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GREECE has all the elements
of a dream escape. Its rich history and ancient culture have inspired
countless books and cinematic works. Its cuisine is indescribably wonderful,
every earthy dish capturing the essence of its lovely geography and people.
Oh, and the people! The beautiful people of Greece by themselves are a
tourist attraction.
Greece has opened my eyes to its beauty. Suddenly, nothing is Greek to me
anymore. Or should I say it's all Greek to me now? The islands have made
such a convert out of me that I've compiled lists that I hope will make your
trip there as unforgettable as mine.
Top 10 things to do in Greece
1. Have Greek coffee. It's like an iced frappe with a thick and
rich foam on top. It's best enjoyed either in a sidewalk café in the city or
on a beachfront resort on the islands.
2. Go to the Benaki. If you have time for only one museum visit,
make it this one. It has the perfect balance of all the different kinds of
Greek art. It has the most fantastic artifacts of Greek history throughout
the ages. The costume collection is out of this world. You must have a
cocktail or coffee at its terrace-very, very chic. Benaki closes at midnight
on Thursdays.
3. Have a drink in Galaxy bar. Located at the top floor of the
Hilton, which is the most posh hotel in
Athens,
Galaxy has probably the best view of the Parthenon!
4. Marvel at the Parthenon. A visit to Greece is really incomplete
without visiting the Acropolis. After climbing 850-plus steps up this
mountain, you get to be mesmerized by an unobstructed 360-degree view of the
city of Athens. The museum within the complex is also very good. This is
best visited first thing in the morning in order to avoid the crowds and
also the heat.
5. Walk around Plaka. This part of Athens is right under the
Parthenon. Within this area you will also get the chance to walk around the
Monastiraki area where the ancient "Agora" market is (fantastic flea market
finds). Here, you will get a feel of a modern Bohemian Greece on ancient
soil, the historical, ancient culture mixed with the contemporary lifestyle
of the Athenians. Within the area are tiny Byzantine churches. Go inside and
get a load of the décor of these art house churches.
6. Have a real Greek salad. You must try this in Greece! There's
something about the melange of the sharp feta cheese and the succulent
olives together with plump tomatoes, delicately sweet onions and the crunch
of green cucumbers on a bed of fresh crisp greens dripped with the virgin
olive oil and dark Greek vinegar. The experience really defines your
Mediterranean experience. I tried this salad in most of the restaurants that
I have eaten in Greece, but the best was at Kazarma (tel 2287028256), a
beachfront restaurant on the island of
Mykonos, overlooking spectacular views of the sea and low rising hills.
7. Visit the Greek Islands. Go to the Athens port area and get a
fast boat to the islands. Or you can fly there in only 30 minutes. Meteor
can make all arrangements for you and make you feel like a god/goddess. Of
the islands, Mykonos and
Santorini are your best bets. Mykonos is a party town famous for its
nightlife and nude beaches. The best tan I ever got was on this island...
you really glow! Santorini is the most picturesque, with its all-white
houses literally carved out of the hill sides.
8. Rent a moped. The best way to get around the islands is to use
this vehicle. Just have your driver's license and passport ready and off you
go.
9. Shop at Kolonaki. This is their version of high street, Rodeo
Drive, 5th Avenue or our Greenbelt. In the fashion section, get lost around
the area and soak up on the local and international brands. Stop for a cup
of coffee and enjoy the super gorgeous men (and women-up to you)!
10. Party at Psiri. This is the party street where all the cool
clubs and trendy bars are located. The Greeks party late and hard. Begin at,
say, 12:30 a.m. and it's really up to you when or where to go home. My picks
are: Multi-culti (best décor and dance electronika-based music), Bee (great
bar atmosphere and friendly staff), Roya Dance place (with international
DJs).
Top 10 travel essentials
1. Sun shades-The sun can be very strong in Greece, especially as you
head off to the islands. I love my old-school Ray Ban Aviators! They are
what I call a modern classic.
2. Sunblock-The sun is constantly shining and in order to maintain your
Mediterranean glow, you need to protect it. My grandmother swears by
Clarins, and so do I!
3. Comfortable shoes-Trekking around Greece is like going through three
continents... you have the city streets, sandy beaches and mountain top
terrains. You will need the right trainers to survive all these. I love the
Superstar Adidas (Run DMC is my choice), the 35th anniversary
collectors/limited edition.
4. Tote bag-The lifestyle of Greece deserves a proper lifestyle bag. This
season, it's got to be the "Graphic Designed" life tote by Team Manila.
