WHERE TO EAT IN SANTORINI

Where do I even get started on Santorini!? This island in the Agean Sea is easily the most beautiful place I've ever been-- it felt like a dream! It's dazzling panoramas, volcanic sand beaches, delicious cuisine and cave-style architecture with cobalt blue roofs are just a few of the dreamy qualities that make it so idyllic. 

To properly do it all justice in a blog post is impossible, much less a single blog post. So this week I'm tackling each bit one post at a time. First up? Let's talk about the best restaurants in Santorini. 

KAPARI WINE RESTAURANT

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We almost stayed at Kapari Natural Resort, but since we were only staying for a few short days (which I now regret) we decided to minimize moving around and pop in for dinner instead at Kapari Wine Restaurant. Located in the gorgeous village of Imerovigli (between Fira and Oia) Kapari is an exclusive oasis of tranquility. Not only does this luxury resort have sweeping views and cave style rooms, but they have an incredible restaurant.  

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Before our meal, we had a round of Mastiha Spirits: a traditional Greek cocktail with Mastiha liqueur, lemon sorbet and fresh mint. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

After enjoying our drinks by the pool, we moved to our table where the epic views continued. Kapari is one of the best places in Santorini to watch the sunset (as it's one of the highest points on the island). No picture will do it justice, but the image is forever burned in my brain. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We ate course after course after course of delicious food and drank lots of great wine (everything was incredible). But the highlight of the night was this herb crusted lamb. You know that feeling when you're SO full and don't want to eat another bite, but you keep going because it tastes that good? All 3 of us ate every last bite (and proceeded to repeat how full we were for the rest of the evening). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

No matter what you eat or drink, Kapari will leave you dazzled and filled with unforgettable memories of Santorini.   

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

RASTONI

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We popped in here for lunch on our first full day on the island, and it was exactly what we were looking for: incredible views, delicious wine, and authentic Greek cuisine (the Greek salad and kebabs are out of this world). Located in the heart of Fira, Rastoni offers friendly service + quality food in the midst of a bustling tourist destination.  If you're looking for a casual, yet refined lunch experience, be sure to add it to your itinerary whilst visiting the island. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

V LOUNGE

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

V Lounge is located on the rooftop bar of the Panorama Boutique hotel and offers unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea. In addition to epic views, the cocktails are also insanely delicious. When you go, try the La Rosita (Reposado Tequila, Dry + Sweet Vermouth and Campari) or the V Lounge Volcano (Vodka, Southern Comfort, Amaretto, OJ, Pineapple Juice + Grenadine). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

LOLITA'S GELATO

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Not exactly a meal, but you can't miss Lolita's Gelato in Oia! They only use the best ingredients, freshest milk, and use no preservatives or artificial colors. This delicious gelato is the perfect treat to beat the Santorini heat on a sunny day, and definitley worth a visit. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Some other spots worth checking out?

AMBROSIA

ARGO RESTAURANT

FRANCOS BAR

GOLDEN SUNSET CAFE

VOLCANO BLUE

While I couldn't cover everything, I think these are some of the best places to eat in Santorini. Any places you loved on the island that I missed? Let me know in the comments below! Stay tuned for tomorrow's post on where to stay in Santorini!

xx

Whitney

SPRING TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT

Ever since I left Europe, I’ve gotten lots of questions about what’s next. I’ve been asked by you guys via Snapchat or in e-mails, from friends I recently re-connected with after being away, and even from people that I’m just meeting for the first time when they hear that I just moved back.

First and foremost, my answer isn’t that I’m simply going back to normal life at home. As dramatic as it may sound, my “normal" life died a long time ago. For a while that term could have meant having my same circle of friends I had always had. Then it spoke more to having a great corporate job.  Then it was a season of navigating starting a business, followed by a season of planning to move abroad. Long story short, things have progressively become less and less “normal” in my life these past few years, so I wouldn’t really know which of those normal lives to go back to, even if I tried.

So if I’m not going “back to normal” that brings us back to the original question: what’s next?

The long term answer is that I’m still figuring that out. While I do have several possibilities I’m mulling over, the reality is that none of them are certain yet. I mean, do any of us actually know what we’ll be doing later this year? You may think you do, but life has a funny way of throwing us curveballs...

