence here.

Day 6

Cedar trees and glittering seas

Rising bright and early, you’ll spend this morning hiking through pine forests and cedar trees along one of Alonissos’ most beautiful coastal paths. And by the time the heat of the day arrives, you’ll be sailing towards Skopelos. Though it starred in the 2008 movie Mamma Mia!, the island hasn’t let fame go to its head. Olive groves, sprawling vineyards, almond orchards, tiny churches, and hidden coves are still the name of the game. See what we did there?

Day 7

Don't worry, be(ach) happy

From low-key life on Skopelos, you’ll stay firmly in relaxation mode in neighboring Skiathos. Your day here is best spent horizontal, lounging on the island’s soft sandy beaches (Lalaria and Koukounaries are our favorites). Just don’t miss out on a bowl of fresh crawfish pasta from one of the local tavernas come dinner time. Trust us.

Day 8

Pit-stop perfection

You’ll spend this morning at sea, sitting sun-drenched on the deck as you sail to Halkidiki. From there, you’ll take a short flight to Athens, where you’ll reside at The Dolli: a restored neoclassical mansion set in Plaka, the city’s oldest neighborhood. It’s polished, light, and sits in the shadow of the ancient Acropolis (so close, in fact, that swimming in the rooftop pool creates the illusion that you’re floating through the columns of the Parthenon). When you’ve got one night in Athens, this is the place to spend it.

Days 9-12

Sifnos

Sifnos is a small and wildly beautiful island; it’s also the place to get your fill of seriously good Greek food. Grilled octopus, sizzling calamari, zesty fava dip, and Greek salad drizzled with olive oil and fresh oregano – all washed down with a glass of strong, fiery ouzo. We can almost taste it.

Days 9-12

Day 9

Cycladic chic

Waking up in Athens, it’s time to set off on a speedboat towards Sifnos. You’ll arrive at Elies Resort – your home for the next three nights – with the rest of the day to settle in. Enjoy the hotel’s olive-planted hillsides and private beach, or venture out to explore Apollonia village – where the doorways of its picturesque alleys are brightly painted and framed with bougainvillea.

Day 10

A taste of Greece

Today, we’ll arrange for you to chef up a Grecian storm at your private cooking class in a local Sifnian home. Using fresh ingredients, you’ll prepare (and taste) a whole feast – from appetizers to traditional desserts like Melopita (a crustless pie made with honey and creamy ricotta cheese). You’ll return to your hotel with full hearts. And even fuller bellies.

Day 11

Take a spin at pottery

Where the soil is famously fortified by clay, water, and sun, the ceramic arts have been practiced on Sifnos since the Bronze Age. You’ll visit two traditional pottery workshops; joining skilled local artisans for a masterclass in shaping your own pieces on the potter’s wheel. Where’s that empty extra suitcase to fill with hand-painted pots when you need it?

Day 12

Homeward bound

Like all good things, your trip must come to an end. But you’ll carry a quiet sense of content all the way home with you. The memory of the sun’s reflection glinting on the water; of linen curtains shifting in a warm breeze. You’ll be back soon.