Our next destination after Paris (you can see my photo diary here) was Greece! We flew from Paris to Athens and stayed at a hotel with a view of the Acropolis. On our first full day we visited the Acropolis, as you can see in the first few photos it has incredible views and rich Greek architecture and history. During our stay in Athens we visited my grandma’s sister and her family which was lovely but emotional. We also bumped into good friends from Adelaide while shopping in the main mall. Isn’t it amazing how you can travel half way around the world and happen to be in the same place at the same time as people you know!
After Athens we flew to Thessaloniki which is northern Greece where my dad’s family is from. We were met at the airport by cousins who drove us to Platamona, the town where my grandma and grandpa were born and grew up before moving to Australia. It’s truly one of my favourite places for its simplicity and beauty. I also love visiting the places where my family originates and where some of my family still live. While in Platamona we visited a lot of family, some I have met before so it was lovely to catch up again after 9 years (the last time I was over in Greece). After Platamona we went back to Thessaloniki to spend time with other family who live in northern Greece. We also visited the village where my other grandpa was born. There are some incredible sites and beaches in Halkidiki (northern Greece), I would definitely recommend checking them out if you get the chance.
From Thessaloniki we went to Santorini. I have to say that Santorini is definitely my favourite place in the whole world (from what I have seen so far). It has incredible beauty with the views in Oia truly taking my breath away. In Santorini we stayed in Thira, at an amazing 5 star resort which was a quick walk away from the main road in the town. During our stay we did a tour which included a boat trip, Volcano hike, and Oia sunset. My favourite day was the one we spent in Oia, taking amazing photos which you see in this blog post and admiring the views and sunset. I fell in love with Oia, I would happily live there! For now I will have to settle for looking at photos each day 🙂
After Santorini we went to Mykonos, another beautiful Greek island. We stayed in a 5 star resort which had amazing views of the ocean with the most incredible staff! The photos in this post of me in the blue bikini and white dress in front of the blue door are in Mykonos. Those photos were practically the only ones where my hair wasn’t all over my face, Mykonos is the windiest place I’ve ever been to! Note to self: don’t wear a flowy short dress in Mykonos while carrying all of your luggage, you will flash everyone :/
After Mykonos we went to Kos, another Greek island, where my mum’s mum is from. We spent 10 days in Kos which was relaxing after the fast paced first month of the trip (we were away for almost 6 weeks in total). In Kos we spent a lot of time at the beach and with family. My favourite part would have to be lying on the beach reading a book, admiring the view, getting a tan and listening to house music with my family 🙂
After Kos it was back home to Adelaide via Dubai. We had the most amazing trip visiting London, Paris and Greece! I feel so fortunate to have travelled with family. I took home so many incredible experiences, learnings and memories from Europe over the 6 weeks. I’m so incredibly lucky to have amazing friends and family who did everything in their power to make us feel at home while travelling. Big love to everyone!
I hope you like the photos, I think they’re my best ones yet 🙂 Shout out to my mum who is incredible and took so many photos of me! Stay tuned as I will also be attempting to make a travel video where I will show you more of my daily adventures. Thanks for visiting my blog and hope to see you again, Jacqui xxx
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