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Eleni did a wonderful job of helping us to plan our two-week vacation to Greece. Our two families, consisting of four teenagers ranging from 13 to 18, were celebrating the 18-year-old’s high school graduation. We started in Athens with a visit to the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum and an impromptu trip to the Panathenaic Stadium, the stadium of the first modern Olympic Games. After a day and a half in Athens, we visited Mykonos, Paros and Santorini. It was a lot of travel but the arrangements made by Eleni, whether by plane, ferry or private transfer, were all seamless.
In addition, the accommodations were absolutely perfect for our group. At every resort, each family had a two-bedroom suite with a private pool. Our first stop at the Mykonos Grand was declared by the children as their favorite resort in the world, and they have been to some really great ones. The Andronis resorts in Paros and Santorini were equally spectacular, made even more so by the attention to detail by the staff. The overall friendliness and congeniality of the Greek people was amazing. Even in Mykonos and Santorini, which were overrun by people from cruise ships, everyone seemed genuinely happy to see us.
Each of our guides, hosts and drivers were phenomenal and made all of our activities that much better. Their hospitality, combined with their knowledge of the land, history and mythology, elevated our experiences and transformed them from enjoyable to unforgettable. The two speedboat cruises that we took around Mykonos and Paros really displayed the beauty and array of colors of the Aegean Sea, while the Sunset Caldera Cruise on a private catamaran in Santorini was probably the highlight. The surprise hit was the Authentic Myconian Cooking Workshop, declared by our 16-year-old son to be his favorite part of the trip. The six-mile hike along the caldera in Santorini was breathtaking, both visually and physically, to the chagrin of the teenagers. Their irritation was assuaged, however, when we sat down to a feast in Oia at the end. The restaurants suggested by Eleni were exceptional in both food and atmosphere with some truly outstanding views. It was a dream trip and a tradition we are looking forward to continuing with the next graduation in 2027.

Traveler Mary Lou Voytko visits the Temple of Poseidon.
We recently returned from spending nearly a month in Greece on a fantastic trip arranged with Evangelia. This was the first time that Evangelia had arranged such a long trip & she did an amazing job. On the mainland, we concentrated on the Peloponnese Peninsula & Athens where our primary interest was to visit the majority of the most significant historical sites of Greece. We later visited the Knossos Palace in Crete, the site of the first post-prehistoric civilization of Greece. By the end of our trip we felt that we had experienced the complete development of Greek civilization from its beginning to its culmination in Athens.
To experience a different aspect of Greece, we wanted to spend a few days on three of the Greek islands. We let Evangelia decide which islands we should visit, as there were too many from which to choose. We fell in love with both Paros and Crete. While it was nice to experience Santorini, we felt that we would likely return to Paros for the same Cycladic environment that was much more intimate. As for Crete, because it is the largest Greek island, we were able to visit the east and west ends of the island and thus experience very different regions and food. On the islands we had super times visiting wineries and discovering wonderful Greek wines, taking cooking classes at the homes of locals, and enjoying a glorious sunset cruise. All the hotels that we stayed at were just perfect, and many of them were located close to or within the old town sections, with their lovely narrow passageways that were full of cafes, restaurants and shops.
One of the reasons that we have exclusively used Wendy’s WOW agents for all of our international trips is for their ability to respond proactively to challenges that may occur. In our circumstance on this trip, Evangelia informed us that a transportation strike was to occur that could affect our flight from Crete to Athens the day before we were to leave to fly back to the States. We had to return home on our scheduled date because we had two family weddings to attend immediately when we returned. Although Evangelia said that it was highly unlikely that the air traffic controllers would honor the strike, there was no guarantee. Since we could not take that chance, we worked with Evangelia to arrange our early departure from Crete back to Athens to ensure that we were in Athens to return home on our scheduled day. Not only did Evangelia procure us new airline tickets, but also a hotel room in Athens while also cancelling all of our arrangements that we still had for our last day in Crete. While we were saddened by our early departure from Crete, we were glad for the peace of mind to know that we would make our return flight home.
