Category: Travel

Seven Things You Can’t Miss in Santorini

On By wherekatieisIn Europe, Greece, Travel4 Comments

So you’ve decided to visit the Greek island of Santorini (a great choice, by the way!), so now you need to know what you absolutely must see while you’re here! One thing that I love about Santorini is that while the island does have a lot of history, it’s just not the type of place where you’re going to spend a lot of time visiting museums and monuments. It’s more about being outside, enjoying the incredible views, wandering the winding streets, and soaking up the beautiful sunsets with a glass of wine in hand! If you haven’t already checked out my guide to getting started planning a trip to the Greek Isles, you can find that here. Enjoy!

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One of my favorite things we did in Santorini was taking a catamaran boat cruise!
  1. Take a catamaran cruise at sunset 
    • Catamaran cruising was by far one of the highlights of our weeklong stay in Santorini, and I can’t recommend it highly enough! The tours include pickup and drop off from your hotel, plus wine and beer, and what was honestly a gourmet seafood dinner, despite being prepared in the tiniest kitchen I’ve ever seen on our catamaran!
    • We loved cruising around (with some white wine in hand!), seeing everything from the famous Red Beach, to the Venetian Lighthouse, to the White Beach, and the hot springs (which, just fyi, are not that hot!), and ended with a champagne toast while watching the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen. I would do another cruise just like this when visiting Santorini again someday!

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      The prettiest sunset from our catamaran. 
  2. Visit the Akrotiri
    • If you’re at all interested in history, you will find the story of the ancient Minoan civilization that was destroyed when the Theran volcano erupted on Santorini in the 1600s B.C. to be absolutely fascinating. It’s basically the Greek version of Pompeii!
    • The Akrotiri excavation site itself doesn’t have a ton of signs to explain what was uncovered and how advanced this civilization was, so I recommend hiring one of the local historians who will be waiting outside the museum entrance to give you a guided tour. The guides will wait for ten people to join the tour, and for a group of ten, it will be 10 Euros per person, which I felt was well-worth it.
    • Getting here by bus is easy, with buses leaving from both Fira and Oia. The Akrotiri bus stop lets you off right at the entrance to the museum, where you can purchase your tickets and find a tour guide.

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      Exploring the Akrotiri excavation site.
  3. Hike from Fira to Oia
    • This was probably my favorite thing that I did overall in Santorini (even though it’s hard to choose!) and is definitely a must-do here! Make sure to start your hike in Fira, rather than Oia, because it’s less uphill hiking from Fira to Oia, rather than the other way around.
    • It takes about three hours to do this 6.2 mile hike, since you’ll definitely be stopping to take tons of photos and soak in the incredible views. If you’re visiting during the summer, do this hike first thing in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the midday heat! You’ll work up a sweat but the experience is so worth it.

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      Just one of the incredible views on the hike from Fira to Oia!
  4. Do a wine tasting tour
    • Booking a wine tasting tour like this one makes it easy and convenient to visit several different wineries in Santorini, since transportation is included and you’ll even have a sommelier as you guide to teach you all about the island’s different wines!

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      Wine tasting perfection at Gaia Winery in Santorini. 
    • I didn’t know much about Santorini wines until I planned our trip here, but it’s dry, windy climate makes their wine-growing totally different from other places I’ve visited, like Tuscany or Napa Valley, so it’s fun to learn about. And most of the wineries here have incredible views, especially Santo Winery and Venetsanos Winery, so make sure you visit those even if they’re not part of your tour!

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      These views (and the wine!) at Santo Winery are hard to top.
  5. Get lost in the winding streets of Imerovigli
    •  We (quite literally) got lost in the steep, picturesque streets of Imerovigli on our way to dinner for our last night in Santorini, and the views we saw along the way made being late for our reservation completely worth it.
    • I love having time built into my travel just to explore and get lost, because I end up finding some great things along the way, and this village is the perfect place to do just that.

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      I’d get lost any day in a place like this. 
  6. Eat the best seafood of your life 
    •  It’s not hard to find incredible food in Santorini, but one place that was recommended to us by a taxi driver in Athens that really wowed us, for the incredibly fresh fish of course, but also for the authenticity and the scenery, was The Dolphins in Akrotiri.
    • This is the perfect lunch stop after visiting the Akrotiri excavation site in the morning, before heading to the Red Beach, all of which are walking distance from each other.

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      It doesn’t get much better than this. 
  7.  Watch the sunset from Fira or Oia
    • The sunsets throughout Santorini were incredible, and while Oia is known as the best place to watch the sunset, I saw just as beautiful of sunsets in Fira, where we stayed, and with far fewer crowds.