As for the short-term future, I’ve had something up my sleeve for a little while now that I’m excited to share: I’m hitting the road in February for a six-week road trip to the west coast and back!

Seeing so much of Europe made me realize how many places I still haven’t seen in my own country (there really are so many wonderful places to travel in the US).  I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon or lots of other National Parks. I’ve never seen some of the amazing cities in the southwest. I’ve never been to some of the spots I’ve always wanted to go in cities where I’ve already been. So since I already had a few speaking gigs coming up at Universities out west (and since my car had a nice little break for about 5 months) I decided I want to hit the road and see some of the best travel destinations in the US before making any further plans abroad. 

I’ll be using the next few weeks to sort out details from the last adventure and to prep for this next one. I can’t share all the confirmed locations just yet (gotta keep some mystery!) but to give you a little taste of what’s to come, expect to see travel guides featuring: SantaFe, The Grand Canyon, Palm Springs and a handful of surprises that I can’t wait to share!

I also have a few open slots in my itinerary if you’re interested in booking me to stop through your city and host a goal workshop for you and your friends. I love hosting these dinners + dreaming big with people, and there’s no better time than the first of the year to make the happen! Click below to learn more or shoot me a note at: theblondeatlas@gmail.com.

Lastly, if you have any requests for cities you’d like to see travel guides on or any suggestions you think I should check out, I’d love for you to share in the comments below! 

Stay tuned for more details to come, and cheers to another year of adventure ahead!

xx- Whitney

How to Sleep On a Plane & How to Fight Jet Lag

One of the most common questions that my clients who hire me for my travel planning services ask is “Any tips for fighting jet lag?” When traveling abroad, chances are you'd like to try to catch some z's on your flight and adjust to the local time as seamlessly as possible. If you're a fantastic sleeper (or perhaps a narcoleptic) this may not be an issue. If you're like me however, sleeping at opportune moments isn't quite that simple. 

Over the years, I've sought sleep assistance on international flights from just about everything you can think of: lavender oil, bedtime tea, heavy wine pours and getting my physician to write me an Ambien prescription. For me, I've learned that if I want to sleep on a flight and adjust more quickly to the local time on arrival, it really comes down these 5 steps: 

1. HYDRATE BEFORE THE FLIGHT

It's no secret that water consumption is crucial to your overall well-being, but it's especially important before a flight (air cabins have zero humidity, thus drying you out even more).  Not only does this dehydration contribute to jet lag, but it can also impact your quality of sleep. Knowing this, most people make the common mistake of chugging as much water as they can before and during their flight, which (as you can imagine) leads to many trips to the less-than-luxurious bathroom facilities. Rather than overdoing it during or right before a flight, make a conscious effort to be drinking water non-stop throughout the day in the lead up to your flight. If you're someone that won't remember to drink water throughout the day, try chugging lots of it the morning of your flight rather than the hours right before. And be sure to have a reusable water bottle with you on the flight so you can take small sips at your convenience, rather than guzzling copious amounts during the in-flight service. Some of my favorites include:

• LARQ SELF-CLEANING BOTTLE: My brother introduced me to this brand with technology that neutralizes up to 99.99999% of odor-causing bacteria using UV-C Light. While I love the shape, size and functionality of so many water bottles, almost all of them start to smell or develop mold in creases that make me paranoid, so I really love knowing this product keeps the water I’m drinking pristine.

• MEMOBOTTLE: My favorite water bottle shape & functionality- period! It slides into bags so much more easily (and also the seat-back pocket in front of you on planes). I have noticed over time that the lid can get a bit grimy, so you may need to use an old toothbrush to scrub and eventually, replace the cap every couple of years. Even still, I love this water bottle!

• STAINLESS STEEL BOTTLES: I use ones like this quite a bit (largely, because these are the style that have been gifted to me on Safari at lodges like Singita and Great Plains Conservation) so I love feeling like I’m back in the bush!

BONUS TIP: I swear by these cure hydration packs - which have 4x the electrolytes as sports drinks but are made with natural ingredients (and no added sugar). Keep these travel size options in your carry on and drink on days you’re in the sky.

