Most advice about Athens says that you can everything in this enormously historic city in one day. While that may get you the highest of the highlights, there's more to Athens than that.

READ: How to Spend 3 Days in Athens: An Itinerary

Some Greek islands are known for their beauty—the blue domes of Santorini and the white-washed buildings of Mykonos are the things dream are made of. But we had no immediate associations with Crete. Would visiting Crete be worth it?

READ: Is Crete Worth Visiting? 11 Reasons to Go Now

No student can get through school without learning about the famous Oracle of Delphi. While in Greece, it was impossible to not visit Delphi.

READ: A Delphi Day Trip from Athens is Like Traveling Back in Time

The mountains of Crete stretch on for miles. Except for a few rocky bits and areas punctuated by brilliant fuchsia wildflowers, everything is green. Of course there are olive trees—this is Greece, after all. But there are also miles and miles of perfectly manicured grapevines swooping down the slopes.

READ: Sipping Our Way Through the Wineries of Crete

When we visit a new place, we're just as excited (sometimes moreso) to try new food as we are to see the sites. And when that food includes cheeses, pastries, desserts, and other local specialties, we know it's going to be a great trip.

READ: Six Things I Learned on an Athens Food Tour