greece packing guide — Blonde Atlas

Hello from Paros! (well, at least as I’m typing this). I am off to Santorini today to enjoy my last couple of days in Greece before heading home. It has already been such an incredible trip, especially these last few days! I had been to Santorini and Mykonos multiple times before (they are the most popular destinations for my clients too, so definitely need to have a good knowledge of both). And while I really love both of those islands, it has been such a treat to discover some of the other Cyclades like Naxos and Paros. I’ll share more about both in my newsletter, but they have impressed me so much and I absolutely plan on returning for longer trips!

If you’re new here, ‘This Week in the World’ is a weekly recap of content ranging from around the globe. My hope is that each week, no matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to feel more connected to it: through news, travel, food & wine… really, anything that appeals to the culturally curious. Let’s dive into the content I sourced for week 24.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

I enjoyed this piece called ”I Traveled to Cartagena During COVID-19 - Here's What It Was Like.”

9 tips for beginners visiting Italy for the first time (or, my favorite tip, book a consulting session with me to help you plan your trip!)

AROUND THE WORLD

World leaders from the top global economies are currently gathering in Cornwall at the G7 to discuss matters including COVID-19 vaccines, strengthening the global public health, and financing climate action. Here is a recap of what has been happening.

Speaking of the G7, Sir David Attenborough (an absolute legend!) addressed the leaders on the topic of climate change, informing them that “they are facing the most important decisions in human history as they seek to tackle climate change.”
And speaking of climate change: I already fell in love with Paros these last couple of days, but this article about how they want to ditch plastic made me love it even more. I hope more and more destinations aim for goals like this.

Juneteenth is just around the corner (June 19th). This NPR podcast titled “The History Of Juneteenth” is an insightful listen to add to your list this week.

WEEKLY FAVORITES/ GREECE TRAVEL STAPLES

THIS HAT has been my go-to on this trip (have worn it almost everyday!) It’s great quality and made by one of my favorite sustainable brands.

THESE SANDALS (pictured above) are made by one of my favorite sustainable brands. I’ve had them and loved them for years, and they are the ideal shoe for any warm-weather travel destination .

THIS LOTION is perfect for a warm-weather vacation. It has addictive scent and a visibly tightening effect to the skin, plus a smoothing formula that adds a hint of shimmer to skin.

THIS TRAVEL BAG is great for your carry-on liquids (TSA approved for airport security) but also great to throw in a beach bag to prevent some of your smaller items (like sunscreen, AirPods, etc.) from getting lost at the bottom of your bag.

I’ve seen so many Grecian women wearing bathing suit tops like this, paired with long maxi skirts and it makes for such a nice transitional outfit while on the islands! I’m definitely in the market for one to replicate this look (the option linked is also sustainable).

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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

Whitney

I've been sharing all about my time in Greece this week, but particularly where to eat in Santorini and where to stay in Santorini. To wrap things up, today we're talking about all the things to do in Santorini (and what you need to pack before you go!)

I'll start by disclaiming that you could be perfectly content sitting poolside at a resort and soaking up the views for the entirety of your stay. With that said, you'd also be missing some amazing things that are absolutely worth doing.

CHOOSE YAFY | SANTORINI YACHTING CLUB

Choose Yafy is a Singapore based company, with a branch in Santorini. I actually found them in the Arrivals Hall of the Santorini Airport and their staff helped me put together an amazing boat tour for me and my friends at the last minute. They take pride in providing an intimate look into the local culture and provide tailor-made trips to suit all kinds of specific interests.

We did a sailing tour embarking from Ammoudi Bay in Oia. We boarded the Lagoon 400 (a beautiful catamaran) and set sail towards the Volcano and Hot Springs for a quick swim in the therapeutic waters (word to the wise- bring a bathing suit you don't care about if you decide to swim!) From there we continued on to the Volcanic Red Sand beach for some more swimming and a bit of snorkeling. But my favorite part was lounging in trampoline on the front of the boat all day (hammock style).

Prices vary based on the size of the boat and how many people are on each tour (I recommend a smaller group. We basically had the boat to ourselves- other than an Austrailian couple we were chatting with!) Regardless of which tour you select, they come with unlimited wine (yes please) and a delicious feast. After touring around some of the best spots on the island, our skipper parked the boat, fired up the grill and pretty soon we were eating pork + chicken, complete with Greek salad, stuffed grape leaves and tons of tzatziki. When we finished our meal, we headed to the best spot to watch the sunset on the water. It was the perfect ending to an increible day.

I cant recommend a sailing tour enough, and Choose Yafy made the entire experience so seamless and wonderful. Do yourself a favor and book a tour with them whilst visiting Santorini!

Book Now

FISH PEDICURES AT KISSINGFISH SANTORINI

I had wanted to get a fish pedicure for such a long time, and I was so excited to finally try it in Santorini! Garra Rufa, also called nibble fish, originate from streams, ponds and lakes in the Middle East, so given the close proximity these fish spas are pretty popular all over the Greek isles. These little guys have no teeth but are able to nibble off your dead skin cells, thus exfoliating your feet. For only €15 you can sit with your feet in the tank for 20 minutes.

Evidently, the practice is frowned upon and even banned in several of the states because it's not seen as sanitary (although I hardly doubt one go is going to kill you). While the concept is a bit strange (and I definitely had some ticklish moments) it was really fun to experience and I'd recommend giving it a go at least once!

DONKEY RIDES

I'll be completely honest. I don't know much about the donkey rides in Santorini other than this: If you ride the cable car down to the port of Fira (or if you're a brave soul who takes the stairs), one of your options to get back to the top is to ride donkeys for €5 (give or take). There were tons of people doing it so we said "why not?!" The views were awesome (The smell? Not so much) and there were definitely some scary moments when you thought the donkey you were riding was going to run right off a cliff. But overall, it was really fun and I'm glad we did it. I will say, there was a part of me that wondered if this was some form of animal cruelty, but this sign gave me a bit of peace. That being said, I probably could do more research (just haven't yet #realtalk). So, if you know something I don't about these guys that I don't, I'd love to hear in the comments below!

WHAT TO PACK

So hopefully by now I've convinced you that you have to take a trip of your own to Santorini (as if you really needed me to). Once you book your trip, it's time to start thinking about what you want to pack! Overall, I pretty much lived in flowy sundresses that double as beach cover ups, flat sandals and a bathing suit. I also loved playing up the blue and white vibe to match the island (#basic).

I love this color blue (especially for a bathing suit) and was so happy to have it with me in Greece. I also love this top and this one piece in the same color (also this option in a similar color but different style). If you like the idea of blue but don't want to be too matchy matchy, try something with navy like this striped bikini, this crochet number, or you can get a little wild with this tie-dye.

In keeping with the blue and white theme, I love the textile of this breezy cover-up and this breezy-boho off the shoulder dress. And for sandals, I love casual + chic basics like this Beno slide or this Payce slide.

DRESSES + COVER UPS

BATHING SUITS

SANDALS

And that's a wrap! I hope these posts help you with planning a trip to Santorini- and an amazing one at that! It truly is an incredible place and even more beautiful than the photos. Still have questions or want more information? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks so much to Kapari Natural Resort, Rocabella Santorini Resort & Spa, Perivolas Hotel and Choose Yafy/ Santorni Yachting Club for providing us with an unforgettable trip!

This Week in the World: Week 24