Eurotrip 2024: Athens & Mykonos – Greek Delights, Dance Moves, and a Dose of Ouzo

After a few days soaking in the Adriatic vibes of Croatia, we hopped over to Greece, landing in the myth-soaked, sun-drenched capital of Athens. This leg of our 2024 Eurotrip was packed with sensory overload in the best way—taste, touch, movement, and… ouzo-induced dizziness.

Athens:
A Five-Senses Adventure (Literally)

We kicked off our time in Athens with a Five Senses Guided Tour through the heart of the city that was offered as an excursion from Royal Caribbean. I’m not usually a “tour group” kind of traveler, but this one had us creating, dancing, and drinking (dangerously) on an empty stomach—so naturally, I was in.

Greek Worry Beads: Ancient Anxiety, Meet Fidget Toy

Our first stop was a cozy little workshop where we made our own kombolói, also known as Greek worry beads. Historically, these beads weren’t used for religious purposes like rosaries, but instead as a soothing tool to keep your hands busy and your thoughts calm—think ancient stress relief before the fidget spinner era.

We were guided through stringing our own beads together, and honestly? I still keep mine with me. They’ve been my go-to “invisible comfort item” whenever I feel anxious—something about the soft clicking of the beads just soothes the brain. Big win.

Greek Coffee & Sweet Treats

Post-bead-crafting, we wandered over to a nearby café that served us some strong-as-hell traditional Greek coffee. If you’ve never had it before, imagine espresso, but grittier—literally. You’re not supposed to drink the bottom part, which is basically thick, muddy grounds. We were warned. I still took a sip. I regret it.

Alongside the coffee were these adorable candied treats—super sweet, syrupy delights that balanced the bitter punch of caffeine.

Later in the tour, we hit up another local spot that served us candied cherries and some homemade lemonade. Not exaggerating when I say it was the most refreshing thing I’ve ever had under the blazing Greek sun.

Greek Dancing in the Square (Mild Chaos Ensues)

Flub

We didn’t document the actual dancing whilst on tour so we recreated it on the ship.

One of the wildest moments of the tour was being taught a traditional Greek line dance right in a town square. You know, just casually dancing through cobblestone streets like it’s a rom-com. We were twirling and stepping with decent rhythm—though I did have a moment of panic watching some of the older folks in our group hustling to keep up. Shout out to their knees for holding it together.

Ending Strong (Maybe Too Strong): Ouzo Bar Madness

We wrapped the tour at an ouzo bar. Ouzo, for the uninitiated, is a super strong anise-flavored liquor that basically slaps you in the face and then gives you a hug. We hadn’t eaten a real meal all day, so… let’s just say, the ouzo hit hard. I wouldn’t recommend it as a lunch replacement, but it was still a fun (and slightly blurry) way to end the day.

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Mykonos:
Crowds, Colors, and a Dip in the Med

We ferried over to Mykonos next, and the day we arrived, it felt like the entire cruise ship industry did too. Six cruise ships docked in one day, so yeah—Mykonos was buzzing.

Getting Ahead of the Chaos

Thankfully, we got into town early enough to explore before the crush of tourists turned the alleyways into sardine cans. And let me tell you—the alleyways were stunning. Super narrow, brightly colored, and full of character. Despite the crowds, we were able to tuck into some hidden corners that felt quiet and peaceful.

Why Everything’s White and Blue?

Mykonos’ iconic architecture is no accident. The buildings are traditionally painted white to reflect the harsh summer sun (keeping interiors cool), and the blue accents come from a mix of cultural symbolism and good old-fashioned practicality—blue paint was one of the cheapest and most available options back in the day. So not only is it aesthetically dreamy, it’s functional and frugal. Love that for them.

Seafood Near the Port & A Beachy Detour

We grabbed a quick bite near the port that included freshly grilled octopus and oysters so briny and sweet they practically tasted like the sea itself. Perfect fuel for the impromptu beach detour that followed.

Our final little adventure in Mykonos was dipping into the Mediterranean for the first time. Coming from Hawaii, I’m kinda spoiled with warm, swimmable water—but there was something magical about this quiet, tucked-away beach. Just floating there, looking out over the Aegean… it was a peaceful contrast to the energy of the crowded town just a few blocks away.

TL;DR Greece Was a Vibe

From fidget-friendly worry beads and unfiltered coffee sludge to ouzo-fueled dancing and seafood by the sea, our time in Athens and Mykonos was the perfect mix of chaos, calm, and culture. 10/10 would Greek again.

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