An hour and half north west of Athens lies the coastal city of Nafplio. The once capital of Greece sits along the sure lines of the Peloponnese. It wasn’t until the new king of Greece, King Otto, a man who loved ancient Greece, moved the capital to the small village of Athens in the late 1800’s. His mission was to create a new capital city that sat under the Parthenon.

What is left is a small seaside village that has stunning views and even greater ruins.

As long as I can remember people have always said to visit northern Greece, especially the Macedonian city of Thessaloniki. Since moving to Athens and finally settling in, I decided to take a road trip up north.

Located just 70km’s south east of Athens, Sounio is a perfect day trip. The drive is beautiful as you hug the coastal road leaving the craziness of the Athenian streets behind entering the upmarket ‘Athenian Riviera’ where the picturesque Cape Sounio is located.

Sick of tourists? Want do drink with the local Athenians? You’re in luck! Theres a whole other life to Athens once you explore a little further out from the centre of this ancient city. Don’t get my wrong, the centre is great, and you will still get to drink and dine with local greeks in Plaka and Monasteraki. But outside of these Trip Advisor hot spots there is a thriving food and bar scene in Athens neighbouring suburbs. Below is a list of a few favourite places in somewhat unknown suburbs of central Athens.

Its summer and the holidays have hit. Beach, eating and drinking for the next few weeks is all that anyone will be doing. Visit a major city in the Mediterranean and you will be disappointed with the emptiness. Do as the locals do! Head to the coast and to the islands.

For the start of summer I decided to fly over the Med and head to Sicily to get away from the stifling heat in Athens. First stop Catania.

Below is a quick guide around three great spots in Sicily.