It’s been a couple of months now but I’m still on a high from the most amazing trip of our lives! We honeymooned in Greece September 2021. I planned the trip myself, and learned a few helpful tips for anyone doing the same!
Tip 1: Print and Bring Copies of EVERYTHING
Whenever you’re traveling – especially to a foreign country – it helps to have all the info you need readily available. Reservations, identification, receipts, medical documents, you name it. I printed all our reservations out and brought them in a folder. I also made copies of our COVID vaccination cards and passports at FedEx.
Pro tip: Read all the airline and entry info carefully! We had a layover in London, which had different entry requirements and forms than Greece.
Tip 2: Use your Hotel for Bookings on the Islands
Most hotels on the Islands have concierge services that can assist you with everything from luggage to transportation, activities, and more, free of charge. We utilized these services for all our reservations. They work with trusted Taxi companies and can recommend the best places to eat or drink in Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini. Not only do they give you an extra layer of security and accountability when venturing out in the islands, they can increase your chances of getting into the restaurants you’re eager to try.
Tip 3: Make an Itinerary
This may be a matter of personal preference, but to me, it’s an important tip: create an itinerary! There are certain days and times when there’s a lot of traffic at museums and attractions, and there are certain days and times when there’s less. Doing a little prior research and having an itinerary is the best way to ensure you see and do everything you want to in Greece.
Pro tip: The earlier you get to Acropolis and Oia, the better. They both tend to be very crowded, which can takes away from the experience.
Tip 3: Bring Cash
We tipped in Greece. You’re taking taxis (there is no Uber and most cars are cash-only), eating at restaurants, and buying drinks nonstop so having cash is essential. We took about $600 USD (for a 10-day trip) and converted it to Euros in the Athens airport. That ended up being enough for tipping, taxis, and a little souvenir shopping. For everything else, we used a credit card (Chase Sapphire) with no exchange fees.
Pro tip: Ask for lots of small bills at the currency exchange!
Tip 4: Take the Ferry When You Can
If you’re going to island hop, the ferry is the way to go! It’s usually affordable compared to flights (especially when you factor in the cost of bags and extra legroom). The travel time is shorter too, because you don’t need to get to the port as early as you would to the airport. You should be fine arriving about 20 minutes before departure. There’s no check-in or real lines. They check your ticket when you’re already on the ferry.
Pro tip: Pay the extra $35-$50 for the ‘VIP seats‘. The extra room was totally worth it for us.
Tip 5: Download Apps Before Your Trip
Research and recommendations are essential! And it’s easier to download all your resources, guides, and the things you need while you’re still on your home Wi-Fi. TripAdvisor is the best app for in-depth reviews of resorts, lounges, and attractions. The second is Yelp, which is best for finding local restaurants! Especially in Athens or Santorini. We found a bunch a great places that I listed here.
Pro tip: Download a reliable currency converter! It’s a great tool to have to keep track of how much things cost in USD.
Bonus Tip: Tell everyone it’s your Honeymoon!
This is a funny one, but it’s essential! I reached out to our hotels a few weeks before with a short note about how excited we were to visit from the States for our honeymoon. Almost every hotel provided complimentary treats, champagne, and one even treated us to a 30-minute couple’s massage! We had some restaurants and bartenders give us free shots and deserts on the spot when we told them in-person. You may not get any traction or extras by doing this, but hey, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
Our trip to Greece was amazing and I’ll never forget it! Delicious food, friendly people, and great views made it a honeymoon to remember. I hope this post is helpful for any couples planning a Grecian honeymoon!
Want to see more of our Honeymoon? Check out the videos below.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
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