Running thru life... our first day in Santorini

Let me start by saying that I love my husband.

I proved this on our first day in Santorini. 

When we checked in to Altana, Christos had mentioned a 10 km walk from Imerovilgli to Oia.  Oia is the most northern city know for the beautiful sunset locations.  Christos mentioned that this was an adventuous walk (i.e phyically challenging) and takes up to 3 hours.  My husband was hooked!! 
I will say that I was less than thrilled.

So we woke up our first morning and had a wonderful breakfast and then decided to head out on our walk to Oia.  Of course we picked the hottest day to do it. 
We packed Joe's bag and loaded up our water bottles and we were off. 

This is a picture of the full walk. 

The first part of the walk was amazing since the wind was blowing and the it was a little cloudy in the sky. 

This picture is proof that I did this walk in flip flops.  Probably not the smartest thing I have done but I got mad street cred from the locals for doing this. 

Like I said the first part of the walk was wonderful...

Joe was taking pictures non stop. 

However, the wind stopped and the sun started to beat down on us.

To make it even worse... this is when the cliffs started.  The nice path turned in to no path or rocks. 

Can we say good workout!!!!!

After two hours of walking (remember this walk was suppose to take us 3)

We could see Oia from the path. 

Praise the Lord!!!

Oia was a beautiful little town.  Picture from a cliff in Oia down to the water. 

After arriving in Oia we walked around for a while just seeing the sites.

We decided to stop and get a bit to eat before trying to figure out how we were going to get back.

We stopped in a cute little shop to buy a Christmas ornament. 

This is a tradition we have started for the places we visit. 

He asked where we were staying and how we got to Oia. 

My husband explained that we walked and I did so in flip flops. 

The store owner went on and on about how my husband should pamper me for the rest of the day!  =0)

We both decided we were not up for walking back. 

We stopped a cute little restaurant with a rooftop patio. 

We split a sandwich while I had a coke and Joe beer. 

Santorini actually ends up having a bus system which makes stops in Oia, Imerogivil, and Fira.

At 1.6 euro a person we were sold and waited for the bus. 

We returned to Altana to be greeted by Christos.

He asked how our day was and we told him about our walk.

As I reflect on the walk from Fira to Oia, it is something I am glad I did but also something that I am proud of myself for doing. 

I am by no means a hiker. 

I run but I do not have to get dirty doing that. 

This was definetly doing something out of my safety box. 

Up next... Day 2... Laura's Day!!

Running thru life... Our last stop in Santorini

After spending time in Mykonos, we boarded the Superjet and took a 2 hour cruise to the island of Santorini. The SuperJet was designed much like airplane seating expect more spacious.  This is the way to travel in between the islands.  Our tickets were around 35 euros each.  Total of  70 euros.  There were a couple ferries that were more ecomonical but they made more stops and would have taken us 4 hours. 

I will tell you that this part of the trip is what I was looking forward to the most for many reasons. 

I have decided to spend more time on this island as we did so much and I have so much to tell.

We arrived in Santorini and the water was crystal blue. 

The blue domes where everywhere. 

The cliff were amazing.

I was in love! 

Our taxi driver took us from the port to our hotel which was designed more like a bed and breakfast.

Altana Traditional Houses in Imerovigli.

Imerovigli is a small city 3killometers from the main city of Fira. 

There is a walking path from the tip of the island Oia down thru Imerovigli to Fira. 

So at 3 km we walked when we wanted to go into the city. 

We arrive at Altana and Christos greeted us with the Traditional drink of Vinasanto from Santorini and an hour long explanation of the island, food recommendation, and answered our questions. 

He then escorted us to our room (which they upgraded because they thought we were on on honeymoon... Joe and I decided to go along- besides it is rude to correct someone!)

Here is a peak at our room.

We truely loved Altana!

View from our room. 



Breakfast on the balcony

I truely love Greek Yogurt with Chocolate Cereal!!!

Breakfast was included with our stay- you could either eat in the main area or have breakfast deliveried to your balcony.

  

 Beautiful pool overlooking the Aegan Sea

 Reading area

 The views at night from our room of the city lights

But our favorite was....

The view from our balcony!!!

At Altana, we recieved the best service ever. 

Christos and Marios are the owners and make you feel like you are family.

They arranged everything for us from getting a rental car for a day, our sunset cruise for our anniversary, having blankets delivered to us so we can have drink on our balcony, explaining greek cuisene to us, making us Moitojs, and waking up at 5 am to make us coffee and see us off when we left. 

This is just to name a few!.

Altana however is not your traditional hotel- it does not have tvs in any of the rooms, it does not have a gym, or spa.  It is small establishment that gives you the experience of being in Santorini. 

This was the biggest splurg on the trip- but it was totally worth it!  . 

We stayed at Santorini for 5 nights and our bill was a little over 1000. (200 a night)

This by Santorini standard is very affordable.  Some of the other places we looked at were 500-800 more. 

We loved this place and would recommended it in a heartbeat!!

Up next... Our first day in Santonrini

Running thru life... Mykonos 2

While we were in Mykonos we really only did 4 things

1) Slept

2) Relaxed in the sun
3) Worked out in the beautiful Gym

4) Ate wonderful food. 

We had a number of wonderful meals while in Mykonos. 

One night we ate at Nick's Taverna (which was in our Rough Guide). 

It was set up along the city streets (which is much like a maze). 

They have inside and outside seating... we of course sat outside!!!