5. Ipod-This is truly my travel essential. They recently came out with
the Shuffle. I love it! It's light and super compact and at a totally
affordable price. The only travel accessory I literary cannot live without!
6. Nokia 6630-My new Nokia 6630 from Globe with its super clear camera
and one hour video plus a band system, what else can this traveler need?
7. Dual time watch-Keeping tab with Manila time even if I am escaping is
important. I just discovered the Timex Perpetual Calendar watch and I am
more than satisfied. Style and function all in one.
8. Driver's license-This is essential if you want to cruise the islands
on a moped. Get one now.
9. Guide book-In my opinion, the best guidebook in the world is the "D.K.
Eyewitness Travel Guide." It's much more than a guidebook because "it shows
you what others only tell you." It's available at all better bookstores.
10. C-lium Fiber-Keren introduced this gem of a thing. After all the
incredible Greek food that I indulged in, I needed to de-clog and cleanse my
system. It comes in travel sachets, so how fabulous is that!
10 absolute best buys
1. Icons-The beauty of the icons are really magical. The Byzantine
quality is so intricate and dream-like. It is not permitted to carry antique
icons of any kind out of Greece. That being the case, make do with beautiful
reproductions.
2. Leather sandals-It is almost a sin not to get Greek gladiator sandals.
With all the rage for Greek-inspired fashion today, it's really the perfect
buy, to wear with a summer dress or cut-off shorts.
3. Natural sponges-With Greece's close proximity to the water, natural
sponges are so abundant and their prices, spectacular at 2 or 3 Euros per.
4. Ouzo-This Greek liquor beverage is really yummy. Think of a licorice
candy mixed with fine rum and all you end up saying is "opa."
5. Olives-For some reason, the olives in this part of the world are so
succulent and juicy. Get them in all their guises-stewed, stuffed, oiled,
soaped , whatever.
6. Prayer beads-Otherwise known as "Komboloi" or worry beads. You see all
the men playing with them. With glass beads and metal detail, they look
great hanging from a lamp post.
7. Tapestries-Although on the pricey side, their workmanship is
breathtaking. I am a real sucker for handmade embroidery and I fell madly in
love with these works of art.
8. Jewelry-Adornments have long been a Greek specialty and the choices
were so abundant. My pick would have to be the crosses. Buy one and consider
dangling it from a leather chord. Very chic indeed!
9. Baklava-This Mediterranean dessert made from nuts, honey and wheat is
really the best treat. Best taken with a hot cup of tea.
10. Coins-Greece is a virtual haven for coin collectors, who can pick
from the different eras in history, even from the time of Alexander the
Great.
5 must-not-miss stores in Greece
1. Martinos at 24 Pindarou Street, 10673 Athens, Greece (tel 210-3609449,
fax 210-3390907)
Owner Dimitri Melas said the shop is more than 100 years old. They stock
up on the most beautiful icons and art pieces that it's almost unbearable to
leave the store. The Filipino sales person was also very helpful. (Her
name's Mely)
2. Tonino at 9 Makiraghanni St., Athens, Greece (tel 210-9240916)
Just across the foot of the Parthenon is a tiny jewels work shop where
Mr. Tonino can create masterpieces right before your very eyes. I loved his
pieces of bugs and spiders-perfect for souvenirs.
3. To Palaiopoleio Antique shop on New Peripherical Road, Mykonos (tel
302-2890-28438; e-mail: stepap@otenet.gr)
This antique shop located on the isle of Mykonos has the best selection
of pieces that are slightly worn out, with the sun and sea faded patina of
shabby chic. Mafia, the owner, is always there to help you polish up on your
Martha Stewart aesthetic.
4. Traditional Greek Work at 56 Apollonos St., Delphi 33084 (tel.
0030-226508-2390; e-mail fellasor@yahoo.com)
This store is so amazing I wanted ship it whole back home. This is the
place to get handmade tapestries. The cast iron pieces are also
breathtaking. The owner is quite helpful in informing you what the pieces
are and where they are from. I also loved the antique costumes available.
The store is in Delphi- a lovely swigs-like mountain region 5 hours out of
Athens.
5. Melissinos Art at 2 Aghias Theklas (tel 011/30-210-321-9247; website:
www.melissinos.com)This place for the best sandals in Greece! has been
featured in major fashion publications like Vogue and Wile. Mr. Stavros
Melissinos, also a renowned poet whose words are just as lovely as his
sandals, has shod the soles of beautiful people like Sophia Loren and the
Beatles. The day we visited, he and his son Pantellis fitted me while I
waited for my sandals. At a super low price of 23 Euros, it's money well
spent.
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