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Photo Essay: The Greek Islands

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

When my sister and I decided to explore the Greek islands last summer, we had trouble with the logistics.

There were so many places we wanted to go, but to say that the ferry schedules were confusing is an understatement.

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 began in Athens, so we took a few days to explore it, as well.

I was awed by just how blue the water was and how white the buildings were–the Greek islands were just as gorgeous as I dreamed they would be.

Here are some of my favorite photos I took on that trip.

Octopus are a popular part of Greek cuisine. I found these octopi drying on a sailboat in Mykonos.
Octopus are 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.
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 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.
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). 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 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 you're here, be sure to visit the Archeological 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. You can see the white buildings 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 have to 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 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.

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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 and runs her own travel blog, Maiden Voyage, in her free time in addition to doing a variety of freelance writing and editing. Follow her on Twitter @TheMaidenVoyage.

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Alfonzo Conoley

Friday 29th of October 2010

Pretty insightful post. Never thought that it was this simple after all. I had spent a good deal of my time looking for someone to explain this subject clearly and you're the only one that ever did that. Kudos to you! Keep it up

life style

Friday 29th of October 2010

I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

Michael Hodson

Tuesday 12th of October 2010

Some really great shots in here -- makes me want to go to Greece even more than I already want to.

Notes From Lapland

Saturday 28th of August 2010

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! i've never been but really want to now.

As We Travel

Friday 27th of August 2010

I would LOVE to have a coffee at that cafe - what a view! //Sofia

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