Get away like a Greek goddess with travel tips from Athens-based pharmacist and skincare specialist George Korres.
What to Pack
“One product you absolutely need if you’re going to sunbathe is our cooling yogurt gel,” says George Korres, co-founder of natural skincare brand Korres. Inspired by the longstanding Greek tradition of treating sunburns with homemade yogurt, Korres’ Yogurt Cooling After Sun Gel soothes sun-induced redness and inflammation with a hydrating mix of proteins, minerals and vitamins.
Editors’ Tip: Slather this product on both the face and body as needed, and stash it in the fridge for an added cooling effect.
Korres Yogurt Cooling After Sun Gel, $33 at beautyboutique.ca.
Where to go
“If you’re going with your boyfriend, go somewhere like Santorini,” says Korres. “Santorini is the most romantic place—the views and the scenery are untold.” If you’re more beach bum than night owl, head to Milos, Korres suggests. “Milos is nothing special at night, but the beaches are amazing.” For a girl’s getaway, head to Mykonos. “Leave your boyfriend at home,” suggests Korres. “Go with 10 girlfriends, stay for five days, and just know you’re going to sleep a total of 10 hours in five days.”
What to Eat
“Olive oil is very popular in Greece, so be sure to have yamista, a dish of tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice and olive oil,” suggests Korres. Moussaka is another must-have. “You can find it in every tavern, but it’s usually not very good, so here’s a good tip: When you go to an island, see where the old people are eating — I mean the people who live on the island, not the tourists,” he says. “Of course, there are fancy restaurants that are ten times the price, with good food and a good location, but see where the 60- and 70-year-olds are eating. If the quality weren’t good, they would not be eating there. The scenery might not be great, but the food definitely will be.”
What to Buy
Pop into a Greek pharmacy to find Korres’ sun-protection products. “They’re not available in Canada, because the laws governing SPF labelling are different in Canada and Europe, but it’s the most natural sun care you can get,” says Korres.
Greek honey is another hidden gem, he says. “I have not tasted anything like it anywhere else in the world.” Olive oil might seem like an obvious choice, but before shelling out for a “premium” EVOO, be advised: “You don’t need to spend a lot of money at a fancy store,” says Korres. “Go to the supermarket and buy the most expensive olive oil there instead. It will be just as good.”
On the fashion front, Korres touts Zeus+Dione, an Athens-based lifestyle brand specializing in stunning silk designs. “It’s a bit expensive,” he admits, “but very well done.” And because no Greek goddess look is complete without a pair of gladiator sandals, “Ancient Greek Sandals are always a great pick,” he says.
