This is a guest post by Emily Starbuck Gerson. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read more here.
When my sister and I decided to explore the Greek islands last summer, we had trouble with the logistics. There were so many places we wanted to go, but to say that the ferry schedules were confusing is an understatement. Many of the islands we wanted to visit didn’t have direct ferry routes to and from each other, and I kept hearing that ferry schedules changed often and frequently ran late. That many flights would be too expensive.
We found out that Louis Cruises operates cruises through the Greek islands, and it turned out to be the perfect way for us to cover a lot of territory without the hassle of dealing with the logistics. It was smaller than your average commercial line, and the low-cost, five-night cruise took us to Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, Kusadasi, and Santorini.
We didn’t get to spend too much time in any one place, but it gave us a taste of many islands, and helped me figure out where I want to return and spend more time (Myknonos and Santorini, of course!). We also started and began in Athens, so we took a few days to explore it, as well.
I was awed by just how blue the water was and how white the buildings were–the Greek islands were just as gorgeous as I dreamed they would be. Here are some of my favorite photos I took on that trip.
Yes, it's really like the movies; the island of Mykonos is full of picturesque white-washed churches with blue domes.
Octopus are a popular part of Greek cuisine. I found these octopi drying on a sailboat in Mykonos.
This beautiful section of Mykonos is called Little Venice because its narrow buildings sit directly on the Aegean Sea.
These windmills are the one Mykonos's trademarks. They were once used to grind agricultural produce, and while they are no longer operational, they are still an impressive sight.
The island of Patmos is home to the Monastery of St. John (the brown structure pictured in the top right corner). It is also home to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where it's said that St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelations.
The Old Town part of Rhodes, Greece is still surrounded by its impressive medieval wall.
Here's an interior shot I took of the walled-in Old Town Rhodes. Rhodes has 14 mosques due to an Ottoman takeover in the 1500s, one of which you can see in the bottom left. While you're here, be sure to visit the Archeological Museum housed in the restored Hospital of the Knights.
I took this image as our boat approached the island of Santorini. You can see the white buildings perched on craggy cliffs.
To visit Santorini's capital, Fira, you have to ride up in a cable car or take a donkey ride. I took this image of us ascending in the funicular.
The island of Santorini was once a volcanic cone whose top was blown off, and then became a caldera. From Santorini, you can see several nearby dark volcanic islands, such as those pictured here. As you can see, the cafes on Santorini have breathtaking views.
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About the Author: Emily Starbuck Gerson is a writer based in Austin, Texas. She’s a copywriter in the travel industry by day and runs her own travel blog, Maiden Voyage, in her free time in addition to doing a variety of freelance writing and editing. Follow her on Twitter @TheMaidenVoyage.
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Categories: Features, Greece, Photos
Post tags: blogsherpa, Greece, Photos
17 Comments
I lived in Santorini from May until early August this past summer and absolutley loved it there. I'd highly highly recommend an extended stay there!
I studied in Greece and have been back twice after. I have yet to find a place in the world as stunning to me as the Greek Isles. Great pics–check out the pics I took in Greece here: http://www.christineinspain.com/post/752198548/…
One day I will go there. Beautiful pictures. Take care, Phil
Wow. Just gorgeous. Great post and pictures. I'd be curious what the boat was like that you were on. Big, small, how many other passengers?
Thanks, David
Wow, that cafe! I think I could just sit there are stare out into that blue sea for hours. Amazing pictures!
Wow, that cafe! I think I could just sit there are stare out into that blue sea for hours. Amazing pictures!
Thanks for the comments, everyone! My Little Nomads–we went on the Louis Cruises line. The boat was the Aquamarine. I've been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Regent Seven Seas before–the Louis Cruises boat was much smaller–made it easier to get around and to find people. It still felt like a cruise, though (and it wasn't very fancy). Just looked it up — our boat carries 1,250 passengers on board.
Gorgeous pics!!! I would love to visit the isles one day. How wonderful to have a coffee at that cafe with THAT view…
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These photos are breathtaking. I definitely need to make a trip to the Greek islands. Thanks for sharing!
Great photos! They make me want to go back to Greece. I also remember the hassle and confusion trying to find ferries out to & between the islands, which is why I actually ended up flying form Athens to Santorini. If you have a little extra money, I highly suggest flying to Santorini (especially if you're into photography) because the views as you fly in are amazing! Seeing the C-shaped island amidst the dark blue sea looks fake. Ahh, Greece.
I would LOVE to have a coffee at that cafe – what a view!
//Sofia
Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! i’ve never been but really want to now.
Some really great shots in here — makes me want to go to Greece even more than I already want to.
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Pretty insightful post. Never thought that it was this simple after all. I had spent a good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you’re the only one that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up
Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.