Shannon standing in front of the ocean in Greece

Shannon Yates

Senior Travel Specialist

Email: [email protected]

 

 

 

 

I’ve been traveling in Europe for decades but Greece keeps pulling me back. I have such a passion for its people and its culture and love sharing it with my clients. I design each itinerary around personal preferences and individual needs, balancing iconic landmarks with hidden local discoveries. My curated experiences reflect deep regional relationships, translating decades of knowledge into journeys designed exclusively for discerning travelers.

 
  • Octopus hanging in Paros

    What is your favorite Greek Island?

    I’m captivated by the crystalline turquoise waters and charming character of Paros. The whitewashed villages of Lefkes and Marpissa are enchanting with their winding streets, while Naousa offers sophisticated dining and boutique shopping along its picturesque harbor. Paros also offers easy access to the quiet island of Antiparos, where you can explore off-the-beaten path gems.

  • Nos hotel in Sifnos

    What is your favorite hotel in Greece?

    My favorite hotel in Greece is Nos on Sifnos, a design-forward retreat perched on a hilltop above the Aegean. The rooms are beautiful, the food exceptional, the wine list carefully curated. But what sets Nos apart is the service. The staff doesn’t just anticipate what you need; they make you feel like you’ve been welcomed into something intimate, almost familial. At checkout, it’s not unusual to see guests embracing the team, already planning their return for the following summer.

  • Plate of Greek food

    What is your favorite Greek food?

    I love Greek food for its incredible freshness and bold, simple flavors—sun-ripened tomatoes, tangy feta, briny olives, and silky olive oil that capture the essence of the Mediterranean. Whether it’s grilled octopus by the sea front taverna or a lamb shank in a high-end restaurant, every meal celebrates quality ingredients and warm, generous hospitality.

 
Goats on the road in Greece

What are your top tips for a vacation in Greece?

Don’t overlook the mainland. The islands get most of the attention, but the Peloponnese and Central Greece offer some of the country’s most compelling experiences. You’ll find dramatic landscapes, ancient sites with fewer crowds, and a more authentic glimpse of Greek life.

Don’t rush your route. When it comes to island hopping, less is more. The temptation is to cram in as many islands as possible, but you’ll spend more time on ferries than beaches. Give yourself time to settle in, explore beyond the main towns, and actually relax.

Balance the famous with the undiscovered. If either Santorini or Mykonos is on your list, pair it with somewhere quieter. Islands like Folegandros or Tinos offer the same Cycladic beauty without the Instagram crowds. You’ll get the postcard moments and the peaceful ones, which is really the best way to experience Greece.

 
  • Athens Greece

    What is your most memorable trip in Greece?

    My most memorable trip to Greece was in 2021 with my teenage kids. We traveled mid-pandemic, which meant proof of vaccination and navigating ever-shifting restrictions. But the inconvenience came with some perks: Santorini without the crowds, quiet beaches, and easy restaurant reservations. We wound our way through Athens, Milos, Santorini, and Nafplio. In Nafplio’s central square, we enjoyed an open air viewing of the World Cup finale in the town’s main square. My kids fell hard for Greek cuisine, particularly the seafood pulled from the Aegean that morning. At the Acropolis, a guide brought mythology to life in ways that made the ruins feel less like history and more like memory. We hiked Santorini’s caldera early one morning before the heat set in, sailed along Milos’s impossibly blue coastline, and spent an afternoon leaping off the stark white rocks at Sarakiniko Beach. The itinerary was memorable. But what stays with me is something harder to pin down: my kids fully present, engaged with the world around them. The easy laughter. The way travel can reframe perspective when the world feels out of balance, is a gift.

  • Sunset in Santorini

    What do you love most about Greece and why?

    What I love most about Greece is how it engages all your senses at once. The food and wine are extraordinary, yes, but it’s the people and their generosity of spirit that make you feel truly welcome. There’s a warmth here that goes beyond hospitality. I’m drawn to the way whitewashed island villages cascade down hillsides, the audacity of monasteries perched impossibly atop rock formations, and ancient ruins which remind you that you’re walking through layers of history. Greek design is everywhere from your hotel room to the boutique shops lining the streets in cities and island villages. And then there are the sunsets. Every evening feels like a small ceremony, the light turning the Aegean gold, locals and travelers alike pausing to watch the day end. Greece doesn’t just offer beauty or history or great meals. It offers a way of being in the world that feels both timeless and immediate.

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Top Trips That I Sell in Greece