If the summer heat and an energetic kiddo or two have you dreaming of a little R&R with your spouse, look no further than Greece. With its ancient ruins and classical stark white architecture set against an an azure sea, Greece is a romantic, once-in-a-lifetime vacation that gets top billing on many couples’ must-see destination spots. And though it may not be a getaway that’s feasible within the next couple months, a fair bit of planning and penny pinching can eventually have you channeling your inner Greek goddess. So to inspire the jet-setting spirit, here are a few Greek locales recommended by fellow bloggers.

Island Living

According to Rachel with Heart of Light, consider visiting the Greek islands of Milos and Aegina. Located in the Cyclades, Milos was the site where the statue of Venus (now at home in the Louvre) was discovered. With more than 70 beaches, a kaleidoscope of stunning colors and a mere 5,500 residents, the island is a paradise sure to rekindle that romantic spark. Milos is a five to eight hour ferry ride from Athens, so come donning your sea legs. But if you’d prefer a closer island experience, check out Aegina, a mere 40-minute ferry ride. One of the Saronic Islands in the Saronic Gulf, Aegina is a popular vacation spot for Athenians. With picturesque beaches, a host of ancient sites and the promise of an experience untainted by mass tourism, Aegina provides an up-close-and-personal experience with authentic Greeks.

A Culinary Journey

For a less conventional Greece vacation, consider a tip posted by StephModo. (I’ll tell you now … this one is making it on my dream vacation list!) Organized by Epiculinary and hosted by Diane Kochilas and her husband, artist Vassilis Stenos, the Glorious Greek Kitchen pairs an exquisite destination with a peerless culinary experience. Imagine you and your spouse retreating to the pristine, unhurried village of Christos on the island of Ikaria where you partake in cooking classes beneath the roof of a hundred-year-old traditional home surrounded by an organic garden complete with olive and fruit trees. Though it’s a little too late to jump on board for the 2010 summer season, this is one couple’s getaway to bookmark for the future!

Closer to Home

Of course, as serendipitous as a romantic jaunt to Greece sounds, such a getaway may very likely be out of reach at the moment. But rather than simply relegating the idea of Greece to your dreams, let someone else watch the kiddos, and arrange a Greek-inspired date night to rekindle a little romance at home. Get into the mood by topping crisp white pants with a bold patterned, brightly colored tunic or don a flirty dress. Jazz it up with gilded jewelry—a quintessential Greek accessory—like these earrings and this bangle.

For the menu, begin with a generous serving of hummus served with warm pita bread. This hummus recipe, courtesy of Cooking Light is a mainstay at our home, and this recipe for flat bread is heaven sent! Follow with a traditional Greek salad, and serve up gyros for the main dish. A great chicken gyro recipe can be found here. Follow with decadent baklava, savoring the sweet dessert AND the company, and you and your spouse are sure to experience a taste of Greece sans the pricey airline fare.

photos istockphoto.com

$500 GIVEAWAY!!
It’s a back-to-school giveaway! We are giving away a $500 Container Store gift card to one lucky reader, chosen by random.org.

To Enter
Leave a comment on any article today through midnight CST August 12th AND become a member of our community forum. Please use same email address for both commenting and joining the community forum.  Winner’s email addresses will need to match.

Winner
Readers can enter as many times as they like, by leaving a comment on any article AND by joining our community forum. Winner will be announced on Saturday, August 13th at 5:00 am CST as part of the Top Twelve article. Good luck!