A Vacation Itinerary: Athens to Venice

The warmth of the Mediterranean and the romance of northern Italy combine in the ultimate getaway. Full of life, with stunning views, and offering tastes and sounds that will overwhelm your senses, the shoreline connection between Athens and Venice is all that’s needed to rejuvenate and inspire your soul.

Take a ride up the Mediterranean and into the Adriatic and you’ll find yourself easily accessing two of the biggest destinations in the world. Traveling to these tourist hot-spots, I found myself seeking more than the made-for-tourist areas.

Historic Athens offers archaeological wonders, coastline beaches and an Opa! spirit that makes the city what it is. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the numerous buildings, cars – erratic driving is part of the charm – and tourists, but there are ways to get back to the Athenian basics. You can avoid one-size-fits-all tours if you ask the locals – taxi drivers offer the greatest tips!

One driver insisted I visit the Monastiraki Flea Market. Not unlike the Grand Bazaar in Turkey, or the souks of Marrakesh, the narrow streets are lined with shopkeepers selling everything from tapestry to jewelry and souvenirs. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon finding keepsakes to take home. I stocked up on relatively inexpensive Greek pottery, each piece unique and fabulous for display in my living room.

One of the must-stops in Athens is the Acropolis – the famous ancient ruins. But, if you don’t want to wait in line and climb to the top, check out the views from atop the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Situated in the heart of the city and at the foot of the historical sights, is the hotel’s Roof Garden restaurant. From there you can enjoy a relaxing and sumptuous open-air dinner, while watching the sun set over the Acropolis, which is lit up when night falls. Enjoy the contemporary Mediterranean dishes to match the view; and don’t leave without ordering the “sleep” tea made from local herbs designed to soothe you after a full day of exploring. If the tea works a little too well, and you want to prolong the luxurious experience, you can always book a room for the night!

When you’re done savouring Athens city life, you can head just south of Athens, to the coastline of Vouliagmeni. There, you will be among the locals on holiday. Swim in any of the deep blue beaches, which consistently receive the EU Blue Flag award, an exclusive eco-label award.

The best part of Vouliagmeni for me had to be the dramatic sunset against the mountainous backdrop. Locals concede it is the “the second most beautiful sunset in the world” – the first, apparently, is on the Greek island of Santorini.

Having been immersed in the dramatic sights and exotic tastes of the Mediterranean, I wasn’t convinced that there was anything that could parallel the experience, until I arrived on the shores of Venice. The Adriatic island is unlike anywhere else in the world. Nowhere else do boats replace cars and 12th century buildings line the canals to meet in a grand square.

Traveling by gondola you will see the medieval buildings up close, touching the calm waters, for a one-of-a-kind experience that will relax even the most hardened traveler. To prolong the feeling, walk the cobble-stoned streets to shop for everything from Murono glass plates (made on the island of Murono just off the Venetian coast) to trendy Italian clothes.

If you yearn for a departure from the heart of Venice, and tourists, head to a resort island called Lido, where few tourists know that a beach vacation is quite possible on pristine blue waters. The island is only a short public boat ride away, and it’s a great way to enjoy the coastline away from the swarm of sightseers.

If you’re lucky, as I was, you’ll coordinate your Venetian visit with one of the biggest nights of the year, the festival of the Redeemer. The festival calls for everyone to gather on their boat (each filled with family and intricately decorated) and meet in front of St. Marco’s Square – the main attraction in Venice. And if you don’t have a boat, you can gather at the square to watch the spectacular fireworks display. The festival is a great way to experience a unique gathering where an entire town gathers in one place to celebrate the big night.

If you want to celebrate the festival in style, away from the crowds, Hotel Danieli, the most prestigious Venetian hotel (and celebrity favorite!) can make for an unforgettable evening. Composed of three seamlessly connected buildings, one a 14th century castle, the hotel is every bit as opulent as you would expect from its prime St. Marco’s Square location.

To complete the Venetian experience you must dine at the Restaurant Terrazza Danieli, overlooking the Grand Canal lagoon. And on the night of the festival there’s really no better view, or gourmet meal for that matter, to make you fall deeply in love with the city on water – what a way to end my Adriatic experience!