Ming’s 8-Day Greek Adventure with Other Way Round Travel: A Journey That Took it the Next Level

In this guest blog, Ming shares what it’s like to travel with strangers who slowly become friends, and eat your way through the Cyclades.

It’s a story about slowing down, opening up, and saying yes to the kind of travel that leaves you lighter (and maybe just a little obsessed with Greek cooking).

When I booked the 8-day Greece trip with Other Way Round, I was looking for something more than just sightseeing. I wanted a travel experience that combined culture, connection, a bit of adventure, and a lot of meaning. I’d heard great things about Other Way Round and how they focus on creating genuine experiences with people at the centre—not just a whirlwind of ticking off landmarks. So when I came across the Greece itinerary—with Athens, the islands, shared meals, and immersive local moments—I booked without hesitation.

As the trip approached, I felt excited, but of course, some nerves bubbled up too. I wondered who I’d be travelling with, if I’d connect with the group, and whether the experience would feel as personal and well-curated as it seemed on paper. But even before we left, the communication from the Other Way Round team was warm, clear, and thoughtful—it gave me confidence that I was stepping into something organised with care.

From the moment I arrived in Athens, my nerves started to ease. Our tour leader, Aris, greeted us with a grounded and easygoing presence that immediately made the group feel welcome. No forced energy, just calm confidence and genuine warmth. As for the group, it took a little time for everyone to settle in, which is completely natural. But gradually, over shared meals, boat rides, and late-night chats, something shifted—and by the end of the week, we’d formed real connections that felt meaningful and lasting. It was refreshing to travel with people who were genuinely open-minded, thoughtful, and there for the same reasons I was: to experience something real.

“ARIS, OUR GUIDE, WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING”

Aris and the Group

Aris, our guide, was absolutely outstanding. He struck a perfect balance—deeply knowledgeable and always prepared, but never rigid or rehearsed. He gave us just the right amount of structure and insight, while also giving us space to make the experience our own. Whether he was recommending a hidden local café, or laughing along as we sang Mamma Mia on a catamaran, Aris made the whole trip feel smooth, thoughtful, and human.

The group dynamic evolved in such a natural and comfortable way. There was no pressure to connect immediately—it unfolded gradually, as we shared experiences, meals, and silly moments. By the final few days, we were teasing each other, sharing snacks on ferries, and having long conversations that went well beyond small talk. It was such a gift to spend the week with people who were open, interesting, and kind—fellow travellers who, like me, were here to experience rather than just observe.

The Hotels

Every hotel we stayed in had been clearly chosen with care. In Athens, we were close enough to the energy of the city without being overwhelmed by it.

The hotels in Paros and Santorini had charm and character—whitewashed walls, sea breezes, and that unmistakable laidback island feel. Everything was clean, comfortable, and well-located, and the staff were warm and welcoming. After full days of exploring, the hotels felt like a calm place to land.

“ONE OF MY PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS WAS OUR COOKING CLASS, HELD IN A LOCAL RESTAURANT”

The Food

The food was everything I hoped it would be and more. From long, laughter-filled group dinners at seaside tavernas to casual souvlaki stops, we ate incredibly well. The meals weren’t just about eating—they were about togetherness, about sitting down after a full day and sharing a table and stories.

One of my personal highlights was our cooking class, held in a local restaurant. It wasn’t just a demonstration—it was hands-on, immersive, and full of heart. We learned how to make traditional Greek dishes from scratch, guided by passionate locals who shared not just their recipes, but their culture and humour. Then we sat down to enjoy what we’d cooked as a group. That moment—clinking glasses over dishes we’d just made together—was magic. The kind of experience that doesn’t just feed your body, but your soul.

“THE TRIP STRUCK A PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN STUCTURED ACTIVITIES AND SPACE TO BREATHE”

The Places & Activities

The trip struck a perfect balance between structured activities and space to breathe. We started in Athens, where we visited the legendary Acropolis, and stood in the shadow of the Parthenon as Aris brought ancient history to life. From there, we moved on to the islands—and that’s where the pace shifted into something even more magical.

First up was Paros—calm, charming, and somehow both sleepy and alive. We wandered cobbled streets, swam in clear turquoise waters, found tucked-away cafés and watched sunsets that didn’t look real. It felt like the kind of island you could disappear into for a while. Then came Santorini, dramatic and dazzling. The views from the caldera were jaw-dropping, but what made it special was how we experienced it: together, with time to explore, soak it in, and just be.

And then there were the catamaran cruises. We did two, and both were absolute standouts. The first was a daytime cruise—sun-drenched, salty-skinned bliss. We stopped to swim, shared lunch onboard, and floated through deep blue waters like it was the most natural thing in the world. The second was a sunset cruise, and honestly, it’s hard to put into words. The sky turned every shade of gold and pink, we danced and sang Mamma Mia at the top of our lungs, and for a while, everything else just fell away. It was silly, joyful, and deeply beautiful.

Personal Highlights

There were so many moments that stood out, but a few that I’ll never forget:

• The cooking class—one of the most enriching and heartwarming experiences of the trip. There was something so grounding about learning and laughing in that restaurant kitchen, then sitting down to eat what we’d made together.
• The sunset catamaran cruise—watching the sky turn molten while we sang and danced was pure, carefree joy.
• Exploring the hidden alleyways of Paros, ice cream in hand, with nowhere to be except here.
• Gradually connecting with the group, each day finding more to appreciate about the people I was sharing the experience with.
• The first glimpse of the Acropolis, rising over Athens—it stopped me in my tracks.

Little Memorable Moments

These are the unexpected, quiet or quirky moments that made the trip feel so alive:

• Watching a stray cat and a little bird sharing a meal together on the street one night—one of the most unexpectedly sweet things I’ve ever seen.
• The day we all bought Grecian gold crowns, and started showing up to group events wearing them like royalty. We even got one for Aris, who fully leaned into the fun, and before long we were all pretending to be Santorini princesses, walking through the streets like a slow-moving Greek wedding party.
• That sense of quiet contentment on the ferry between islands, everyone doing their own thing—napping, journaling, staring at the sea—but still connected.
• The way inside jokes slowly developed over the week, turning into real laughter and lightness.

“LET THE MOMENTS SURPRISE YOU. LET THE CONNECTIONS HAPPEN NATURALLY. AND TRUST THAT OTHER WAY ROUND, AND GUIDES LIKE ARIS, WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST “

Advice for Someone Thinking of Booking

If you’re on the fence about booking this trip: do it. But come with your heart open. This isn’t your average group tour—it’s an experience designed for people who want to go deeper. Who want to travel not just to see, but to feel. Come ready to connect—with the places, the people, the food, the history. Come ready to laugh, to learn, and to slow down.

Pack light—both your bag and your expectations. Let the moments surprise you. Let the connections happen naturally. And trust that Other Way Round, and guides like Aris, will take care of the rest.