Most people pick a destination, then look for flights. I did the opposite. I found a crazy good flight deal—and then planned my whole trip around it. It may sound backwards, but it turned out to be one of the best adventures I’ve ever had.

Let me take you through how it all happened, where I went, what I spent, and why I now always check for flight deals before choosing where to go.

The Flight Deal That Started It All

I wasn’t even planning to travel. I was just scrolling through my emails on a rainy Tuesday afternoon when I saw a subject line that said:

“Limited Deal: London to Athens – Return Flights for £59!”

I thought it was a mistake. But when I clicked, I saw it was real. EasyFares.uk was offering a flash deal for return flights to Athens, Greece. Dates were limited, but the price was solid. I had never been to Greece before, and the pictures looked amazing.

Within ten minutes, I booked the flight. I didn’t even have a hotel or itinerary yet.

Planning the Trip Backwards

With my return dates locked in, I had about two weeks to figure out what to do in Greece. I started reading travel blogs, watching YouTube vlogs, and asking around.

Here’s what I came up with:

• Day 1–2: Athens – Explore ancient ruins, try street food, and visit the Acropolis

• Day 3–5: Santorini – Ferry to the famous island for blue domes and sunsets

• Day 6–7: Crete – A mix of beaches, hiking, and local culture

• Day 8: Back to Athens for the return flight

Not bad for something I didn’t plan ahead of time.

Why Starting with the Flight Made It Easier

At first, I worried it would be hard to plan everything around fixed flight dates. But it was actually the opposite. Knowing my arrival and return times gave me structure. I didn’t waste time overplanning or second-guessing.

I used EasyFares.uk’s travel support service to:

• Book inter-island ferries

• Reserve local guesthouses

• Find out how to get from the airport to the city centre

• Get travel insurance for the week

They handled all the details, and I just focused on what to wear and pack.

Highlights of the Journey

1. Athens:

The first thing I did after landing was grab a gyro from a street cart. It cost less than £3 and tasted better than anything I’ve had in London. I climbed up to the Acropolis just before sunset, and the view was unforgettable.

2. Santorini:

This island was as dreamy as Instagram promised. I stayed in a small hotel run by a local family who served fresh breakfast every morning. I walked through Oia, took a boat tour of the volcano, and watched the sky turn pink every evening.

3. Crete:

Crete surprised me. It was less touristy and more down-to-earth. I hiked in the Samaria Gorge, swam at Elafonissi Beach, and even visited a cheese-making farm. It felt authentic and peaceful.

How Much It All Cost

Here’s a quick breakdown of what I spent:

I saw three parts of Greece for less than £700. All because I followed one cheap flight.

Why I’ll Do It Again

This trip changed how I think about travel. Instead of spending weeks dreaming about places and then checking if I could afford to go, I started with what I could afford and built my dream trip from there.

And the truth is: the destination didn’t matter as much as the experience. Greece wasn’t even on my list at the time. But it gave me everything I wanted—sun, history, great food, and amazing people.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wanted to travel but thought it was too expensive or too hard to plan, try flipping the process. Start with a deal. Let the destination surprise you.

It worked for me—and it might work for you too.

For deals like the one I found, check out Cheap Ticket providers like EasyFares.uk. They don’t just offer low prices. They help you plan the rest of the trip once the flight is booked, so you’re never stuck or stressed.

I let a great flight deal lead the way, and it took me on a journey I’ll never forget.