One of our favorite activities in any new city, no matter where in the world we go, is exploring local, independent bookstores. We often find ourselves spending as much time wandering through bookshelf aisles, perusing dust jackets, and admiring end cap displays as we do exploring historic and cultural sites or sampling the local vegan fare – another travel passion of ours.
Each bookstore possesses its own unique vibe, showcasing a carefully curated selection of locally crafted gifts and often spotlighting local poets, writers, visual artists and more. When abroad, we usually encounter books in languages we do not speak, or speak very little of, but this never dampens our enthusiasm or deters us from purchasing a few new titles to add to our burgeoning collection in our cozy one-bedroom Portland apartment that we’ve nicknamed “The Library”. While some prefer magnets or keychains as souvenirs, we choose books. Admittedly, it’s not the most practical choice when traveling with limited luggage space.
Bookstores, however, offer more than just souvenir shopping or insights into the local literary scene. They serve as tranquil retreats from the hustle and bustle, providing a welcome respite from the elements and a pleasant interlude from the crowded museums and sightseeing spots. And they can be an oasis from the elements, too. Never was this more true than during this past summer of 2023 in Athens.
Summer in Greece
We booked our trip to Greece for the summer as this worked well with our schedules working in higher education. My Greek friends had warned me that Athens isn’t the ideal summer destination due to the intense heat and they recommended staying on the islands instead. As an anthropology major and history enthusiast, however, I had always dreamed of visiting Athens and its surrounding historical treasures, with the Acropolis, Delphi, and the Temple of Poseidon topping my must-see list. Unfortunately, with temperatures peaking at 108℉, visiting these sites became less appealing, not to mention some of them completely shut down after tourists were suffering heat exhaustion. So we adjusted our plans, extending our stay on the island of Paros, and spent only one short day and a half in Athens. We walked through Monastiraki to get a glimpse of the Acropolis from afar and the other nearby iconic landmarks and we had the opportunity to spend time in the Acropolis Museum. But primarily, we visited bookstores and vegan restaurants.
There are dozens of bookstores all over the city and we visited so many that I unfortunately don’t remember them all. I definitely plan to be more diligent with tracking them in future travels. One that stood out to me the most was a cozy little gem called Little Tree Books & Coffee, located just a five minute walk from the Acropolis Museum. Here we ordered drinks — a couple of coffees with oat milk — and of course we had to try their Cretan souma they had on offer.
Books and Beverages
Raki and souma (sometimes spelled “suma”) are traditional Greek alcoholic beverages crafted through the distillation of grape marc (or pomace), the material left over after pressing grapes for wine. These colorless spirits are notable for their high alcohol content and are especially popular on the Greek islands where they are often homemade. Many villages across the islands boast their own unique variation, reflecting the rich diversity and local traditions of the country.
We sipped our drinks and cooled off from the heat outdoors while perusing an array of books, available in both Greek and English. My excitement peaked when I found a vegan cookbook focused on Greek cuisine, a perfect practical memento after spending more than a week on the enchanting island of Paros. There, we had indulged in freshly pressed olive oil from our hosts’ olive trees, savored homemade bread baked by our friend Niko, and enjoyed refreshing Greek salads daily.
Little Tree exudes a warm, friendly atmosphere, offering a delightful variety of eats, community events and, of course, lots of books. I’m eager to return, perhaps during the winter months when I can cozy up for hours and take refuge from the cold and rain.
Instagram: @littletree_athens
