When I first moved to Chile, I remember being told that the country was famous for the three Ws — wine, women, and weather. I can’t speak to the second W, but I can say I understand why the wine and weather are famous in Chile.

What generally isn’t considered famous in Chile is its cuisine. Before moving there, I had no pre-made list of all the foods I wanted to try when I arrived. I don’t even think I would have been able to name a type or style of food that Chile is known for. 

However, the country does indeed have a unique cuisine. In this article, I will highlight the five foods and drinks you must sample to eat like a local in Chile, plus where to find them.

1. The Completo

Not exactly a culinary masterpiece, the completo is Chile’s take on the hotdog. Translating to “complete,” the completo is topped with mayonnaise (a Chilean staple in and of itself), diced tomatoes, and of course, palta, or smashed avocado (perhaps even more of a staple than the mayo).

Along with these three necessary ingredients, sauerkraut (a remnant from the many German immigrants who fled to Chile in the 19th century) is sometimes added. Stuff this dog and all its ingredients into a bun, and you have the famous completo.

Where To Order The Completo

The completo is Chilean street food at its best. It is super cheap and easy to take on the go. It can be found at nearly any street vendor, though my favorite place to purchase and eat a completo is downtown at Plaza De Armas. There are plenty of park benches on which to sit and tons of people watching to be had while enjoying this most Chilean of hotdogs.

2. Empanada De Pino

Nearly every country in the world has some version of an empanada — be it a dumpling, a pierogi, or an egg roll. Yumminess stuffed into some kind of breading is always popular. Chile, along with many Latino cultures, has the empanada. The empanada that is specific to and well-known in Chile is the empanada de pino.

This is a baked, handheld empanada filled with ground beef, onions, a hard-boiled egg, raisins, and black olives. I know those ingredients don’t exactly sound like they go together; raisins and beef? But, trust me, you’ve got to try it.

The raisins add an unexpected sweetness that balances the savoriness of the pino mixture. I also love that because it is all hidden inside the baked dough. You get a surprise in every bite.

Where To Order Empanada De Pino

While the empanada de pino is also great street food for on-the-go, it can be found in many sit-down restaurants as well as street vendors. My favorite place to get all types of empanadas is Todo Empanada in Valparaiso, Chile.

3. Pebre 

I’m a firm believer that condiments make anything better. An empanada de pino dipped into some spicy and delicate pebre is heaven. Pebre can most closely be defined as Chile’s salsa. 

Pebre is a mix of tomatoes, cilantro, onions, aji peppers for some spice, and oil and vinegar (it’s this that makes it different than typical salsas). It is most commonly served with bread and is often a starter on any dinner table. However, it is also often served with meats such as choripan. 

I don’t have a particular restaurant to suggest to sample this delight. Instead, I encourage you to sample a variety of all the different pebre you may find on your table during your travels in Chile. 

Pebre is probably my favorite take away from living in Chile. I still make it at home often. On September 18, Chile’s Independence Day, I always try to make empanadas de pino and pebre to celebrate and remember my time there.

4. Terremoto

Yes, a terremoto is a natural disaster known as an earthquake and quite infamous in Chile, but it is also a signature cocktail in the country. Not surprisingly, this sweet drink was invented after the 1985 earthquake in Chile. It is very popular during the Independence Day celebrations which tend to last an entire week.

It combines a very young, sweet wine made from either apples or grapes (called “chicha”) with pineapple ice cream and grenadine. Think of an adult root beer float; hold the root beer and add the sweet.

Where To Order Terremoto

The absolute best place to try a classic terremoto is at La Piojera. This is a famous dive bar located near the Mercado Central in Santiago, Chile. The name translates to “the flea house,” and while this might describe some of the clientele, the bar itself is a far cry from this. 

My first time in La Piojera, I drank my share of terremotos and ended up dancing la cuaca (a traditional Chilean courting dance that involves a handkerchief) with many of the local men. Come with an adventurous spirit to enjoy the true heart of Santiago.

5. Pisco Sour

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten the most famous and delicious cocktail in Chile. I mean, I named my cat after this beautiful liquor made from grapes (often a brandy or a grappa), if that tells you anything about how much I love it. 

While I usually prefer the easier and less-fancy piscola (pisco and coke, very similar to a rum and coke), a pisco sour is a must-try on any visit to Chile. This is a mixture of Chilean pisco (this is important as there is quite a debate between Chile and Peru over where pisco originated), the juice of a pica lime (a particularly acidic lime found in the Atacama Desert in Chile), and powdered sugar.