I love people watching. 

I ordered the Lamb and Joe ordered the Shrimp Risotto with a 1/2 carafe of wine. 

The instant our dishes came... we switched.  =0)

The food was awesome and cheap by Mykonos standards. 

One day while walking thru the streets of Mykonos town we stopped to get a small bite. 

I had delicious Kabob and Joe had a Gyro of course with wine and beer (because it is cheaper than soda).  Costing us about 6 euro it was a steal!!!

Our last night in Mykonos we are at another Rough Guide recommendation called Barkia

It is know for making their own pasta.  We stat upstairs so we could watch the people walk by. 

I ordered the Vegetarian Pasta and Joe the Gnocchi.... AMAZING!!!!!! 

Fresh pasta is the way to go. 

That night we also stopped for a Nutella Crape....

Deliciousness.....

All and All the food was amazing and with the help of Rough Guide did not cost us an arm and a leg. 
The Greek islands import the majority of their produce making it not the cheapest place to eat. 
That being said we had meals as cheap at 6 euros to a nice dinner at 45 euros. 
Most of them were around 20 to 25 euros.   

We definitely are now Rough Guide fans when it comes to food. 

Running thru life... Thank you

Today is my 29th birthday.

Yes I know it is hard to believe I am that old!! 

In my heart I have been dreading this birthday.  It is my last twentysomething birthday. 

As a twentysomething I have had an awesome time. 

It has been the time that I have become me. 

College at Clemson

Grad school in Baltimore

Moving into the NOVA area, getting married, buying a house...

It has been a busy but wonderful 9+ years.

So I am toasting myself to hopefully the best of the twentysomething years.... 29!!!

I decided for my 29th birth I just wanted to spend time with friends and family...
So...

A quick thank you to all my family and friends who have so far made my 29th birthday one of the best. 

To the best hubby ever. 

To all that came out Saturday night to help celebrate at Lauriol Plaza.

To my fam for an awesome home cooked meal on Sunday and next sunday!!!! =0)  Perks of being married!

Keep in mind it started on June 4 and will go until June 12th, due to all the family celebrations. 

A week long of birthdays- not too bad!!!   

Thank you all!!!

Running thru life.... Mykonos adventure Part 1

 Upon waking up in Athens, we headed back to the Athen's airport via metro to head to our next destination.

Mykonos

We landed in Myknos (whose airport was the smallest I have ever been in), collected our bags, and found our transportation waiting for us.  We were ushered to our hotel... or should I say RESORT.  OMG!!!! 

The Royal Mykonian. 

We went to check in, we were early but we figured they would tell us that and we would just change into our bathsuits and go sit by the pool- were we wrong.  Michel apologized that our room was not ready (even thought it was not even time to check in yet) and insisted we go have lunch/drinks by the pool on the hotel.  WAHOO!!!!!!  

So we did.... yummy...

We were treated like royalty!  You could tell their staff had been professionally trained in etiquette. 

An hour later Joe went to check on our room with a pleasant surprise.... we have been upgraded. 

We were suppose to have a standard room.... Nope try a Deluxe Room with a hot tub and a wonderful walk out balcony!!! WAHOO!!!!

This was by far our cheapest hotel stay  3 nights for 525 dollars (which included breakfast). 

It was so beautiful that when they showed us to the room, I actually started crying.

(View from our room)

This hotel was awesome- it had it own private beach (which is actually the only thing besides partying that Mykonos is know for).  The private beach has chairs ready for you, towels, snacks if you need them, etc.  But most importantly, vendors can not come and try to sell you stuff. 

The pool was breathtaking... and so comfortable. 

The hotel itself was situation above Elia Beach.  It was about 15 minute drive from the city, Mykonos Town.  The hotel did have shuttles to and from the city.  This was the only frustrating part- Greek time is not American time.  They might show up and they might be 2 hours late. 

We wish this hotel could have been in Mykonos Town but you could not get the beach and town at the same time and Joe and I both wanted to the beach. 

This part of the trip was most relaxing which we both needed.

Stay turn... for Mykonos Town

Running thru life.... Athens

After sleeping in we set off on a history searching day in Athens.

We headed to the Acropolis and paid our 12 euros a piece for our tickets.

The tickets included admission to the Acropolis, the Agora, Zeus' Temple, etc. 

We started at the Acropolis....

Then on to the Agora.......

Then a short stop at the Acropolis Museum which was 3 euros per person.  

The structure from the Parthenon are currently being housed here. 

It was amazing.  However, you are not allowed to take pictures =0(.

We decided to have lunch at the museum because the gremilin was coming out.
(That is what Joe call's the Hungry Laura).

I ordered the Turkey sandwich with a greek cheese and Joe had Stuffed Onions. 
His meal was amazing!!!

We finished up at Zeus' Temple.....

Everything was in walking distance which made the hotel well worth it!!!

That evening we went to Stropfi for dinner. 

This was a restaurant recommendation I found on TripAdvisor from people who also reviewed our hotel.   

It was a cute little restaurant that had a rooftop patio with the view of the Acropolis.

 

It was in walking distance from the hotel.

The food was amazing!!!!!  AMAZING!!!!

I had the Lamb...

Joe had the Veal......


For Dessert.... Milk Pie

 

We found the meal priced very reasonably by American standards. 
Definitely would eat here again!

The service was excellent. 

We concluded out time in Athens with one more view from the rooftop patio. 
Then headed to bed for our next adventure.... Mykonos