Should you island hop through Greece…or take a cruise?
If you’re anything like my clients, you’ve probably asked yourself that exact question.
You’ve been dreaming about Greece for years. You’ve saved all the Instagram photos of the white buildings with blue domes. You can already picture yourself sitting at a little café overlooking the water with a glass of Greek wine in one hand and baklava in the other.
Then reality sets in.
Do you book four or five different hotels? Figure out ferry schedules? Drag your suitcase over cobblestone streets every few days? Or do you unpack once and let your “hotel” take you from island to island?
As someone who specializes in cruises, and let’s be honest, someone who likes vacations to actually feel like vacations, I chose the second option. After spending 10 incredible nights aboard Virgin Voyages sailing through Greece, Turkey, Croatia, and Montenegro, I can honestly say I’d make the same decision all over again.
Now, that’s not because island hopping is a bad idea. In fact, I think it’s perfect for certain travelers. But if you’re a busy professional like my ideal client, who only gets a week or two of vacation each year, I truly believe a cruise is one of the best ways to experience this part of the world.
Let me tell you why.
Why I Chose a Cruise Instead of Island Hopping
I’ve planned enough European vacations to know what island hopping really looks like behind those gorgeous Instagram photos.
It means checking out of one hotel, hauling your luggage to the ferry terminal, waiting in line, boarding the ferry, finding your next hotel, checking in, unpacking…and then doing it all over again a couple of days later. Way too many planes, trains, and automobile for me!
Could I have done that? Absolutely.
Did I want to? Not even a little.
Instead, I unpacked once, settled into my cabin, and woke up in a new destination almost every morning. While everyone else was figuring out transportation and hotel logistics, I was deciding whether I wanted another cappuccino before heading ashore.
As a travel advisor, I also wanted to experience this itinerary the same way many of my clients would. I wanted to know if a cruise would still feel authentic. Would I really experience Greece, or would I just be checking destinations off a list?
Spoiler alert…
It felt incredibly authentic.
I wandered through tiny villages, sat at waterfront cafés, shopped in local boutiques, visited centuries-old churches, explored ancient ruins, and ate enough Greek food that I was seriously considering bringing home an extra suitcase just for all the goodies I bought: olives, dresses, baklava, etc.
Actually…scratch that.
My suitcase was already getting dangerously full.
Check out a recent blog post: The Easiest Way to Travel Europe
And another helpful one for my busy professional lady: The Best Vacations for Busy Professionals
Why I Chose Virgin Voyages
This was not my first Virgin Voyages sailing. I have sailed with them about 5 times, but I purposely chose them for a European cruise because I wanted to experience something different in Europe. I have sailed the Caribbean with Virgin many times, but this was a newer experience for me.
Virgin isn’t your traditional cruise line.
There are no kids running around the pool deck.
There aren’t photographers stopping you every five minutes.
There isn’t a giant main dining room where everyone eats the same meal every night.
There are no buffetts.
Instead, Virgin feels modern, relaxed, and designed for adults who genuinely enjoy good food, good service, and a little extra flexibility.
One of my favorite features… That famous red hammock.
Every afternoon, after walking somewhere between eight and ten miles exploring a new destination, I’d come back to the ship looking like I’d just finished a marathon through the Mediterranean. Greece in June is HOT. By the time Hunny Bunny and I got back onboard, we were both hot, sweaty, and wondering whose brilliant idea it was to walk “just one more street.”
I’d grab a sparkling water (which is included on Virgin, sodas, too) climb into that hammock on our Sea Terrace balcony, and spend a few quiet minutes watching the ocean before getting ready for dinner.
It quickly became my favorite daily ritual.
Virgin also does a lot of little things really well. I loved using the wristband instead of carrying a cruise card everywhere. There was always fresh water available in the cabin, and I appreciated being able to use our Bar Tab for specialty coffees, smoothies, cocktails, and bottled drinks instead of feeling limited to alcohol. We only purchased the $200 Bar Tab and still had money left over at the end of the cruise because we used it however we wanted. AND, no everyone in the room needs to purchase it! You can share – a total gamechanger with cruising!
Every Port Had Its Own Personality
One of the biggest surprises of this itinerary was how different every destination felt. Before the trip, I assumed all the Greek islands would have a similar vibe, you know…the white buildings and blue domes.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Each stop had its own personality, its own pace, and its own reasons to fall in love with it.
Mykonos: Exactly What I Imagined
Mykonos was exactly what I’d imagined. Whitewashed buildings, colorful flowers, blue doors, colorful trim, charming little churches, Little Venice, the famous windmills…it was postcard-perfect. We spent the day simply wandering the narrow streets, shopping, and soaking it all in. My biggest tip? Don’t overplan Mykonos. Give yourself time to get lost because that’s where you’ll find its real charm.
Santorini: Worth Every Step
Santorini is every bit as breathtaking as you’ve seen on Instagram…and every bit as hilly! After taking the cable car to the top (the actual city is at the top of the hill, so by cable car, mule, or walking), we spent the day wandering through beautiful streets, stopping for authentic Greek food, and treating ourselves to the most incredible pistachio baklava. Was I a hot, sweaty mess by the time we got back to the ship? Absolutely. Was it worth every step? Also absolutely.
