Virgin Voyages Greece Adventure
Welcome to day one of our Europe Virgin Voyages journey! After months of anticipation, today was finally our travel day to Athens, Greece, the start of a two-week adventure that’ll take us through sunlit islands, scenic landscapes, and even a Taylor Swift concert in Sweden!
The Travel Day: Phoenix to Athens
Long flights, minimal sleep, and compression socks are the true marks of a travel day! We flew from Phoenix (PHX) to JFK and then on to Athens (ATH), with Kyla and me landing first. At the airport, we were greeted by our incredible driver, Themis. We met Themis on a previous trip to Greece, and he’s since become our go-to guy for transportation here, not only for us but for all our clients—he’s truly the best!
Athens Arrival: Penthouse Suite with Acropolis Views
Upon arrival at our hotel, we were greeted by an unexpected surprise—a stunning two-bedroom penthouse suite with panoramic views of the Acropolis! It was an ideal spot to unwind, and of course, we had to share a full room tour on The Pixie Planner Facebook page! Despite the travel fatigue, we were determined to get on Athens time, so we took a long walk to soak up some sunlight and stay awake. Mission “Stay Up Till 7 PM” was a success, with just a brief 30-minute power nap sneaking in! We even managed to push through until 8 PM—a win for overcoming jet lag.
Exploring Athens by Bike
After a solid night’s sleep, Kyla and I were ready for our first day of Athens adventures, and what better way to explore than by bike? We started off bright and early, biking through the historic city to see the Temple of Zeus, the vibrant Art District, and the iconic Acropolis. There’s nothing like discovering a city up close and personal, and Athens has a unique way of pulling you into its history and energy.
Lunch & Shopping
Post-bike ride, we stopped for lunch to savor a classic Greek gyro. Soon after, some of our group arrived, so we picked up Allie Warfel and ventured out for coffee. We also made time for a bit of shopping, and when in Europe, that means tax-free savings! A little splurge at Louis Vuitton felt like the perfect souvenir to start the trip right.
Dinner with an Acropolis View
With evening approaching, we returned to our room to catch up on a bit of work before dinner. Our meal was at a beautiful rooftop restaurant, and dining with a view of the illuminated Acropolis was truly magical—definitely a meal to remember.
Boarding Virgin Voyages’ Starry Night Cruise
The next morning started with a quick breakfast, and after a bit more shopping, we headed to the cruise port to board the Virgin Voyages Starry Night Cruise! Virgin Voyages is one of my absolute favorites, especially for its adults-only vibe, amazing specialty dining, and inclusive fitness classes—all perfect for travelers who want a little luxury and lots of fun! In less than 20 minutes, we were aboard and exploring our beautiful stateroom (tour available on The Pixie Planner’s FB page). I wasted no time booking fitness classes, from yoga and cycle to a bungee workout. We wrapped up the day with an incredible Italian dinner, a round at the casino, and even managed to rally for a late-night pajama party at 11 PM!
Santorini, Greece
Our first port was the iconic Santorini. I woke up early, grabbed a coffee, and enjoyed a peaceful moment on the ship before morning yoga. We spent a few hours exploring the island, where I tried a delicious ice cream bubble waffle and picked up an epic souvenir shirt. Afterward, it was back to the ship for a blow-out appointment ahead of a photo shoot—Shana O’Mara and I needed some updated branding photos, and what better backdrop than Europe? Once we were back on board, I treated myself to the best Impossible burger ever, followed by some casino time.
Bodrum, Turkey
The next day, we ported in Bodrum. Instead of exploring the city, we opted for a “ship day” to catch up on work and fully enjoy the amenities. After a fun bungee class, we did some more exploring around the ship, dropped by the casino, and even hit up the club for a dance session.
Mother’s Day in Mykonos
Mother’s Day in Mykonos was one for the books! Kyla and I started with a beautiful brunch before heading into town for some shopping. We ended the evening back on the ship at a Korean BBQ restaurant—definitely a 10/10 dining experience!
Crete Excursion
Crete was next, where Shana and I joined a small private excursion with four other guests. We visited a cave monastery, shopped at local markets, and soaked up the sun on Crete’s famed pink beach. Lunch in town was delightful, and back on the ship, we joined in on Scarlet Night—a must-attend evening on every Virgin Voyages cruise, with everyone dressed to impress in red.
Relaxation and Exploration
Day eight was a sea day, a welcomed break to recharge and enjoy everything the ship has to offer. From a lavish brunch and afternoon tea party to a relaxing spa session, it was the perfect day to unwind. Day nine brought us to Dubrovnik, where we explored the charming old town, enjoyed a memorable lunch, and headed back for an evening of games.
Kotor and Corfu Ports
The following days, we stopped at Kotor and Corfu, two incredible destinations with unique charm. Kotor left me wanting more with its quaint streets and lovely views, while Corfu treated us to one of the best meals of the trip, topped off with mouth-watering baklava!
Taylor Swift in Sweden
After the cruise, our last big event was seeing Taylor Swift live in Sweden—a surreal experience and a reward for all the hard work we put into making trips like this happen! Shana and I work hard to make every journey perfect for our clients, and this was our way of celebrating. The concert was pure magic; we laughed, sang, and soaked up every moment together.
This adventure was a whirlwind of laughter, and unforgettable experiences, and I can’t wait to do it all again. Thanks for following along!
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