Where in the World is Dakota?

What would you do if you found out your school break just happened to fall over your birthday?

Two weeks before, I decided I was taking myself to Greece. 🇬🇷✨

There wasn’t much of an itinerary for this first day — and honestly, that felt perfect. This was a travel day. A soft landing. A quiet beginning to something I’d been looking forward to experiencing. 

✈️ Milan to Athens

Traveling from Milan to Athens turned out to be the easiest, least stressful airport experience I’ve had in a long time. From stepping off the train to walking into the terminal, checking in, getting my boarding pass, and gliding through security — no rushing, no yelling, no chaos. Just calm efficiency.

It was… glorious.

I flew out as evening settled in, and as the plane lifted off, Milan disappeared beneath a sky painted in deep reds and pinks. There’s an old sailor’s saying about red skies at night — sailor’s delight — and watching that sunset from above the clouds felt like a good omen for what was ahead.

🌊 First Glimpses of Greece

Flying into Athens at night was its own kind of magic. From my window seat, I could see the coastline traced in golden lights, boats scattered across the dark water like constellations below. It felt surreal — like I was watching the city slowly reveal itself, one glowing outline at a time.

Touching down, I felt that familiar mix of excitement and focus: Okay. New country. New systems. Let’s figure this out.

🚆 Navigating a New City

The all-too-familiar task of navigating public transportation in a new country began almost immediately — but thankfully, my hostel had already sent clear instructions and tips via messages. I hopped on the train, rode it to the nearest stop, and found myself just about 80 meters from where I’d be staying.

The hostel staff were incredibly helpful — communicative, kind, and thoughtful in all the ways that make solo travel feel less daunting. The only downside was that it wasn’t as walkable to major sights as my Scotland hostel had been — but with the train so close, it more than made up for it.

🍽️ Dinner by Instinct

By the time I arrived, hunger had fully set in. I followed my nose across the street and stumbled into what turned out to be the most delicious souvlaki imaginable. I also ordered grilled feta topped with honey and sesame seeds — salty, sweet, rich, and utterly addictive.

It was the kind of meal that makes you pause after the first bite and think, Oh. Yes. This was the right choice.

(Also: it made me drink a lot of water… and contemplate ordering more honey.)

And the best part? The entire meal — souvlaki, grilled feta with honey and sesame seeds, and all — cost less than the price of a coffee and pastry in some cities.

🌙 A Quiet End to Day One

It was late, and I knew there was nothing else I needed from the night. I headed back to the hostel, took a long shower, and climbed into bed — tired, full, and quietly content.

Athens would wait until morning.

Day one didn’t need to be loud or packed with sights. It was enough to arrive, to eat well, and to rest — knowing that tomorrow, a city layered with history, stories, and sunshine would be ready for me.