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Tess hiking in Meteora, Greece

Tess

Greece Specialist

Having traveled to over 40 countries, I’m deeply passionate about the transformative power of travel and the way it broadens perspectives and intimately connects you to new cultures. For three years, it was just me and my backpack, exploring six of the seven continents and learning lessons no book could ever teach.

Of all the countries I've visited, few rival Greece in terms of its incredible variety. It’s a country where you never have to choose between mountains or beaches; a dream destination for both history buffs and foodies alike. I especially love the fresh, local ingredients in Greek cuisine and the warm hospitality found in hole in the wall tavernas.

There’s nothing like watching the sunrise over the Aegean; islands scattered across the horizon with the colors of the sky reflecting on the still water. The only thing better than witnessing these wonders myself is helping other people experience the magic as well.

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Audley Travel Specialist Tess

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Q&A with Tess

Tess reading on Crete, Greece

What’s the one thing you always pack?

I always prioritize packing my Kindle. For me, the best way to fill spare time on a travel day is to sink my teeth into a good book. I particularly enjoy pairing the book I’m reading with the region I'm traveling in so that I can vividly imagine what the author is describing. Whether I choose fiction or nonfiction, I love connecting with the characters as well as the location I’m in on a deeper level. Some of my favorite novels set in Greece are ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop, ‘My Family and Other Animals’ by Gerald Durrell, and ‘Gates of Fire’ by Steven Pressfield.

Assos Village, Kefalonia, Greece

Where would you love to travel next?

Next, I’d love to travel to islands in the Ionian Sea: Kefalonia, Lefkada, Ithaca, the list goes on. Each Greek Island has such different offerings, products that are unique to the island and beaches that are unlike any other. They’re less traveled to than the Cycladic Islands so even more connections to be found with the locals living there, which is my favorite thing to do.

Tess enjoying bougatsa in Litochoro, Greece

What tips would you give to people who want to visit your specialty destination?

One of the biggest recommendations I can give to someone traveling through Greece is to try all the different pastries you see in the display case in a bakery. Greek pastries range from delicious savory bites to nutty desserts that aren’t found in typical bakeries, even in other parts of Europe. Most Greek desserts use honey as the main sweetener and no artificial ingredients, so they are true feel-good indulgences. Challenge yourself to find the best bougatsa on your trip and save space in your suitcase for some baklava (it travels well I promise, and your family and friends will thank you).