History, Island Time & the Art of Traveling Well. There are destinations that feel endlessly inspiring, and Greece is certainly one of them. We recommend traveling during the fringe months to take advantage of the milder weather and fewer crowds. Spring break is a favorite time to visit — the weather is comfortable, so the packing is easier (see our travel style for the best tips), the crowds are lighter than summer, and the pace feels just right. For a trip that balances learning and leisure, we love splitting our time between historic Athens and the island beauty of Santorini. Together, they offer a thoughtful blend of culture, scenery, and true relaxation. This is the kind of trip that feels restorative rather than rushed — full days, long meals, and moments that invite you to linger. Athens: A Living History Lesson We like to begin our trip in Athens, where history and modern life coexist beautifully. For accommodations, we recommend the Hilton Adia Aluma Athens, a polished but comfortable home base that makes it easy to explore the city on foot. One of our best tips for Athens is to schedule a guided city tour early in your stay. It’s an excellent way to get oriented and gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s many layers — from ancient ruins to contemporary neighborhoods, public art, and striking modern architecture. Understanding how the city fits together makes wandering on your own far more meaningful. When it comes to sightseeing, timing matters. We recommend touring the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum in the afternoon, when the light softens and golden hour approaches. The views over the city as the sun begins to set are unforgettable and worth planning around. Athens is also a city meant for lingering meals. For authentic Greek dining, we recommend Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani for traditional flavors and Klimataria, a long-standing favorite known for its warm atmosphere and classic dishes. After dark, Thissio View is a must — its nighttime view of the illuminated Acropolis is nothing short of magical. Santorini: Slow Down & Explore After the energy of Athens, Santorini offers the perfect contrast. The island’s dramatic cliffs, whitewashed buildings, and sweeping caldera views encourage a slower pace — especially in spring, when everything feels calmer and more approachable. We strongly recommend renting a car while on Santorini. It allows you to circumnavigate the island at your own pace, discover quieter corners, and experience more than just the postcard views. With a car, it’s easy to visit black sand beaches like Perivolos Beach or head to Akrotiri for sweeping coastal views and a glimpse into the island’s ancient past. For accommodations, we love staying in Oia, where the views are spectacular and mornings feel especially peaceful. There are wonderful hotel options like Santorini Secret Suites & Spa, part of Small Luxury Hotels, as well as unique cave-like apartments known as yposkafa. These historic dwellings, carved directly into the soft pumice rock of the caldera, feature barrel-shaped ceilings and whitewashed interiors. Many include private hot tubs or pools — ideal for truly relaxing away from the crowds of Fira and Imerovigli. Santorini’s dining scene is just as memorable. We recommend Lycabettus Restaurant for a refined experience with panoramic views and Ambrosia Restaurant, known for its romantic setting and classic island flavors. One of the quieter joys of Santorini is the abundance of cats wandering the island. They’re well cared for by locals and add to the relaxed, lived-in charm that makes the island feel welcoming rather than staged. Why This Spring Break Works So Well What makes this itinerary special is the balance. Athens engages your mind with history, architecture, and culture, while Santorini restores your energy with scenery, slow mornings, and long dinners. Spring temperatures make walking and exploring comfortable, and the lighter crowds allow you to experience both places more fully. This is travel that feels intentional — planned enough to be smooth, but open enough to savor each moment. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with family, or on a girls’ trip, Greece in the fringe months offers depth, beauty, and ease in equal measure. Sometimes the best trips are the ones that let you learn, rest, and wander — all in the same journey.
