Category: Travel Guides

There’s WAY more to Greece than you see on Instagram. Don’t let crowded tourist traps spoil your vacay! These lesser known—but still gorgeous—Greek destinations are where Greek locals go when they need a getaway!

Nafplio

Why Greeks visit: This coastal town in the Peloponnese peninsula has beautiful architecture, seaside vistas…what more could you want? For the history buffs, it’s also close to several important archaeological sites.

Your itinerary: Stroll through the picturesque old town, visit the Palamidi Fortress, and enjoy Kaimaki (Greek ice cream) at a local cafe.

Your menu: A local cheesy pasta called gkogkes, grilled meats such as chicken, mpogana (lamb), and gkiosa (goat).

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Kastoria

Why Greeks visit: This lakeside village in Macedonia is the perfect place to enjoy a serene getaway with a perfect mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Your itinerary: Explore the Byzantine churches, walk along the lake, and discover the traditional craft of fur-making.

Your menu: Freshwater fish like trout and bass from the lake, and traditional Macedonian dishes like kavourmas (slow-cooked meat), sarmadakia (stuffed grape leaves), and soutzoukakia (meatballs).

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Monemvasia

Why Greeks visit: This stunning island castle town feels like being dropped into the middle of a medieval village!

Your itinerary: Wander the narrow streets of the old fortress town, enjoy gorgeous sea views from the walls, and pretend you’re medieval royalty.

Your menu: Seafood such as sea bream and lobster, traditional Laconian pasta called goggles, and medieval-sounding fare like rooster, rabbit, and mutton stew.

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Parga

Why Greeks visit: This seaside town in the northwestern Epirus region will take your breath away with its stunning beaches, crystal blue water, and charming cliffside houses.

Your itinerary: Relax on the sandy beaches, explore the Venetian castle, and enjoy the local cuisine in the town’s romantic restaurants.

Your menu: Nom on souvlaki (grilled meat and pita), saganaki (fried cheese), and moussaka (eggplant and beef pie).

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Syros

Why Greeks visit: This stunning island in the Aegean Sea is a great place to relax on the beach AND get your fix of Bronze Age Cycladic culture, if you’re into that. Skip Mykonos, visit Syros instead!

Your itinerary: Visit the elegant town of Ermoupoli, get a tan on the local beaches, explore old churches, and see Renaissance art.

Your menu: CHEESE. Also kaparosalata (caper salad), aetopita (fish and veggie pie), and if you’re feeling adventurous, kokkinista karavola (snails in tomato sauce).

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Best Time Of Year To Visit

To avoid swarms of tourists, visit Greece in the shoulder seasons, AKA spring and fall.

Late Spring (May – Early June)

Why It’s Ideal: The weather is warm but not excessively hot, and the major tourist crowds haven’t yet arrived. It’s a great time to explore historical sites, enjoy outdoor activities, and experience the local culture without the peak season rush.

Flight and Accommodation Costs: Airfares and accommodation prices are generally lower than in peak summer months.

Early Fall (September – Early October)

Why It’s Ideal: The weather remains pleasant, with warm temperatures and less rain, while the summer crowds have begun to thin out. It’s also the harvest season, so you can enjoy local festivals and fresh produce.

Flight and Accommodation Costs: Prices for flights and accommodations start to drop after the summer peak, making it more affordable.

If Seoul ISN’T on your bucket list, you should add it—and then move it to the top! South Korea’s bustling capital city has amazing culture, fascinating history, mouthwatering food, and K-pop everywhere. South Korean local, Sara, has some travel tips to make your visit to Seoul extra special and EXTRA EXTRA delicious.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung is Seoul’s largest and probably most famous palace. It was built in 1935 and is the official palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Surrounding the palace are many hanbok rental shops. These days, it’s very popular to dress up in a rented hanbok and visit the palace to complete the experience. Palace entry is also free if you are wearing hanbok! The palace grounds are expansive, and our family’s favorite spot is the pavilion and pond. Last year, we rented hanbok and hired a photographer to take some family photos on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung—a really special memory! Many tourists love to visit Gyeongbokgung, especially to watch the changing of the guards.

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Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square is in the center of Seoul, just in front of Gyeonbokgung Palace. There is always something fun happening in this area—festivals and events, markets, food trucks, outdoor libraries, live performances, and more. It’s also where the famous King Sejong statue is. He’s known as one of the greatest rulers in Korea and creator of the Korean alphabet, hangul. Particularly on summer weekends when we have nothing planned, our family heads to Gwanghwamun Square to picnic and play in the water fountains.

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Tongin Market

This is a much smaller and lesser known market in Seoul and it offers a certain olds school charm. Unique to Tongin market is the Korean lunchbox cafe. You purchase coins and they give you a lunch tray that you fill up with various food from all the different vendors using the coins as currency. It’s a fun and perfect way to sample a bunch of Korean street foods. I walk through the market early in the mornings and I love seeing all of the vendors preparing their food stalls for the day.

When eating street food in Korea or at a market, it’s customary to stand or sit at the food stall to quickly eat rather than eat while walking. It’s never fancy, and if there is seating, it’s typically small plastic stools in tight spaces. If you’re in Korea, I recommend trying at least once.

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Food: Girim Ddukbokki

Ddukbokki is a dish that contains glutinous, chewy rice cakes that are usually served in a spicy red sauce. There is a non-spicy, soy sauce based version as well, but the former is more common. It is one of Korea’s most popular street foods—you’ll see it on many street vendors and at small snack-type restaurants. In our neighborhood, there is a local market that is known for their girim ddukbokki—this version doesn’t have a sauce and is instead fried and slightly sticky. They have both spicy and non-spicy versions.

Food: Baekban

A typical Korean meal is known for the wide array of side dishes eaten with the main course. The side dishes are called banchan and there are many, many different kinds featuring types of kimchi, vegetables, meat, and seafood. Baekban literally means white rice—it’s a classic Korean meal consisting of rice, soup, and many kinds of side dishes. It is hearty, healthy, and filling. It’s probably what most Koreans think of when they think of a home cooked meal or Korean comfort food Typical baekban restaurants will change the main menu and side dishes daily. There are a few paik ban restaurants in our local vicinity, and they are always crowded at lunch times.

Food: Pat Bingsu