White sugarcube houses and bright blue domed churches. Donkeys, olives trees, and arid hills reaching high to the cerulean sky. Tomato keftedes, tzatsiki, the perfect Greek salad, mastica. Crazy hot weather and even warmer people. A special sunlight that seems only to exist in this magical land. For us, Greece in the summertime is a dream that no picture or description can ever replicate or explain.
Well hello Santorini!
We’re mostly off-the-beaten path people but our first trip to Greece in 2015 was as cliche as it gets: Santorini, Mykonos, Athens. Really? But seriously though…omg. Nothing quite takes your breath away like standing on the edge of Imerovigli and gawking at the scene in front of your eyes.
Wait…I take part of that back. We actually did find some less-worn paths on our first Greek getaway and even moreso on round two when we visited Sifnos and Folegandros in 2017.
The Kastro village in Sifnos. There are 365 churches on this island — look at the little one standing alone on the rock!
Lots of people ask how we find such unique sights & spots on our vacations and I can’t really take total credit. My little black book is a mix of sites like pinterest, instagram, trip advisor, Travel & Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller and the always helpful Google search: “name of city+food blogger.” So even though I’m relying on info from other like-minded travelers, there’s nothing I like more than researching & planning a vacation with my own spin. Campbell and Will say I’m obsessed. I won’t deny it. But at the end of the day, just give us a gorgeous hotel with a sick view and someone who loves making Chris cocktails!
So enjoy these photos and tips from a small sliver of our Cyclades dream. Hopefully one day Greece will be in your world too!
SANTORINI
where we stayed: Altana Traditional Suites in Imerovigli
what we loved: Christos & Marios, crisp decor in our cave house, the bijoux pool, attention to detail in service, food & drinks, vibe, and of course the sunset from this very special rooftop
things we did: eat one breakfast at Gallini, visit the tomato canning plant & shop, rent a black & white striped beach bed at Sea Side Perivolos and make a ressie for lunch, walk to the very end of Amoudi Bay and go rock jumping, then eat tzatziki at Katina with the orange chairs, drink Volkan beer, walk from Altana to Firostefani at night with flashlights
tip: if possible, fly into Santorini to avoid the mayhem & traffic at the port!
Cocktail hour(s).
Location. Location. Location!
Top of the world handstands
Katina with the orange chairs
Rockstar at Amoudi Bay
Sea Side at Perivolos Beach
Oia
MYKONOS
where we stayed: Leonis Summer Houses in Ornos
what we loved: the gorgeous design & food aesthetic, stunning views of two beaches, away from it all location and that pool!
things we did: met up with our dear friends Tristan, Sarah, Logan & Sonja, adventurous walks to Ornos for dinner on the sand, Agios Sostis beach and Kiki’s for lunch, Alemagou for early dinner and the hipster beach vibe, boat trip to Delos, rambling through Mykonos town, hunting for Petros
tip: last time we checked in 2015 there were only 25 taxis in all of Mykonos…rent a car!
This was our Pigeon House #7 in the old Mykonian style.
Is this place gorgeous or what?!
Agios Sostis for a super chilled out beach
Yes, please!
Sandy feet and so fun!
The one, the only…Petros the Pelican!
Greek island paint colors rule the world
Alemagou, we ❤ you!
Dude is rocking Delos
scene on the road 