Greece

A Foodie Adventure Through Monastiraki & Psiri, Greece!

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After spending time in Crete and Naxos earlier this year in July, Dan and I had just one night—24 hours—in Athens. Since we’ve visited the city several times before, we decided to skip the major tourist sights and instead focus on something we never tire of: food. We chose Eating Europe’s “Our Big, Fat, Greek Food Tour,” which led us through six delicious stops across Athens’ Monastiraki and Psiri neighborhoods.

Looking up at the Acropolis at the beginning of our food tour.

One thing to note: we took the tour on a Sunday, when many places in Athens are closed. We were informed of this beforehand but decided to go ahead—it was, after all, our only night in the city. Would I do it again on a Sunday? Absolutely. Still, I suspect the experience is even better on other days when more spots are open and bustling.

THE BIG, FAT, GREEK FOOD TOUR

Our tour began in the Monastiraki neighborhood of Athens, which is a very old Athens neighborhood – dating back 6,000 years. This area is located in the shadow of the Acropolis, filled with far too many super touristy shops, and contains its own historical treasures, including the Roman Agora, Holy Church of the Virgin Mary Pantanassa, and Hadrian’s Library. All tourists should come to this area, regardless if you take a food tour.

Monastiraki, Athens. A very ancient Athens area.

STOP ONE: GREEK COFFEE

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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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