To be honest, out of all the hotels we’re staying at in Greece, I was most looking forward to Santorini. I couldn’t wait to see the blue dome churches and the amazing sunsets. So it makes sense that I had a long list of requirements for my Santorini hotel. Shockingly enough I was able to find a hotel that met everything on my checklist. But it’s one thing to look good on paper, but another to have an amazing experience. Keep reading to see how this hotel measures up to an uptight tourist.
In the summertime, my Instagram feed is filled with the white buildings and blue domes of Santorini, and this year I finally got to go! Luckily, it lived up to its name. Santorini was the highlight of my Honeymoon (yes – MY) and encompassed everything that I pictured Greece to be. The pristine, cliffside, white buildings with blue domes were even better in person and I took so many pictures that I won’t be able to go through all of them… but I tried just for you.
WE WENT TO GREECE ON OUR HONEYMOON! I’ve wanted to come here for so long and I’m so glad/lucky/blessed to finally get to go! But, let’s get real, it’s expensive AF to go to Greece and getting there can be a pain in the butt. One of my favorite things to brag about on this blog is how I’m able to pay for my vacations using points that I accumulated through airline, hotel, and credit card points. So, this trip is no exception!
As I was booking my trip to the Greek Isles, Mykonos was on the top of my list. Santorini has the amazing blue dome cathedrals, but Mykonos has the white streets with blue shutters and doors that you see all over Instagram. Also, it’s on the list for the best party cities in Europe. Everything I’ve read says that Mykonos is where you go to party, so don’t expect to spend a lot of time if your room and most blogs said to not worry about your room in Mykonos … well no offense to them but I didn’t take their advise and still wanted to stay in an amazing room with a private pool so I can spend the morning and days relaxing by the water.
Let’s be honest, when you hear the words ‘Santorini’ or ‘Greece’, you think of the blue domes in Oia (pronounced ee-yah). And for good reason, the beautiful contrast of the blue domes and white walls with the stunning views of the sea, are just breathtaking. Not to mention that this is all on the side of a cliff means that almost every view is un-obstructive. Even if you’re not staying in Oia, it’s worth the drive up because seeing these cathedrals, up close in person, is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s hard for me to put this into words, honestly those 4 sentences are all I could do and I know it doesn’t do this view justice. So I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
This post is super hard for me to stomach because I can’t even believe that I convinced myself to do this. It goes against everything that I believe, and honestly I’m still not sure if I made the right decision. (Deep breath…) I got the Chase Sapphire Reserve, even thought I’m ineligible to receive that 50,000 bonus.
As we get into the new year and start planning out travels, it’s time to start buying the essentials.. this month I’m sharing all my favorite things for international travel. Yes, not all travel is created equally and international and domestic flights are so different and preparing for them can be just as challenging.
On the drive to Jasper, Alberta (a 5 hour drive from Calgary) we stopped off at the Jasper Glacier Skywalk and Icefields to walk on the glacier and see the amazing views. It’s about an hour and a half south of Jasper so it’s the perfect activity to stretch your legs right before you get to the hotel. Also the views are insane and definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
I think I’m going to start a new series on this blog for my monthly favorites an things that I’m obsessed with. It’s only fitting that I start this right after Christmas when all the sales are in full swing! Honestly, after Christmas shopping if more fun than Christmas shopping, for me, because the sales are so great!
One thing that I’ve learned from earning and using points is that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are wonderful and go a long way when booking your vacation, but they are not always the best option. Depending on where and when you’re going, sometimes the best option could be transfer Chase points or to even not use points and spend the money.
