Fly Me To The Moon is more than a name for a luxury travel company; it embodies the vision of its founder, Elena Papanicolaou. This is not your average hotel-booking service. It’s an experience tailored for the discerning traveler, one that lingers in your memory long after you’ve returned home.
Life is fleeting, and this company crafts journeys in Greece that become highlights of your life story rather than mere excursions you’ll forget soon after. I witnessed their dedication firsthand during a recent visit to Crete. The attention to service, the genuine care, and, most importantly, the thoughtfulness infused into every aspect of the journey stood out. From family-run wineries producing exemplary Vidiano and Kotsifali wines passed down through generations, to finding the ideal taverna where the owner goes the extra mile to serve you the freshest grilled octopus, caught hours before reaching your plate. Fly Me to the Moon offers a fresh perspective on Crete, elevating your experience to something memorable.
Why Greece Remains Close to My Heart
With countless places to invest your time and resources, Greece stands apart. Its culture is steeped in thousands of years of history. The landscapes transition from surreal mountains like Meteora to ancient sites that date back over five millennia. There’s a vibrant mix of antiquity and modernity in Athens, along with some of the world’s most renowned islands like Santorini and Mykonos, plus lesser-known treasures like Paros and Paxos.
However, my heart is always drawn back to Crete. As the largest island in Greece and one of the premier Mediterranean destinations, it offers experiences ranging from the charming Venetian harbor of Chania to mountainous inland villages that seem untouched by the typical tourist throngs. After four visits, I thought I had seen it all. But during my latest trip with Fly Me To The Moon, I uncovered a brand new side of Crete. Not the superficial tourist highlights, but something profoundly enriching.
Understanding the Name and Vision of Fly Me To The Moon
The name Fly Me To The Moon hails from the jazz standard titled In Other Words, composed by Bart Howard in 1954. After Frank Sinatra recorded it in 1964, it became an anthem forever associated with the Apollo moon missions. Interestingly, the song’s essence isn’t about space travel; it uses it as a metaphor for limitless possibilities and the feeling of transcending the mundane.
The moon symbolizes aspiration, joy, and emotional release. It captures the belief that a transformative experience can elevate your journey beyond expectations. It’s synonymous with sophistication and the idea of reaching for something extraordinary.
For a luxury travel company, this name transcends a mere slogan; it encapsulates the essence of what travel should achieve. There are no gimmicks or exaggerated claims. Instead, it evokes the notion that your voyage can step outside of routine into a realm of rare experiences. This is travel with depth and direction.
This philosophy perfectly complements the ethos of Fly Me To The Moon. Don’t approach them if you merely seek a luxury beachfront hotel in Greece. Their focus is on more than simple bookings; it revolves around crafting a narrative that enriches your soul.
Elena Papanicolaou, the visionary behind the company, transitioned from a successful corporate career to create something distinctive. Despite her extensive travels and stays in remarkable places, she sensed an emptiness. The fast-paced nature of travel left little room for genuine connection. She sought something deeper; she craved an immersive experience that allowed her to truly engage with each destination.
Fueled by a clear vision and unwavering determination, she founded a company anchored in meaningful travel. This approach promotes a slower, more purposeful journey tailored for the intellectually inquisitive traveler. It’s designed not for those who seek merely to tick off locations, but for those desiring substance and deeper insights into Greece.
Exploring Crete with Fly Me To The Moon
This article marks the first installment in a three-part series highlighting Crete through the lens of Fly Me To The Moon. In the next installment, we’ll dive into Greece’s rich history with a visit to Knossos, once the ceremonial and political nucleus of the Minoan civilization. Often celebrated as Europe’s oldest city, this expansive Bronze Age site showcases vibrant frescoes and ingenious engineering, breathing life into the legend of King Minos and the Labyrinth.
Our journey will extend to Spinalonga, the island that first served as a Roman fort and later became the last leper colony in Europe. While exploring central Crete, we’ll stay at the prestigious Minos Beach Art Hotel, the island’s first luxury resort established back in 1963. Our stay will include a tour of the historic, picturesque port town of Agios Nikolaos.
In the final installment, we will immerse ourselves in the Cretan culinary traditions surrounding food and wine. The island has a viticultural history that dates back thousands of years, proudly maintained by local family-owned wineries. We’ll visit these estates and enjoy the authentic food culture of Crete, feasting at seaside tavernas and hidden treasures in mountain villages invisible to standard guidebooks.
To balance our indulgent experiences, we’ll embark on a breathtaking hike through the Cretan mountains and valleys, allowing us to encounter the island’s rugged beauty. Our base for this segment of the journey will be the newest five-star haven, the JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa.
