Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Greece Guide: Mykonos

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer which means peak travel season is almost upon us! I've just returned to Amsterdam from Mykonos, Greece and I wanted to share my recommendations for hotels, beach clubs, restaurants and (of course) what to wear! This post will cover all of the spots I recommend on the island. If you'd like to know what to wear, check out this post (coming soon)! 

Hotels

Cavo Tagoo
Cavo Tagoo is the jewel of Mykonos. The Instagram famous infinity pool with floating platform loungers will steal your heart in an instant. Many of the rooms also have their own pools or hot tubs with breathtaking views sweeping all the way from the windmills in old town out to the sea. The rooms are ultra luxurious and cave-inspired. Our room had unique and interesting architectural elements such as two sinks and a double sided mirror. The restaurant that served the extensive breakfast buffet (as well as lunch and dinner) was nestled in the infinity pool, creating the illusion that one is having a meal while floating out at sea. They also provide complimentary transfers to old town in their luxury van (most hotels on the island charge per transfer). The hotel is gorgeous and memorable, perfect for a honeymoon! 


Elia Mykonos Resort 
The Elia Mykonos Resort sits on one of the most beautiful and vibrant beaches in Mykonos. The stunning property fans out from the impressive modern-chic pool down to the shoreline. The hotel has beds reserved just for hotel guests, so one can glide easily to the buffet breakfast in the beach restaurant and then to the loungers for a day in the sun without a care in the world. One note about this hotel is that it is pretty far from old town Mykonos and transfers can become quite pricey. There is a bus that runs during the day, but service ends quite early. It may be best to look into a car rental. 

Soho Roc House
The Soho Roc House welcomes members and non-members of Soho House to stay walking distance to Paraga Beach. The real wow-factor of this hotel is the stunning infinity pool and tranquil atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and appointed with high-end amenities from an entire skincare regime to Dyson hair dryers. The gym is an outdoor concept, allowing you to workout while looking over the bay. The one thing to keep in mind about this property is that neighboring Paradise beach can get pretty loud which isn't an issue for the most part, although I did get a massage and it's hard to relax when you can hear a DJ playing dance music and belting "Meee-kooo-noooss" every few minutes. All in all this hotel is a great option and many things within a few minute walk including famed beach club Scorpios. 

Restaurants

ZUMA
A local I was speaking with said ZUMA was "one of the best on the island". We were lucky enough to dine there on opening night in their brand new home next to Cavo Tagoo. The views are breathtaking and the food was delicious. The fare is Japanese, boasting Wagu, shashimi and sushi. It cannot be denied that the "vibes are immaculate". Guests of Cavo Tagoo can also use a dedicated walking path between the two venues that was just finished. 

Principote 
Principote is a luxury beach club and restaurant serving Mediterranean Fare. For more about the beach club, see below. The restaurant great for groups and we had a blast picking out our fish and lobster table-side. During high season, the restaurant becomes lively with a DJ and lots of napkin twirling. 

Scorpios 
Our group opted to watch the sunset at Scorpios in the lounge area. Two DJs played drum beats as the waves crash below. It was a great spot to have small plates and split a bottle with friends after a day in the sun. If you love "tribal vibes" this is the place for you. 

M-Eating 
M-Eating is gem in Mykonos. The goat cheese trio appetizer is so good that I insisted that we eat here again upon return to Mykonos. The restaurant is small and quaint and the food is elevated chic-Greek. Let's just say there is a reason this place is on every restaurant list. 

Lio
If you're looking for an evening party, Lio is the place. Perhaps best enjoyed in a large group, the energy is high and the show has a variety of performances ranging from singing to dancing to cabaret. The food was not super memorable for me, and it's not my favorite dinner show ever (that would be Mamzel in Marbella by a mile), but it is still great fun and 100% worth visiting if you're with a group of friends on the island. 

Beach Clubs

Principote
Principote is the elevated party spot on the island. It sits in a gorgeous cove and has great food and service. The DJs bring the vibes and the sun beds are the perfect place to relax and dip in the ocean at your leisure. 

Elia
Elia beach is stunningly beautiful. There is service to the loungers from the restaurant and the water is so clam and clear that it is impossible to be unhappy here. A very relaxed and chill spot that is perfect for soaking up the sun's rays. 

