Leah Gershman, Staff Writer
Looking for a vacation spot that is full of history, adventure, delicious food and a unique culture? Greece is the place for you!
Located in southeastern Europe, Greece is a country known for its beautiful islands and stunning landscapes. Traveling to Greece transports you back to a time in which the origins of democracy were being established through powerful civilizations who eventually helped shape Western culture. It is a country that combines breathtaking views along the islands with ancient artifacts to tour amongst its cities. It is the perfect destination for a person who loves learning more about the past, enjoys museums, relaxing on a beach and walking along grounds that helped shape the world we live in today.
After traveling all over Greece with my family for two weeks in June 2025, I have lots of reviews and convincing details as to why vacationing to Greece should be on your bucket list.
A must-see when traveling to Greece is the capital city of Athens. It is the country’s largest city containing famous sites such as the Acropolis, Panathenaic Stadium, Ancient Agora, Temple of Zeus and Syntagma Square. The city is rich with live music, museums, outdoor cafes and most importantly, bakeries that make the famous Greek dessert called baklava.
When traveling to Greece, baklava is a must-have. It features layers of a crisp pastry that can be filled with nuts, chocolate or my personal favorite, honey. Other highlights when it comes to food include the fresh olives, hummus, tzatziki, gyro and salads that are topped with feta cheese. The Greeks especially value their feta and they can seriously put it on top of everything! I remember one of my favorite breakfast spots in Athens served scrambled eggs with feta cheese and diced tomatoes sprinkled on top. It was the best breakfast I had that trip.
Another highlight from my time in Greece was driving about two hours west to a large peninsula called the Peloponnese region, also known as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. This area gets you out of the densely populated city of Athens and allows for more astonishing landscapes and open nature. A charming town within this region called Nafplio was my favorite stop from the entire trip. Its Venetian architecture, cobblestoned streets and proximity to ancient ruins makes this town especially attractive. Sitting up above Nafplio is the Palamidi Fortress which visitors can tour and get an incredible view of the Argolic Gulf.
An additional spot that you can’t miss within the Peloponnese region is Ancient Messini. Known for being one of the most intact ruins in Greece, visitors can walk through original towers, stadiums and theatres that date back to 369 B.C. It is such a well preserved site and enables tourists to imagine what it would have been like to live there so long ago. On top of this, you could grab a delicious Greek lunch at The Ithomi Tavern which overlooks the ancient ruins of Messini. I really enjoyed this spot and would definitely recommend it.
What makes Greece unique is also the number of islands it includes. I was able to travel to Crete where we got to stay in the coastal city of Chania, take a boat tour and visit the Elafonisi pink sand beach which is considered the most iconic spot on the island. There are lots of other islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Milos and more, which offer picturesque views of Greece.
In short, Greece offers more than just a beautiful vacation spot. It is a country that provides opportunities to explore the history of one of the most influential ancient civilizations. When you leave Greece you will come back more knowledgeable about its deep history and culture. It is a trip that will give you one-of-a-kind experiences and long lasting memories.
Leah Gershman ‘29 is a psychology major from Katy, Texas.