Laura-Jane Adventures

In this blog post you can find recommendations for Athens, information about Virgin Voyage’s Resilient Lady, and a brief overview of the destinations we visited. 

Greek Island Glow on the Resilient Lady: Piraeus (Athens), Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum, Mykonos, Piraeus (Athens)

In June myself, sister, and parents set sail on our first cruise with Virgin Voyages, the adult only cruise line owned by Richard Branson, and it was so good that I am now sceptical to try any other brand of cruises.

City Port: Athens

We started our holiday off by having a day in Athens to explore before checking in on the ship. Athens is a place with a rich history and a new story to tell. Whilst Greece has undoubtedly faced their own financial struggle in the last few decades, the Greek economy is bouncing back and grew by 5.9% in 2022 (European Commission) and growth is projected to continue. The economic struggle has not diminished the shine and character that is evident as you walk through the city’s ancient streets. 

In total we had roughly two and a half days in Athens. Below are some recommendations for food and drinks, as well as a bit of advice about visiting the Acropolis.

Food & Drinks:

• Oinoscent Wine Bar:
  • This wine bar, in Athens Plaka neighbourhood, is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with exquisite wine pairings. The food was delicious, and the staff really know their stuff when it comes to recommending great wine. They have local wines as well as a range from around the world. For food I would recommend trying the Al Limone pasta or the Potato salad. The wine recommendations, I will leave to the experts. 
• Line Athens (No. 31 on The World’s 50 Best Bars):
  • A cocktail bar that is influenced by the method of anarchy: Line Athens is stylish and offers great food. It is a little out of the way but if you have the time, it’s a great place to sip on some cocktails, in an alternative setting. Keep an eye out for any events on at the time of your visit. 
• Orizontes Lycabettus:
  • If you are looking for a restaurant where you can sit in awe of the views of Athens, look no further. Orizontes Lycabettus is situated on top of Lycabettus Hill, which is the highest point in the city of Athens. The view beats the food, but it is so worth it, especially if you can secure a reservation at sunset. Make sure to email and book in advance, as well as allowing yourself extra time to take the cable car up to the restaurant. For more info about Lycabettus Hill click here.
• The Clumsies (No. 19 on The Worlds 50 Best Bars):
  • Get in your feelings at this cocktail bar. The Clumsies is a bar and restaurant with a menu currently inspired by emotions. They have an extensive selection of drinks organised around the emotions you tend to feel whilst in a bar: happiness, tenderness, and excitement. You can even scan a QR code to randomly choose a drink for you!
• Nice n Easy:
  • Nice n Easy is a small Greek restaurant chain who follow the farm-to-table philosophy. They have two locations in Athens, as well as restaurants in Mykonos and Kifisia. If you are looking for a place to grab a bite that is more centred around simple dishes such as pastas, burgers, and salads this is the place for you. The menu is quirky with each dish being named after a household name. The night we went here was our last night before returning to Scotland and we were sat right next to a proposal. It made the experience here more memorable as we shared some champagne with the happy couple.
• In Love Again:
  • Think coffee and luxury desserts. This café is owned by Baba Au Rum, another of The Worlds 50 Best Bars located in Athens. There is a small outdoor patio which is ideal for a catch-up with friends or a casual date spot.
• Samba Coffee Roasters:
  • I dragged my family out on an adventure from our hotel in search of good coffee and when we reached Samba, they were not disappointed, in fact they were glad I made them walk a little further. The Baristas here know their coffee and they offer a few different blends to satisfy varying tastes.

The Acropolis:

• When in Athens, the birthplace of democracy, you cannot not visit the Acropolis and take in all the history it has to offer. I recommend purchasing tickets beforehand and planning your visit for a time of day where you can expect less visitors. Typically, the Acropolis is very busy in the mornings and early afternoon as visitors from cruise ships stopping in Piraeus (Athens) flock to the attraction in ‘extremely’ large groups. Therefore, visiting later in the day as it starts to cool down is a better option. We bought our tickets, very last minute, through GetYourGuide which made it easy given that it was the one thing I did not plan ahead of time.

The Resilient Lady

Virgin Voyages have four different cruise ships, all ladies of course, these are the: Scarlet, Valiant, Resilient, and Brilliant Lady. We set sail on the Resilient Lady which has only been sailing since 2023. As I mentioned above, this was our first ever cruise, so we all went into the experience not really knowing what to expect. However, we were blown away (excuse the pun): Virgin ships are stunning and offer everything to ensure your holiday is an unforgettable experience. The staff were knowledgeable and friendly, the cleanliness of the boat was impeccable, and they really had something to suit everyone’s tastes. Below are some of my most noteworthy recommendations. 

