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Travel

Mykonos Travel Guide

+LETS TRAVEL!!

-I’m BACK!! After a LONG hiatus and surviving the pandemic, I returned to traveling this summer and honestly had one of the best summers of my life!!! I returned to Greece, a country I thought I would never visit again(so many tourist the first time around), and had the best time exploring the little streets of Mykonos. With few tourists this was a tour of Greece completely different from my previous visit. I was able to explore the beautiful streets nearly empty, enjoy the sunsets from the best locations and partake in the endless fun Mykonos is known for.

If your looking for a beautiful island, with great food, and great vibes, Mykonos should definitely be on your bucket list and here are some tips to help you plan your Grecian getaway!!

+GETTING TO MYKONOS

-Mykonos is located 100 miles from Athens, Greece in the Aegean Sea. It is one of 277 Greek Islands and is known for its music, good energy and fun atmosphere. When planning on visiting the island you have several options from Athens to Mykonos.

  • Air-Flying out of Athens International Airport is the most economical and one of the quickest direct flight from the US. From there you can book a round trip flight on one of several airlines such as Aegean Air, Olympic, and Skyexpress. A quick 45-60 minute flight and you’ll be hopping off in paradise.
  • Ferry-There are also ferries in and out of Athens daily to many Greek Islands. You can book you ferry tickets daily, although it is a good idea to book in advance, using Ferry Hopper. https://www.ferryhopper.com/en/ferry-routes/direct/piraeus-athens-to-mykonos

+THINGS TO DO/SEE IN MYKONOS

KATO MILI WINDMILLS 

The island’s iconic windmills are a short walk from the Little Venice waterfront. There are a few windmills throughout the town, but these are the most popular, especially during cruise ship season, so I’d make this the first stop of the day. There are also many water front bars and restaurants near the Kato Mili Windmills to sit and enjoy the sunset,.

LITTLE VENICE WATERFRONT

The dreamiest tiny streets wind throughout this area known as little Venice. This is a great place to visit during the day, shop, enjoy good food, catch the sunset, have a drink, or stay out at night. 

NEGRITA BAR

A cute and fun bar in Little Venice with charm and sea views. A good time day or night.

PARADISE BEACH

Paradise Beach is a popular spot to enjoy the beach and enjoy good music. You will definitely find the party here. It’s located in South Mykonos, and the pretty turquoise waters attract a lot of tourists during high season. 

180 SUNSET BAR

Located in Mykonos Town 180 Sunset Bar is a bit of hike or a quick uber trip from the town and has one of the prettiest views in the city. It is a great place to dine and catch the sunset.

SCORPIOS MYKONOS

Chic, vibrant and always fun of entertainment. Scorpios is another beachfront beach party/restaurant to visit on the island. Also, located in South Mykonos, this is a spot you will definitely need reservations for and I recommend booking in advance.

+WHERE TO STAY IN MYKONOS

-Mykonos offers a variety of places to stay while you visit. As with any vacation, you will have to decide what kind of stay best fits the experience you are trying to have. There are hotels from every price range and many gorgeous Airbnb’s throughout the island. Airbnb’s can run anywhere from $100-$1000+/night and will depend on what you are looking for and what amenities are include. You can find beautiful, reasonable rentals throughout the island and will most likely need some sort of transportation, or plan on using a ride share service to get around.

Pro tip: Renting an Airbnb with a pool is worth it!!!!

+TRANSPORTATION WHILE IN MYKONOS

-Although Mykonos is a small island you will have to plan for transportation while you are there. The most common, easiest, and most efficient way to get around the island is by ATV (All Terrain Vehicle.)

-ATV’s and cars are available to rent throughout the island, however, any US citizens must have a drivers license from United States and an international driver’s permit (IDP) issued by American Automobile Association (AAA) OR the American Automobile Touring Alliance to drive or rent a car in Greece. This is something you will need to take care of before hand, and only takes a few minutes, but is necessary in order to rent any type of vehicle on Mykonos Island. If you are not able to get an international drivers license you can get around using several ride share companies on the island.

+MYKONOS TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

-Currently the country of Greece requires all travelers to show proof of vaccination or a NEGATIVE COVID TEST, 72 hours before arrival. All passenger must complete an electronic PLF(Passenger Locator Form) and all information must be uploaded to https://travel.gov.gr/#/ before departure in order to receive QR code upon arrival in Greece.

-All US citizens, regardless of vaccination status will have to proof of NEGATIVE PRC COVID TEST 72 hours before arrival. All information must be uploaded to https://myverifly.com/#/ app before departure.

