Greek Escape, Part 1: Touchdown in Athens & the Road to Gialova
Day 1: Landing in Athens
After saying goodbye to Ljubljana, I drove to Zagreb airport for a direct flight to Athens with Aegean Airlines. Business class - because sometimes it’s worth it, especially on travel days that stretch late into the night.
It was a late arrival, and as expected, all the car rentals were shut. No stress though. I’d already planned to stay at Sofitel Athens Airport, which is literally right across from the terminal. Couldn’t be more convenient.
The hotel has a clean, modern look. No fuss, no excess. My room was spacious, stylish, and thoughtfully laid out. The toilet was separate from the bathroom (always a plus), and the soundproofing was solid. Honestly, after a long day of travel, that kind of silence hits different. You’d never guess you were just steps from a busy airport. There was a Nespresso machine in the room too, which always feels like a small luxury.
The bar was still open, so I grabbed a quick snack instead of sitting down at the restaurant. Worked just fine. I did glance at the breakfast menu out of curiosity - 35 euros. A bit steep, but with coffee in the room, I wasn’t too bothered.
Crashed in bed with that quiet thrill you get when you land somewhere new. No plans yet, just the whole of Greece waiting on the other side of sleep.
Day 2: Off to Gialova
I picked up my rental car from Sixt in the morning - a black Toyota Corolla. A solid, reliable choice. Not exactly the car you'd picture in a car chase scene through Athens, but perfect for Greek roads where the occasional goat might casually step into your lane.
The drive to Gialova took about three and a half hours, and it was absolutely worth every kilometer. Winding roads, rolling hills, tiny villages that seem untouched by time… and that view? Unreal. At some point, I just stopped talking and let the scenery do its thing. Well, almost. I’ll admit - I threw on the Mamma Mia soundtrack for a bit. Yeah, I know. But when you’re driving through Greece with the sea in the distance and sunlight bouncing off the hills, there’s no other way. I’m not saying I sang along, but I’m also not denying it.
One unexpected thing I noticed: Greek gas stations are weirdly charming. Some are just basic pumps, while others have full-on bakeries inside with spinach pies and espresso better than you'd expect. You never really know what you're walking into, which makes each stop a tiny surprise.
Eventually, I arrived at Zoe Seaside Resort, my base for the next four nights. This place? Dreamy. It's right on the seashore, and the whole vibe is soft, calming, like the hotel itself is permanently on vacation. The design is mostly pastel colors, lots of wood, minimal but warm. You walk in and instantly feel like someone just handed you a cocktail and told you to stop checking your phone.
My room had a sea view, and I’m not exaggerating - it looked like a postcard. Waking up to that kind of view is dangerous. It makes you reconsider every life decision you’ve ever made that led you away from the coast.
The resort has that perfect balance between relaxed simplicity and little touches of luxury. And the beach? Just steps away.
I started looking into activities, because wow, there’s a lot. You’ve got boat tours to the island of Sfakteria, ancient ruins like Messini, the Polylimnio Waterfalls, plus hiking and cycling routes along the Lagoon, Paleokastro, and Bouka beach. For something a bit fancier, there’s golf and tennis about ten minutes away. And of course, if you’re into kayaking or scuba diving, this place has that too.
Dinner was just a short walk from the hotel - two minutes, if that. A place called La Cucina Italiana, perched right along the seafront. From the outside, nothing extraordinary. But step onto the terrace, and it’s a different story. Open-air tables under the stars, the sound of waves just below, and a view that stretches endlessly across the bay. The kind of place where the setting does half the work before the food even shows up.
I went for a plate of pasta - simple, honest, and spot-on. Olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, a bit of heat. Nothing complicated, just done right. The staff were cool, super friendly, and knew their rhythm. The whole place had that understated kind of class. You don’t need to dress up, but it still feels like you’re somewhere that matters.