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      Lovely sunset views from the lookout point in Oia.
    • Wherever you choose to take in the sun setting over the Aegean Sea, make sure you settle in at your restaurant of choice or find a good viewing point early on, as this is a very popular activity on the island.

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      Loved these sunset views over the caldera in Fira, on our first night in Santorini.

Santorini certainly has a piece of my heart after spending a week here during my honeymoon adventure with my husband, Brian, and I’m betting it’ll have a piece of yours too after you visit! If you haven’t already, check out my guide on best things to do in Mykonos, in case you’re considering making that a stop on your trip to Greece too. Stay tuned for more tips to come, and as always, make sure you comment and tell me what you’d like to see next!

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What a view from our terrace in Fira. 

 

Visiting the Greek Island of Santorini

On By wherekatieisIn Europe, Greece, Travel1 Comment

Santorini is hands-down one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. Located in the Aegean Sea, this rocky island looks how it does today after an enormous volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago created its caldera. Home to incredible sunsets, fresh seafood galore, amazing wine, and endless stunning views, Santorini is a dream to visit!

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On our hotel terrace in Fira, Santorini.
  • How to get here:
    • If you’re coming from the US, you’ll typically fly through Athens first to get to Santorini, so if you’re looking for how to spend a day or two in Athens, you can find that here. From Athens, you can catch another flight to Santorini on Aegean Airlines or RyanAir, or take a high-speed ferry instead. If you choose to visit Mykonos first like I did here, there’s also a ferry that you can take from Mykonos to Santorini. And while you’re here, check out GigSky’s eSIM options to keep you connected for an affordable price during your trip.
  • When to visit:
    • Santorini is a popular summer destination for good reason, so I recommend avoiding most of the crowds by visiting before or after peak summertime.
    • April or May are great times to visit, when the weather is still typically quite warm but the island is much quieter, as are mid-September to October.
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Oia at dusk, looking back towards Fira.
  • Where to stay:
    • Santorini has several towns that are located on the cliffs of the caldera, the most popular being Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli, that all have fantastic views, gorgeous sunsets, and plenty of charming streets and restaurants to enjoy. I suggest staying in one of these towns for easiest access to all of Santorini’s best sites and scenery.
    • We stayed at the Cori Rigas Suites on the cliffside of Fira, and I can’t recommend the location, the service, the food, or the views highly enough!
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I couldn’t have asked for a better view from our adorable hotel in Fira.
  • What to do:
    • Hike from Fira to Oia:
      • My absolute favorite thing to do in Santorini is to hike from Fira to Oia, a 6.2 mile (or 10km) hike along the cliffside that has the most incredible views I’ve ever seen. It takes about 3 hours to do this hike with plenty of stopping to enjoy the scenery and take photos, which you’ll definitely want to do!
      • I highly recommend starting in Fira and hiking to Oia, (rather than starting in Oia), because it’s less uphill hiking this way. After your hike, you can take the bus back to Fira or Imerovigli, or wherever you are staying.

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        This doesn’t do any justice to how stunning the views are while hiking from Fira to Oia!
    • Do a wine tasting:
      • While planning our trip, I learned that Santorini’s dry climate makes it perfect for wine making. Vinsanto is a dessert wine that is unique to the area, so we actually brought a bottle home to open on our ten year anniversary!

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        It’s hard to beat views like this while wine tasting!
      • Taking a winery tour like this one is the most convenient (and safest!) way to visit a few of the wineries, where you can enjoy incredible views and try a variety of different red and white wines. Make sure you make a reservation for Santo Winery if it’s not included in your tour. Their views and their wines just cannot be beat!

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        Enjoying all the yummy wine at Santo Winery.
    • Take a sunset catamaran tour:
      • Another highlight of my time in Santorini was a sunset catamaran cruise that took us everywhere from the famous Red Beach, the White Beach, the Venetian lighthouse, and the natural hot springs.
      • A cruise like this one typically include dinner, and despite being prepared in a tiny kitchen plus on the catamaran’s barbecue, our seafood dinner here was one of our best meals in Santorini! Add in some wine and beer, plus champagne during sunset, and it was an amazing time.

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        Such a lovely sunset from our catamaran cruise.

Santorini was definitely my favorite destination of our two weeks traveling throughout Greece, and I hope these tips help get you started on having an incredible time here! Have you been dreaming of visiting Santorini, or have you already visited this beautiful island? Let me know in the comments and leave any questions that you have for me!

