Travel Story: Renewing wedding vows while on tour in Greece!

In October 2022, Expat Explore travellers Doris and Tom Robinson renewed their wedding vows while on tour in Greece. The couple lives in Canada and this was their second journey with Expat Explore. Doris and Tom will mark 25 years of marriage in December and chose to celebrate with a stunning ceremony on the island of Santorini! 

We chatted with them about their trip, their best travel memories as well as what it was like to renew their vows while on tour. Read more below!

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Can you tell us how the vow renewal took place?

Our vow renewal ceremony took place at St. Nicholas Chapel on Santorini Island on the sixth day of our 8-day Athens, Mykonos and Santorini Tour. We contacted a wedding planner a few months before leaving for our trip, and they arranged everything including the venue, the celebrant, and even a tour of the Island with a professional videographer and photographer. Once we completed the photography tour, our driver dropped us off at a restaurant where the wedding planner had made reservations. It was an amazing day.

What made you decide to renew your vows while travelling? 

We decided to renew our vows while travelling to Greece since it coincided with our 25th anniversary, and Santorini is definitely the best place in the world to either get married or renew vows.  

What made renewing your vows while travelling a special experience?

Renewing our vows while travelling was a grandiose way to celebrate and made our Expat Explore tour more enriching than a regular travel experience.  

Have the two of you travelled together before? If so, what are your favourite destinations?

Yes, we have travelled many times together, the two of us, as well as with the family. Our favourite destinations have been the Great Britain tour with Mike and we found the island of Santorini to be the most beautiful place we’ve ever visited.

Related: Take a look at our tours that visit Greece, Croatia and Turkey! 

Why did you choose the Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour? 

We chose the Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour since Santorini has a reputation for being one of the best places for a wedding or vow renewal ceremony.

What were your favourite destinations on this tour? 

The Acropolis, the South Island Boat Cruise in Mykonos, plus the old port. The food, the views, the weather, Thirasia island… Everything was wonderful in Santorini!

Did you take part in any optional activities on this tour? If so, what was your favourite?  

We took part in all of the optional excursions except for Santorini Highlights since it was on day 6 and we chose that day to renew our vows. Although it is difficult to pick just one, we really enjoyed the Caldera Islands tour. Thirasia Island has a great view if you take the hike right to the top.

Did you know? The Athens Mykonos & Santorini tour forms part of the Best of Greece tour which offers 12 days of travel adventures on the Greek mainland and the Greek islands! 

Other than renewing your vows, were there any other highlights or funny memories from the tour you’d like to share?

It was a funny, memorable and frankly amazing sight to behold the swarms of people, trucks and cars exiting and entering the ferry from Athens to Mykonos. It was chaotic and intense but also an exhilarating experience and it all came together seamlessly, somehow. Frankly, we were astounded by how quickly we were on our way again each time after docking.

What was it like to travel with a group of “strangers” and do you have tips for making friends on tour?

Our group was great and it did not take long to make new friends. It’s easy to make friends if you take part in group activities and reach out to others since everyone is there for the same reason, and we all have something in common, we enjoy travelling.

Would you do an organised group tour again?

Yes. We have booked the 12-day  Europe Escape tour starting and ending in Rome for early fall of 2023.

Any travel tips for people who are travelling to Greece in the future? 

Travelling during shoulder season is best. Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes and be reasonably in shape.

Related: Find out why travelling in shoulder season is a great option.

What destinations would you like to visit in the future? 

So many, however definitely Rome, Paris, and a return to London.

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If Doris and Tom’s Greek island adventure has inspired you to take a trip of your own, take a look at our Greece tours today! When you join one of Expat Explore’s group tours, you’re sure to make memories to last a lifetime.