Greek Isles, Turkey & Istanbul June/July 2026

Athens, Greece – First Impressions (June 23, 2026)

After a long day of traveling, we finally landed in Athens at 5:40 p.m. on June 23, 2026. Our driver picked us up from the airport, and by 7:30 p.m. we had arrived at our hotel.

The drive through Athens was an adventure all by itself. The streets were incredibly narrow, and I honestly couldn’t believe that cars could fit through some of them. Our driver spent much of the ride complaining about the traffic, but somehow he navigated the maze of tiny streets like a pro.

When we arrived, our hotel was unlike anything I expected. It was a tall, skinny building tucked into the city. The staff was incredibly friendly and immediately gave us tips on staying hydrated and taking care of ourselves in the intense Greek heat.

Since we were eager to enjoy Greece, I wanted to get to the beach as quickly as possible. We headed straight to Freattida Beach, enjoying the walk through the neighborhood. Along the way we stumbled across a book fair, spotted several friendly stray cats, and noticed countless couples enjoying a romantic evening stroll.

The beaches in Athens aren’t the cleanest, but it was still wonderful to finally be swimming in the Mediterranean. The salty water made it so easy to float, and there were plenty of other people out enjoying the water as well.

For dinner, we walked over to Zea Marina, where the waterfront was lined with beautiful boats and restaurants. We found a restaurant overlooking a gorgeous pool that looked incredibly fancy. Lloyd decided to order an Opa cocktail…and let’s just say it was not a success. It may have looked good, but it definitely didn’t taste good!

The day wasn’t quite over yet. Marion and Camilla didn’t arrive until 1:30 a.m., long after Lloyd had already fallen asleep. It was a late ending to our first day in Greece, but after finally reaching Athens, exploring the beach, and enjoying our first Greek dinner, it was the perfect start to our adventure.

June 24, 2026 – From Athens to the Scarlet Lady

After our late night waiting for Marion and Camilla to arrive, it’s no surprise we didn’t wake up until 11:15 a.m. The only problem? Checkout was at noon. Needless to say, the morning started in a bit of a panic. I was tired, hungry, and more than a little crabby.

Since there wasn’t much time, I settled for a boba tea while we grabbed sandwiches to take with us down to the beach. I wasn’t leaving Greece without one more swim in the Mediterranean.

The water was much rougher than the day before. The waves were choppy, making the swim more challenging, but honestly, that just made it more fun. As I was getting out of the water, the lifeguard started yelling at me. I never did figure out exactly what I had done wrong, but I’m guessing a set of waves was rolling in and she didn’t think it was safe for me to climb out where I was. Either way, I made it out just fine.

After our quick beach stop, we raced back to the hotel, grabbed our luggage, and barely made it in time for the shuttle to the cruise terminal.

Checking in to the ship brought one more laugh. During the health questionnaire, I somehow managed to answer “yes” to every illness instead of “no.” According to my form, I apparently had every contagious disease imaginable! Lloyd couldn’t resist telling the check-in agent, and we all had a good laugh once they realized it was just user error.

One pleasant surprise was that our cabin on the Scarlet Lady was ready as soon as we boarded. It was nice to unpack right away instead of dragging our luggage around the ship.

That evening we had dinner at Razzle Dazzle, and it was a great first meal on board. Later, we checked out the ship’s famous PJ Party at 11:00 p.m.

It looked like everyone else was ready to celebrate the start of the cruise, but after traveling and squeezing so much into the last two days, we just couldn’t hang. We called it an early night, excited for our first full day at sea.

June 25, 2026 – A Relaxing Day at Sea

Our first full day aboard the Scarlet Lady was a day at sea, and it turned out to be the perfect mix of fitness and relaxation.

We started the morning bright and early with an 8:00 a.m. spin class. After working up a good sweat on the bikes, we headed straight to a 9:30 a.m. Zumba class. 

Between the two workouts, we definitely earned breakfast!

By 11:00 a.m., we were more than ready to eat. After breakfast, we shifted gears for the rest of the day.