+MYKONOS EXPERIENCE

-The Mykonos experience is something you will often hear travel goers talk about long after they have returned, but I recommend experiencing it for yourself! It’s an island full of fun, beauty, and amazing vibes. Definitely, the funniest Greek island I have visited so far. I hope these tips help you when planning your Grecian getaway!!

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Travel

The Santa Fe Experience-Hotel Santa Fe Review

Hi, Everyone!  January was a busy month, and I like so many people who thought the month drug on, I thought it went by super quick and was excited to attend my first retreat of the year and enjoyed a stay-cation at Hotel Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

+Getting to Hotel Santa Fe– Santa Fe, New mexico, located about an hour north of Albuquerque is very easy to get to and located just a five minute drive from Santa Fe Plaza. Definitely, a must see when visiting Santa Fe. The hotel also provides shuttles and has the cutest London looking cabs to take you to and from the hotel to the plaza, which came in handy on my snowy day visit.

+About Hotel Santa Fe-Hotel Santa Fe is the only Native American owned hotel in Santa Fe. The property is beautiful and WELCOMING, with an exquisite multi MILLION-DOLLAR Native american art collection throughout the hotel and property. You can spend time sitting my the cozy, enjoying a cocktail or two at the bar, eating at Amaya restaurant located onsite, or taking a dip in the pool or hot tub.

+Rooms at hotel Santa Fe- my room at  Hotel Santa Fe was a two room suite with a sitting area which opened up to a private balcony. Let me tell you, this was such a treat with the blanket of snow outside. You have several options to choose from when staying at Hotel Santa Fe, hotel Santa itself and the hacienda at Hotel Santa Fe, which come with your own private butler. All rooms are newly remodeled and start at $150/night. I also must add the hotel is pet friendly and you are welcomed to bring your pets along with you to enjoy the stay! This makes life so easy if you often have to take your furry friend with you.

+Food-As mentioned earlier, Hotel Santa Fe has an amazing restaurant located onsite, Amaya. We had the pleasure of dinning at Amaya during our stay. The food was outstanding!! Mixing Northern New Mexican and Native pueblo cuisines. It was one of the best meals I have had in a while. You do not have to stay at the hotel to eat Amaya and can make reservations online or by calling Hotel Santa Fe, however, you will not be disappointed in your stay or meal. The hotel also provides room service, breakfast in the lobby in the morning and complimentary coffee and tea on every floor each morning. Perfect for sipping out on your balcony early in the morning.

If you are looking for a cozy hotel in the Santa Fe area when in town or looking for a place for a great stay-cation, Hotel Santa Fe is a great choice. From now until April of 2020 you can use the code SFExperience for 20% off your Stay at Hotel Santa Fe.

Hope you all stay and enjoy!!

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY HOTEL Santa Fe, ALL VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED are those of charming jay blog.

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Travel

The Ultimate Park City Travel Guide

Hi, everyone, I’m back and if you read my last blog post you might remember my trip to Park City, Utah, I mentioned to you all in my 2020 Planning Blog. My very first trip of 2020, and my first time skiing this season. Park City did not disappoint. It truly felt like a winter wonderland. It snowed on and off each day but the sun came out for a perfect day on the slopes. If you are looking for a true winter escape, whether you ski/board or not, Park City is definitely a place for you to check out.

+ Getting to Park City-Park City is located about 45 minutes away from Salt Lake City, Utah. If you are flying into Salt Lake there are a few options to get to Park City. There are several shuttles you can book to transport you, they are located in the baggage pick up area and can be arranged ahead of time. You can also take an Uber or Lyft and depending on the time of day will run you anywhere from $40-$60. There are also car rental places and depending on what you plan on doing when you get to Park City this may be a good option for you. When in Park City you can use the city shuttle or trolley for free from one side of Main Street to the other. This is super convenient, especially if you make into town and don’t get back to the lifts before they close.

+Things to do in Park City- If you are thinking about visiting Park City, like most people you are probably looking to hit the slopes, but if skiing/boarding is not for you there are many other things to do and enjoy in the town itself.

+Skiing/Boarding– If you are looking into hitting the mountain you can purchase your lift ticket in advance at Park City Mountain for a cheaper price than on the mountain. Park City Resort is a large mountain and regardless of your level of expertise there are runs for everyone. Being the largest ski resort in the US if you want to ski/board the entire mountain you will need more than one day to really be able to hit all sides of the mountain. It is definitely beautiful and most certainly worth it. There are also several places to rent equipment if you will not be taking your own. We opted to use a ski valet company. They get your information before hand and then literally take and pick up the equipment for you. It was so easy I highly recommend using this service if you will be in need of renting equipment and if you do not have a vehicle during your stay.

