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Destinations, Europe, Greece

Monasteries Hopping in Meteora

I guess to replace bar hopping by monasteries hopping in Meteora is just another proof that I’m not 20 anymore… My friend Catherine from The Go Fever, suggested to create a hashtag so it sounds cooler. So here is it: #monasterieshopping. Feel free to use it on Instagram. When I created my itinerary from Athens, I planned to stay 2 nights in the region so I can trek in Meteora and visit the famous monasteries. That was just perfect to visit Trikala on the first day, and to explore the famous monasteries on the second day. Here’s what you need to know to visit Meteora. Where I Stayed in Meteora The small village of Trikala is located about 30 minutes in bus from the monasteries, but I never regretted to have rent my accommodation there. First, a large part of the city is pedestrian. Second, you can walk to all historical sites from downtown. The food scene is great and you can easily find a lot of restaurants with a sunny terrace. Visit the Village of Trikala The city is located around 30 minutes of bus from the monasteries, but we didn’t regret our choice. First, a whole area is for […]

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Athens Insiders, Monastiraki Square
Blog, Greece

Athens Insiders Tour: Uncover the Hidden Stories of the City

I told her I thought she was courageous to have built her own company with her partners.  She answered: “What else do you want to do when the unemployment rate in your country is 25%…” I met Natalie, the co-founder of Athens Insiders, at the Monastiraki Square after our day of exploration. My boyfriend and I decided to visit the Acropolis and the Arch of Hadrian by ourselves during the day, and we were kind of saturated by historical facts when we met up with Natalie. Specialized in tailor-made experiences, she asked us what we wanted to do. “Anything but historical sites. We want to see the modern Athens, and we love street art!”, we said. We were in good hands to discover the city like locals with Athens Insiders. Monastriaki Flea Market With its piles of colourful chairs, antiques and bizarre wicker motorcycles, Monastiraki flea market was lively. People didn’t seem to mind the rainy day and walked around at a fast pace. It was a good starting point for our walking tour around Athens’ neighbourhoods. We followed Natalie through the streets and she soon stopped to buy a koulouri. Half-way between a bagel and a pretzel, koulouris can be found anywhere […]

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I'm going to Greece, crisis or not.
Destinations, Europe, Greece

I’m Going to Greece. Should You?

To be honest, I was supposed to go to Turkey. I even announced it to everybody I know, but I chose to postponed my trip for the second time. The first time, my vacation were during the Ramadan, and even if I know it wouldn’t have been a problem for a none-muslim tourist, I didn’t want to disturb a tradition that is not mine. This time, flights to Istanbul for a trip in September are insanely expensive from Montreal. Even if I really want to see the Blue Mosque and explore the markets, there’s no way that I’m gonna pay 1400$ for a flight to go there. So Turkey, when you’re ready, raise your hand, because I’m waiting for you! Then, I spent a day shopping for an alternative destination. Did I choose to go to Greece because it was the cheapest flights? No. I could go to Central America. Did I choose Greece because of the crisis? Yes and no. I mainly chose Greece because it’s beautiful, and despite the fact that there’s a crisis, I won’t deny it, its sun, its beaches, its culture are not in crisis. For tourists, I am confident that it will be business as usual, and I am […]

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What to do on Naxos island
Blog, Greece

Road Trip on Naxos : From Door to Door

Sometimes, you meet a man who is supposed to be a one night stand, and finally you end up in a beautiful love relationship with him. I feel the same thing happened with Naxos.  If you’re not familiar with Greek islands other than the outdoor shopping mall that is Santorini, Naxos is the biggest of the Cycladic Islands. It’s also a place where bus schedules don’t coincide with ferry schedules in September, leaving you with no choice but to rent a car. We could also have chosen to rent a scooter, but in that case, I would have had to abandon my boyfriend or my backpack. And since I would have had to carry my backpack by myself in both cases, I decided to rent a car. “Can you drive standard?”, I asked my boyfriend. “I could in 2003.”, he answered. After several humiliating attempts, we managed to leave the car rental company. I did a thumbs up to the owner to reassure him that we would find a way to bring back the car, ideally in one piece. The man was not impressed. We were! Naxos is the real thing. Of course, when you get off the ferry, there are tons […]

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