Our trip did not start out quite like I had hoped! How many times have you heard that? We got delayed in Boston and were told we were going to miss our connecting flight in Montreal. They offered another flight on another airline but declined. We thought we would take our chances. We were THIS close to making our connection, we got to our gate and the plane was still there but they had closed the doors. Is it just me or wouldn’t it have been cheaper on the airlines to let the last two passengers on versus having to pay for our hotel and give us food vouchers for the day and night? Just saying!!!

After spending a lovely day walking around Montreal our next stop was Athens, Greece. We were there a total of maybe 14 hours; 5-6 was sleeping; before heading to the island of Santorini. When we travel we always tend to eat the first night at the hotel restaurant, we need to take time to adjust and get the lay of the land before venturing out.

What can I say about this volcanic island, the views are spectacular, the sunsets amazing, the food was wonderful, the hills and stairs were many and steep and the sea was cold. The beaches were just meh. The local wine was good, I hear they are famous for it. Honestly I don’t know how anything grows there, it is dry, the water is not drinkable and they don’t water anything. The plants grow as low bushes close to the ground; no staking; and they rely on the morning dew and these little baskets that they surround the plants with to do the job! Good for them for making it happen!

My daughter is going to tell me this one is too wordy but I wanted to share this part in case you are thinking of planning a similar trip some day and I hope you do!

The ferry ride from Santorini to Mykonos was absolutely crazy! The ferries are HUGE ships that carry not only passengers but cars, trucks, supplies whatever they can get on board. Getting on is fairly calm and easy to make happen. Getting off is something more like organized chaos. And the word organized I am using loosely. They make an announcement to what island they are coming into and you have to make your way to the cargo hull; yes where are the cars and trucks are; this stop was very windy and the seas were rough so we were basically holding on for dear life while walking down 2-3 flights of stairs; walking by people actually using their barf bags, and then they want us to grab our luggage and get off the ship while they are driving the cars right next to us. Again trying not to fall; at one point both feet were off the ground and I am not joking. once on land it was funny but during I was not I’ll say loving life.  On a side note both of these island have airports 🙂

Mykonos beaches are on a whole other level, there are many and you will never be bored on one. They have it all worked out; food, sun, shade, drinks, music, water activities and people peddling their goods. Most areas on the beaches are filled with chairs (there are some places without and those parts are free) and they charge accordingly to how close you want to be to the water; we saw up to 40 euro for 2 chairs and an umbrella. Each restaurant has a different color umbrella/chair cushion, take a seat and they will come up to you and tell you how much! Both islands have shopping; of course they do, cruise ships come in daily. Most shops are pretty expensive but you should be able to find something to come home with.