You may be familiar with another type of pisco sour, one that comes with egg whites in it. This, along with the pica lime, is generally the main difference between a Chilean and Peruvian pisco sour. Though, I’ve had pisco sours in Chile that had egg whites and others in Peru that didn’t. It will really all depend on the establishment. 

The closest drink I can compare this to as far as the taste is a margarita. It’s got that sweet-and-sour balance, all while being one-of-a-kind because of the pisco. If you are not so sure about a terremoto, you could opt for Chile’s national drink, the pisco sour at La Piojera.

Pro Tips: My favorite middle-of-the-road Chilean pisco that can be found in some liquor stores in the U.S. is the brand Capel. This is what I use to make my piscolas at home, but it can also be used to make a pisco sour. Because pica lime is not found in the U.S., or really outside of Chile, use a mix of both lemon and lime juices to achieve the right balance.

There are all sorts of reasons to travel to Greece. There’s a rich history with loads of museums to visit and ruins to stumble upon. There are gorgeous beaches with see-through water and pink sands. There are hundreds of inhabited islands to easily hop to. But one of my main reasons for visiting Greece is the amazing food.

Before leaving for Greece, I dreamed about grilled octopus and hunks of feta cheese. I made lists in my head of everything I wanted to try. I made friends jealous just talking about all the food I would soon be devouring. Here are just five of the delicious must-try foods to savor while traveling throughout Greece.

1. Greek Salad

Or, do they just call it “salad” in Greece, like “bacon” in Canada? I don’t know because I only learned about 10 Greek words while there and salad wasn’t one of them. What I do know is that these salads are staples to nearly any Greek meal and I was happy to eat like a local.

Unlike most Greek salads you find in the States, a proper Greek salad does not have lettuce. Nope. Instead, it just has oodles and oodles of everything else yummy. Most of the Greek salads I tried had big chunks of tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, red onions, whole kalamata olives, and a huge chunk of feta cheese to top it off. Drizzle it all with some of the best extra virgin olive oil in the world and sprinkle it with fresh oregano, and you’ve got an amazing Greek salad. I literally ate one of these at least once a day.

A spin on this salad is the dakos salad, famous on the island of Crete. This has many of the same ingredients as a traditional Greek salad with two exceptions. Instead of feta cheese, the cheese used in a dakos salad is called mizithra. This is a soft, creamy cheese made from either goat or sheep milk. The addition of barley rusks — a dry, hard biscuit-type bread — makes this salad more of a meal than a starter.

2. Gyro 

This easy handheld sandwich is familiar in the United States due to its popularity and convenience. However, gyros in Greece usually have either beef, pork, chicken, or a combo of any of these for their meat. This is different from the States where the meat is often lamb. 

Along with the shaved, paper-thin slices of roasted meat off a glistening spit, the pita is packed with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki, and fried potatoes. That last ingredient may well be a surprise to you. It was to me, but a welcome one.

Gyros can be found on nearly every street corner and cost about 2–3 euros, making them an easy, quick, and cheap meal. They are wrapped in foil and meant to be taken with you on the go as the corner vendors rarely have seats to sit and enjoy them.

Gyro Sides

The fries I mentioned inside the gyro are probably the best fries I’ve ever had. All over Greece, I was surprised by the number of restaurants that offered French fries as a side, though not upset. Why are they the best? Because instead of being fried in peanut oil like in the United States, these fries are fried in the aforementioned best extra virgin olive oil in the world. 

That extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) can be purchased and shipped (because you can’t take liquid in your carry-on) from nearly any tourist shop you enter. I highly recommend bringing some home with you.

3. Tzatziki 

This might be one of my favorite Greek foods I’ve tried. Again, you’ve probably heard about tzatziki, but I guarantee you, similar to that out-of-this-world EVOO, this tzatziki is made from real Greek yogurt, the likes of which I’ve not found in the States.

With a base of creamy, savory Greek yogurt, tzatziki is a dip or sauce used on nearly everything. With loads of shredded cucumbers, lemon juice, garlic, and, you guessed it, EVOO, this dip adds flavor to anything. It is often served as a starter with chunks of pita bread.