Most of the afternoon was spent relaxing in a cabana by the pool. We lounged, people-watched, enjoyed plenty of food, and soaked up the sunshine. After all the traveling and rushing around during the past couple of days, it was nice to slow down and simply enjoy being on vacation.

Sometimes the best vacation days aren’t packed with sightseeing—they’re the ones where you have nowhere to be except by the pool with good company, good food, and the open ocean all around you.

June 26, 2026 – Exploring Istanbul, Turkey

We woke up to a brand-new country as the Scarlet Lady arrived in Istanbul, Turkey at 8:00 a.m. We had booked a walking food tour, and it ended up being a great way to experience the city.

This is the famous “Dur Yolcu!” (“Stop, Traveler!”) memorial overlooking the Dardanelles in Türkiye.

Our first stop was to try Turkish hamburgers, followed by a traditional cup of Turkish coffee. Along the way, we learned about the meaning of the evil eye, one of Turkey’s most recognizable symbols. It was fascinating to hear the history and traditions behind something you see in almost every shop and home.

As we explored the city, we visited some of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks, including the Column of Constantine, the Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and the Hagia Sophia. Everywhere we turned, there was another piece of history waiting to be discovered.

One thing that stood out to me about Istanbul was how busy it was. The streets were crowded, people were constantly weaving through the crowds, and smoking was everywhere. It definitely had a different energy than Athens.

The day’s biggest laugh came when we returned to the cruise terminal. As we were going through security, a man tried to cut in front of me by sliding his bag onto the scanner ahead of ours. Without saying a word, I simply pushed his bag right back to the beginning of the conveyor belt where it belonged. Message received!

That evening we had dinner at Test Kitchen, one of the most unique restaurants on the ship. The entire experience is built around the idea that food meets science, with each course presented almost like an experiment. We enjoyed a creative menu that included shrimp, pork, and one of the most unexpected desserts I’ve ever had—it featured wasabi! Somehow, it all worked, and the meal was excellent.

After such a busy day exploring Istanbul, we spent some time relaxing by the pool before calling it a night. It was the perfect balance of adventure, great food, and a little vacation downtime.

June 27, 2026 – A Second Day in Turkey

Our second day in Turkey took us to the Kadıköy district on the Asian side of Istanbul. We hopped on a ferry across the Sea of Marmara, which was an adventure in itself and gave us a different view of the city.

Our goal for the day was simple: find a beach and go swimming.

The beach at Kadıköy was a great place to cool off, although apparently I have a talent for getting on the wrong side of lifeguards. I was happily swimming outside the designated ropes when they started yelling at me to come back inside the swimming area. That’s two countries and two lifeguards who have yelled at me while swimming. Maybe I’m the problem…or maybe I just like to explore!

Before heading back, we picked up some Turkish Delight to take with us. Of course, no trip to Turkey would be complete without trying this famous treat.

Instead of taking the ferry back, we grabbed a taxi to the cruise terminal, making it back to the Scarlet Lady with plenty of time to relax.

That evening we had dinner at Gunbae, the ship’s Korean barbecue restaurant. The food was delicious, and cooking everything right at the table made dinner feel more like an experience than just a meal.

Our second day in Turkey was much more laid-back than the first. Between the ferry ride, swimming on the Asian side of Istanbul, getting scolded by yet another lifeguard, and ending the day with Korean barbecue, it was another memorable stop on our cruise.

June 28, 2026 – One of Those Hilarious Sea Days

Another sea day meant another chance to enjoy everything the Scarlet Lady had to offer.

The morning didn’t exactly go according to plan. I completely missed my 8:30 a.m. spin class, so instead I headed to the gym and made up my own CrossFit workout. It actually worked out for the best because I met a woman from Australia who also does CrossFit. It’s always fun meeting people who share the same interests, even when you’re in the middle of the ocean.

After my workout, I rewarded myself with a breakfast of French toast and a crepe. Vacation calories don’t count, right?

Since I had missed the earlier class, I signed up for a later spin session with a hilarious Australian instructor who kept everyone laughing while making us work hard. It was definitely worth waiting for.

