Generations in Greece

Our Multi-Generational Trip to Greece: 3 Generations, 1 Unforgettable Experience

By Elena Moretti
Grandparents, grandkids, and the magic of shared discovery.

The Idea That Seemed Too Big (But Was Just Right)

It started with a conversation around the dinner table. My dad mentioned he’d always wanted to visit the island of Crete. My daughter, ever curious, asked what Greece was like. And my mom sighed, almost wistfully, and said, “I’d love to go. While I still can.”

That was all it took. Within a few weeks, we were booked: a two-week adventure across Greece—Athens, Santorini, and Crete—with my parents, my husband, and our two kids. Three generations. Six travelers. One tiny rental car.

I was excited. I was also terrified. Would the kids get bored? Would my parents keep up? Would we all survive the ferry schedules?

Athens: Ruins and Remembering

We started in Athens. My father, a former history teacher, became our unofficial guide, narrating every corner of the Acropolis. My kids listened, mostly. My mom beamed as she climbed all the way to the top, proving to herself she still could.

Our Airbnb had a rooftop with a view of the Parthenon lit at night. We ate souvlaki from the local stand, passed down baklava, and watched as the kids played card games with their grandfather while the city glowed behind them.

Santorini: Slopes, Stairs, and Surprises

Santorini was a challenge. The steps. Oh, the steps. My mom took them slowly, and my son counted every one aloud with dramatic flair. But when we reached the cliffs of Oia at sunset, all complaints vanished.

My daughter said it looked like a postcard. My father teared up, and I caught my mom taking my hand without saying a word. We all just stood there, watching the sun melt into the caldera. There was something timeless about that moment—like the island held us all in quiet reverence.

Crete: Slowing Down and Coming Together

Crete was slower, gentler. We stayed in a small village where time seemed to pause. Days were filled with beach picnics, late breakfasts, and wandering markets. The kids learned how to say “thank you” in Greek from a local baker. My husband and I snuck away for a wine tasting. My parents shared stories from their own early travels.

We weren’t sightseeing—we were experiencing. We cooked dinner together. We played cards at night. One afternoon, my father danced with my daughter in the courtyard, both laughing until they couldn’t breathe.

The Moments Between the Monuments

The real magic wasn’t in the famous sites. It was in the in-between moments:

• Watching my mom braid my daughter’s hair on a ferry.

• Hearing my son explain Greek mythology to his grandmother.

• Listening to my dad tell the same old jokes—still funny, somehow—under the stars.

These were the stories we brought home. These were the moments that made it unforgettable.

Three Generations, One Heartbeat

Traveling with multiple generations isn’t always smooth. There were tired feet and cranky kids and one minor meltdown involving a lost sandal.

But when you slow down, let go of perfection, and open yourself to shared experience, something beautiful happens. Generations bond in unexpected ways. Lessons pass without lectures. And everyone walks away a little fuller, a little closer.

If you ever have the chance to travel with both your parents and your children—take it. The monuments will be there. But the memories you create together? Those are priceless.

Have you taken a trip that spanned generations? We’d love to hear your story. Tag @AffordableJourney with #GenerationsAbroad.