Morning broke in Athens, and we bolted from our matchbox-sized room in search of familiar American comforts of Starbucks. Nothing says ‘good morning’ like a Grand Cappuccino and a Fredo Cappuccino to kickstart the heart. Figure 1: Kickstarting the day at Starbucks, Syntagma Square, Athens The day’s dilemma: a Rick Steves-inspired city walk or an exploration of the Ancient Agora? Given the early hour and our caffeine superpowers, we opted for the latter, Sorry Rick!...

Milos, though smaller and less flashy than Paros, packs a tremendous heart and an even larger soul. Our day kicked off with a rush, as we had a boat tour on the calendar. We snagged our morning fix—Fredo Cappuccinos and Hot Cappuccinos at Egoist—and hustled to meet Volcanic Boat Adventures. Our guide, Mana, a charming French girl, welcomed us aboard a modest boat, which left me quietly wondering if my Dramamine would stand up to the challenge....

I had so many dreams, and woke up at 8:10a. I was happy, and then realized that in 3 days I will be back to the States, and will again be in jetlag. Figure 1: Yogurt, honey, and bowl full of fruits! No more sprawling breakfast feasts for us. Instead, we hit up Milors, and ordered our morning fix: two cappuccinos, a frappe, vegan sandwiches, and fruit and yogurt bowls that were both delightful and filling, like a hug for your stomach....

Just when you think you’ve mapped out all the surprises Paros has to offer, the island winks and tosses a few more gems your way. Really, how different can another beach or town be? Spoiler: quite a bit. The day kicked off at 6:12 AM, thanks to some chirping birds and our white noise machine dueling it out. Vanya wasn’t feeling her best, so Nidhi and I ventured to the breakfast buffet alone, where scrambled eggs, olives, cherry tomatoes, and an array of local delicacies awaited....

Our second day in Paros arrived, loaded with promise, a mix of jitters, high hopes, and the kind of excitement that makes you check your pulse. Today was the day for our maiden voyage into the mesmerizing Mediterranean with Captain Ben’s Sailing Tour. Ahoy! Figure 1: Breakfast for Kings, Hotel Arganauta After a glorious night’s sleep (yes, 5:22 AM is the new 8 AM in my book), we faced a breakfast spread that could rival a royal banquet....

Vacations, much like dessert, always seem to end just when you’re getting to the good part. It’s our third night, and we’re gearing up to say goodbye to the sizzling island beauty, Santorini. Parting is a bittersweet symphony of sorrow and joy—like finding out your favorite seasonal latte is back, but only for a limited time. The memories? Oh, they’re cherished like that one perfect photo where nobody is blinking and everyone is smiling....

Ah, the magical third day of a vacation, the time in a relationship with a travel destination when you start to either deeply fall in love or eye your return ticket. Thankfully, we’re still smitten with Santorini! My sore thigh muscles sang songs of the many mountains (or at least, steep inclines) we conquered on our way to Oia. Who knew a hike could provide such an excellent workout? Finally, we managed a good night’s sleep, waking up at the ungodly hour of 4:40 AM, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed....

Vacations are not just for sun-soaked beaches or thrilling adventures; they’re also unexpected havens for introspection. There’s something oddly romantic and comedic about the clarity that comes when you’re far from the grind of daily life. It’s during these moments, amidst the relaxed ambiance and the freedom from routine, that we confront truths we’ve sidestepped in the hustle of everyday existence. The Unlikely Classroom of Leisure Imagine you’re lounging on a hammock, a gentle breeze swaying you into a state of bliss....

A Magical Morning in Our Cave Hotel Waking up in Santorini is like waking up inside a postcard, but with better WiFi. Our hotel room? A cozy cave on a cliff, because who needs regular walls when you can have rocks? Natural light poured in from the door facing the west, teasing us with views of the Caldera that are too stunning to be real. At 6 AM, instead of hitting snooze, we were on WhatsApp, showing off our cliffside abode to family and friends back home....

A vacation for me? It’s like a coffee shot of espresso on a Monday morning - absolutely essential! Flights of Fancy and Not-so-Fancy Figure 1: Economy Sandwich After what felt like a mini-lifetime (~14 hours to be exact), we landed at Istanbul airport, and without skipping a beat, jumped onto our next flight to Athens. The flight meal was typical - an adventure in culinary minimalism. I chose the AVML (Asian Vegetarian Meal), which was basically an Indian feast at 30,000 feet....