You’ll love the sun-drenched islands, whitewashed towns, and a mythic past that just won’t quit. Enjoy the whitewashed dwellings of Mykonos, the historic ruins in Athens, the sun-soaked cafes on Crete, the famous views on Santorini, and the UNESCO-designated Old Town of Corfu.
Tourist Visa for US Citizens: Not required for stays under 90 days. Standard Schengen rules apply on multiple reentries.
Part of the EU & ► Schengen Agreement.
► US Department of State Greece Information
Starting in 2025, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorization system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU or Schengen Member. The cost of an ETIAS is €7, however, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, will not need to pay the fee. The ETIAS must be applied for online prior to arrival to the EU. Each eligible traveller, regardless of age, will require an ETIAS to visit EU member countries. The ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of such countries as the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
for more information: ► visit the Official ETIAS site
Athenian Riviera
Size: 303 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary / Sophisticated
Year Opened: 1958
Most Recent Renovation/Update: 2018
Interior Designer: Meyer Davis Studio of New York
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, the former Astir Palace south of Athens, now the first Four Seasons hotel in Greece.
Three different accommodation settings allow for a pleasingly personalized vacation at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens. Choose from laid-back Arion, bustling Nafsika, or deluxe beachside at The Bungalows – and it’s all just 30 minutes from downtown Athens. Spend a day taking in the historic wonders of ancient civilization, then return to the Athens Riviera for unwinding and relaxing. Several eateries vie for attention, from sophisticated Greek seafood at Pelagos to tapas and tostadas at Helios. An airy spa incorporates the teachings of Hippocrates with ancient remedies and wellness secrets.
2023 #35
I AM A FOUR SEASONS PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in
• Daily full breakfast for two people per bedroom, served in a hotel restaurant or through In-Room Dining
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Guaranteed late check-out at 4pm
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Argolida / Peloponnese
Size: 50 rooms and suites
Style: Zen Contemporary
Year Opened: 2012
Designer/Architect: Ed Tuttle
Secluded luxury, but conveniently close to the ancient sites of Epidaurus and Mycenae, as well as the new wine region of Nemea
The helicopter flight from Athens to Amanzoe creates a swift segue into an altogether wilder Greece – a place of pure nature, where time stands still. Scattered with Unesco-protected ruins, the beach-fringed Peloponnese has been at the heart of Greek culture for millennia, its small mountain towns and quaint seaside villages welcoming visitors to traditional Greek living at its best. It is on the east coast of this fabled peninsula that Amanzoe rests, a modern-day Acropolis from which 360-degree views encompass olive groves, Aegean blue, and little else. Designed to meld with the land, suites and villas with private pools open onto fragrant gardens or the beach, where speedboats lie waiting to zip between secret coves and the nearby islands of Spetses and Hydra.
I AM AN AMAN PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
One of the most geographically distinctive and culturally rich islands in the Cyclades, Milos is a volcanic island of beautiful beaches, thermal springs and unusual rock formations. Adámantas, the island’s pretty port and nightlife hub, is sheltered inside the volcano’s former caldera. Plaka, the nearby capital, overlooks the entrance to the Gulf of Milos. This charming hilltop town is home to Plaka Castle with views of the entire island as well as an acclaimed archaeological museum, which features a replica of the island’s most famous find: the Venus of Milo. A diverse array of historic sites – Bronze Age settlements, ancient Greek ruins, Christian catacombs, abandoned windmills and pirate caves – dot this lovely island. And while you’re there, be sure to try the local culinary specialties, like watermelon pie and bonbons with white pumpkin.
The bastions of an impressive 16th century fortress stand guard over Rethymno, one of Crete’s most charming cities. The Old Town is wondrously atmospheric, its cobblestone alleyways leading to pretty churches, Italianate palazzos, Ottoman mosques and charming courtyards that are draped in brilliant bougainvillea. Sun worshipers will find Crete’s longest beach, a 12-kilometer stretch of golden sand, just beyond the marina. If you want to escape the bright Cretan sun, some shady municipal gardens and fine museums provide the opportunity to cool down. Head out of the city and you’ll find an untamed region of gorges, canyons, rivers, valleys and caves. In the afternoon, take a seat at one of the many tavernas, fish restaurants and quaint cafés that line the waterfront of Rehymno’s picturesque Venetian harbor.
The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is renowned for its sunshine, sandy beaches and spectacular heritage. During two centuries of occupation, the crusading Knights Hospitaller transformed Rhodes Town into a medieval stronghold. Today its Old Town is a wonderful tangle of streets and squares that are bustling with cafés and restaurants. The architecture here is fascinating – a beautiful blend Gothic, Byzantine and Ottoman styles. To the north you’ll find Mandraki Harbor, which was purportedly the location of the Colossus of Rhodes, an ancient towering statue of the sun god Helios. Head down the coast and you’ll find the island’s most beautiful ancient site, Lindos. The hilltop acropolis here offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Agean Sea and surrounding villages. Lindos’ main square and dine on delicious local specialties like grilled tuna or cuttlefish-ink risotto.
► My Virtuoso Greece Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Greece Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Greece.
Santorini General Information Page
Athens General Information Page
Mykonos General Information Page
or leave a comment below
page updated: July 2024
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Greece Tourism Board
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being published.
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