Greece

30 Stunning Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Naxos, Greece

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After five amazing nights in Chania, we took the ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Naxos, where we spent another four nights. Unlike Crete, Naxos is part of the Cyclades, or the iconic “blue and white” islands that probably come to mind when you think of Greece (a la Mamma Mia).

We had a whole itinerary planned, but once we arrived, the island’s relaxed beauty swept us away. Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, we decided to slow down, embrace the laid-back vibe, and simply hang out. Naxos completely stole our hearts, and I’m already dreaming of the day we return.

Since we ended up scrapping most of our original plans, this post is less about a detailed itinerary and more about simply Naxos — sharing some of my favorite snapshots from our time in Naxos to inspire your own visit.

We were welcomed to Naxos with a sailboat with the Portara (Naxos’ most famous landmark) in the back.

The flowers were very pretty throughout Naxos.

This was just a random street.

Sun setting in Chora (Naxos Town).

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Salis – Truly the BEST Restaurant in Chania, Crete

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Hands down, the most unforgettable meal of my entire summer 2025 trip to Greece was at a chic wine bar tucked just off the water in Chania’s Old Harbour: Salis. With a seaside setting, locally sourced dishes, and a large wine and Gin and Tonic selection, Salis completely stole my heart. In this post, I’m sharing all the delicious details of our evening at Salis, and why it deserves a spot on your Crete itinerary!

Salis on Chania’s Old Harbour.

Salis describes itself as a “wine bar”,  and it absolutely lives up to the name. Their wine list is robust, featuring an impressive selection that ranges from local Cretan varietals to international labels from as far away as the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (where I grew up!). It was a fun surprise to see a taste of home on the menu, literally thousands of miles away.

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SeaJet Ferry’s Platinum Class from Heraklion to Naxos

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When it comes to island hopping in Greece, you generally have two options: flying or taking a ferry. While flying can be faster, it often involves a transfer through Athens, which can be inconvenient. Ferries, on the other hand, are part of Greece’s extensive and well-connected maritime network — and in my experience, they offer a more scenic and enjoyable way to travel, provided the schedule works for you.

Passing Santorini from our ferry.

On our recent trip, we opted for a SeaJets ferry from Heraklion (Crete) to Naxos in Platinum Class. In this post, I’ll share our experience and walk you through everything you need to know about taking a ferry in Greece.

PURCHASING GREEK FERRY TICKETS

Although it’s possible to buy ferry tickets in Greece — often right at the port from small ticket booth trailers — I always prefer to book mine online in advance, either directly through the ferry company or via a trusted third-party site. There are two main reasons for this: first, ferries do sell out, especially during peak season; and second, prices are often dynamic, meaning you’ll typically pay less the earlier you book.

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The Perfect Itinerary for 5 Relaxing Days in Chania, Crete!

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This summer’s Mediterranean vacay brought us back to Greece,this time to the stunning islands of Crete and Naxos, followed by a one-night stay in Athens. Crete and Naxos were both new islands for us, and we absolutely loved them. In this post, we’re sharing highlights from our five-day stay in Crete – though honestly, five days wasn’t nearly enough. We’re already read to go back! This post details what we did in Chania over five days and how you can recreate our trip for yourself!

A postcard-perfect welcome to beautiful Chania.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND DINNER IN THE OLD VENETIAN PORT

Our first day in Crete was an exhausting one, as we arrived in Athens direct from JFK in the early morning and transferred a few hours later to Aegean Airlines for a 1 hour flight to Chania, Crete. While tiring, our transit and arrival was pretty seamless and we spent about two hours in Athen’s Skyserv domestic lounge (it’s just OK). We finally arrived in Chania in the late afternoon, taxied to our hotel, Domes Zeen Chania (which is GREAT!), and promptly took a nap. Luckily, Domes Zeen Chania is super nice and comfortable – separate review coming soon.

Our private pool at Domes Zeen Chania.

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Airport Lounge Review: Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge, Athens, Greece

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Dan and I visited the Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge in Athens International, Hall A, when we flew from Athens, Greece to New York on Delta in July 2025. This post reviews our time in the Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge, which we found to be a perfectly serviceable lounge. There was decent space, fast WiFi, and the food was surprisingly decent. That being said, it is worth a stop only if you have extra time before your flight (in other words, don’t arrive early for it).

Arriving at the Athens International Airport.

Before jumping into the post, this post reviews the Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge located in the Non-Schengen area (i.e., international flights out of Europe). There is another lounge of the same name located in the Schengen area, which we visited on this trip AND back in 2021. The Non-Schengen location, which is the subject of this post, is nicer than that in the Schengen area. I would also note that we accessed the Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge with our Priority Pass, and this lounge looks completely different than the pictures shown on the Priority Pass website…in a good way.

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