Tag: Travel planning

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.
  • 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. 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.

 

Exploring Lake Louise

On By wherekatieisIn Canada, North America, Travel2 Comments

Since Lake Louise is one of the most popular destinations in Banff National Park, if not THE most popular destination, I thought today I’d share with you some tips for making the most of your time here! Lake Louise is a beautiful, turquoise blue lake that gets it color from the light reflecting off of the glacial silt that flows into the water as the nearby glaciers melt.

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  • When to visit Lake Louise:
    • If you’re wanting to see this lake at its peak teal color, you should visit during the summer months from about mid-June on, when the lake will be fully thawed.
    • If you are hoping to see some fall colors at Lake Louise, it’s best to visit from mid-September through October. Many of the nearby trees are evergreens that stay green year round, but the larch needles of some of the pine trees change to a golden color that is beautiful to see.
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Brian and I on the shoreline of Lake Louise.
  • Avoiding crowds at Lake Louise:
    • Going first thing in the morning (i.e., before 7:30 or 8am) or after dinnertime in the evening is the best way to get a spot in the parking lot and to avoid crowds here. In particular, try to avoid arriving to Lake Louise around 10am, when many of the tour buses start dropping off their visitors and the lake gets quite crowded, especially at the front of the lake.
    • If the parking lot at Lake Louise is full, they will not allow any more guests to enter and will direct you toward the exit. In that case, there is an overflow parking lot several miles away that has shuttle buses that transport guests to and from the lake, but this is a less convenient and more time-consuming option.
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We had the whole lake to ourselves by the time we finished hiking the Lake Agnes Tea House trail!
  • Where to hike at Lake Louise:
    • Lake Agnes Tea House Trail:
      • The most well-known hike at Lake Louise is the Lake Agnes Tea House trail, named for the mountainside tea house that has been open since 1905. Be prepared that this trail is steep and quite difficult! Completing the full trail starting at the Lake Louise shoreline and going to Mirror Lake, the tea house, and the Big and Little Beehive Lookouts covers a round-trip distance of about 8 miles and goes up to an elevation of about 7000 feet.
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I was so happy to see this first lookout over Lake Louise after such a steep trail!
      • Brian and I started this hike at about 7:30pm on our first full day in Banff, after waking up at 4:30am to catch the sunrise on the way to Moraine Lake, so we’d already had a full day by the time we visited Lake Louise. This hike is steep with many switchbacks and is uphill the entire way. We only hiked about 2 miles each way to Mirror Lake, and did not make it to the tea house itself, or the Beehive lookouts, as we were running out of daylight (and energy!).
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Soaking it all in at Mirror Lake, the first stop along the Lake Agnes Tea House trail.
  • Plain of Six Glaciers trail:
    • This trail starts at the back of Lake Louise near its glacial silt delta, or what I like to call the ‘secret beach’. It covers about 6.8 miles round trip and takes you close to the Victoria Glacier, Mount Lefroy, and Mount Victoria, as well as another lesser known tea house at the end of the trail.
    • Expect to see a lot of wildlife here, including chipmunks, mountain goats, and even grizzly bears. Bring your bear spray!
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Part of the sandy delta at the back of Lake Louise.
  • Canoeing at Lake Louise:
    • Canoeing the beautiful teal water of Lake Louise is such a great way to take in all the sights from the water. While renting a canoe here is not cheap, to me it was well worth it! The price is $110 CAD (or about $80 USD) for a one hour rental, which gives you enough time to canoe to what I call the ‘secret beach’ at the back of Lake Louise.
    • In my (pretty extensive!) research before visiting Banff, I never read anything about the soft sand with streams of glacial water flowing into Lake Louise, but it’s lovely. Exploring this sandy delta and leaping over the flowing streams to see the turquoise water even closer up was honestly one of my favorite parts of visiting Lake Louise!
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Waiting to rent our canoe at Lake Louise. Doesn’t this look like a postcard?
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I felt like I was canoeing through a dream world. This lake and these mountains are stunning!

Have you been to Lake Louise before, and if not, is it on your list? Lake Louise and Moraine Lake were some of my favorite places that we visited in Banff and Jasper, so I highly recommend making this a part of your trip! If there is anything else you want to know about visiting Banff, make sure you let me know in the comments so I can cover it next time!