The CDC announcement that vaccinated people can travel is causing a stir, and this is great news. I’m hearing from all my friends in travel (agents, tour operators, hotels, cruises) there’s big activity push happening, and requests are coming in fairly quickly. It feels like many people are starting to plan vacations to all sorts of destinations, near and far. My family and I have been very careful over the past year. For the most part, we’ve been home, with next to no socializing. This CDC announcement is exciting and we’re being cautiously optimistic that it’ll stick. As you know, Greece is my favorite place on the planet, and I’ve been lucky to have seen a lot of this world. Greece recently announced it will open May 14 to vaccinated travelers (or those who at least show a negative covid test no more than 3 days old prior to arrival). From what I’m reading and hearing, other popular destinations like Spain, Italy, and France will likely remain shut to American travelers through most of the summer. Of course, this might change, but I doubt it. Either way, Greece is poised to do well. Because of this news, my Greek hotelier, tour operator and cruise line friends are telling me it’s “all systems go” but their optimism, you can tell, is guarded. Given all this new information, I’ve been asked by quite a few people, about my thoughts on travel to Greece. I tell everyone the same thing; I hope to get there myself this summer but traveling anywhere is a personal decision. That said, I have some definite points of view on where to go in Greece, where to stay, and what to do. Sure, I customize my advice depending on who is traveling, when they’re traveling, plus their ages, and likes and dislikes. In general though, here are some thoughts. Every Greek island, of which there are roughly 6,000 (with only 227 inhabited ones), has its own personality; fun, busy, traditional, quiet. It might have black or red sand beaches, rocky beaches, or spectacular views. Likely, it is a combination of these. Either way, to visit Greece “properly” keep a few things in mind. Expertise: In general, tell anyone you’re going to Greece and they’ll have an opinion on which islands you should visit. This is either because they’ve been there, because they know someone who is Greek, or because they’ve watched Mama Mia a dozen times. They might have been there 20 years ago, but they’re at the ready with words of “wisdom.” So smile, say thank you, and ignore everything they just told you. This holds true as well if the person with whom you just spoke IS Greek. Maybe even more so. You see, as Greeks, we are partial to the villages and islands from which our families came. Again, say “Efharisto” (thank you) and toss the suggestion you should visit their village on the Island of _____ (enter any Greek island here.) The truth is most of Greece is phenomenally beautiful. It just is. The views are spectacular, the food is fantastic, the people are friendly, and it is a very reasonably priced. But there are clearly ways to visit Greece in the right way. First, select the right island(s). Look, I know when you look at a map, they’re just centimeters apart, but that doesn’t mean two-night stays in a myriad of islands is the way to go. Quite the opposite. Forget the idea of island hopping. Not all islands have airports. Some require ferries or hydrofoils to visit, and this could take hours from one port to another. The absolute minimum time you should spend on any one island is 4 nights. Yes, four, dare I say a week. Greece is about relaxing and taking it all in, including afternoon siestas. It’s about walking through town, sipping a frappe (chilled frothy coffee), spending time at the beach and well, just being chill. It’s about watching the sunset and then eating an “early” dinner (at 10pm). So, relax. The number one mistake people make is ignoring this advice, then over-scheduling and regretting it the day they get there. The other mistake they make is listening to uninformed people about which islands to visit. Sure, Mykonos is known as a party island, but that doesn’t mean that’s how you have to experience it. I go there almost every year and while I *may* have enjoyed a few late-night libations and parties in the past, I now go with my wife and kids and we have a different experience; we hit the beaches during the day, have early dinners in town and head back to the hotel for the evening. And sure, people say Santorini gets crowded, but this normally comes from people on over-packed cruise ships who ARE the crowds two days a week. For me, Santorini’s view is priceless. People gather on the cliffs and literally clap when the sun sets. But, there are places to stay where you avoid the crowds on the island, which makes it a wonderful experience. And I love smaller islands as well. Kalymnos is a favorite. It is VERY traditional and reminds me of the Greece I knew when I was a child. It has a myriad of beaches and wonderful, traditional tavernas and cafes where islanders spend their time. There’s also Antiparos, known for being the home of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Quiet, quaint, picturesque – it’s beautiful. If you’d like, I’m happy to recommend some islands based on your travel style. As for where you should stay, I’ve certainly seen an increase in the amount of requests for private villas. Clearly, this is the way to go. It isn’t cheap though, but here’s the thing; if you go with another family and you get a private villa with 6 or more bedrooms, it’s more reasonable than doing it alone. I’m happy to connect you with my friends at one of the best villa rental