2026-10-20 — Santorini, Greece — Baklava, Broken Plates, and the Chef’s Table

A wonderful day with Patty, a spirited Greek celebration, and an evening of good food and good company aboard Explorer of the Seas.

An Early Start and a Familiar Smile

I was up at 6:00 this morning, getting myself ready for a full day in Santorini. There was plenty to look forward to, and I wanted to be ready to enjoy it.

By 7:20 a.m., I had made my way down to the theater, where I bumped right into Patty. Right on time and smiling, as always. That is a pretty good way to begin an adventure.

Getting aboard the tender was easy, and before long we were on our way to the port. Then came that familiar bus ride up Santorini’s switchback roads. Around one bend, then another, steadily making our way up the island.

I always appreciate the person doing the driving on those roads. I am perfectly happy to sit back and let a professional handle the turns.

A Very Good Reason to Stop for Baklava

As we walked through town, it did not take long to notice that things were getting busy. Patty and I made a very sensible decision: find a beautiful café, sit down, and enjoy ourselves.

Patty ordered a cappuccino. I went straight for one of my all-time favorites: baklava, accompanied by a freshly squeezed lemonade.

Oh, that baklava.

The pastry, the nuts, the honey—all coming together in one delicious bite. There is something about that combination that takes me to a completely different level. Add the refreshing lemonade, a lovely setting, and good company, and I was quite content.

Sometimes the best part of traveling is giving yourself permission to stop. Santorini would still be there after I finished my baklava, and I intended to give that pastry the attention it deserved.

A Warm Welcome from the Papadopoulos Family

Our excursion had a name that promised a lively day: “The Breaking Plates and Greek Party with Papadopoulos Family.”

It certainly delivered.

The outing brought together Karterados, Oia, and Fira, with the Papadopoulos family sharing their music, local traditions, and hospitality along the way. The route took in village life and the scenery that makes Santorini so recognizable, from whitewashed buildings to blue-domed churches and those wonderful views from the cliffs.

Oia certainly supplied plenty to admire. With its narrow streets and buildings perched above the sea, it is the sort of place that makes a photographer want to keep looking around the next corner.

Santorini’s blue domes and those wonderful views over the sea.

What made the excursion especially enjoyable was the family’s welcome. Their enthusiasm gave the day a personal feeling, and by the time we reached the celebration at the family home in Fira, we were ready to join in.

A few colorful details from the day.

Breaking Plates and Celebrating Life

There was Greek food, including feta cheese and hummus, along with live music, singing, and plenty of energy. Before long, we were all in a big circle, dancing to Greek tunes and enjoying ourselves.

A welcoming spread for our Greek celebration.

And then came the plates.

We threw them to the floor as part of the celebration. For once, broken dishes were a sign that things were going very well.

I loved the spirit of it. We were there together, enjoying the music, joining the dancing, and celebrating life. Nobody needed a complicated explanation. It felt good to participate and let the moment carry us along.

These are the experiences I appreciate most when I travel. A beautiful view gives you something to photograph. An afternoon like this gives you a memory of the people, their welcome, and how much fun you had being there.

What a great experience this tour was. The Papadopoulos family gave us a wonderful day.

Music and lunch at our Greek celebration.

A Nap and a Little Spa Time

By 2:00 p.m., I was back in my room aboard Explorer of the Seas. I cleaned up and settled in for a nap. After an early start and a morning of touring and dancing, a little rest was very much in order.

Besides, the evening had its own plans for me.

At 6:00 p.m., I headed to the spa for one of those fabulous Swedish massages. It was time to get the remaining kinks out of the day.

The therapist used aromatic massage oil and really knew her stuff. As she worked on my muscles, I could feel myself settling down and relaxing. By the end of the session, I felt light, refreshed, and ready to enjoy the rest of the evening.

I have to admit, a Greek celebration followed by a nap and a good massage is a very agreeable way to spend a day.

A Seat at the Chef’s Table

At 8:30 p.m., it was time for something special. I had been invited to the Chef’s Table, an intimate dining experience for a small group of guests, with a meal prepared especially for the occasion and paired with excellent wines.

It was a lovely way to finish the day.

The five-course dinner unfolded at a comfortable pace, with the chef and sommelier explaining the food and the wine pairings. I enjoyed having the opportunity to appreciate what went into the meal as well as what was on the plate.

A personalized menu and a beautifully presented course at the Chef’s Table.

The company made the evening even better. The people at the table were sophisticated, interesting, and thoroughly enjoyable to spend time with. Good food is always a pleasure, but good company gives you another reason to linger.

Earlier in the day, we had been throwing plates on the floor. By dinner, I was very happy to leave mine exactly where it belonged and enjoy everything the chef put on it.

It was an excellent experience from beginning to end, and I was glad to have been included.

Dessert getting its finishing touch at the Chef’s Table.

Goodnight Santorini

After that fabulous meal, I took a slow walk around the ship before returning to my room. It had been a full day, and I was ready for bed.

Thinking back over it, I kept coming back to the simple pleasures: Patty’s familiar smile, that wonderful baklava, and the warmth of the family who invited us into their celebration. Add the spa and a memorable dinner, and Santorini had treated me very well.

Tomorrow brings Athens, Greece, and I already have plenty of activities to look forward to in that classical city.

For tonight, it was time to rest and be grateful for another wonderful day of travel.

Opa, Santorini. What a day.