4. Octopus

I’ve searched and searched for octopus where I live. All I’ve ever found is fried calamari rings, where all you really taste is the fried breading and whatever dip the restaurant decides to serve with it. I scoured food pictures before I left for Greece, drooling over plates of full arms of broiled, poached, or boiled in red wine vinegar octopus. It was never fried.

I had octopus all those ways during my time in Greece. I enjoyed the octopus in red wine vinegar the most. A bit more on the expensive side, as is most seafood in Greece, octopus will run you anywhere from 13–20 euros. Octopus was a treat I enjoyed a handful of times. 

I was surprised by the fact that most octopus, along with most seafood, is actually frozen. After asking about this in a few different restaurants, I learned that this is quite common with seafood around the world. I never found that it took away from the quality. If you want fresh seafood, it’s best to visit local markets and prepare it yourself.

5. Dolmades

One of the best meals I had in Greece consisted of a simple plate of tzatziki with tomato, cucumber slices, and dolmades at a tiny four-table restaurant in the Plaka neighborhood of Athens. Aspro Alogo is not easy to find on a narrow one-way street. I must have walked by it four times before I found it.

I ordered the classic dolmades made of meat, rice, dill, and mint stuffed into a vine leaf. I’ve always enjoyed these at home, but these were on a whole other level. Dolmades can be all sorts of stuffed vegetables as I learned along my journey.

Also called gemista or yemista, tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini are all stuffed with similar ingredients as the vine leaves. These are often an entrée-sized portion with two–three stuffed vegetables to enjoy. These can also be found with a vegetarian stuffing.

Pro Tip: Aspro Alogo is located at Apollonos, Athina 105 57, Greece. It is quite close to the Syntagma Square metro station. If you are having difficulty finding it (even my GPS wasn’t all that helpful), don’t hesitate to ask a friendly local for directions. The journey will be worth it.

These are just a handful of the delicious and healthy foods I tried while traveling in Greece. Many of these I’ve attempted to make at home to varying degrees of success. The tzatziki, for one, is now a staple in my home. I hope you get a chance to try all of these incredible dishes from Greece.

I’m usually a slow traveler. I like to take my time in a particular country or region to really get to know the culture and its people. I generally travel anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. While I travel light as it is because of this, I love it when I can lighten my load along the way.

I’m also a firm believer that budgeting for a trip starts well before the trip even begins. Much like planning the itinerary, excursions, and other logistics, so too can you begin to budget and save before you leave. 

These are a few of my tricks to save money before I go and to lighten my load as I roam. 

1. Thrift Store Clothing

A big way I save up for a trip is by going thrift store shopping — for nearly everything. Not only is thrifting good for the environment (hello memories of a “reuse, reduce, recycle” T-shirt I wore back in high school), it is also very wallet-friendly. 

You’d be surprised by the variety of treasures you can find at your local thrift store. I buy all sorts of things, but my main purchases tend to be clothing and books (see point two). What I like about thrifting clothes for my travels is that I can find very cute, season-appropriate, and cheap clothing.

What’s more, because I paid so little for it, I’m not so attached to it (hello favorite sweater that I still wear from college). When I’m not attached to the clothing I bring on my travels, I’m not worried about leaving it behind; thus, freeing up space in my tiny rolly suitcase for the treasures I might find along the way.

2. Books And Magazines

I’m a writer, and as a writer, I’m also a huge reader. On any given trip, you will find my personal item backpack loaded with all sorts of books and magazines. Most of these books and magazines are also thrifted back home before I leave, saving me some money.

When I finish a book while traveling, I simply search for a hostel or hotel with a book exchange. Admittedly, this is not as easy to do these days with the invention of e-books and the like, but I assure you, they are still out there. It is a special sort of joy to finish a book abroad and find an exchange from which to select your next read. I love to put a note on the inside cover saying where the book has traveled in the hopes that the next reader will do the same when they leave it behind.

The magazines I will simply leave in the hotel room upon my departure to my next destination. I like to think that maybe the cleaning crew might enjoy having something to read and practice their English (hello former ESL teacher). At any rate, the magazines disappear one by one, and my bags get lighter and lighter.

3. Food

Another big way I save while budget-traveling is to bring my own food. Don’t get me wrong, a big part of traveling and being a part of a new culture is absolutely the food for me. I do splurge on a nice meal here and there. But I also bring snacks with me.

