After a grueling school day of learning God knows what (haha!), I sat in our living room and started clicking through the channels, hoping to find the latest movie to watch. That’s when I came across a new movie called The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I thought, Hey, this could be interesting.
My sister and brother were at soccer practice, while my younger brother was upstairs playing Xbox. So, in true sister fashion, I took full advantage of having the living room all to myself and lounged around like any good kid would (haha!).
As the movie unfolded, I found myself captivated by Nina’s summer vacation in Greece. The funny family atmosphere, the beautiful scenery, and, of course, her little Romeo-and-Juliet-style love story all stayed with me long after the movie ended. There was just something about the charm and beauty of Greece that stuck with me.
From that moment on, I dreamed of visiting Greece someday. I wanted to experience the culture, the scenery, and the beautiful energy I had seen on screen for myself. What once felt like a faraway dream eventually made its way onto my vision board.
Fast-forward to 2026, and I can finally say that I’ve crossed Greece off my bucket list! What started as a childhood dream inspired by a movie became a real-life experience, and that feeling of seeing something I had once only imagined was truly a dream come true.
Of course, there are still plenty of Greek islands left to explore, so who knows? We may just find ourselves back in Greece a few years from now, adding a few more islands to the list!
This is a little love letter to my dream destination. I hope you enjoy experiencing Greece through my lens!
Before venturing off to Greece, I did a ton of research! From YouTube channels and Google travel guides to blogs and influencers, I gathered plenty of ideas for things to see and do.
The Ancient Agora had a few mixed reviews, but I couldn’t resist experiencing it for myself! From the museum to the ancient ruins, you can almost transport yourself back in time and imagine merchants bargaining with one another, locals going about their day, and politicians discussing reforms.
If you’re visiting during the summer, I definitely recommend going in the morning or later in the evening. The midday heat was no joke! Thankfully, our morning time slot was much cooler, which made exploring the ruins a lot more enjoyable.
After grabbing some lunch and cooling down at the hotel, we headed over to the Acropolis! My fit was the perfect addition for staying cool while exploring.
The Acropolis was definitely pretty slippery, so be sure to watch your step, but the views and the sheer history of the place made it an incredible sight to see. It’s still undergoing some restoration, but that didn’t take away from the experience. Standing among these ancient ruins and taking in the views of Athens was something I’ll never forget.
If you’re visiting Athens, I’d say the Acropolis is absolutely worth experiencing at least once!
Plaka is a beautiful, charming neighborhood in Athens and is known as one of the oldest areas of the city. With its winding streets, historic buildings, and lively atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to wander and take in the charm of Athens.
You really can’t go wrong with the restaurants tucked throughout Plaka, especially the ones with seating along the steps where you can enjoy a meal while taking in the atmosphere. There are also a few rooftop restaurants in the area where you can catch an amazing sunset with views of the Acropolis. If you’re a sunset lover like me, this is definitely a must!
While exploring, you can also tour the Benizelos Mansion, considered the oldest surviving house in Athens. They only ask for donations to tour the grounds, making it a quick and budget-friendly stop. It’s a nice way to escape the sun for a bit while getting a glimpse into Athens’ history, with ancient elements alongside modern restoration.
The Roman Agora is also nearby and can easily be viewed from the gate, so you may not feel the need to pay for entry. Still, it’s worth making a quick stop to admire the ruins and take in another little piece of ancient Athens!
A silky number from Windsor paired with billowy palazzo pants was my go-to look this day. When you’re exploring Greece in the heat, light and airy was definitely the way to go!
We knew we wanted to island hop, and one of our top destinations for as long as I can remember has always been Santorini!
I’d heard such mixed things about it, some people saying it’s completely oversaturated, while others saying it’s an absolute dream. For me and J, though, it was by far the highlight of our trip! There’s just something so magical about Santorini that made it live up to every expectation I had.
I’ve always loved wine, so knowing that Greece has such a rich and unique tradition of winemaking, I knew I had to experience it for myself!
We visited Canava Roussos, and it was truly such a beautiful place to slow down, relax, and enjoy some wine. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by our hostess, who completely stole the show! She taught us so much about their winemaking process, including how they utilize the island’s volcanic soil and unique underground conditions to grow their grapes.
There’s something so special about learning the story behind what you’re drinking. As we toured the property and tasted the wines, you could truly appreciate every sip that much more.
There are quite a few wineries around Santorini, but one of my favorite parts of traveling is finding those little hidden gems that feel truly special and personal. For me, Canava Roussos was definitely one of them.
A beautiful property, incredible hospitality, and wine with a story, exactly the kind of experience I’ll remember.