We rented another cabana for the day and settled in by the pool to relax. Unfortunately, my graceful streak came to an abrupt end. As I was getting out of the pool, I slipped and landed squarely on my butt. A kind man immediately rushed over to help me up, which was incredibly thoughtful…and also incredibly embarrassing. Thankfully, my pride was bruised more than anything else.

Apparently we still hadn’t exercised enough, because later we joined a HIIT class that included slam balls, rowing, lunges, mountain climbers, burpees, box jumps, planks, kettlebell rows, and wall sits. By the end of that workout, I felt like I had definitely earned dinner.

That evening we ate at the ship’s Mexican restaurant, Pink Agave, and the guacamole completely lived up to the hype. It was easily one of my favorite things I ate on the cruise.

The funniest moment of the day, though, belonged to Marion. After enjoying a few drinks, she wandered over and made herself comfortable in someone else’s reserved cabana. Not only did she settle in, but she also helped herself to their food as if she belonged there. We were laughing so hard we could barely breathe. The family who had actually rented the cabana, however, did not find it nearly as amusing. It was one of those moments we’ll probably be laughing about for years.

June 29, 2026 – Ancient History, Turkish Carpets, and One Last Swim

Our final day in Turkey was packed with history, culture, great food, and, of course, another swim.

We spent the morning exploring some of Turkey’s most famous historical sites. We visited the house of the Virgin Mary, where many believe that Mary spent her final days, wandered through the incredible ruins of Ephesus, admired the Library of Celsus, stood on the massive stage of the Great Theatre, and visited the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

As impressive as all of those landmarks were, I have to admit the most memorable part of the tour wasn’t a temple or a library—it was the ancient public toilets!

The Ephesians really did things differently. The toilets were long stone benches where everyone sat bum to bum with no privacy at all. Even crazier, our guide explained that slaves would sit on the stone seats before the wealthy citizens arrived so the cold marble would already be warm. While people used the toilets, musicians would even play music nearby. Ancient Rome was certainly an interesting place!

As we traveled around the area, I also noticed something else Turkey seems to have plenty of—stray dogs. Just like the cats we had seen earlier in the trip, the dogs seemed to be everywhere.

Lunch was a traditional Turkish meal featuring warm, crunchy bread, İskender kebabs, and a delicious yogurt dip. Everything was fresh and full of flavor.

After lunch, we stopped for a Turkish carpet demonstration. I had no idea how much craftsmanship goes into making these world-famous rugs. We learned that authentic Turkish carpets are woven using a symmetrical double knot, many are made entirely of silk, and one of the coolest features is that the colors actually seem to change as you tilt or shake the carpet because the silk reflects the light differently. They were absolutely beautiful and truly works of art.

To finish the day, we headed to Ladies Beach for one last swim in Turkey. Historically, the one-kilometer-long beach was reserved exclusively for women so they could enjoy the water while observing Islamic modesty. Today, everyone is welcome, but it’s still a fascinating piece of the beach’s history.

The waves were rolling in again, making for another fun swim before we returned to the ship. Looking back, Turkey ended up being one of the most interesting stops on our cruise. Between the incredible history, delicious food, beautiful craftsmanship, friendly stray animals, and unique cultural traditions, it was a place I’ll never forget.

June 30, 2026 – Paradise Found in Mykonos

If I had to pick one beach from the entire trip, Super Paradise Beach in Mykonos would definitely be near the top of the list.

Getting there wasn’t exactly easy. Once we got off the ship, it took some effort—and a fairly expensive taxi ride—to reach the beach. But the moment we arrived, we knew it had been worth every euro.

Super Paradise Beach is tucked away in a sheltered cove with unbelievably crystal-clear water. The beach has a luxurious feel, with plush sunbeds, umbrellas, and beautiful turquoise water stretching in every direction. Lloyd said it looked like something straight out of The White Lotus, and I completely agreed.

Of course, I couldn’t resist getting in the water. I ended up swimming 1,800 meters in the open sea, and it was one of my favorite swims of the entire vacation. The visibility was incredible, and I spent much of the swim watching fish dart beneath me. It was peaceful, beautiful, and exactly why I love open water swimming.