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Santorini almost had me quitting my job so I could stay on this island forever. We’ll definitely be back again for another visit!

How to spend 48 hours in Athens

On By wherekatieisIn Europe, Greece, Travel

When you’re heading to the Greek Isles, you’re probably going to be flying through Athens first, so you might as well make the most of it! If you haven’t checked out my first post yet on how to start planning a trip to Greece, you can find that here. I recommend giving yourself at least 48 hours in Athens to recover from your jet lag, visit the Acropolis, and even take a day trip to a few of the smaller neighboring islands. Here’s what I suggest:

  • Arrival to Athens: 
    • It will likely be afternoon or early evening by the time you arrive in Athens, especially if you’re flying from the US or anywhere else outside of Europe. Check into your hotel, like the Philippos Hotel Athens , that is centrally located in easy walking distance from the Acropolis, and start exploring! Wander through the Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens, and enjoy some chicken souvlaki for dinner and maybe even some frozen Greek yogurt for dessert.
    • After this, you’ll probably be exhausted and ready for bed after a long day of travel. Rest up so you can get an early start for your day tomorrow!

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      View of the Acropolis from the lovely Philippos Hotel Athens.
  • Day One: 
    • Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then get an early start to see the historic sights of Athens. It’s nice to do a guided tour that can show you around the Acropolis and point out details about the Parthenon that you wouldn’t have otherwise known.
    • After you hike up to the Acropolis and explore its stunning historical sights, visit the adjacent Acropolis Museum to see artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age through Byzantine Greece.
    • Since you’ll likely have only gotten a small taste of the Plaka on your first night here, wander through more of these cobblestone streets, discovering everything from handmade jewelry shops, to outdoor cafes, to archeological sites. You could spend days exploring here, and you’ll be sure to find a spot for dinner with great people-watching, one of my favorite things to do in a city.
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Exploring the Acropolis, which dates back to the 400s B.C.
  • Day 2: On your second day in Athens, you’ll head out on a day-long cruise to the nearby islands of Hydra, Aegina, and Poros. This is a great way to see several of the smaller islands while relaxing on the sea and enjoying lovely views.
    • Your first stop is Hydra, a historic island that to this day does not allow cars or motorcycles.
      • Do as the locals do and explore this small island by foot or even by donkey! Where else will you find donkeys and horses carrying bottled water and other supplies to cafes and restaurants?
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When in Hydra, do as the locals do and ride a donkey!
    • Next, you’ll visit Poros, an island in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf.
      • Make the most of the scenery here by climbing to the top of the clock tower hill to enjoy the lovely views.
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Enjoying the beautiful views from the hilltop of Poros. 
    • Last but not least, you’ll visit Aegina, my favorite of these three small islands.
      • Stroll along the port of Aegina, check out the adorable small shops and fruit stands here, and take in the seaside views. I loved sitting at an outdoor cafe and enjoying some cocktails while watching ships go in and out of the port. Pretty much perfection in my book!
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How cute is the island of Aegina? I loved it here. 

I hope this 48-hour guide to Athens is helpful for you! I had heard that we shouldn’t spend any time at all here, but I wholeheartedly disagree and found that this city has so much to offer. Have you been to Greece yet, and if not, is it on your bucket list?

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Five Must-Dos in Mykonos

On By wherekatieisIn Europe, Greece, Travel1 Comment

Mykonos is one of the more popular Greek Islands to visit, and with good reason. It’s small enough that you can certainly get a feel for it in a few days, with plenty to explore, great places to relax, and delicious food to eat. I spent four nights here as part of my two week honeymoon to Greece last year, and both my husband and I absolutely loved the scenery and atmosphere that Mykonos provides. Here are five must-dos while you visit this beautiful island!

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A lovely view of Mykonos from our hotel terrace. 
  1. Watch the sunset in Little Venice: 
    • Sunsets in Mykonos are pretty spectacular, and one of the best places to take one in is a corner of Mykonos Town called Little Venice. It’s an 18th century district with colorful balconies perched right over the sea, with plenty of cafes and restaurants while you can enjoy fresh fish and other authentic Greek food while watching sun set over the blue Aegean Sea.
  2.  Get lost in Mykonos Town: 
    • My favorite thing to do in Mykonos is to simply get lost in the winding cobblestone streets of Mykonos Town. Around every corner, you’ll find small shops and restaurants, each lovelier than the last, and whitewashed buildings with blue trim, accented by blooming pink bougainvillea flowers. I never got tired of exploring these adorable streets!