Santorini was incredibly hot, and this pretty little set was the perfect airy look to keep me cool! The front was quite low, and for a night out, I’m all about it! But for daytime, I wanted something a little less showy, so I clipped the front and it worked perfectly for me.
Overall, such a fun little number for staying cool while still feeling cute and put together!
We rented both a car and an ATV for our trip. Ideally, we only wanted one, but J accidentally got the times mixed up, so we ended up with the buggy for just one day. Honestly, though, it was a blessing in disguise because my hair was literally a rat’s nest every time we zoomed down the highway!
If your hair doesn’t tangle easily, then a buggy or ATV is definitely for you! On the upside It was such a fun way to explore the island and allowed us to venture beyond the typical tourist spots.
We made our way around Santorini, including Amoudi Bay and the charming little town of Emporio. Our receptionist gave us a map, recommended some local spots, and insisted we check out Emporio, and I’m so glad we listened!
It was absolutely charming and offered a completely different feel from the crowds of Fira and Oia. Sometimes the best parts of a trip are the places you stumble upon along the way.
Oia was definitely more crowded, but we went during peak season, so I wasn’t surprised!
Be prepared for lots of walking, including plenty of steps. The marble can also be slippery, and when you combine that with the heat, it can get pretty tiring! Take your time, stay hydrated, and don’t be afraid to take breaks. There are plenty of cute shops and places to stop for a drink and cool down along the way.
If I could do it again, I’d recommend exploring Oia early in the morning or in the evening to beat the heat and avoid some of the crowds. Then, use the middle of the day for excursions or activities where you can cool off!
A little planning goes a long way when exploring this beautiful part of Santorini.
This set from PrettyLittleThing was perfect for a dinner date or a beach outing! The only downside is that the skirt is a little restricting at the bottom since it doesn’t have a slit, so I wouldn’t recommend it for a full day of sightseeing. But for an evening date night or as a beach cover-up, it’s such a cute option!
Since the skirt is a bit transparent, I added a silk liner underneath for the evening and simply took it off when I wore it to the beach. I love a versatile piece that can be styled two different ways! Definitely a fun little set, just keep the lack of movement in mind depending on how you plan to wear it!
Our hotel was the star of the show in Oia! We stayed at Chelidonia Luxury Suites, an adults-only cave hotel, and it was everything I hoped for!
I booked it mainly for the cave pool because staying in one had always been on my bucket list, and it did not disappoint. We were welcomed with complimentary champagne and snacks, and our room had a private terrace and balcony with beautiful views.
With how hot Santorini was, we took full advantage of that pool every chance we got!
We had the chance to spend some time at Black Beach, and it was such a fun way to cool off!
I’d definitely recommend renting a beach chair if you can. Usually, chairs are complimentary with a food or drink purchase, but since we went during peak season, we didn’t get to experience that. Definitely ask around, though, as other spots may offer it.
We ended up taking the first available spot and enjoyed every minute of it.
Our dinner spot at Mia’s Restaurant in Oia had the most gorgeous view, and I just knew my dress was the perfect addition to the evening. The views, the atmosphere, and the outfit all came together perfectly.
Skirt: Windsor
Our time in Santorini was short-lived, but we headed back to Athens to visit the Acropolis Museum and join a food tour.
The food tour was such a great experience. From trying different coffees and spices to enjoying home-cooked meals, we really got to immerse ourselves in the local culture.
I’d definitely recommend a food tour if you want to experience local cuisine and discover some of the city’s hidden gems.
The Acropolis Museum was a great stop to better understand what was uncovered from the Acropolis and other ancient sites around Athens.
From statues of Athena to ancient weapons and culinary dishware, you really get a glimpse into their everyday life and history. It’s also a great place to take a break from the heat.
If you’ve already seen the ancient ruins and buildings, I think it’s worth visiting to understand what was once inside them. But if you’re not a history buff like me, it’s an easy one to skip and use the time to explore something new!
Overall, our trip to Athens and Santorini was truly one for the books. Apart from one little slip that ended with three stitches, definitely a reminder to watch your step! This trip gave me so many memories I’ll cherish forever.
I’ve dreamed of visiting Santorini for as long as I can remember, so getting to finally experience it and explore Athens felt so surreal. I’m incredibly grateful we got to check two places off my bucket list and experience the culture, food, history, and beauty of Greece together.
Now that I’ve had a little taste of Greece, I already know I want to go back and explore more. Mykonos and the rest of the islands are officially on the list!
If you’ve been to Greece, tell me which island you think we should experience next. I’d love to hear your recommendations!
-XOXO
Vanessa
Vanessa Serna 