Within my backpack, you can usually find granola bars, those nifty little tuna packets that apparently last forever and come with a handy little spoon for eating right out of the package, microwave popcorn, and various hard candies and chocolates. These are great for long bus rides, layovers, and unexpected delays.

I keep these all in various plastic bags to keep bugs and the elements out. When I’ve eaten them, I simply throw them away and revel at the new space in my backpack. 

4. Toiletries

On the rare occasion that I stay in a fancy hotel (ok, or even just a nice hotel), I am sure to grab up all the fun little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotions. This is not just because I love anything free, but because these bottles are often easily refillable and the perfect size for traveling.

I know you can buy some great travel-size bottles for your trips, but when you’re a budget traveler, you only buy what you have to. This way, all that money you save can go toward your adventures.

Not only do I have free toiletries for the next trip, I have free bottles to reuse (I’m sensing a theme here) and refill for other trips. When I finish a bottle, I can simply throw it away, or keep the empty bottle to refill later. Either way, my load is lighter.

5. Souvenirs

Jewelry

It’s rare that I return from a trip with extravagant souvenirs. When I’m traveling, I like to buy a few specific items that I find unique to that country. They can be great conversation starters once I’m back home. I like to find one-of-a-kind rings, bracelets or pendants that I can’t get back home. I rarely spend more than $20 on any of the pieces I find and I wear them often upon my return.

Art

I also love to purchase art to frame and display in my home once I return. It’s even better when I get to meet the artist that painted or made the art. It’s a story I get to take with me and retell anytime someone asks about the colorful art on my walls. The jewelry is a wearable reminder of an amazing journey and the art is a daily visual motivator to get back on the road.

Postcards

The souvenirs I get for friends and family are postcards from my various locations. I love writing them as it helps me remember the highlights of my adventures. I also love searching out a post office and seeing how much a stamp costs in each place. My friends and family love getting these postcards, and not just because it lets them know I’m alive. Who doesn’t love getting actual mail?

I can wear the jewelry, so it doesn’t take up space or add weight to my bags. The artwork I get is usually a wall-hanging of some kind. I recommend bringing along your own poster tube to protect it, otherwise, you’ll be forced to buy one there. This tube can easily attach to the bungee cord that is usually found on the outside of most backpacks. In this way, it is not taking up space inside your bags. The postcards are sent back home. Even the ones I buy for myself can easily slide into my final book of the trip and make great bookmarks.

Perhaps, separately, these budget tricks and load lighteners don’t make too much of an impact, but together, they can. With all the money I save ahead of my trip, I can plan splurges like a meal at a nice restaurant or a special tour without guilt.

For more tricks of the trade when it comes to travel, check out these articles:

• What Is A Hush Trip And Why You Should Take One This Summer
• 15 Photos You Should Always Have Saved On Your Phone While Traveling
• 8 Essential Travel Tips I Learned As Travel Editor Of The Washington Post

When I started planning my 40 days in Greece, I was overwhelmed with all of the options, especially when it came to the islands. I was uber aware of Mykonos and Santorini as they are among the most famous islands, with good reason. They are beautifully picturesque with white sand beaches and blue rooftops where you can take million-dollar sunset pictures.

However, because of their popularity, they are also quite expensive to travel to and visit. They didn’t fit into my traveler’s budget. I also wanted to hit more of the off-the-beaten-path locations such as heading south to The Peloponnese and even further south to The Mani. Instead of the popular tourist islands, I chose to visit the lesser-known island of Kefalonia.

I was eager to spend my last week in Greece on the island of Kefalonia. Being shoulder season, I knew I wouldn’t have to contend with the swarm of tourists I’d encounter on Mykonos or Santorini. I also knew it would be much more affordable on my traveler’s budget. I wasn’t disappointed. 

1. Sami

Because of my location south of Athens, it made much more sense to take a ferry from The New Port of Patras rather than Piraeus Port in Athens. Patras is a key port city in The Peloponnese. From it, one can travel to several ports in Italy, as well as the Greek islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea. These ferries are generally seasonal, running from June to October. 

As my home base, Sami was a lovely, small port town with a pebbly beach, restaurants lining the sea, and a laid-back, easy vibe. I was able to explore nearly the entire island by bus or foot from Sami in seven days. 

On Kefalonia, you don’t need a reservation for dinner, and you won’t spend an entire paycheck on a meal. There are plenty of small shops and travel agencies to help you book your ferries or tours. Accommodations are super affordable. In fact, I was even given a discount because I was staying for so long. I don’t think I could say the same about Santorini or Mykonos. 

