In 2009, just 1 week after our wedding, my wife and I took our very first trip as a married couple to Greece. The original plan was simple: Santorini for the honeymoon, Athens as a short stopover. But that short stop turned into something far more memorable, the beginning of how we travel together.
Athens was our first taste of Europe. A little chaotic, full of history, and yes, a bit rough around the edges. We arrived with no detailed plans except two clear goals: visit the Acropolis and wander the Monastiraki Flea Market. Everything else, we decided to play by ear. Looking back, that was the start of a habit that would shape how we explore the world for years to come.
Finding Our Footing
Our first travel lesson as a couple came quickly with a taxi ride from the airport that cost twice what we expected. We paid, laughed it off, and treated it as part of the experience.
Our hotel was in Plaka, perfectly placed among narrow streets and timeless ruins. Even in winter, the city buzzed with street chatter, stray cats, and the smell of roasted chestnuts.
We spent hours walking without direction, guided by curiosity. The Acropolis rose above us like a postcard brought to life. Standing before the Parthenon in the drizzle, we realised how small we were against the weight of history yet how big this moment felt. It was cold, windy, and absolutely worth it.
Ordinary Athens
What I remember most about Athens wasn’t just the ruins but the in-betweens. The tram rides, the vendors balancing trays of orange juice, and the sound of locals chatting outside cafés. The Monastiraki Flea Market was messy and colourful, a treasure hunt of antiques, leather goods, and random trinkets. We didn’t buy much, but we took everything in.
And then came dinner. Hungry and adventurous, we wandered into a small restaurant with no English on the menu. What arrived was a mix of fried squid, whole fish, and something we still can’t quite identify. We laughed till tears rolled. It was our first “mystery meal” moment as newlyweds.
The Start of Something Bigger
Athens taught us that not every trip needs a packed itinerary. Sometimes, the best stories come from getting lost together. That trip set the tone for everything that followed, a balance of planning just enough and letting the rest unfold.
We came to Athens chasing Santorini, but left with something more lasting: a shared way of seeing the world, one unplanned adventure at a time.
