greece
In December of 2015 Chris and I embarked on our first overseas journey together. We were headed to Greece, Bulgaria and Italy for 6 weeks of fun and exploration.
The whole trip came to be because of the fact that we really wanted to ski in Europe. While staying at a hostel in Merida, Mexico early that year (after holidaying with Jill’s parents for 9 days) we met a young man who started telling us about skiing in Europe. He mentioned that Bulgaria is a good place to ski, and is also very cheap. It was one of those moments where we took note, then logged it in our memory banks for safe keeping.
Later that summer, we started talking about what it would be like to go skiing somewhere else in the world. Of course, the Bulgaria idea popped up, and I immediately looked it up online to see what I could see. I learned that the hills looked pretty awesome, and that the lift tickets were very cheap in comparison to Canada’s prices.
Thus began an idea, and a plan started to formulate. The flight to Bulgaria from Canada was only $700 return as we were travelling outside of the high season. So, we decided to fly into Bulgaria, and out of Bulgaria, but we would take the time to see some other places as well while we were half way around the world.
Greece shares a border with Bulgaria, and the flights to get there were very cheap. Before leaving Canada, we booked a 2 week WWoofing (check out the post to learn what wwoofing is) gig on the Island of Paros in the Cyclades Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
While in the area, we decided to add the famous Santorini onto our travel list. Was it a good decision? The jury is still out on that one! You will have to read all about it to see why we loved but hated Santorini!
These posts are all exerpts from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering.
a quick hop to athens
This post is mostly about our flight from Varna, Bulgaria, through Istanbul airport, and on to Athens.
It’s pretty hilarious actually as we tried our first Turkish Coffees in the Istanbul airport which turned out to be quite the affair.
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
Small Taste of Athens
Although we only spent one day in Athens before leaving for the Island of Paros, I feel like we had a well rounded experience. Of course, the Acropolis is the main attraction and because of our jetlag we were up bright and early to get there before the crowds!
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
gone Wwoofin'
While travelling in Greece, I finally fulfilled a dream that I had had for quite some time. That was to go Wwoofing in a foreign country. We stayed with Jim on Paros Island in the Mediterranean for 2 weeks. It was an enlightening and enriching experience.
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
Idle Working Days on Paros Island
Brilliant plants, constantly bursting into various colours, line impossibly adorable pathways, that lead to even more adorable cottages. We have spent the last two weeks absolutely in awe of the utter beauty around us, that looks like it has been dropped from the heavens….
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
Free to roam…..Lefkes to Prodromos & Antiparos Island
We had a couple free days from our Wwoofing job. We explored the Island of Paros a little bit, and also skipped across to Anti Paros to do some exploring.
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
Santorini or Bust(Ed)! Part One.
We had a bit of a love and hate relationship with Santorini. The island was truly spectacular, but travelling like we were was limiting and we definitely chose the wrong time of year to go there. But c’est la vie!
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
Santorini or Bust(ED)! Part Two.
This is part 2 of our crazy Santorini escapade. Just to reiterate, I DO NOT recommend going there for Christmas unless you have friends on the island to stay with.
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
Please Just Let Us Leave!
Our last couple days in Greece brought with it some budget travelling hardships. We learned many lessons in those few short days, but we were so happy to get the heck out of there! This is a funny account of the hurdles we had to cross to do so.
(A blog post from Jill’s blog Just Some Wandering)