Pro Tip: To help stick within your budget, when staying for longer periods, be sure to ask about discounts on your accommodations. Especially in the shoulder and low season, owners will be keen to have you stay longer.

2. Melissani Cave And Zervati Cave

Karavomylos

My first full day in Sami was spent exploring the nearby town of Karavomylos where the famous lake and cave of Melissani is located. It was an easy walk along the beach to the town and just a little farther to this famous attraction. The cave is a wonder, and while it is a simple and short (under 10 minutes) ride in a gondola-type boat with a charming gondolier (he likes tips), I’m glad I did it.

More of a cenote than a cave, the water is a striking color due to its depth of nearly 100 feet. As a scuba diver, it was hard to resist the urge to jump in and explore, but unfortunately, this is not allowed. Some of the most outstanding photos were on the return trip when the sun was shining through the hole and shimmering onto the lake.

However, the cave I found most impressive was the one I stumbled upon on my walk back. Also in the town of Karavomylos, Zervati Cave was free and its entrance was nearly unnoticeable from the road. Once I found the meager gate, I walked down a narrow, slippery, and rocky path to discover another blue-beyond-blue lake surrounded by a cave. I was completely alone and completely in awe. You could swim in this water, and I did.

Pro Tip: You can buy one ticket for two caves, Melissani and Drogarati, which I did not make it to, for a discounted rate of €10 at the ticket counter.

3. Fiskardo

Fiskardo is a small harbor town in the northern tip of Kefalonia. It miraculously remained intact after the Ionian earthquake of 1953. Much of the Venetian architecture still remains allowing for picturesque strolls throughout the village. It is also a favorite vacation spot for several celebrities, so keep your eyes peeled while visiting. 

The village is quite small and I feared I might not have enough to do. However, after a lovely lunch on the water overlooking a handful of visiting yachts (some of them perhaps belonging to famous people), I began wandering. 

I came upon a trail to two lighthouses. The most famous is a Venetian lighthouse dating back to the 16th century. It is located on the top of a hill with an excellent view of the small town below. The trail is an easy walk along the rocky coast. 

Returning to town, I explored the shops, enjoyed the many cats, kept an eye out for famous folk, and relaxed on the small pebbly beach. Soon enough it was time to head back to Sami to enjoy another seafood dinner.

Pro Tip: From the town of Sami there are buses that will take you to different parts of the island. I made an itinerary around this bus schedule (another excellent reason to keep Sami as my home base for the week — I don’t like packing up every day if I don’t have to). While in shoulder season each bus only had one departure and one return for each different town, the length between these was always sufficient enough to explore the new town.

4. Argostoli And Its Endangered Loggerhead Turtles

Turtles! Need I say more? Ok, I will. I took another bus the next day from Sami to the capital of Kefalonia, Argostoli. The bus left at 8 a.m., took about 40 minutes to arrive in town, and would depart for Sami at 1 p.m., giving me four hours to explore the town. 

I began wandering along the harbor, hopeful of spotting some turtles, but fearful I was too late. Up ahead of me was a small crowd. I rushed toward it and watched a fisherman dump the last of his chum into the sea. Then I watched a single Caretta caretta (loggerhead) turtle emerge from the water.

Giddy with excitement and awe, I began snapping (pun intended) pictures. As the rest of the crowd dispersed, I remained, walking along the harbor, eyes glued to the water to spy more turtles. If you’d like to see the turtles, be sure to get to Argostoli early in the morning and walk along the waterfront.

The rest of the town was more of your typical capital city, complete with cruise ship arrivals flooding the scene on the regular. There were lots of tourist shops and tourist prices. The turtles were the highlight of Argostoli and I would recommend this visit wholeheartedly to admire these endangered creatures of the sea.

5. Ithaca

From Sami, Kefalonia, you can take a ferry over to the island of Ithaca. You could also take a fun pirate ship chartered boat that stops at a couple of beaches and key points on the island for a full-day excursion. 

Be sure you have your swimsuit as sea time is a big part of this trip. There are stops at the secluded Gidaki Beach that can only be accessed by boat, and Sarakiniko Beach which is located about three kilometers from Vathi, the capital of Ithaca. 