The four of us spent the entire day relaxing, swimming, and soaking up the sunshine. We may have enjoyed the sun a little too much because we all came back to the ship with at least a little sunburn.

That evening, the ship completely transformed for Scarlet Night, one of Virgin Voyages’ signature events. Everyone dressed in red as part of the celebration, which is inspired by the story of a romance between a mortal sailor and the Goddess of the Sea. According to the tale, their love was so powerful that it turned the night sky crimson.

The entire ship came alive. There were surprise performances around every corner, acrobats, a giant glowing octopus, live music, and one huge deck party.

The highlight was the pool party. People were dancing all around the deck, drinks in hand, and many jumped straight into the pool fully clothed without a second thought. The energy was contagious, and it felt like the whole ship was celebrating together.

From one of the best beach days of the trip to one of the most unforgettable nights on the cruise, Mykonos was an incredible stop and a day I’ll remember for a long time.

July 1, 2026 – A Well-Earned Recovery Day at Sea

After several busy days of sightseeing and adventures, July 1 was another sea day aboard the Scarlet Lady, and we decided to make it more of a recovery day.

Of course, “recovery” still started with exercise! We kicked off the morning with a spin class and followed it up with a HIIT workout. Even on vacation, it seems we just can’t stay away from a good workout.

After getting our exercise in, we rented another cabana by the pool and settled in for the rest of the day. Instead of trying to pack in more activities, we slowed things down and gave our bodies a chance to recover from all the walking, swimming, and workouts we’d been doing throughout the trip.

I made sure to stay hydrated and drank plenty of recovery drinks while enjoying the sunshine. We relaxed, took naps, and simply enjoyed not having a schedule to follow.

It wasn’t the most exciting day of the cruise, but it was probably one of the most needed. Sometimes the best part of a vacation is giving yourself permission to slow down, recharge, and appreciate where you are before the next adventure begins.

Thursday, July 2, 2026 – Crete & the Pink Sand Beach

We docked in Crete at 9:00 a.m., where our driver was waiting to take us to the famous Elafonissi Beach (the Pink Beach).

Unfortunately, my seasickness had been awful. I finally started feeling better as soon as we got off the ship, but that didn’t last long. The drive to Elafonissi was about an hour and a half on incredibly winding mountain roads, and I got sick all over again.

Even though I wasn’t feeling great, the drive was beautiful. We passed endless olive groves, tiny villages, rugged mountains, and plenty of goats wandering along the roads. Lloyd said it reminded him of driving on I-70 through the Colorado mountains—except the roads here were even more curvy! Camilla told us that all the best beaches in Greece require a winding drive to reach them.

The trip was absolutely worth it. Elafonissi is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and it’s easy to see why. The beach is made up of a long peninsula that stretches out to a small island, with shallow, crystal-clear turquoise water surrounding it. The famous pink sand comes from thousands of crushed seashells mixed into the white sand, giving the shoreline a soft blush color.

We only had a couple of hours there, so we spent almost the entire time floating, swimming, and soaking up the incredible scenery. It was one of those places that almost doesn’t look real.

After the beach, we stopped at a small village for a traditional Greek lunch. I absolutely loved the fresh bread and cheese—they’ve easily become some of my favorite foods on this trip.

One thing I’ve noticed throughout Greece is the incredible hospitality. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. The Greek men all seem to have impressively strong upper bodies, and many of them really do sound just like the characters in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which made me smile.

Another fun surprise is that tipping isn’t expected the way it is in the United States. Restaurants often bring complimentary dessert and even a small glass of alcohol at the end of the meal. And if there’s one drink that seems to be everywhere, it’s Coke Zero!

Despite battling seasickness for much of the day, visiting Elafonissi Beach was absolutely worth it. It’s one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been, and another unforgettable stop on this amazing adventure through Greece.

July 3, 2026 – Swimming the Beautiful Bays of Rhodes

We woke up to the stunning sight of Rhodes, Greece, docking right outside the incredible Old Town. Surrounded by massive stone walls built by the Knights of St. John, Rhodes is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Walking through the harbor and seeing the ancient walls was like stepping back in time.