Getting Around 

Most places on the island can arrange transfers and taxis for you, but they do end up getting very pricey. Depending on what you want to do/where you stay, it may be prudent to arrange for a rental car (or hey, maybe an ATV?) to get around. There are buses, but they do run limited hours, so be sure to check the timetable for your closest stop. During the high season, not everyone that wants to catch the bus gets a seat, so you may be waiting for the next one (they are infrequent enough for this to be a huge inconvenience). 

I like Mykonos, but I'm a real Santorini girl. If you'd like my Santorini guide, check out this post. For what to wear in Greece, check out my post here. 
Thank you for reading! 
7 comments: Labels:
Share on >

Travel Guide: Vienna Austria

Thursday, February 20, 2020

One of the best parts of living in Amsterdam is easy to access to flights all around Europe. My fiancé and I are doing our best to take advantage of this and recently returned from a trip to Vienna, Austria. When I was planning our trip to Austria, I saw pictures of the note-worthy buildings and museums, but it did not inspire too much excitement on my end. I did my due diligence and put together an itinerary pulling from travel resources such as Rick Steve's Europe videos and blogs linked on Pinterest.

Once I arrived, I was absolutely floored by how gorgeous and wonderful Vienna is. On day one, we began by visiting the upper Belvedere museum. Housed in the summer palace built for Eugene of Savoy, the baroque palace is a marvel of beauty. Upon the grounds are thoughtfully appointed gardens, amongst which several locals took a morning jog. 

The baroque palace itself sits upon a hill with a view of Vienna in the distance. The sweeping staircases and beautiful marble halls with painted ceilings are breathtaking. Inside, you can view many famous artworks, and perhaps most well known is Gustav Klimt's The Kiss. 

Once finished at the Belvedere, we headed to the famous Cafe Central. Known for its famous regulars such as Trotsky and Freud, this cafe has become iconic in Vienna. They offer an understated elegant ambiance, as much of Vienna does. 

It was then a short walk to the Hofburg Palace (which is a must-see, but that goes without saying). Today, it is still the residence of the President of Austria. The tickets to the Royal Apartments were bundled with admittance to the Royal Silver Museum and Sisi Museum- all housed in the Hofburg. 

At first, I did not wish to visit the Royal Silver Collection, but I am so glad I did! The Hapsburgs had an entirely unfathomable amount of platters, saucers, taurines, candelabras, etc. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around the sheer enormity of the collection! 

We were then lead to the Sisi museum which detailed the life and assassination of Empress Elizabeth, lovingly nicknamed Sisi. Although born in 1837, she was a modern woman. She and her husband Franz Joseph I were not afraid of innovation. She had one of the first "bathrooms"- as in a room with a bathtub in it- and even exercised daily although it was seen as unladylike to do so. 

The Sisi museum lead us into the Royal Apartments which were strikingly beautiful, showed the unique style and personality of Sisi and further hit home that these people had lots of nice things and wealth. 

After a stroll around the Museum Quarter, it was time to visit St. Stephen's Cathedral. It is well known for its colorful tiled roof and Gothic and Romanesque design. Once we took a look around, we decided to get a better view of the Cathedral by viewing it from Onyx Bar across the street. If you are partial to well-mixed cocktails and city views, Onyx Bar should be a stop on your Vienna Tour. 

The next day we were off to the Vienna Operahouse for a matinee performance. It was an absolutely gorgeous building and the performance we saw was in a wing of the Operahouse. Next time I visit Vienna, I will be sure to see a performance on the main stage!

After a quick lunch of a Vienna Sausage from a cart outside the Operahouse, I wanted to get a better look at the Karlskirche, a baroque church that is a prominent part of the Vienna cityscape. Our first day in Vienna had displayed unusual weather for early February, boasting sun and tepid temperatures, however, the weather was much more seasonably appropriate on day two. It began to rain so my fiancé and I took an Uber to the Vienna Ring Tram starting point for a tour. I highly recommend this tour! It was recommended to us on the first day by an Uber driver and it was such a fun and whimsical way to view and learn about Vienna! 

The Ring Tram is an adorable yellow tram that circles the Ring Road in Vienna. This road is home to most of the must-see sightseeing destinations in Vienna. As you take your ride, the audioguide points out the important buildings and gives some historical background. This was the perfect way to see this part of Vienna- especially on a cold and wet day! 

