A Taste of Greece from Florida
📍 Tarpon Springs, Florida
Dress (Similar) || Sandals ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Clutch || Earrings || Bracelet
As much as I want to travel to Europe this summer, I’ll most likely be postponing the big trips until next year. The hiatus is giving plenty of time to research and study up on the Romance languages. One of the top destinations I hope to visit in the year 2022 is Greece. Since I was a kid, it has been at the top of my bucket list, pouring over books on Greek mythology. The fasciation also comes, in a big part, from where I grew up. One town over from my parent’s home is the quaint Tarpon Springs. It has the percentage of Greek ancestry in the country, which has greatly shaped its culture. Travel with me to experience a taste of Greece right here in Florida.
Take a Sponge History Boat Tour
It’s not often you get to visit the Sponge Capital of the World. While the sponging industry began in the late 1800s, Tarpon Springs is still the world’s largest producer of natural sponges. As you walk along the Anclote River, you can see hundreds of sponges baking in the sun. Soon, they’ll be for sale in the countless shops that line Dodecanese Blvd. To learn even more about the history that brought immigrants from the Greek islands, take a boat tour with St. Nicholas. Chat with the sponge divers who are still working and see the entire process in action.
Have the Best of Greek Cuisine
Whenever I visit Tarpon Springs, my first order of business is to eat my weight in delicious Greek food. It just tastes and feels like home here. While there are several Greek restaurants along the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs, my family has been eating at Hellas for as long as I can remember. As soon as I walk in, I feel a wave of nostalgia. The decor is a little kitschy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. As far as what to order, you honestly can’t go wrong. The crowd-pleaser is always the Gyro, but for a culinary experience, go for splitting the Combination Platter. Also, don’t leave without splitting a salad for the table. In Tarpon Springs, you have two options: the traditional Horiatiki Salad or the Original Greek Salad. The local rendition includes a healthy scoop of potato salad. While the reason is a little bit fuzzy, I’ve learned that no Greek Salad is complete without it!
Bring Home A Bottle of Greek Wine
As much as I want to visit Greek vineyards, I know that will have to wait until next year. Don’t worry because I’m doing some extensive research and may have to add Santorini to the list for that very reason! In the meantime, I’m more than happy to bring home a bottle of wine from Tarpon Springs. One store, in particular, Greek Town Imports, has a wide range of whites and reds to try. This little shop also sells other pantry items like olives, chocolate, and honey. Just add some fresh feta cheese, and you have the perfect Greece-inspired cheese board.
Listen to Yiayias at the Bakery
Along with the incredible restaurants, there are just as many bakeries where you can indulge in a Greek treat. The last time I visited Hellas Bakery, I was immediately drawn to a table of sweet yiayias (Greek for grandma). They were enjoying an afternoon coffee and pastry, gabbing away in Greek. Could I understand what they were saying? Absolutely not! But I loved their energy and realized that they had life figured out. So, I ordered a frappe coffee and slice of baklava to watch the world pass by. Tuck away your phone to make the most of this incredible experience.
Shop with Hellenic Aesthetic
While not specifically in Tarpon Springs, there’s a way for you to add a little piece of Greece, no matter where you live. Originally from the St. Pete area, I went to high school went with Hellenic Aesthetic owner, Marianthi. She has always had an incredible eye for style and fashion. Now her boutique brings Greece-based designers and artists to the United States. There’s so much for you to explore, from jewelry to clothing, housewares, and a new pantry shop. I absolutely love the custom Nameplate Necklaces (available in Greek or English) and the Greek Key-styled Meandros Ring. If you’re based in NYC, be sure to visit her stunning brick-and-mortar store, located in Astoria.
Celebrate the Epiphany
The Epiphany on January 6th, following the Greek Orthodox Church, is one of the town’s largest festivals. To protect the local fishermen and the Anclote River, a priest blesses the water, throwing a cross into the middle of the river. Many young men who live in the area then dive for the cross, and whoever retrieves it is treated as a hero, receiving good luck for the rest of the year. On this day growing up, my school was almost empty because everyone was out celebrating. After the ceremony, the Glendi Festival boasts enough Greek dancing, music, and food until your heart’s content. If you want to experience Tarpon Springs at its absolute best, this is the event!
While my passport is waiting patiently for the next international destination, it’s so lovely to have the same feeling right in my own backyard. Wherever you are in Florida or beyond, this quaint seaside town on the Gulf Coast is the perfect taste of Greece. For an even more complete look, be sure to visit my Tarpon Springs Guide blog post!
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.