The richness of Greece makes one forget it has the rest of Europe in a financial spin

The country most recently in news for the European debt crisis; the one associated with giving the world the democratic system and drama, and whose divine myths have set the benchmark for ‘good looks’ for men the world over, is the country I fell in love with last summer. Greece is a traveller’s delight—there are breathtaking vistas for amateur photographers; scantily-clad women on sparkling white beaches for the young and restless; and the ancient ruins for those who are looking for peace and quiet. A complete package offering more than any other island clusters. For our first visit as a family, we decided to pack in sun and sand for the kids, and a bit of history for the adults. For that we headed off to the famous islands of Mykonos and Santorini. There are no direct flights from New Delhi to the smaller islands. Travellers have to take any international flight which connects to Athens. There are various ways of getting to the other islands from the capital, whether by air or one of the speed boats or ferries. Keep in mind that the frequency of the boats decreases remarkably during the beginning and the end of the tourist season, and flying gets to be the only option. The town of Mykonos is just a four-kilometres from the airport and is easily identifiable by its trademark windmills that perch proudly on its elevated land. There is pretty, and then there is Mykonos pretty. The town looks straight out of a fairy tale with pristine white houses and narrow streets where cars are not allowed to ply. For those who pride themselves on their sense of direction, Mykonos may prove to be quite a challenge. The streets are a confusing maze of passages which lead into one another and can be very frustrating to navigate if you are in a hurry. Be prepared to find yourself where you started, after walking for 15 minutes and negotiating what seem like a hundred turns! But if you are looking to get lost, the best way to do it is while browsing the shops. It is not unusual for a Prada or a Versace outlet, having shed its designer snobbishness, to rub shoulders with a shop selling local Greek jewellery. The town also boasts of a ‘Little Venice’, an area where—you guessed it—the houses are located on the sea. Little Venice is dotted with quaint restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a beer on a balcony jutting out over the sea, while waving out to a neighbour who is fishing for his supper from the comfort of his own balcony. Mykonos offers a variety of cuisines for the avid foodie, from burgers to fish and chips, but my favourite was the souvlaki roll—a popular Greek fast food consisting of small pieces of meat and vegetables grilled on a skewer. The fact that it is available everywhere for as little as €2, along with a fresh Greek salad for €4 at special souvlaki shops, adds just a little extra flavour to the dish. A day trip to the island of Delos is a must for all you history buffs out there, which must originate from Mykonos. The Mykononians have ownership of Delos and ferries to Delos ply only from their island. Delos itself is a well-preserved site of ancient ruins and is known to be the birth place of one of Greece’s most important deities, Apollo (the God of sun), and the Goddess of the hunt and hunters, Artemis. There are several ruins that are worth a visit, including the houses of Cleopatra and Dionysis, the temple of Isis and the Terrace of Lions. No one is allowed to stay back on the island at night, so do plan accordingly. But worry not, for Mykonos is most famous for its thumping nightlife and beach parties that often last up to three days and nights, with the best disc jockeys— and for those of you who need another reason— the best bikini bodies! However the parties happen only during the peak season, in the month of August. Those interested in the party scene—drinks in Mykonos are expensive (around 9€). If you are planning to head out at night, there are supermarkets where you can buy a decent bottle of wine for 6€ (approximately). Begin your own party before hitting the town or heading for the clubs and bars located almost on top of one another. After exploring Mykonos we set off for Santorini. We were honestly not expecting much, as Mykonos had truly won our hearts. Fortunately, we were proved wrong. The images of idyllic islands which I had in my memory—glorious beaches, sand and all—vanished as we reached Santorini. It is like no other island, made beautiful by volcanic activity that sunk the mass in the middle and left behind a crescent-shaped land with a caldera view. Most houses and hotels are dug sideways or down the pumice, so you may get to stay in places like ‘Mill House Steps’ that can be reached only after climbing down countless flights of stairs, even as you pass other hotels along the way. The best way to enjoy Santorini is by hiring a car and driving around, though it can be a challenge as the Greeks follow the American system of driving on the right side of the road. Still, do not forget to pack your international driving licence. Our drive of choice was ‘Smart’—a two-seater that had a sun roof through which you could gaze at the stars while driving around at night. The magic of the famous Santorini sunset—best experienced while gazing out at the Aegean Sea and cruise liners that form the perfect backdrop— can make you fall in love with your partner once again. There are few sunsets that can match what you get to see in Santorini. Oia is touted to be one of the best villages to view the sunset from and is frequented by famous photographers from the world over. We made our way to the small fishing village of Amoudia, a 20-minute drive from the main town of Thira, and has some of the most breathtaking views, with some great seafood. Santorini packs in yet another surprise with friendly people and eager-to-please vendors. As if the magic of the place did not make me feel pampered enough, a vendor gave me a simple corn on the cob with a sparkler attached, just to “make the lady feel special”. The food here is delicious as the volcanic soil helps in growing the most succulent cherry tomatoes and grapes, with the latter ending up as house red or white wines, which hotels serve by the jug. Interestingly, the wines are served in small glasses like the ones our local dhabas serve ‘cutting chai’ in. All in all, it is difficult to say ‘yassas’ (goodbye) to Greece once you do set foot in the country. All I can say is ‘efharitso’ (thank you) to the powers that be for taking me there.