Our special WOW Moment didn’t occur until our very last day when we were back in Athens. We couldn’t imagine what the surprise would be this time that Wendy had arranged for us. Well, we were amazed when our driver and guide deposited us at the one historical site that we really had wanted to see, but just could not fit into our packed trip; Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon is located overlooking the Aegean Sea. It was so magical to see it after coming to peace with having to miss it on our trip. After touring the site, we were taken to a nearby tavern for dinner at sunset that Wendy had arranged. We had a fabulous last seafood Greek dinner by the Aegean looking at the Temple of Poseidon on the hill above us. It just doesn’t get better than that to end a fantastic trip to Greece that we will remember for a long time. Thanks Wendy and Evangelia for an amazing trip!
Georgia and her team were fantastic in helping us plan our trip to Greece. We had a very tight time line for this trip, with five different people on three different timelines. She worked through a couple of different options for us and allowed us to pick from a menu of items to maximize our family’s time together. Highlights of the trip include the guided evening food tour of Athens (seven courses at seven different stops!) and the all-day tour to the Peloponnesian Peninsula, where we visited the ruins at Mycenae and Epidaurus.

A view over the rooftops of Ia, a village in Santorini. Photo: Traveler Joe Lyle
Our three-week adventure through Greece this September was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the incredible expertise of Maria’s colleague Olga, who brought our travel vision to life flawlessly. Every detail was thoughtfully curated—from breathtaking stays and private tours to unique local experiences that made us feel like insiders rather than tourists.
Athens – History, Flavor, and Charm
We began in Athens, staying just a short stroll from the Acropolis, surrounded by lively neighborhoods and authentic tavernas. A highlight was our walking culinary tour led by Yannis, a passionate chef and storyteller. We started our morning with aromatic Greek coffee and portokalopita (orange pie) at a cozy café before wandering through local markets and specialty shops to sample cheeses, olives, and pastries. Yannis generously shared cooking tips, cultural insights, and even his secret orange pie recipe!
Visiting the Acropolis in September was a perfect choice—the weather was ideal and the crowds had thinned. Our knowledgeable guide brought ancient Greece to life with fascinating history and anecdotes. After a day of exploration, we treated ourselves to a divine dinner at Makris, a Michelin-starred restaurant offering exquisite cuisine and unforgettable rooftop views of the city.
Island-Hopping the Cyclades – Paros, Milos, and Santorini
From Athens, we took the ferry to the Cyclades for a stunning trio of islands that each offered something unique—from sun-bleached villages to crystal-clear waters and world-class wines.
Paros was our first island stop, and we fell in love instantly with the charming village of Naoussa, known for its waterfront dining and boutique-lined streets. Don’t miss a tasting at the Moraitis Winery, where the family shares both their heritage and their delicious vintages. The highlight here was a private full-day cruise exploring Antiparos, Despotiko, and the hidden lagoons of Panteronisia—turquoise waters so vibrant they seemed unreal.
On Milos, our private half-day rib boat cruise revealed dramatic coastlines, sea caves, and the otherworldly beauty of Sarakiniko Beach, where smooth white rock meets impossibly blue sea—a must-see for photographers and dreamers alike. Comparing the island’s wine and cuisine with Paros added a fun, flavorful twist to our experience.
Finally, Santorini was the grand finale. We stayed in Oia at Madronis Luxury Suites, with a beautiful views of the caldera from our room and the restaurants. A private sunset cruise was a wonderful addition. The island’s volcanic wines were a revelation, and tastings at local vineyards offered a deeper appreciation for this unique terroir.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering Greece, September is an ideal time to visit—warm days, gentle breezes, and far fewer crowds. And if you want a trip that’s both seamless and deeply personal, this team is exceptional. From ancient history to island bliss, from Michelin-starred dining to hidden coves, every moment exceeded our expectations.