The boat also stops in Vathi where there is time to shop, wander around the quaint village, have a freddo, and generally enjoy stepping back in time. The boat returns to Sami with plenty of time for another delicious Greek dinner and wine. 

Pro Tip: You can also take a ferry from Patras to Ithaca, then go the other way to Sami.

While Kefalonia may not be quite as picturesque, nor as famous as those islands everyone knows by name, Mykonos and Santorini, it was much more my style and budget. I enjoyed the laid-back feel of this island and how easy it was to explore, even without a car. So, if you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path island where you don’t have to worry about crowds or exorbitant prices, Kefalonia is the way to go.

I thought I was super prepared for my first trip to Greece. I did lots of research and read all sorts of blogs. I had visions in my head of ruins and seas and delicious food. Yet, there were still a few things that surprised me once I finally started exploring the country.

1. The Beaches Aren’t Sandy 

Are you dreaming of beautiful crystal-clear water and sandy beaches? They exist, but a lot of them don’t have the super fine sand you might think of when you think of Greece. Instead, many beaches in Greece have pebbles. 

At first, I was disappointed. This wasn’t the image I had in my head of what a beach is supposed to be. Sandy beaches were all I knew. However, after a few days on the shores of Greece, watching the sun set on those pebbly beaches, I was sold. 

The pebbly beaches in Greece often also came with quite a different landscape than I was expecting. On the island of Kefalonia, for example, many of the beaches I visited were surrounded by forests. I remember hearing bells and searching through the trees to find a herd of goats making their way toward the beach. I’m not sure I ever would have expected to see goats on a beach, but I wasn’t mad about it. 

Pro Tip: Not all of the beaches have pebbles. In fact, one of the top-rated beaches in the world can be found in Greece. Elafonisi Beach, located on the island of Crete, is famous for its pink sands.

2. Free Dessert And Ouzo

As a solo budget traveler, this was a very welcome surprise. Turns out, many restaurants, mostly tavernas, offer you free dessert and/or ouzo at the end of your meal. My first reaction was a very confused look accompanied by a hurried explanation that I didn’t order dessert. 

The friendly waiter gently responded with an idiom I’m sure he was quite proud to have learned, “It’s on the house.” Well, well. A budget traveler’s favorite words. 

These desserts ranged from a simple fruit plate to baklava to Greek yogurt with local honey to lemon cake. There wasn’t one I didn’t happily eat up. The ouzo, on the other hand…

I’m simply not a fan of anything licorice flavored. Ouzo and raki, the latter found mostly on the island of Crete in lieu of ouzo, are licorice flavored. Not to worry if you aren’t a fan, or if you don’t drink alcohol. I found that most waiters usually asked if you would like the small drink, or if you might prefer, say, a small coffee instead. 

Of all the surprises I encountered during my time in Greece, this surely was the most delicious and wallet-friendly. And while I wouldn’t expect this from every restaurant you dine in, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a waiter approaching with a plate full of yumminess on the house. 

3. The Cats

There are a lot of cats in Greece. A lot. They are everywhere — in the streets, in the shops, on the chair across from you at a taverna, lounging on top of a motorcycle. Everywhere.

These cats are mostly strays, though they have found their “home” in the various shop and restaurant owners who set food and water bowls out for them (nearly as plentiful as the cats themselves). 

I never encountered an unfriendly cat in my 35 days in Greece, and because I was missing my cat back home, I found their presence comforting. But if cats aren’t your thing, it’s easy enough to ignore them. They will quickly find someone else to befriend and leave you alone. 

The sheer number of cats in Greece can be a surprise. Being aware of this phenomenon before you go can help ease the shock of it.

4. Different Showers

I’m sure I’ve encountered these showers elsewhere. Perhaps it was the length of my trip that made me come to immediately inspect the bathroom upon my arrival at my hotel room. I’d do a little happy dance any time it contained a shower I was used to at home. (Note: I only did that happy dance twice.)

Showers in the Greek hotels I stayed in nearly always consisted of a very tiny space, often not delineated from the rest of the bathroom, and a handheld showerhead. Sometimes there was a hook from which to hang the showerhead, but this often did not keep the water inside said tiny shower space. 

Showering in Greece, for this reason, was not a pleasant experience. I may have flooded my bathroom and entire hotel room a time or two. No curtain was sufficient enough to keep the unruly water from escaping its meager boundaries. 