Restaurants

• In total there are over 20 eateries on Virgin ships. Meaning it is quite literally impossible to not find something to satisfy your tastebuds. The cruise line avoids big buffets, which is something I really appreciated as it means each time you settle down for a meal you get the opportunity to really soak up the experience with the people you are travelling with. Rather than running back and forth to a buffet. 
• The staff in each restaurant have tried and tested everything on offer, meaning they can tailor their recommendations. My top 3 restaurants were:
  • The Wake
    • This elegant eatery focuses on Steak and Seafood. They do reservations for both dinner and brunch. If you can, try both! The service we had here on our first visit was outstanding and we had the chance to try a little bit of everything.
  • Extra Virgin
    • Extra Virgin is Virgin’s Italian restaurant and if anyone knows me, they know Italian is always my go to. We went here on our first night on board and it really set the tone for the holiday. Our server was incredible, and the food was delicious. I really wish we had booked to go here twice. 
  • Gunbae
    • Looking for something new and exciting, then be sure to try Gunbae! It is a Korean restaurant where you are sat with other sailors and have the chance to play some fun Korean drinking games. The food is then cooked directly in front of you and shared amongst your table. It is the perfect place to make new friends.

Services & Entertainment

• Fitness & the Gym
  • When I travel, I do still like to have the option to workout. Normally, I love going for runs to explore a new place or find a fun workout class. So, I was curious to see the gym onboard and what workout classes they offered. My favourite classes were the Spin classes, which were so much fun and an energetic way to start your day. The gym itself is beautiful with glass windows which look out giving you the perfect workout views. Additionally, the personal trainers on Virgin cruises also offer a ‘Body check’ which will help you know how many calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrates you should be consuming. Therefore, you can come away from indulging on holiday and know exactly what you need to do to get back in shape.
• Scarlet Night
  • Make sure you pack something red and sexy to wear on Scarlet Night. The ship is submerged in red, and the story of the Goddess of the Sea is told. This is by far the best night offered on the cruise. Me and my sister had the time of our lives. I am looking forward to the next Scarlet Night when we make it back on a Virgin Voyage.
• Lola’s Library
  • Amongst the variety of shows that are put on for sailors’ enjoyment is Lola’s Library. This raunchy collection of stories told by Librarian Lola will most definitely diverge from what you can expect at a local library. 
• The Spa
  • Whilst on board we were fortunate enough to have ship credit to use in the Spa and on their treatments. I opted for a pedicure, which was a very relaxing experience and made me feel confident in my heels and sandals for weeks to come.

Cruise Destinations

The Greek Island Glow was the perfect way to see some of Greece’s most breath-taking islands.  

Santorini

Our first stop was Santorini, one of the most recognised islands worldwide. The rugged landscape is a result of a volcanic eruption which took place sometime in 1600 BC. Although today the island is very walkable, I cannot stress enough that it is a good idea to wear shoes with a good grip and be careful whilst walking round on the uneven stone paths. 

If you are using the cable car to take you up to Thira once off the boat, you can expect quite a long wait and you will have to be patient as the line is chaotic. Otherwise, once up in the town of Thira take your time strolling through the streets and saver the beautiful white and blue architecture. If timing allows grab a drink and watch the sunset. 

Rhodes

Day two of the cruise we stopped in Rhodes, a medieval city also known as ‘Knights Island’. The boat docks directly in Rhodes meaning you can walk straight off and into the Old Town of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, wander through Hippocrates Square, and find a local restaurant to stop for some lunch. We opted for Taverna Kostas as our lunch spot, which is a quaint family run Greek restaurant.

Bodrum (Turkey)

The third stop on the Greek Island Glow cruise takes sailors to Bodrum in Turkey. Spend the day here finding a bargain at the market, visiting Bodrum Castle, and searching for traditional Turkish cuisine. A recommendation for food whilst in Bodrum is Otanik Ocakbaşi, included on the World’s 50 Best Discovery Restaurants. The menu boasts simple Turkish dishes, served by super friendly staff. 

Mykonos

Following a day sailing at sea our final stop was Mykonos, with an overnight stay which allows sailors to enjoy the world-famous nightlife. Mykonos was insanely beautiful and my favourite stop on the cruise. During the day we explored the narrow winding streets, popped in and out of boutiques, and stopped at Mamalouka for a mocktail and coffee to help us recover from the ships Scarlet Night. After seeing the popular Windmills of Mykonos, we had some food at D’Angelo Restaurant, and I had one of the best salads I have ever tasted. The waiter told me it was his favourite thing on the menu, and I instantly understood why. 

After heading back to the ship to get ourselves ready for a messy night in Mykonos, me and my sister Sarah went for a cocktail in Little Venice with some friends we had made on the cruise. Then made our way to the Skandinavian Bar, recommended to me by the waitor from D’Angelo’s. We basically spent the entire night there, dancing away with other travels. It was a night to remember, so much so that we didn’t make it back to the boat until after 4:30am.

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Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Virgin Voyages. It ticked every box and was a family holiday which will forever be remembered. If you have any further questions about the cruise or want more information about anything I have mentioned above, send me a message on WordPress or my Instagram @laurajaneadventures.

Lots of love,

Laura Jane