From there, it's just a quick trip to Santorini. As a Greece-based travel writer, I've visited this island in the center of the Cyclades in all seasons. It's an easy 45-minute flight from Athens ...

I recently booked an economy-class ticket on a Blue Star ferry from Athens to Santorini for 45 euros, or about $50. The nearly eight-hour journey was set to be my longest ferry ride to date.