After purchasing a 6 euro strawberry lemonade slushy at the bottom of the Acropolis, I took a big gulp and failed to realize what happens when you drink an iced thing so quickly. Brain freeze. As hot as it was that March afternoon in Athens, the brain freeze was even more painful than having to leave such a glorious city after a fabulous vacation.
I traveled to Greece with my three friends whom I met while studying abroad in France. We stood in a long line to purchase our tickets. International students with a valid ID received free entry into the Acropolis, whereas our other student peers (who were a part of the tour program we were on) had to pay 10 euros. The short and fiery Greek woman scanning tickets at the front of the line told me I couldn’t bring food or drinks inside so I had to throw away the rest of my large strawberry lemonade slushy. I took another big gulp and once again got a brain freeze. So worth it.
Upon entrance to the Acropolis, there were tourists in every square inch of sight. There were large tour groups wearing fanny packs, couples holding hands, cliques of sorority girls taking photos, and packs of twenty-something-year-old guys who looked like they’d been traveling for months. Our tour group consisted of all American college kids. Some were studying abroad in various locations in Europe, some were American students just here for spring break, some were masters students, and a few were British students joining their American family members on holiday.
The program, called Bus2Alps, is a wonderful company where graduated college students take current college students on a variety of trips around Europe, whether it be for spring break, summer, Christmas vacation, or other breaks. The one we were on was called Greece Island Hopping. The trip starts in Athens on a Saturday. After two days, we take a 7 hour ferry ride to Santorini, then after two days there, we take the same ferry back to Athens, hop on an 8 hour overnight bus to the port of Igoumenitsa, and finally, take an hour ferry to the island of Corfu. Throughout the trip, we stayed in three different hostels, participated in a few included activities (such as walking tours, wine tasting, a traditional Greek dinner, and a toga party) and partook in a few optional activities (such as a bus island tour of Santorini, an ATV safari ride in Corfu, and an Athens nightlife tour).
The hostels we stayed at were clean and fun, however one in particular stood out. In Corfu, there is a hostel called the Pink Palace which is a well known party hostel among young adult travelers in Europe. Located directly on a beautiful Greek Island beach, the Pink Palace is a haven for 18-20 somethings. A place to drink and let loose but also relax on the beach but also partake in hostel-included adventures such as ATV tours around the mountains of Corfu, the Pink Palace is essentially the best definition of spring break.
Once a week, the Pink Palace throws a toga party, where everyone staying at the hostel is invited to come and wear a pink bed sheet that you may wrap around your body however you like. Shots of ouzo, an aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece, are poured down your throat, ceramic plates are broken over your head (but surprisingly don’t hurt, although that may be the alcohol), and party go-ers are treated with some entertainment showing a traditional Greek dance. The Pink Palace was a highlight of the Bus2Alps’ Greek Island Hopping tour and is a must-visit for all young travelers looking for a little fun and adventure.
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