Greece: Athens, Corfu & Crete

Athens

• Where to stay

I checked out the King George Hotel and its sister property, the Grand Hotel Bretagne. Both of these properties are historical grande dames of the hotel scene in Athens. Between the two, they offer many amenities including a spa, multiple restaurants, lounges, and views of the Acropolis. I recommend either of these for travelers who like classic properties.

My next stop was the Athens Capital Hotel by MGallery. This hotel is fresh and modern with a rooftop pool, restaurant, and lounge. Their sister property, the Athens Capital Suites, is a newly refurbished six-room mansion property that caters to travelers who like a bit more privacy. Guests of the suites are able to use the amenities of the main property.

The last property I visited was the One&Only Aesthesis. This resort is located on the waterfront a short ride from the Athens airport and accessible to downtown Athens. This ultra-luxe property is great for families, couples, or those looking for a serene getaway. The rooms range from hotel rooms to three-bedroom villas—many of the villas have their own private pools. There is a large kids' club, a beach bar, and multiple restaurants.

• What to do

We did a tour of the Acropolis led by an archeologist followed by tasting local Greek wines, which was fantastic. Other archaeological sites worth visiting include the first Olympic stadium and the house of parliament. A tour of the Peloponnese Peninsula provided a quick overview with a stop at the Corinth Canal, a local winery, the Asklepieion of Epidauros (a complex with ruins dating back to the fifth century BC), and finally a visit to the quaint seaside town of Nafplio, where we enjoyed a beautiful lunch at a local taverna and browsed the unique local shops.

Corfu

• Where to stay

Angsana Corfu was the first Banyan Tree property in Europe, and it has that sleek modern Asian aesthetic. With a beautiful main high-rise hotel building and villa offerings overlooking the sea, this resort has gorgeous amenities including an infinity pool, gym, spa and multiple restaurants.

Grecotel Corfu Imperial is a lovely resort to visit, whether just for lunch or an extended stay. With a beach area, multiple pools, hotel rooms, many types of villa residences, and multiple restaurants, this resort can provide a luxury experience for any type of group or solo traveler.

Mar-Bella Collection properties: Nido, an adults-only Small Leading Hotels of the World property, and Avali, a laid-back modern beachfront property, are both wonderful options. Their flagship, Mar-Bella, is great for families.

• What to do

Strolling through old town Corfu with a guide to tell you about the sights, a trip to the fortress for history and seaside views, a boat ride, a picnic by the beach, hiking, an olive oil tasting experience with some of the world's oldest olive trees, or simply relaxing by the pool are all wonderful options.

Crete

• Where to stay

Minos Beach Art Resort is a modern and bohemian resort on the water with art installations throughout the property and a lovely outdoor taverna. It’s sister property, Minos Palace Resort, is an adults-only resort atop a hill overlooking the sea with an extensive spa.

Cayo Resort is a hillside resort in Elounda that has a beach and taverna serving delicious traditional Greek fare overlooking the sea. Its many rooms and suites accommodate a variety of travelers—families, couples, or solo travelers. It has multiple restaurants, pools, and a spa.

• What to do

We had a lovely day on a boat, we learned to milk goats and make cheese, we learned how to cook dolmades, and we had a lively taverna dinner complete with traditional Cretan dancing.

In Athens, allow for travel time fluctuation due to traffic conditions. Organize activities and tours beforehand for maximum choice.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Greece page.