Exploring Chania

The view from our hotel room's balcony! 

Jen and I booked tickets to Chania on a whim, mostly because we found an insanely cheap RyanAir flight from Athens (and we couldn't afford to fly directly from Athens to Santorini. English teacher problems...) A stop in Crete seemed like the perfect solution to a) see more of the islands, and b) allow us to take a less expensive ferry to Santorini. Little did we know how much the old town of Chania would enchant us.

Without a doubt, Chania is one of the most charming and colorful places I've ever been to. We spent hours simply wandering through the narrow streets, getting lost and taking photos of everything around us. We spent our mornings savoring freddo espressos and Greek yogurt with honey, while our afternoons were spent devouring delicious Greek dishes and exploring the picturesque alleyways. We also strolled along the Venetian Harbor towards the lighthouse, admiring the quiet marina, bright buildings and deep turquoise sea.

It was truly Greek paradise. The smell of salt water filled the air, vibrant colors exploded across town, and cascades of bougainvillea adorned the hidden pathways. What more could you ask for?

My Chania Picks:

Must-Try Dishes: Apaki, Dolmades and Dakos

Best Views: From our hotel room's balcony at Loukia Hotel

Favorite Restaurants: The Well of the Turk, Stelios and Tamam

Best People-Watching: The Venetian Harbor

Best Day Trip: Elafonisi Beach

My 5 Favorite Gluten-Free Dishes in Greece

Remember that one scene in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" when the family finds out that Ian is a vegetarian and Aunt Voula implores, "What do you mean he don't eat no meat?"  The whole room falls into a shocked silence until she proclaims, "Oh, that's okay, I make lamb." Well, that's pretty much what I expected as a Celiac in Greece. 

Thankfully, I could not have been more mistaken. Not only is the majority of Greek food naturally gluten-free, but the country itself is much more accommodating to food allergies than I had originally expected. Although it broke my heart to say no to pita bread and spanakopita, I still managed to have a delightful time feasting upon traditional Greek dishes. 

While I loved every bite I tried, here are my five favorite dishes that made eating gluten-free in Greece a delectable dream come true:

1. Dolmades

What is it?

Stuffed grape leaves with rice and herbs

Where I ordered it: 

Stelios in Chania, Crete

2. Melitzanes Fournou

What is it?
Baked eggplant with tomatoes, onions, and of course - feta!

Where I ordered it: 
Roka in Oía, Santorini

3. Gyros (without pita)

What is it? 
Meat roasted on a spit, served with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki inside a pita 

(but if you're gluten-free, ask for no pita)

Where I ordered it:
Thanasis in Athens

4. Baked Feta

What is it?
Melt in your mouth goodness, topped with oregano, fresh tomatoes and peppers

Where I ordered it: 
Stelios in Chania, Crete

5. Apaki

What is it? 
Smoked Cretan pork marinated in vinegar

Where I ordered it: 
The Well of the Turk in Chania, Crete

Naturally, I also couldn't get enough of the classic Greek salads, flavorful tzatziki sauce, fresh olive oil and savory Greek yogurt with honey!

If you have Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, be sure to print out a gluten-free restaurant card like this one to give to your waiters at restaurants. While most Greeks speak excellent English, not everyone knows what gluten is - so it's important to explicitly communicate what you can and can't have. Using this card helped me try many unfamiliar Greek dishes without getting sick.

Do you have any food allergies or intolerances?
 How do you survive them while traveling?
What are some of your favorite Greek dishes? 

Anafiotika: Inside Athens' Hidden Village

As we were weaving our way through Plaka, we accidentally stumbled upon Anafiotika - a small Cycladic village at the base of the Acropolis. The village was built in the 19th century by stonemasons who had emigrated from the small island of Anafi. The workers stayed true to their roots by using architectural styles and colors that evoke the charm of island life. Everything about this tucked away neighborhood is charismatic and picturesque, and I could have spent hours admiring all of the little details. Vibrant flowers crawl up towards faded shutters, while friendly cats lounge in the shade of colorful buildings. Although this is exactly the kind of place where I'd expect hordes of tourists, it felt seemingly undiscovered. This quiet escape from the cacophony of the city was by far my favorite place to wander in Athens. 

How to Get to Anafiotika: 

Anafiotika is located on the northeastern slope of the Acropolis.

From Monastiraki square, walk towards the Acropolis and wind up the narrow streets. 

Metro: Monastiraki or Acropolis