Greece, France, and Spain

Fall Break welcomed a change of pace. With a full week off from classes, we had the chance to explore three incredible countries—Greece, France, and Spain—in a way that felt relaxed and unhurried. It was a perfect mix of sightseeing, good food, and new experiences. 

Our first stop was in Athens, where we spent two days exploring. On day one, we made our way to the beach and found a cozy spot to enjoy some authentic Greek food. I am a huge fan of Mediterranean food, so I was excited to compare what I’d had in the past. It tasted pretty similar to other Greek food I had in the past. I’d say the only difference was the type and variety. I ordered a dish with pita bread at the bottom, topped with sausage drenched in a creamy yogurt sauce and finished with a dollop of fresh salsa. It was very filling, but so yummy! 

The following day, we explored more of Athens, visiting ruins and landmarks. We attempted to visit the Parthenon, unfortunately the tickets were all sold out. However we got to see it up close from a view point and it was stunning. After we were done exploring we headed back to our Airbnb to have a homemade family dinner. 

The next stop on our journey was the island of Crete. Crete is massive, and getting around can be a bit challenging, so we decided to spend most of our time close to our Airbnb. There is so much to explore so it worked out perfectly. Our main adventure on Crete was a boat trip to the island of Dia, which was about an hour away. The water was so blue and clear, you could see all the little fish swimming around. The area was beautiful, as we headed back to Crete and we got to see the sunset. The crew was incredible as well. They told us stories and felt like we each bonded with them in some way. They even played guitar and sang while letting one of our friends drive the boat back. It was such a special moment and definitely my favorite part of the entire trip.

Next, we flew to Biarritz, a charming surf town on the southwest coast of France.  I absolutely loved this town. The people were incredibly welcoming, and the town had such a laid-back, beachy vibe. We rented bikes to explore and rode along the coast, taking it all in. We made it a priority to watch the sunset and I’m so glad we did because it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. The sky was a beautiful pink and the ocean was filled with surfers. We sat and watched the surfers for a while before heading out to dinner. We ended up home a little early to get ready to explore Spain the next day.

The trip was moving by so fast, but I'm glad we got to fit in every little bit that we wanted to. The next morning, we headed to San Sebastián, which was about an hour away from where we were staying. I instantly felt at home in Spain—it had a more relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere compared to other places I’d visited in Europe. Plus, being able to speak and understand some Spanish made the experience even more enjoyable. It is nice to be able to understand others around you, it helps you feel a little less isolated. I loved the nature around the city and the wide beaches. I went to the beach to sit for a little while and so many dogs came up to visit. It was a sunny warm day, so everyone was out and about it was so fun to see locals. We even came across a peaceful protest, from what I gathered it was about working wages. It was so cool to be able to get a glimpse into the culture of the region 

The trip went by so fast, but I loved it so much. Our travel day home was a total of 36 hours. It was long and felt never ending but we made it home in one piece. I have never been so excited to see my bed. That was my adventure for fall break I hope you enjoyed. <3