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      The colors of Mykonos are my favorite. 
  3. Relax on the beach: 
    • A visit to the island of Mykonos isn’t complete without enjoying some of its many beaches. Paradise, Super Paradise, and Elia are some of the more popular beaches with sandy shores and bright blue water, all accessible from Mykonos Town by bus or taxi.
  4. Visit the famous windmills: 
    • Mykonos is home to over a dozen 16th century windmills, with seven of them on a prominent hill overlooking Mykonos Town. They are iconic feature of Mykonos, and one of them has even been converted into a museum.

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      A gorgeous Mykonos sunset with the windmills in the background.
  5. Take in the nightlife: 
    • While I enjoyed Mykonos more for its relaxing nature rather than its wild nightlife, I can’t finish this list without mentioning what Mykonos is widely known for. There are plenty of bars and clubs scattered throughout Mykonos Town, so if you’re looking for a night one, you won’t be disappointed!

Stay tuned for more tips on visiting Athens and the Greek Isles, including day by day itineraries, and more! Is visiting Greece on your bucket list?

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Looking out over Little Venice in Mykonos Town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning a Trip to Greece: Where to Start

On By wherekatieisIn Europe, Travel1 Comment

I had been dreaming of visiting Greece for years, and the reality of traveling here was even better than I’d imagined. The beautiful blue water of the Aegean Sea, the adorable cobblestone streets, all the blue and white domed buildings, the beaches, and of course, the food. Greece is honestly perfection if you ask me, especially if you plan your trip right!

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Soaking in the magic of Santorini on our hotel’s terrace.
  • How to get here:
    • From just about anywhere, you’ll have to fly through Athens to get to other parts of Greece, and if it’s your first time visiting Greece, I recommend spending at least one full day in Athens. This way, you’ll have time to visit the Acropolis and explore the Plaka, the oldest district in Athens, before heading on to other parts of Greece.
    • You’ll fly into the Athens International Airport (AIA), which is about 20 miles outside of the city center of Athens and an easy taxi ride away.
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The Acropolis is a must-see while in Athens.
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At the Parthenon, which dates back to the 400s B.C.
  • When to visit:
    • Mainland Greece and particularly the Greek Isles are a very popular summer destination, so to avoid the crowds and higher prices of peak season, I recommend visiting in shoulder season.
    • By visiting in mid April to May, or mid-September into October, you’ll still typically have great weather, but will have significantly less crowds than you would during most of June through August.
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The sunsets in the Greeks Isles just can’t be beat.
  • Which islands to visit:
    • Many people want to visit Greece for the incredible Greek Isles, a group of over 6,000 islands, of which 227 are inhabited.
    • Some of the most popular Greek islands to visit are Santorini, Crete, Mykonos, and Rhodes, with each one having their own variations of scenery and culture.
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The views in Santorini are pretty incredible.
  • Visiting Santorini:
    • Santorini is the most visited Greek Island, and after spending almost a week here on my honeymoon, I can certainly see why! I have traveled all over Europe, and nowhere else I’ve visited is anything like Santorini. The charming whitewashed streets and houses, with blue roofs and blue domes overlooking the caldera are simply stunning. I think everyone should have Santorini on their bucket list!
    • Just wandering the streets of Fira or Oia is a great way to spend the afternoon, and hiking along the caldera cliffside from Fira to Oia is an absolute must! You’ll swear you’ve never seen more beautiful views.
    • Santorini is also known for its wine, and a trip here is not complete without visiting at least a winery or two, or better yet, booking a tour so a sommelier can take you around to a few different wineries for tastings!
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Hiking from Fira to Oia was a highlight of my entire time in Greece.
  • Visiting Mykonos:
    • Mykonos is widely regarding as the “party island” and known for its nightlife, but by visiting Mykonos in early May, just before peak season, I found it to be quiet and so charming.
    • Mykonos Town is full of winding cobblestone streets, with shops and restaurants that just get more adorable around every corner. Add in the beautiful beachfront views, watching sailboats and yachts come in on the Aegean Sea, and the hill of windmills, and you have a perfectly lovely place to visit.
    • We spent much of our time here just relaxing poolside, overlooking the ocean, wandering the streets of Mykonos Town, and eating incredible Greek food.
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Mykonos, where every street looks like a postcard.

This is just a starting point for planning a fantastic trip to Greece! I’ll be sharing many more details, including itineraries for Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, and day trips and outings to consider while visiting. One thing to note is that an eSIM like GigSky’s can be much more affordable than your phone carrier’s international plan, so check it out here! And stay tuned for more, and let me know if there’s anything you’d like to know about visiting Greece!

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I wouldn’t mind waking up to this Santorini view every day.