Travel

Our Honeymoon in Greece – Part Two

One thing I absolutely loved about our Honeymoon in Greece is that it just kept getting better and better.  If you haven’t yet, head over and read about how fabulous Athens and Mykonos were.

From Mykonos we headed to Santorini via high speed ferry called Sea Jet. It took just under two hours and was a very smooth ride.  We were so excited as we pulled in to the port in Santorini.  As you arrive there are swarms of tourists, buses, taxi’s, and rental car booths.  I would suggest coordinating a private transfer with your hotel which most will be happy to do. Because Santorini is literally all built on top of a volcanic ridge you have quite the journey to get up to where everything is.  It looks like this…

And then on to the good stuff.  We arrived at our little boutique hotel, Altana Traditional Houses, after walking through what felt like a cliff-side maze of white washed walls.   As we turned the corner to walk in to the lobby, our jaws dropped, and stayed that way for the next five days pretty much.

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We were so warmly welcomed by the staff at Altana.  They gave us a little orientation of the island, the hotel, and things to do while we sipped on a delicious local wine.  Continue reading →

Our Honeymoon in Greece – Part One

When Andy and I got engaged back in 2014 we used to joke that I was more excited for the honeymoon planning than the actual wedding planning.  Maybe not entirely true and maybe a little bit true.

I mean honeymoons are a once in a lifetime opportunity.  You get to go away for an extended period of time without anyone thinking you’re “irresponsible.” You can ask your family and friends to help pay for the trip as their gift to you (I highly recommend this).  And you are treated as if you are the first people on the planet to enter into this union we call marriage.

Greece had always been on my bucket list and all it took was one photo of Santorini to sell Andy.  I typically don’t use travel agents but was so glad I did for this trip!  Kate Germond of Custom Travel planned the absolutely perfect honeymoon in Greece for us.

Our trip began the first week of September and lasted for 12 days.  We started in Athens for two nights, flew to Mykonos Island for four nights, and then ferried to Santorini for our last five nights.

Here is a recap of Athens and Mykonos in pictures and short descriptions!

After a 10 hour direct flight from Newark, we arrived in Athens!  Guidebook in hand for helping us translate and communicate with our taxi driver (who was so nice that he stopped smack dab in the middle of our drive on the highway to snap a photo of us).

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My first meal was of course a fresh Greek Salad.  You can pretty much get this at any restaurant you wander in to.  Look at that feta! So so good.

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We had a recommendation to go to the Grande Bretagne Hotel for it’s rooftop bar and view of the Acropolis.  We actually came here both nights in Athens for a glass of wine because we loved it so much. It was also right near our hotel in Syntagma Square.

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Continue reading →

How to Get Through a Travel Dry Spell

It’s that time of year here in New England.  When the appeal of cozy-ing up by the fire because it’s winter goes away. The time of year when 50 degrees means windows down and jackets off.  You literally crave the sunshine and longer days (we turn the clocks ahead in two weeks by the way!).

It’s also the time of year that many of us are flying to warmer parts of the world.  To be surrounded by palm trees, white sand beaches, and a go with the flow vibe.  Three years ago I had just returned from Puerto Rico, two years ago I was planning a trip to Belize, and last year I was getting ready for Jamaica.  And this year?  My next plane ride is six months away.  That means I haven’t gotten on a plane in almost a year.

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It’s funny.  When you have this love for travel and you realize it really is sort of an addiction.  The past couple of months I’ve felt like I’m going through withdrawals.  I browse my social media feeds and feel this yearning to be anywhere but here.  To be experiencing new places, meeting new people, immersing myself in a new culture.

Well when time, or money, or whatever the circumstance, prevents you from taking the next flight out of here there are a few things that can get you through this travel dry-spell.

  1. Plan weekend trips.  Even if it’s just a night or two.  I guarantee there are so many places within driving distance to you that offer something new and beautiful to see.
  2. Plan your next big trip.  Whether it’s six months away or two years away.  Plan it so that you can start strategically saving for it and now you have something to look forward to.
  3. Find adventures at home! Try out new restaurants, scout out new places to go for a hike or walk, visit a new town.
  4. Practice gratitude.  Every morning for one week, as soon as you wake up, think about three things you are grateful for.  You’ll be surprised at how especially blessed you are.
  5. Make a reverse bucket list.  I had read about this a long time ago.  Instead of listing out all of the places you have yet to see, make a list of ALL of the incredible places you HAVE visited. Break out the photo albums!
  6. Disconnect.  Make it a point to put away the phone.  Close the laptop.  Spend some quality time with your loved ones.  Have meaningful conversations.  I dare you to do this for 24 hours.
  7. Create an oasis at home.  Whatever gives you that relaxed feeling…flowers, candles, or simply a room that is just tidied up.
  8. Buy experiences. Not things.  Research shows that people understand that making meaningful memories leads to happiness rather than just acquiring more ‘stuff’.
  9. Practice living in the present moment.  Whether through meditation, practicing yoga, or finding five minutes for yourself at home.
  10. Get outside. Connect with nature.  No matter where you are, breathing in fresh air cures almost everything.

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