I leaned back, let the breeze roll in off the water, and tried to map out the next few days. There was plenty on the table - the kind of stuff that makes you feel like you’re properly doing the trip. Hikes, boat rides, ruins, waterfalls.
But let’s be honest. The closer you are to the sea, the harder it is to pretend you’re not just going to spend the whole day doing absolutely nothing. And honestly, can you blame me?
Day 3: Beach Mode Activated
Monday kicked off slow. No alarms, no rushing, just sunlight pushing through the curtains and the sound of waves in the background. I eventually made my way down for a late breakfast at the hotel - somewhere between breakfast and lunch, really. Eggs, fresh fruit, decent bread, solid coffee. Nothing fancy, but it did the job.
The hotel’s got a nice pool, which is clean, quiet. Nice setup. But let’s be honest - when the beach is right there, what are we even talking about? I skipped the sun loungers by the pool and went straight to the sand.
Posted up under an umbrella with a freddo espresso in hand and didn’t move much after that. Swam, dried off, ordered a small snack - some olives, local cheese, fresh bread. Kept it light. It was one of those days where time slips by without you noticing, and you’re totally fine with that.
Dinner was back at the hotel. Grilled fish, maybe some lemon potatoes, glass of cold white wine. No need to overcomplicate things. Good food, no noise, sea breeze in the background.
I called it an early one. I’ve been slowly making my way through The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant. Big ideas, sharp writing. I didn’t get far. The combination of sun, salt water, and just enough wine did the trick.
Some days you push to do more. Other days, you just lean back and let it be. Today was the second kind and honestly, it couldn’t have been better.
Coffee, Coastal Vibes, and Almost Golf
Day 4: Checking out the local scene
After my usual morning routine, I went for a swim. The water was great, and I noticed some people doing yoga on the beach nearby. It was pretty cool to see - everyone has their own way to start the day, I guess.
Later, I decided to wander around the village a bit - Gialova, or Gianova as some call it, is really something else. It’s a small place, but it’s got this laid-back charm that somehow pulls you in. The streets aren’t crowded, but they’re lined with these quaint shops and tavernas that feel like they’ve been there forever. The cobblestone paths curve gently between whitewashed buildings, sprinkled with colorful flowers and those classic blue shutters you see in Greece. It’s the kind of place that feels like it’s quietly growing in popularity but hasn’t lost its soul, which might explain why more and more people are discovering it every year. Did you know it’s one of the top spots in Europe now? I get why. There’s just something about that peaceful vibe mixed with natural beauty that sticks with you.
I grabbed a cappuccino at Ionis Cafe. The view there is fantastic. Sitting under some palm trees, it kind of reminded me of Mexico - warm, chill, and relaxed. Good spot to just hang out and watch the day go by.
I was planning to play some golf at The Dunes Course at Costa Navarino, located in Messinia, southwest Peloponnese. This place is something else. It’s an 18-hole, par-72 course stretching nearly 6,200 meters from the back tees, designed by Bernhard Langer, the two-time Masters champ and Ryder Cup captain, along with European Golf Design. The course sits right by the beach with stunning sea and river views. It mixes a bit of links-style golf near the dunes and beach, then winds through olive and fruit groves and even along a small river.
Ross McMurray from the design team said the whole point was to build something that not only fits the amazing location but also sets a new standard in Greek golf. It’s definitely gotten a lot of attention recently, which makes sense because golf courses like this are rare in Greece.
I wasn’t feeling quite right that day, so I had to skip playing, but just seeing the course was impressive. I’ll have to come back for it next time.
I’ve got to say, I’m definitely getting used to these breathtaking views, so dinner with a million-dollar backdrop at Elia Restaurant was an easy choice. The place sits right by the sea, the vibe is chill, and the service was spot on. I started with a Caesar salad - fresh and just right. For the main, I went with prawns and coleslaw, which turned out to be really tasty.
After that, I headed back to the hotel to rest up because my trip isn’t over yet. Another corner of Greece is waiting to be explored. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
