Athen and Dream Wedding at Santorini, Greece

Finally, we are married and I cannot believe we have this beautiful wedding.

Today both of us still having jet lack because we could not slept last night and I could not wake up this morning. We just came back from our dream wedding ceremony in Santorini.

We were so lucky to have found a wedding ceremony at Santorini on google search engine in last year November . Finally we got one wedding planner in Malaysia, and not from Hong Kong, Singapore or in US. Without thinking further, we drove to KL and had an appointment with Ms Betty at Memories Abroad's office. We were so fast in making our decision, without many questions, we signed up the package and chosen my wedding gown (1 gown is included in our package) and settled everything in few hours meet then drove back to JB.

After flying so long with Qatar Airway and transit at Doha, finally we arrived at our destination, Athen. Here is the first day of Spring in Greece, the weather still cool but is tolerable.

Betty has did a good arrangement with her local partner in Greece, Ms Amie. We were arranged to stay at a world 5 star hotel at Divani Caravel Hotel Athen. Wow. we have a very nice view at Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill from our room.

Our first Greek traditional cuisine at Oastis. Greek Salad (Tomato, feta cheese with olive oil), Greek bread with olive oil, Greek traditional  Stuffed Grape Leaves - Dolmathakia, Greek Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves). A light snack but yet full.

We went up to Lycabettus hill by Funicular (a tram to peak, Euro $7 return ticket. Go Funicular tram station: keep right from the St George Lycabettus Hotel junction, then go up the second stair case up on your left. If you like to trek the hill,  you can start at: keep right at St George Lycabettus Hotel junction, then take the first stair case up on your left.) Lycabettus hill is a must go place, we saw a great view of Athen city and the acropolis in the city. We were so lucky to have a very sweet and first sunset while walking down from Lycabettus Hill before we had our romantic dinner at St George Lycabettus Hotel. Here we can see a very nice night view the entire city and Acropolis.

Yes. All tour at Athen starts at walking tour. All places are connected and is within walking distance but may need a local tour guide to lead because there are many alleys, may get lost for the first time. We started our car-free archeological walk from our hotel, we past Olympia Stadium, Zappeion hall (a palace), Temple of Zues (Hadrian's Arch), New New Acropolis Museum, Acropolis (Herodion Theatre, Thiseio (Apostolou Pavlou Str), Pathenon, Erechtheion, Caryatides, Athina nike), Ancient Agora (Stoa of Attilus, Temple of Hephaestus), Monastiraki Square (many choices of restaurant to have lunch here), Plaka (a neighbourhood walking area), Anafiotika (a village like an island in Anafi), Syntagma Square (parliement, tomb of soldier), Ermou Street (shopping district), Psiri and walk back o Kolonaki (shopping district).

Metro services is very convenient which is about Euro $1.40 and the ticket is valid for unlimited ride within 1.5hours. However, all spots are connected and can be reached by walking.

Entrance Ticket:

New Acropolis Museum: Euro $ 5

Acropolis + ancient Agora: Euro$ 12

Pathenon

Temple of Hephaestus

Anafiotika

Athen to Santorini: By Blue Star Ferries ( Euro $ 35 per way)

Take about 8 hours from Piraeus Port to Santorini. It's a good experience in this huge ferry, but very weird thing is free seat ticket mean no seat, only can sit other than passenger seat.

Well, Santorini always not disappointing people. The white houses and blue roof houses are build along the cliff. Accordingly, the last earth quake was 1956, a big explosion cause the Santorini island became the moon shape and facing at volcano. The lava make the cliff and beaches look differently.

Finally, we were here, Santorini. A dreaming wedding destination for both of us and only two of us stuff. We look forward for our wedding ceremony at this full of romantic and love place.

Early morning, all our local wedding planner, photographer, videographer, make-up artist, hair stylish came to my room and busy at me. We can see from far at our hotel, people were busy decorating our wedding venue at Dana Villa. Such a lovely day it was! The weather is pretty good with cloudy, very windy and cool. I have to bare with coldness and strong wind the whole day, started from my morning photo shoot, wedding ceremony and afternoon photo shoot.

I was stunt at my wedding venue and my hand bouquet. How beautiful is it! The Mayer held the ceremony for us and we were given a married certificate then celebrate with cake cutting and MOET champagne. After the ceremony, we continued with our photo shoot at Imerovigli, Amoudi Bay, Oia and Red beach. We ended this beautiful day with a 4 courses Greek dinner at a romantic cafe. 

 Next day, started our shopping at Fira town. We bought some souveniers. Olive soap made in Greece can get at Euro$1- 2. We noticed some restaurants here already have menu write in Chinese. I guess because too much of tourist from China like to come here.

We have great experience at a luxury semi-private cruise (only 7 peoples on cruise) to Aegean Sea and hot spring near volcano. I was excited to jump into the cold sea water and swam toward the hot spring which is 1 meter away from the cruise. The hot spring water is around 20 celcius only due to the cold weather there. After got up, I was shivering for few minutes. Later, we have BBQ dinner with Thirasia view. We supposed to see sunset from the cruise, but we were unlucky because no sunset. 

Next day, we have our Santorini island tour to Monastery of Profitis Ilias,  Pyrgos (traditional village and lunch), Vlychada white beach, Black Beach, Perrisa Beach, Red beach, Emporio (old cave houses), Megalochori (wine village and wine tasting), Oia for sunset (unlucky cannot see the sunset because cloudy at the end) and dinner at Oia.

Pyrgos

Vlychada beach

Oia

Perrisa Beach

We took a 45 minutes flight from Thira Airport to Athen the next day morning. We have 6 hours at Athen airport before fly back to Singapore. So we took a local bus (X93, X95,X96, Euro $5 per way) from airport to Athen Factory outlet. It is very big double storey factory outlet but nothing much to buy. Anyway, this is a place to hang out if only have few hours transit time.

Some Greek Food: Most restaurant will serve with Greek tomato feta salad, Greek bread and water.
1. Greek chicken, Pork Souvlaki, Greek Rice Pudding (Rizogalo) and chocolate soap
2. Pita with Gyros (chicken or pork)
3. Frappe (Greek Nescafe), Loukoumathes (Greek Honey Puff Donuts)
4. Deep fried Fish, Grill Lobster, Grill Fish, Deep fried Squid, Shrimp

Wedding Planner: Memoires Abroad Wedding Destination http://memoiresaboard.com/ 

Wedding venue: Danna Villas Santorini

Airline: http://www.qatarairways.com/my

             https://www.olympicair.com/en

 Ferry: http://www.bluestarferries.com

Accomodation:

        2 days at Athen: Divani Caravel Hotel  http://www.divanis.com/caravel/default-en.html

        4 days honeymoon suite at Santorini:  Alta Vista Suites http://www.altavistasuites.com

Season: Spring