After dinner, we made our last stop in Vienna at L. Heiner Bakery for a slice of Sachertorte. A Viennese delicacy invented for Prince Metternich in 1832, Sachertorte is chocolate cake with an apricot jam and dark chocolate ganache. 

Although our trip to Vienna was brief, my fiancé and I agreed that it is a city that we cannot wait to visit again! 

If you'd like to see a video of my trip, check it out below! 

15 comments: Labels:
Share on >

Travel Guide: London

Thursday, November 21, 2019


London Calling! London is an exciting and picturesque city. Big Ben, The Shard, and the London Eye all gaze down upon the town speckled with red telephone booths, double-decker buses, and hackney carriages. London has no shortage of things to do and it can be a bit overwhelming when planning a trip to the home of the British Crown. I've detailed my favorite London experiences below.

Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace & Big Ben

Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are must-see parts of London, of course! Westminster Abbey was built in 1245 and is where Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip. Big Ben first rang in 1859 and is perhaps the most recognizable symbol of the city of London. Many travel resources recommend watching the changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace, but it is very crowded with tourists. I recommend watching the changing of the guard at the Tower of London instead as it has just as much pomp and circumstance with almost no crowd at all.

Tower of London & Tower Bridge

The Tower of London might be my favorite historical spot in London. The tower that was once a fortress and castle now houses a museum displaying the English crown jewels, armory, and much of England's gorier history. It is the famous site of Anne Boleyn's infamous beheading. It is well worth a visit, and don't forget to walk Tower Bridge over the Thames while you're in the area.

London Eye

When I was first planning my trip to London, I was skeptical that the London Eye was a tourist trap that would prove to be a waste of time. I am so glad that I decided to go because the Eye provides an unobstructed, 360-degree view of all of London and the Thames that runs through. You will be able to see for miles around. I recommend booking a ride at sunset after a day of walking around the area. You'll be able to see all of the ground you covered from a new perspective. I decided to book the Champagne Experience on TripAdvisor for a few pounds more than a regular ticket. Not only do you get a glass of champagne, but you also get to skip the line. It is a wonderful experience and you can learn more about it in my video about it here and see it in my vlog here.



Tea at the Ritz London

Afternoon Tea is a well-known English tradition and where better to observe this ritual than at an iconic English establishment such as the Ritz London. Famous for being a meeting place for Winston Churchill and the one time home of Margaret Thatcher, this luxury hotel has its fair share of stories to tell. I booked a champagne afternoon tea service and the champagne is from the Ritz's very own label. It is elegance and luxury to a... well, t(ea)!


Harrod's

London's famed luxury department store is another must-visit locale. Even the most experienced luxury shopper has never seen nor will ever see anything like Harrod's. Boasting more than one million square meters of space and housing over 300 departments, Harrod's is the epitome of opulence. I started in the basement and worked my way up, stopping for a prosecco and pizza break in the middle. If you're looking for the "luxury version" of everything from letter openers, to baby carriages, Harrod's will produce just what you need.



British Museum & National Gallery

I always make a point to visit the famed art museums of any city I travel to, which is why it was so painful for me to miss out on the British Museum and National Gallery during my first trip to London. On my second trip, these museums were my top priority. The British Museum is home to the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies as well as many other artifacts from various ancient cultures. The National Gallery is home to works by many famous artists from Raphael to da Vinci to Van Gogh.

West End Theater Production

The theater is a huge part of London's identity which is due in part to the famed English playwright, Shakespeare. The West End is London's theater district and catching a live performance is not only a unique experience, but it is also very traditionally English indeed.

The Shard

The Shard is the tallest building in the European Union and the United Kingdom at 95 stories. It is home to Oblix Restaurant and the food and view are both sensational. Take in the views (and, if you're lucky, fireworks) looking West toward the Eye and Big Ben. Once you finish your meal, head up to Gong Bar. Gong is the highest hotel bar in the Western Hemisphere with breathtaking views toward the East overlooking the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. While food and drinks are on the pricey side, it is a wonderful way to mark your last dinner in the city before heading home.



I hope this post helps you plan your trip to London! If you'd like to see my recommendations in-depth check out my London vlogs below!




4 comments: Labels:
Share on >
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
 
Design by Studio Mommy (© Copyright 2015)