November 2023
Hi everyone, I just returned from a trip that was so memorable that I want to relive every moment of it — Escape to Greece.
With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture, Greece has always been on my travel bucket list. I was initially only attracted to the picturesque Santorini; however, after researching more into the country, I became drawn to this mystical place. This November, my dream of exploring this enchanting country came true.
I will take you through the highlights of my journey, from the historical streets of Athens to the picturesque islands of Santorini and the mystical sites of Delphi and Meteora.
Before diving into the trip, I want to share how I used ChatGPT to plan my trip, which helped me with the bulk of the heavy lifting of planning.
Here are the prompts I used:
“You are a Greek local guide, and I am a Singaporean tourist who enjoys nature. My husband and I are in our 30s, and it’s our first time traveling to Greece. We will reach in the morning at 8 am on 8 November 2023. Our flight back is on 21st November. How would you plan my trip?”
As I am unsure if ChatGPT will be reminded of the weather for the recommended activities, I added a prompt: “Could you add the travel time for each location by their respective mode of transport? Also, refine the itinerary according to the best route and best weather.”
Here is a reply from ChatGPT when I asked explicitly about traveling to Santorini early in November:
“Weather: Early November is still relatively mild in Santorini, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 16°C to 21°C (61°F to 70°F). While it’s not as warm as the summer months, it’s still comfortable for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and enjoying the island’s beauty.
Crowds: Early November is considered the shoulder season, which means there are fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months. You’ll experience the island with fewer crowds, making it easier to explore attractions and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.”
After confirming the details based on all the prompts on the areas I want to visit, I added a prompt to finalize: “Create an itinerary from 8 November to 21 November that will create a memorable experience for an Asian couple aged 30 years who enjoys nature and hikes. Break down the trip into morning, afternoon, and evening, and include key location highlights. Reduce any beach recommendations due to the weather. Include nice restaurants that oversee views of beaches. Recommend mid-range accommodations, including hotels and Airbnb. Include time traveled for each location. Put the suggestions in table form. The couple wants to visit Santorini early on the trip even though they will land in Athens on 8 November airport around 10 am.”
After ChatGPT has generated the itinerary in list view, look through it and see if it makes sense to see where you want to visit. After reviewing and confirming, I added this prompt to export to notion so that my husband and I know where and what to do daily.
“Can you put the suggestion in table form and add key highlights of each location, travel time by car, and what to do? Plan the days according to morning, afternoon, and evening. Start 10 am at Athens, day 3 in Santorini, day 6 from Santorini back to Athens, and day7 from Athens to Delphi. Include Day 1 as 8 November to 21st November.”
My Greek adventure began in the heart of history — Athens. The capital city welcomed me with a mix of ancient wonders and modern charm. Our choice to stay in Monastiraki transformed our travel experience compared to the bustling routine of life in Singapore. The beauty of our accommodation’s location was that we were nestled within walking distance of the city’s heritage sites. This meant our mornings could commence with a serene visit to the Parthenon, blissfully avoiding the crowds.
Afterward, we could leisurely retreat to our Airbnb for a rest before embarking on a charming stroll through Plaka. The proximity to key attractions granted us the luxury of time saved on commuting and allowed us to immerse ourselves in museums and historical sites at our own pace. Coming from the fast-paced lifestyle of Singapore, this slower, more deliberate pace of exploration felt like a genuine indulgence — an opportunity to savor the richness of each moment without the need to rush through the day’s agenda. The weather in Greece was also perfect for long walks, and I loved every bit of it.
Santorini: A Postcard-Perfect Paradise
A short flight took me to the iconic island of Santorini, where whitewashed buildings perched on cliffs greeted me at every turn. Exploring Oia, I witnessed the famous Santorini sunset, casting hues of orange and pink over the Aegean Sea. The charm of the narrow streets, adorned with vibrant bougainvillea, made every moment a photo opportunity.
Opting for off-peak travel not only made accommodations more budget-friendly but also granted us the luxury of experiencing Oia in its unspoiled tranquility, away from the usual crowds. We booked a private place at the heart of Oia, with a balcony to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets and a private hot tub to oversee the sea while enjoying Santos Wine wine. Life was perfect.
My days were blissfully spent soaking up the sun at our Airbnb in Oia and exploring the crystal clear waters of Kamari Beach. The local cuisine, adorned with fresh seafood and enticing Mediterranean flavors, became a delightful highlight of my island escape. A particular gem was Mario Restaurant, tucked slightly away from the bustling Oia and Fira. Here, the freshness of the food and the impeccable attention of the staff left a lasting impression, prompting us to revisit twice within our brief three-night stay — all in the name of savoring the exceptional culinary experience.
