Discover Greece with Maureen: A Week in the Life – Part I

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Ever curious about a week in the life of a luxury travel advisor?  I'm excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at my recent journey through Greece and Turkey—an 18-day adventure filled with unforgettable experiences, cultural treasures, and breathtaking landscapes. Join me virtually on my week-long trip to Greece by land!  Stay tuned for a separate feature on the cruise portion of my journey—there’s simply too much to share in one sitting!

This past May, I was privileged to be invited on "familiarization" trip with Travelive - one of Cruise Planners' preferred partners.  Travelive specializes in luxury private tours designed to offer access to the most memorable sights, insight into local culture, and authentic experiences.

Having previously partnered with Travelive on a client trip to Italy, I was excited to experience Greece firsthand—just as my clients would. Although I visited 20 years ago, I wanted to fully immerse myself and see how the islands and experiences have evolved, especially given their growing popularity among travelers.

 

Athens

First stop was – of course - Athens.  It is the usual jumping off point for most trips to Greece.  With so many drivers in the small, crowded arrivals area, I am glad that Travelive provided an airport transfer!  I like to include airport transfers for my clients arriving abroad because they are usually jet-lagged, and landing in a country for the first time can be overwhelming and confusing.  Our experience arriving in Athens cemented that for me!  

We were greeted by our warm, friendly driver and were whisked away in style to the NJV Athens Plaza hotel.  From our balcony at this luxury hotel on Syntagma Square, we had an amazing view of Parliament as well as the Acropolis and Parthenon.

Our first night, the Cruise Planners advisors met our Travelive hosts at a local taverna in the Plaka – the oldest historic neighborhood in Greece.  The Plaka is chock full of shops, restaurants, tavernas and bars and has a great energy and charm.  

Day 2 started with a luxury vehicle transfer to our private tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon, with skip the line access. It was so helpful having a knowledgeable local guide who knew just where to stop for photos and commentary.  Not wanting to hassle with the crowds at this iconic historic site?  You can have a private tour of the Acropolis before it opens and after it closes just for you and your group!  What?

Back at the NJV Athens Plaza, we were able to get an inside peek at all the various room categories which is always incredibly helpful when discussing options with clients.  Our incredible lunch (where the food looked almost too good to eat) was served in the huge presidential suite with its own bar, dining room and seating for your family and then some!  The view from the balcony was to die for.  Many storied guests have stayed in that suite – a little brush with greatness.  

We ventured out again for site inspections of some of Athens’ iconic hotels that I have booked – and plan to book - for future clients!  The rooftop pools, bars and restaurants with views for days are what makes staying in Athens really special – a respite from the crowds and heat after a long day of touring.

Dinner al fresco at one of our partner hotels was like eating in the chef’s kitchen – they wanted us to try all the signature dishes and were so proud to introduce us to upscale Greek cuisine!

 

Mykonos

When I last visited Mykonos, we were on an excursion to the nearby island of Delos, so I did not get a feel for all that it offers.  Mykonos has a wee reputation as a bit of a party island, but I found it to be beautiful, relaxing, and full of culture.

We flew from Athens to Mykonos and immediately started our site inspections of three incredible sister properties - all family owned and run by brothers.  The property owners and their general managers were happy to share what makes each resort unique and special.  Each resort had its own look and feel and would exceed client expectations whether they were couples or a family.  From the serene open air lobbies to the whitewashed exteriors of suites overlooking the ocean, to the private beaches and pools with storybook views – each just made you want to check-in immediately.  Private pool?  Yes please.  Tranquility tub overlooking the sea?  Of course.  Outdoor oven where a chef can cook for you and your family?  Coming right up.

Mykonos has its own port, and our incredible hotel was located with an amazing view over the twinkling sailboats.  Dining at sunset was pretty magical.

Day 2 was all about learning what the island has to offer.  Our tour included a stop at popular Kalafati beach with views of “Aphroditie’s Ti**es,” the Monastery of Holy Mary Tourgiani with incredible icons, and a visit to one of Mykonos’ famous beach clubs.  The beach club was not what I expected – I envisioned loud music, too many people, and crowded beach chairs.  Instead, we were greeted with a very upscale experience in terms of food, service, and amenities.

Mykonos town was fantastic – full of history, culture and all of the fun upscale shops and restaurants you would hope for.  We loved the colorful “Mykonos Riviera” and the nearby windmills.  Our guide took us to a pastry shop which we would never have found if it was not for him.

We visited both during the day as well as in the evening, thanks to the resort’s complementary shuttle service.  

 

Naxos

Looking for quiet, authentic Greece?  Naxos could be your island of choice.  We arrived to Naxos by ferry.  I am very glad I was able to experience the ferry transfer first hand, because now I feel as if I can really guide my clients through the process.

We went straight to work with site visits to five completely different properties.  The first was very remote and completely chill with access to the owner’s beach club.  The second was a small, family-owned boutique property that owns its own vineyard, and if you are there in September, you are invited to join in the grape harvest.  The third had not even opened yet so we were the first to tour it!  The private pools for the suites were decadent!  A great property for a large family that wants to be together but still have privacy at the end of the day. The last property was a favorite for me with sea view suites right across from the beach clubs lining the ocean.  Our property had a suite with a balcony so large you could practically host a wedding reception on it!

Day 2 was all about learning what makes this island unique.  Their claim to fame?  Potatoes!  Wherever you go in Greece, they will tell you Naxos has the best potatoes.

Because Travelive wanted us to have immersive, authentic experiences, we visited a fourth-generation, woman-owned olive oil producer, and learned how they made olive oil before the town got electricity in the 1960’s.  Sampling their olive products was a treat, and I know some olive marmalade made it home in our luggage!  Who knew that one of the top 14 health benefits of olive oil is that it prevents gallstones?

A trip highlight was a cooking class and tour of a family farm.  We sampled the farm’s wares before setting off to create an amazing meal of moussaka, and zucchini fritters with tzatziki.  We finished this off with a traditional, delicious orange cake.  I thought what I cooked was pretty amazing!  Not sure if it will taste as good when I try it at home!

Naxos town boasts its iconic Portara (door) which was built 90 years before the Parthenon as well as a Venetian castle which is still inhabited.

 

Santorini

We arrived in Santorini by ferry again, and it was a little frantic to say the least!  Again, I am happy I did it, and even happier that Travelive arranged private transportation from the port in Fira to our resort.  

We visited three properties from a luxury hotel group – our gorgeous resort in the small village of Megalahori, the most romantic property in Oia perched on the mountain overlooking the caldera, and a very chic boutique hotel with a beach club on the black sand beach in Perivolos.  Oia (pronounced ee-ah), is as beautiful as the pictures show it to be.  Dinner at sunset overlooking the caldera is enough for anyone to fall in love (unless you are traveling with colleagues)!

 

Our last day in Santorini Travelive treated us to an island tour including another perspective of the the only inhabited water-filled caldera in the world, a tour of the pre-historic town of Akrotiri with an archeologist (which the myth of Atlantis is based on), dramatic and scenic Red Beach, and a winery visit with tastings of the famous and delicious Santorini wines.

Our last and final dinner was hosted by our resort’s general manager who wined and dined us on the rooftop of their 400 year old wine cellar.

 

This incredible, first-hand experience with Travelive gave me the opportunity to test-drive their services personally and convinced me that my clients will have the personalized, expert local support they need to make their trip seamless.

Their experts highlighted the “must see” spots in Greece, the immersive experiences that you can have on the islands, and how to guide my clients to have the most customized experiences while being exceptionally cared for.

Until we meet again!  Yamas!