Hi from Rick: Surrendering to the Greek Way of Living
Whenever I'm in Greece, I don't let a sun go down without enjoying a nice glass of ouzo. It's funny, because on this side of the Atlantic, I don't even really like the taste of that licorice-flavored firewater. But you can't experience Greece without really experiencing Greece — and that means embracing it, from olives at breakfast to ouzo after dark.
When my waiter brings my glass, I give him a melodramatic little show — artfully trickling some water into my glass to magically make my ouzo go cloudy…and suddenly, to him, I'm not just another tourist. I'm a cultural chameleon, mastering a little slice of the Greek life — indicating I'm ready and rarin' for more.
And in Greece, there's no better spot to "go Greek" than at the local taverna. It doesn't matter if I'm snuggled into the car-free island of Hydra, perched above an untrampled beach on the Mani Peninsula, or strolling through bustling Athens. When evening comes, taverna conviviality is what I'm after.
With their basic decor, rickety stools, and rustic tables, Greek tavernas are humble at first glance. But after a few laughs and a few drinks, you realize how rich they are in heritage, character, and charm. Locals chitchat while fingering their worry beads. Backgammon dice chatter, hand-rolled cigarettes hang tenuously from lips, and stray cats wait patiently to take your seat — and your dinner — if you dare abandon either. Grabbing a table in the middle of this action, I order a plate of mezedes — a smattering of dips, olives, and feta-stuffed peppers — to tide me over while I debate which fresh seafood dish sounds right tonight. Knowing the place is primed and ready to erupt into dance, I'm right there.
And that's just a simple Greek evening. Greek days are packed with unforgettable encounters with the ancient world and ruggedly beautiful scenery. One afternoon, you're pondering the ruins of Delphi, imagining the oracle with all the answers; the next morning, you're toeing the same starting block ancient sprinters did at the original Olympics; and that afternoon, you're wading into the bathtub-warm water of the Aegean. And then, noticing the sun's getting low and red, you remember — once again — it's ouzo time!
If this has you dreaming of packing your bags for Greece, we'd love to take you there on a Rick Steves tour. Our Athens & The Heart of Greece tour is a two-week loop from Greece's capital that mixes big sights like the Acropolis and Theater of Epidavros with intimate delights like tasting olive oil at a family-run olive mill and dancing to folk music in the harbor town of Nafplio. With an expert Rick Steves guide goosing the serendipity, you'll create your own unforgettable Greek moments. (I know, because I chose this same tour for my vacation several years ago…and loved every minute.)
Since Greece's weather is best in shoulder season, this tour starts running as early as March — and you can save $100 per seat on 2026 departures if you book by July 7.
In this month's Tour News, we'll get a taste of the Athens & the Heart of Greece tour with a lively day-by-day slideshow, hear what recent Greece tour members loved about their adventure, get to know Greece guide Danae Kousouri, and set a course for relaxation on the laid-back island of Hydra.
Wherever your travels take you, surrender to the culture you're visiting. While Greece may not be on my upcoming travel agenda, I'll be ending my day somewhere in Europe — in some kind of taverna, pub, Kneipe, bistro, enoteca, or café. And I'll be enjoying a celebratory sip and a tasty nibble of whatever the locals there are excited about…having an ouzo-and-calamari good time.
Happy travels,
Rick