I highly recommend an Oia-Fira hike to see another side of Santorini. My husband and I did not complete the walk because it was getting dark, and I was getting hungry. However, the view was a real treat, and we had fun walking and taking silly photos along the way. We left Santorini loving every moment we spent.
Our originally scheduled evening flight faced an unexpected delay, leading us to touch down at Athens airport around midnight, past the operating hours for car rentals. We opted for an Uber, incurring an additional cost of 60 euros as we shuttled between our Airbnb and the airport for the car rental the next day. This experience was a valuable lesson — the need for flexible planning in our travel endeavors, such as giving three to four hours buffer time for car rental services’ closing hours.
After the unexpected delays from flight to car rental, our AI planner led us to the historic town of Delphi, once hailed as the center of the ancient world. It was a 3.5-hour drive from Athens, and when we arrived at Delphi, we wisely took a day to rest in the quiet town.
The next morning, as the sun cast its warm glow on Delphi’s timeless ruins, we set out on an unforgettable hike to the Corycian Cave, a natural wonder nestled in the slopes of Mount Parnassus. The journey was more than just a physical ascent; it felt like a spiritual climb through layers of history and mythology. My husband and I discussed our life aspirations and what we plan to do in the next few years while enjoying the nice weather. The Corycian Cave, with its awe-inspiring formations and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, rewarded our efforts, providing a profound connection to the ancient tales and mystical energies that have permeated these sacred grounds for centuries.
Amidst the tranquil charm of the town, we savored the unhurried pace of life, allowing the serenity to seep into our souls. As a bookworm, I seized the quiet moments to retrieve my iPad and delve back into the pages of “The Courage to Be Disliked.” The book, a companion since the trip started, unraveled philosophical dialogues between a wise philosopher and an eager student, much akin to the reflective conversations I engaged in with the world around me.
The dialogues echoed in my mind when I gazed at the picturesque view from our balcony. The ambiance was further enriched by the playful presence of kittens that would grace our hotel balconies, injecting waves of laughter and a stroke of anxiety when they entered our room.
We descended from Delphi (located at an elevation of 1,870 feet above sea level. It is situated on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus, which is one of the highest mountains in Greece) and wandered through the captivating landscapes of Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A profound sense of humility washed over us, reminding us of life’s inherent simplicity. In the shadow of these colossal rock formations, we marveled at the grandeur of nature and contemplated the essence of a more uncomplicated existence.
The weather, generously blessing us with its warmth and clarity, allowed us to savor every moment as we delved into this sacred destination’s rich history and spiritual significance.
The Varlaam Monastery, with its enlightening explanations and an intriguing museum, became a gateway to a bygone era, unraveling stories etched in stone and time.
The outdoor panorama at Holy Trinity Monastery stood as a pinnacle of natural beauty. It felt as though we had stepped into another world. Here, amidst the tranquility of the surroundings, we witnessed devout individuals engaging in spiritual practices foreign to our Singaporean upbringing — kissing icons and lighting incense. These unfamiliar rituals opened a window to the diversity of human expressions of faith, contrasting with the familiar practices I knew back home.
The towering majesty of Meteora left me breathless and opened my heart to more learning about history, culture, and life.
Marcel Proust’s wisdom, ‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes,’ became palpable as each experience broadened my perspective.
As we came to the end of the trip, I also finished the book I started reading at the start of the trip — The Courage to Be Disliked. The book is based on the principles of Alfred Adler, an Austrian psychiatrist and psychotherapist who was influential in individual psychology. It depicts a conversation between a philosopher who studied Greek philosophy and a student who is like you and me.
I find resonance in the book’s message of living earnestly in the present. It’s an invitation to dance through the moments and savor each step's beauty without getting too serious about the destination. In a competitive country like Singapore, we always strive to be at our best and compete to be the highest achievers in our field. This go-getter mindset is stuck in all (if not most) of us, and we feel like an imposter, not good enough, and dejected as we are not yet where we envisioned ourselves to be (the destination). We forgot to celebrate our journey to get closer to who/ where we want to be!
In the spirit of the philosopher’s teachings, let’s carry the courage to be disliked into our lives — embracing the freedom to be true to ourselves, to live earnestly, and to dance through the journey with open hearts.
This post is also refined by ChatGPT in grammar, sentences and suggestions. However, the content, structure, and reflections are all mine.