Chania Bay, Crete: The Surprise That Stole My Heart
I honestly expected Santorini to be my favorite Greek stop, but Chania Bay, Crete completely stole my heart. I must admit, when we got off the shuttle and started walking around the downtown area, I was not impressed. It was basically just a big bustling city and then…appears a precious old town on the waterfront. The Old Venetian Harbor was absolutely charming, with waterfront cafés, boutique hotels, colorful boats, and a much more relaxed atmosphere. If someone asked me where I’d spend a week in Greece, Chania would be at the top of my list.
Bodrum, Turkey: The Biggest Surprise of the Trip
Bodrum surprised me the most because of our excursion to Ephesus. I booked a private excursion (and btw, I book private excursions for my clients quite often) to Ephesus. Walking where the Apostle Paul preached and where John spent his final years was incredibly moving, and our private guide brought history to life. Add in authentic Turkish food and a visit to a traditional carpet workshop, and it became one of the most memorable days of the trip.
Dubrovnik: My Favorite Stop of the Entire Cruise
Without question, Dubrovnik was my favorite stop of the entire cruise! Walking through Old Town felt like stepping into a land at Disney, and the views along the Adriatic coastline were unforgettable. If I could go back to just one destination from this itinerary tomorrow, it would be Dubrovnik. It was the one place that no matter where we went, it was gorgeous!
Kotor, Montenegro: Was That Arendelle?
The captain encouraged everyone to wake up early for the sail into Kotor, and I’m so glad we did. The mountains surrounding the bay immediately reminded me of Arendelle from Frozen. Between the breathtaking scenery, the charming village of Perast, and Kotor’s medieval Old Town, Montenegro quickly became one of the biggest surprises of the cruise.
Corfu: A Relaxing End to an Incredible Journey
Corfu was a relaxing way to end our adventure. We explored Old Town, browsed the local shops, and enjoyed a leisurely lunch overlooking the water; the best part! We even asked the waiter (which we do often) to just bring us the best appetizers he recommended. Ooh it was delicious! It was a wonderful way to wrap up an unforgettable itinerary.
Curious About Virgin Voyages?
If reading about my adventure has you wondering whether Virgin Voyages might be the right fit for you, I’d love to invite you to my Virtual Virgin Voyages Sailor Night!
🛳 Tuesday, July 7
🕖 7:00 PM EST
💻 Live on Zoom
I’ll be joined by my Virgin Voyages Business Development Manager, and we’ll cover everything you need to know about sailing Virgin. We’ll talk about the adults-only experience, dining, cabins, itineraries, what makes Virgin different from other cruise lines, and you’ll have plenty of time to ask your own questions.
Whether you’re thinking about Greece, the Caribbean, or just want to see what all the hype is about, I’d love for you to join us!
👉 Reserve your spot here: Sailor Night
What Instagram Doesn’t Tell You About Exploring the Greek Isles
Don’t get me wrong…Greece is every bit as beautiful as you’ve imagined.
The whitewashed buildings, blue domes, charming little cafés, and crystal-clear water are all exactly as magical as they look online.
But Instagram leaves out a few important details.
For starters…you’re going to walk. A LOT.
By the end of most days, Hunny Bunny and I had logged somewhere between eight and ten miles exploring little villages, climbing hills, and wandering through narrow cobblestone streets. And if you’ve been to Santorini, you already know those hills don’t mess around!
Then there’s the heat.
We visited in June, and while the weather was beautiful, it was HOT. By the time we made it back to the ship each afternoon, I looked like I’d just finished a marathon instead of a leisurely day sightseeing. My makeup had disappeared hours earlier and I had about 45 minutes to somehow transform into someone ready for dinner.
Poor Hunny Bunny got used to hearing me say, “Quick! We have reservations!”
Thankfully, that’s one of the reasons I loved cruising so much.
Instead of checking into another hotel or figuring out how to get to the next island, all I had to do was head back to our cabin. I’d grab a cold sparkling water, spend a few peaceful minutes in that famous Virgin Voyages hammock, cool off, and get ready for another incredible evening.
It quickly became my favorite part of every day.
And here’s something else I realized…
One of my favorite memories wasn’t rushing from one “must-see” attraction to the next. It was slowing down long enough to enjoy lunch overlooking the water, wandering into little shops that weren’t on any itinerary, and yes…breaking into a dance every chance I got.
You know I couldn’t visit Greece without dancing!
By the end of the trip, I’d danced in front of the Acropolis, in ancient Corinth where the Apostle Paul preached, and in several other incredible locations throughout Greece. Poor Hunny Bunny has fully accepted his role as my official videographer, whether he volunteers for the job or not!
Those little moments—the ones you never plan—ended up becoming my favorite memories.
Come and join my Sailor Night on July 7th at 7pm and if you are ready to start planning your vacation, Click HERE for my easy travel inquiry form.