2. GET COMFORTABLE

You probably wouldn't sleep in stiff jeans or leather leggings at home in your bed, so avoid doing so on your flight. I find the best "travel uniform" that’s comfortable enough to sleep in, while still feeling more elevated than loungewear to be a combination of the following:

• BLACK LEGGINGS: When styled appropriately, black leggings don’t look like leggings. I love my Lululemon aligns because they’re comfortable enough to sleep in. I prefer to style them with something a bit longer on top (again, to mask the fact that they’re actually leggings & appear a bit more polished).

• A NAP DRESS: In warmer months a nap dress is a wonderful alternative - again, for the comfort. The smocked detail across the chest means I can get away without wearing a bra. If I opt for this, I always bring a cardigan to drape over my shoulders and throw as needed, as it can get a bit chilly in-flight.

• LIGHT LAYERS: If it’s summer, a light layer like this denim button down or this coat-igan might be all you need. In cooler months, these might be your base layer underneath a cozy jumper/sweater or a proper winter coat. Nevertheless, pieces like this are essential to ensure you’re never too warm or too cold as temperatures fluctuate between outside, the airport and in the aircraft.

• EASY ON-EASY OFF SHOES: I feel as though I’m constantly popping my shoes on & off when I fly: both through security & in-flight (don’t worry- I put compression socks on so I’m never barefoot!) In summer months, I opt for easy slides like ballet flats or a mule… while in winter I love these Laguna boots because they slide on & off so easily!

But aside from the clothes you wear, there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cozy, so know what works for you. If you're a cuddler  + need something to snuggle against, book a window seat. If you're someone that needs neck support, bring a neck pillow. If you’re sensitive to light, pack a sleep mask. If you are perpetually cold, bring a warm scarf to wrap up in. Don't just buy the stuff you see in SkyMall because it promises you'll sleep like a baby-- you know what works for you. Do that. 

3. KNOW WHEN TO CALL IN SLEEP REINFORCEMENTS

You can do all the right things and sometimes, you just still can't sleep. Sure, it doesn't hurt to try things like lavender oil or bed time tea, but if you know you're a terrible sleeper, you may want to go ahead and plan for more drastic measures. If stretching out in first/business class isn't in your price range, talk to your doctor about a sleeping medication. I had never successfully slept on a plane prior to my first trip to Europe and I knew when we landed in Rome I would want to hit the ground running, not nap. I made an appointment with my General Physician to explain my predicament. She wrote me an RX for 4 tabs of Ambien and advised me to try one at home in my own bed prior to my travels (to ensure it worked for me and I didn't react poorly during my flight.) It worked like a charm. Proceed with caution however: there are tons of sleep aids on the market (ZzzQuil, Melatonin, etc.) and everyone reacts differently to them all. Whatever you think may work for you, I'd recommend taking my doctor's advice and trying it at home first before any travels. 

 4.  BE ONE WITH WHERE YOU ARRIVE

It’s tempting to start doing math to calculate what time it may be back home… but the best thing you can do to adjust more quickly is push through and embrace where you are. Avoid napping and try to eat meals at the the local time of your new destination. Additionally, try to go outside during the day, as the natural light will help your body clock adjust. Some people swear by a technique called “grounding” or “earthing” (which is essentially, just walking or standing barefoot on the ground to connect to the electrons on the earth’s surface to our bodies-possibly reducing inflammation and stress). I personally only do this if it can be done easily— like when I’m somewhere in nature or near a nice park with plenty of grass. However you cope, try to power through and stay awake until it’s locally, a time that you would normally go to bed— and set an alarm for the following morning so you don’t oversleep!

There are plenty of other techniques that people swear by, but these are what work best for me to be able to sleep on a plane and fight jet lag once I arrive to my new destination. I hope it helps you do the same!

If you’d like help planning a trip (and receiving hotel perks, upgrades and other benefits at no additional cost to you) my team would love to assist! Learn more about our travel planning services HERE.

And, if you’re keen to travel but don’t want to travel alone, we’d love to have you join us for an Atlas Adventures trip: group tours for women who want to travel with other like-minded people. See what trips we have coming up HERE!

Thanks for being here & safe travels!

xx

Whitney