Instead of exploring the city, we boarded a boat for a day of swimming at three beautiful locations along the coast.

Our first stop was Traganou Beach, where dramatic caves and crystal-clear water made for an unforgettable start to the day. The highlight was jumping off the boat into the refreshing Mediterranean Sea! While we were there, I met a wonderful woman from Norway, and we instantly bonded over one universal truth of traveling—some people are just completely clueless and rude. It was fun sharing stories and laughing together.

Our second stop was Anthony Quinn Bay, where we spent the most time. We swam, relaxed, and enjoyed lunch overlooking the water. I had a fresh Greek salad, tzatziki, and lasagna, which was the perfect meal after spending so much time in the water.

My favorite stop of the day was Kallithea Bay. The water was incredibly deep, clear, and surrounded by beautiful rock formations that made it feel like we were swimming in a natural aquarium. It was the perfect place to end an amazing day on the water.

Back on the Scarlet Lady, we finished the evening by watching Persephone, one of Virgin Voyages’ productions. The show combined acrobatics, music, and storytelling to retell the Greek myth of Persephone in a modern, entertaining way. It was such a fun introduction to Greek mythology and the perfect ending to our day in Greece.

Tomorrow we head to Santorini, one of the destinations I’ve been looking forward to the most. I can’t wait to see the famous whitewashed buildings, blue domes, and breathtaking views!

July 4, 2026 – Santorini: Blue Domes, Endless Stairs, and Amazing Wine

We arrived in Santorini at 8:00 a.m., and before most people had even made it off the ship, Camilla and I were already racing up the famous stairs. The climb was only about 0.6 miles, but it felt much longer because it was packed with hundreds of steep steps. We made it to the top in just 18 minutes!

Along the way, donkeys were making their way down the stairs carrying tourists. As cute as they looked, I couldn’t help but feel bad for them. It was already incredibly hot, and they spend all day climbing those steep steps over and over again.

Once we reached the top, we wandered through Santorini’s charming cobblestone streets and stopped at a little coffee shop. Santorini is every bit as beautiful and romantic as everyone says. The white buildings with bright blue trim seem to glow against the deep blue Aegean Sea.

Our guide shared some interesting facts about the island. The white buildings are painted white to reflect the sun and help keep them cool during the hot summers. The blue trim became popular because the Greek Navy once had an abundance of blue paint left over from painting their ships. Whether that’s legend or history, it’s a fun story! The buildings are constantly being repainted, and I can personally confirm that because I accidentally stepped in fresh paint and ended up with gray paint all over the bottom of my shoe!

Santorini, along with Mykonos, is one of the most expensive places to visit in Greece. In the beautiful village of Oia, apartments can cost anywhere from $1 million to $3 million, and many hotels charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars per night for their incredible cliffside views.

Another surprise was learning about Santorini’s wine. Even though the island receives very little rain, the vineyards thrive because the humid sea air provides enough moisture for the grapevines. The volcanic soil also gives the wines their unique flavor.

We also learned about the Greek flag. Its blue and white colors represent the sea, sky, and the country’s Christian Orthodox heritage, while the famous phrase associated with Greek independence is “Freedom or Death.”

Our excursion included a wonderful wine tasting paired with delicious local cheeses and some of the tastiest capers I’ve ever had. Even Camilla enjoyed the sweet honey wine, which was a surprise! We also learned about the island’s fascinating underground cave systems that have been used throughout history for storage, shelter, and even homes.

One of my favorite parts of the day was meeting several fellow teachers during the excursion. We instantly connected, swapping stories from our classrooms. They were from Florida and Michigan, and it’s amazing how teachers can find common ground no matter where they’re from.

Santorini truly lives up to the hype. Between the breathtaking views, fascinating history, delicious wine, and unforgettable experiences—including an unexpected souvenir of wet paint on my shoe—it was another incredible day in Greece.

We are now back in Athens and I am excited to check out the Acropolis.