I’m certain I only took one enjoyable shower while in Greece. It had a rainfall showerhead that was fitted above where one stands. It was hot. It had great water pressure. It was the longest shower I took on my trip.

The rest of the time, I experimented with different ways to hold the showerhead above my head whilst trying to rinse the shampoo out of my hair. I tried turning the water off while I lathered up so I could use both hands. I froze. I tried the hook. I tried angling it. Nothing worked.

Pro Tip: While it’s unlikely this would ever stop someone from visiting Greece, it is something to be aware of before you go. Perhaps in the nicer hotels, they have showers like you are used to. But, as a budget traveler, I wouldn’t know.

5. Freddo Cappuccinos

I am not a coffee drinker. I’m not a tea drinker either. I don’t like hot beverages. Enter the Freddo: the loveliest of coffee concoctions and the drink that made me a coffee drinker.

In my research and blog reading before traveling to Greece, I learned a lot about these Freddo guys. Every blogger that ever went to Greece recommended drinking a Freddo in a crowded sidewalk coffee shop. I resisted. For two weeks, I resisted.

Then, whilst in Kalamata, I decided I’d give one of the numerous coffee shops filled with mostly older Greek men a go. I brought my book and I ordered a Freddo cappuccino with sugar. Here’s the thing — it comes over ice, so it’s not a hot beverage. Win number one.

That first sip through the straw was a shock to the system to be sure — it is two shots of espresso, after all. That strong espresso is mixed with cold, frothy milk. Over the length of the drink, I realized I was enjoying my Freddo, along with my book and the people watching. Win number two.

You can also get a Freddo espresso if that’s more your fancy. But here I go, just like those bloggers: I really must insist you enjoy the coffee culture in Greece and treat yourself to a Freddo or five. You won’t regret it. 

Pro Tip: If you find yourself in Kalamata, Greece, and want to check out the coffee shop that changed everything for me, go to Blossom Owl Coffee Shop. You can linger there for hours people watching and Freddo drinking.

6. Anywhere Is A Good Place For A Swim

On an early morning walk in Nafplio, Greece, I stumbled upon one of my favorite memories of my trip. Walking along a sidewalk by the water in full view of Bourtzi Fortress, I discovered a sort of natural swimming pool in the sea. Rock wall dividers created the boundaries, while pool ladders into the sea provided easy entry. I admired a handful of Greeks in swimming caps having their morning laps. 

For some reason, this filled me with joy. Who needs a pool when you have an entire sea? Throughout my trip, I would see this occurrence over and over. Not the natural pool, but the swimmers anywhere.

I would ask my hotel owners where the beach was, and they would point me in all sorts of directions. Turns out the beach is really just anywhere you can swim. And it turns out, you can swim pretty much anywhere. 

I saw people dipping in off hiking trails, near boats and harbors, and from secluded rocks. So I joined in, and you can, too. While in Greece, don’t hesitate to take a swim whenever and wherever you fancy.

7. You Don’t Need A Car

As a budget traveler, this was pretty important to me. While I understand that it’s pretty easy and relatively cheap (but not cheaper than a bus ticket) to rent a car, if you’re hoping to travel Greece without a car, you’re in luck. 

In Athens: Buses, Ferries, And The Metro

In my 35 days in Greece, I traveled to the islands of Crete and Kefalonia, as well as the mainland Peloponnese. I did this all via buses and ferries and the metro while in Athens. I never even had to take an expensive taxi.

While it’s certainly not as convenient as having your own car to take off whenever you want and stop wherever you want, it was still easy enough. Schedules were easy to find using the KTEL bus website. Times and frequency were very decent in the shoulder season and I imagine even better in high season. 

Bus stations were often located near the center of the town. I found it easy enough to find accommodations within walking distance of the station. The accommodation owners, as well as employees in the bus station, were always friendly and helpful with any questions I might have about locations or schedules. 

Greek Coach Buses

Buses I traveled on were always big coach-style buses with comfortable seats. There was usually air conditioning and they were very clean. There were often two doors to enter and exit and there were stairs to climb. I never saw one with a functioning toilet, though this was never a problem as the longest ride I took was only 3 hours.

If you’re hoping to travel Greece without a car, rest assured, it is possible and easy. 

If you are planning your first trip to Greece, these are a few of the most surprising things to be aware of. Some are good, some not so much, but they’ll all add up to give you an unforgettable experience in Greece.