The Greek Islands (a Photo Essay)

When my sister and I decided to explore the Greek islands last summer, we had trouble with the logistics. We wanted to go to so many places, but to say that the ferry schedules were confusing is an understatement.

Yes, it's really like the movies; the island of Mykonos is full of picturesque white-washed churches with blue domes.

Many of the islands we wanted to visit didn't have direct ferry routes to and from each other, and I kept hearing that ferry schedules changed often and frequently ran late. That many flights would be too expensive.

We found out that Louis Cruises operates cruises through the Greek islands, and it turned out to be the perfect way for us to cover a lot of territory without the hassle of dealing with the logistics.

It was smaller than your average commercial line, and the low-cost, five-night cruise took us to Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, Kusadasi, and Santorini.

We didn't get to spend too much time in any one place, but it gave us a taste of many islands and helped me figure out where I want to return and spend more time (Mykonos and Santorini, of course!).

We also started and ended in Athens, so we took a few days to explore it. I was awed by the blue water and white buildings-the Greek islands were just as gorgeous as I had imagined. Here are some of my favorite photos from that trip.

Octopus are a popular part of Greek cuisine. I found these octopi drying on a sailboat in Mykonos. — Octopus is a popular part of Greek cuisine. I found these octopi drying on a sailboat in Mykonos.

This beautiful section of Mykonos is called Little Venice because its narrow buildings sit directly on the Aegean Sea.

These windmills are the one Mykonos's trademarks. They were once used to grind agricultural produce, and while they are no longer operational, they are still an impressive sight. — These windmills are one of Mykonos's trademarks. They were once used to grind agricultural produce, and while they are no longer operational, they are still an impressive sight.

The island of Patmos is home to the Monastery of St. John (the brown structure pictured in the top right corner). It is also home to the Cave of the Apocalypse, where it's said that St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelations. — The island of Patmos is home to the Monastery of St. John (the brown structure pictured in the top right corner) and the Cave of the Apocalypse, where it's said that St. John the Divine wrote the Book of Revelations.

The Old Town part of Rhodes, Greece is still surrounded by its impressive medieval wall. — The Old Town part of Rhodes, Greece, is still surrounded by its impressive medieval wall.

Here's an interior shot I took of the walled-in Old Town Rhodes. Rhodes has 14 mosques due to an Ottoman takeover in the 1500s, one of which you can see in the bottom left. While you're here, be sure to visit the Archeological Museum housed in the restored Hospital of the Knights. — Here's an interior shot I took of the walled-in Old Town Rhodes. Rhodes has 14 mosques due to an Ottoman takeover in the 1500s, one of which you can see in the bottom left. While here, visit the Archaeological Museum housed in the restored Hospital of the Knights.

I took this image as our boat approached the island of Santorini. You can see the white buildings perched on craggy cliffs. — I took this image as our boat approached the island of Santorini. The white buildings are perched on craggy cliffs.

To visit Santorini's capital, Fira, you have to ride up in a cable car or take a donkey ride. I took this image of us ascending in the funicular. — To visit Santorini's capital, Fira, you must ride up in a cable car or take a donkey ride. I took this image of us ascending in the funicular.

The island of Santorini was once a volcanic cone whose top was blown off, and then became a caldera. From Santorini, you can see several nearby dark volcanic islands, such as those pictured here. As you can see, the cafes on Santorini have breathtaking views. — The island of Santorini was once a volcanic cone whose top was blown off and became a caldera. Several nearby dark volcanic islands, such as those pictured here, can be seen from Santorini. As you can see, the cafes on Santorini have breathtaking views.

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About the Author: Emily Starbuck Gerson is a writer based in Austin, Texas. She's a copywriter in the travel industry by day. She runs her travel blog, Maiden Voyage, in her free time and does freelance writing and editing. Follow her on X @TheMaidenVoyage.

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