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Stellene Volandes, the editor-in-chief of Town & Country, has been visiting Greece annually since childhood. Here, she shares what she treasures most about Greek culture and which islands she recommends for an off-the-beaten-path escape.What are your earliest memories of Greece? I went with my family almost every summer growing up. My first memories are of being in the back of a car driving to my father’s birthplace in a mountain village called Arna, in the Peloponnese. I came to really love Greece, and Athens especially, when I went back as a reporter. I did a story on shopping for jewelry in the city and got connected to some great people who showed me a secret Athens that went well beyond the Acropolis, a city filled with creative energy and hidden gems.What makes Greece such a special destination for you? It’s so connected to my family history and to my life. I grew up in a very tight Greek community in Brooklyn, so parts of Greece were present in my whole New York life. But there is something wonderful about a place that feels so familiar yet still offers so much to discover. Despite how familiar I am with Greece (I know the language, the best place to get coffee in the Athens airport and the newest spot to shop for evil-eye necklaces), I could still go every summer and visit a different island if I wanted to.Related: Best of Greece
What is your favorite aspect of Greek culture? There is a word for it—philoxenia—which is about warmth and kindness to strangers. This translates to a shop owner offering you coffee and cookies from the moment you enter their store, to friends of friends of friends taking you under their wing and hosting you with a generosity that is surprising to most but utterly expected in Greek culture.Which islands are your favorite and why? I have a soft spot for Santorini, but that’s because of the beautiful Perivolas Hotel—I spent some of the favorite vacations in that paradise. But what I love most is pairing an island like Santorini, Mykonos or Paros with a less developed, smaller island like Folegandros or Milos. I visited Milos last summer, and it was a revelation. I expect it to become more and more packed with people, so go soon!Related: Insider SantoriniWhat is your ideal weeklong Greece itinerary? My most recent trip included a few days on Milos and on Spetses at the Poseidonion Hotel
(poseidonion.com). We then took a boat to Amanzoe for a few days of Greek heaven and spent a few final days in Athens. That itinerary gave me the best Greece has to offer: the dramatic beach landscapes and rustic charm of Milos, the more refined international vibe of Spetses and then pure authentic Greek luxury at Amanzoe. In Athens, dinner at Papadakis is a must.
What are your favorite hotels in Greece? Grande Bretagne in Athens, Perivolas in Santorini, Amanzoe in Porto Heli.
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