The author recounts his second summer road trip through Greece in an off-road vehicle. He drove all around Crete, visited the Meteora monasteries and northern regions of the country, reaching places inaccessible on foot.

Route Across Crete in a 4x4

For the second summer in a row, the trip was made in a Suzuki Jimny — a four-wheel-drive vehicle that allowed access to places unreachable on foot. On the island, it was possible to discover beaches inaccessible to ordinary tourists due to distance and lack of roads. Specialized transport was necessary to reach these remote locations.

The road trip allowed the traveler to see nature in all its beauty: little internet connection, plenty of natural scenery, and calm.

Meteora Monasteries and Northern Greece

Last year the traveler passed by the Meteora monasteries but didn’t notice the place. This time he managed to reach the monastery complex at an altitude of 1,950 m. Along the way, he also came across a local donkey, which he fed.

In northern Greece, the traveler discovered beautiful places, including sights he knew nothing about before.

Local Life and Festivals

During the trip, he managed to attend local festivals where traditional dances from different regions were performed — unfamiliar and fascinating for a foreigner. This allowed him to experience the country’s genuine atmosphere and culture.

Beaches and Water Activities

The sea was present, but there was less of it than he would have liked. Part of the time was spent riding waves with a bodyboard, a hobby the traveler enjoys. The rest of the time was spent swimming and other active pursuits.

Монастыри Метеоры на высоких скалах в северной Греции, древние постройки на вершинах каменных столбов.

Why Greece, Not Italy or Spain

The traveler had already fully explored Italy in the past. Spain seemed less suitable — due to concerns about leaving the car with belongings in an unguarded spot. Greece turned out to be a calm, pleasant, and beautiful country where one could feel safer.

He would also like to visit Japan, but decided against it for budget reasons — the cost of flights and fuel turned out to be unreasonably high. He might manage to visit during the low season for a short stay.