Adventures/Travel
Chasing the Northern Lights…
How to Plan a Winter Aurora Trip to Iceland. If seeing the Aurora Borealis has been quietly sitting on your bucket list, winter in Iceland is one of the very best ways to make it happen. There is something magical about this island in the colder months — snow-dusted landscapes, steaming geothermal baths, long twilights, and skies dark enough to let the northern lights truly shine. Planning a successful aurora trip does take a bit of intention, smart winter packing and careful consideration about activities. With the right timing and a thoughtful itinerary, your trip can feel surprisingly relaxed. We’ve found that winter travel in Iceland rewards those who plan well but stay flexible, and that balance is what makes the experience unforgettable. When to Go: Timing Is Everything To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora, we recommend scheduling your trip around the New Moon phase. With minimal moonlight, the sky is at its darkest — exactly what you want when hunting for northern lights. Winter nights in Iceland are long, which increases your viewing window, but weather always plays a role, so it’s best to think of aurora sightings as a wonderful possibility rather than a guarantee. Flights to Iceland are often overnight, especially from the U.S., which means you’ll likely land early in the morning. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, we’ve learned that planning a restorative first day makes the entire trip feel smoother and more enjoyable. Day One: Ease Into Iceland After arriving at in Keflavik, take advantage of the duty-free shop if you plan to purchase alcohol — it’s far more affordable here than once you’re in the country. From there, rent an all-wheel-drive vehicle, which is essential for winter driving outside the city. We recommend heading to the Blue Lagoon, located just 20 minutes from the airport. On the way, stop at Kökulist Bakery for a hot coffee and pastry — a simple but comforting way to start your Iceland adventure. A few hours soaking in the geothermal waters, enjoying the swim-up bar, saunas, and silica mud masks, is the perfect way to reset after overnight travel. It’s no surprise this iconic spot has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s natural wonders . Afterward, continue into Reykjavik and check into your lodging. We recommend renting an apartment with cooking facilities (through Airbnb, VRBO or a similar platform). This is also a good time to stock up on groceries at stores like Netto, Hagkaup, Bonus, or Kronan. Dining out in Iceland is expensive, and having snacks and easy meals on hand gives you flexibility throughout the trip. Day Two: Exploring Beyond the City With limited daylight in winter, we recommend using each day intentionally. The southern coast offers stunning scenery along the Ring Road — waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, glacier views, and hidden geothermal pools. Packing snacks and warm drinks makes these road trips more comfortable and allows you to linger when the scenery demands it. On the way we recommend making a quick stop in Hveragerol, a town known for its volcanic and geothermal activity due to its location between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We recommend going to the Sunnumork shopping center and seeing a demonstration of the plates in action, doing some quick shopping for reasonably priced Icelandic gifts and grabbing a coffee and a donut at the patisserie. Not far from the Seljalandsfoss is Seljavallalaug Hot Pool, a free off-the-beaten-path hot spring with a changing room. If time allows, there are also other interesting stops like the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck (a DC-3 plane that crashed on the beach back in 1973), Solheimajokull glacier and many hiking trails. For aurora viewing, seek out areas with minimal light pollution and a clear northern horizon. National parks, waterfalls, and remote stretches of road can offer spectacular views — always making sure to pull off the road entirely. This allows you to view the aurora safely and remember to be prepared for changing weather conditions. Day 3: Golden Circle & Local Experiences A visit to Þingvellir National Park is a must, offering dramatic landscapes, historic significance, and excellent aurora potential. One of our favorite daytime experiences is lunch at Friðheimar, a tomato farm and greenhouse restaurant that feels both cozy and uniquely Icelandic. Pair that with a soak at the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, for a more local geothermal experience. Day 4 – Enjoy the city of Reykjavik Reykjavík itself is full of charm — from iconic landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and the Sun Voyager sculpture to cozy cafés, bakeries, bookstores, and galleries. Wandering the city feels effortless, with art and design around every corner. Here are some of our recommended activities: Landmarks – Hallgrimskirkja – the famous Lutheran church built between 1945-1986 with a 73-meter high tower that takes it’s inspiration from Iceland’s glaciers, mountains and landscape. It is the largest church in the country and located on top of the hill in the center of Reykjavik. Leif Erikson statue (in front of Hallgrimskirkja) to commemorate the Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to set foot on continental America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. Sun Voyager – head down to the waterfront and see the iconic steel boat structure that resembles a Viking longship. The stunning mountains in the background are worth the walk. Dining & Social – Reykjavik Roasters serves some of the best coffee we have ever had Sandholt offers a delicious variety of upscale pastries, sandwiches and chocolates Braud is a convenient bakery and offers easy take away options Café Loki offers traditional Icelandic options situated in front of Hallgrimskirkja. We loved their lamb shank and had to try the tasting platters, fermented shark and Brennivin shot. Bezta Pylsur – the famous hot dog stand. Rublan bokakaffi – a library with live music, great Icelandic beer and if you’re lucky, a visit with Romeo, the border collie. Shopping There are many stores offering traditional Icelandic gifts,…