+Thinking to do in town- Park City is a such a cute, trendy town. There is plenty to see and do in town without skiing/boarding. Downtown Park City has both local and commercial shops and many places to eat and drink. If you like shopping there is plenty of it downtown. If you are more of a foodie, make sure to check out the High West Distillery and Saloon, you can even ski in and ski out if you are on slopes for the day. You can also search for original Banksy artwork, which isn’t very hard to find, right off Main Street, if you are interested. One thing I was not able to do but will definitely check it out next time is Olympic Park. I hear it is super cool.

+Where to stay in Park City- Park City like any ski resort city has major hotels located relatively close to the ski resort. There are also many Airbnb options, some closer than others to the resort. During our stay we wanted to be as close to the mountain as possible to be able to walk over to the resort and hit the slopes. Park City Silver Star Retreat is a lodging resort with the ski mountain as it’s back yard. Our condo was beautiful and was just a 2-3 minute walk to the nearest ski lift. It was awesome!

Park City was such a surprise and a beautiful town, I really would like to go back again. I loved all the snow and vibe of the town. If you are considering a ski trip or just going for fun you will not be disappointed. I can only imagine how beautiful it is during the spring and summer. Add Park City to your list of ski towns to visit!!

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Travel

48 Hours in Milan

Happy Holidays Everyone! I love this time of year. I love the cold weather, the Christmas lights. Everything Christmas and festive, count me in! This was one of my favorite blog posts to write and share with you all because nothing compares to Christmas time in Europe and spending the holiday in Milan was over the top amazing! Just thinking about this amazing city gets me excited and I hope you all find it helpful on your travels.

If you have ever wondered if traveling Italy during the holidays or during December is a good idea, trust me, you will not be disappointed! Yes, the weather is colder and you will definitely need sweaters, a nice warm winter jacket, gloves, scarves and hats will come in handy, but for the most part the weather during the day is a mild cold. It does snow in Italy, so packing with that in mind is best, but for the most part the weather is nice enough for sightseeing and exploring.

 Another great perk of traveling during the winter is the lines and amount of tourists out and about. Yes, there are still tourists and lines, but for the most part there shorter lines and less tourists than the hot summer months. Milan is a very busy city and you can expect the attractions to have many tourists anytime day or time of year. With that said, it is still very possible to spend Christmas or New Year’s in the city and fully enjoy yourself!

+Getting to Milan-

There are several different ways to get to Milan. With a large international airport, you can fly in at most any time of the day. However, depending on what your itinerary is when traveling Italy, using the train system is an easy and affordable way to get around, moving from city to city. A train ride from Rome or Venice to Milan is a little under 3 hours, and gives you a chance to see the countryside and much of the Roman landscape not just the most popular cities. While in Milan, you can use a ride share service or the public transportation, which is very good in Milan. 

+Where to stay in Milan-

Milan is a large city with most every hotel chain you can think of. Depending on the attractions or area of town you are most interested in exploring you can find a hotel close to anywhere you would like to stay. Airbnb is great, and in my opinion, the best option. I stayed in the an amazing Airbnb, right around the corner from the Duomo di Milano. It was close to every the attraction, great restaurants and shopping. It was also amazing to walk out on New Year’s Eve and be surrounded by the magic of the Duomo and the night.

+Attractions in Milan-

  • The Duomo di Milano or Milan Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Honestly, the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen. It’s magical.
  • The Last Supper portrait, located inside the Duomo. You can buy tickets to tour the Duomo online and in advance which I recommend. Especially, if you are traveling during a holiday like Christmas or New Years.
  • Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle. If you love shopping this is the place and Milan to shop. If you don’t, the building itself is beautiful and worth seeing. It is located right next to the Duomo di Milano so you can easily see both, one right after the other.
  • Castello Sforzesco. Built in the 15th century, now a museum and houses many art collections.
  • Arco della Pace – The Arch of Peace, a dedicated to the battles of Napoleon. It’s beautiful, like everything else in Milan and worth seeing if you are in the city.
  • Navigli District- Along the canal, has lots of shops, bars and art galleries. It’s a charming district and a great part of the city.

Milan is one of the most amazing cities I have ever visited and I hope you if you ever have a chance to visit the great city of Milan during the holiday season this travel guide helps you plan your travels!

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Travel

Mexico City Travel Guide

I’m back, everyone! It’s been a minute. Life has been happening and most everything has not been going as planned! But I’ve been embracing the change and trying to enjoy whatever comes, just like this little getaway to Mexico City! You guys, I fell in love with Mexico City!! I wasn’t something I was expecting. I honestly have not loved a city this much since Barcelona!! Mexico City is beautiful, full of history and culture, has an amazing food scene, and no shortage of things to do.

+Getting to Mexico City- I don’t know if any of you have checked out flights to Mexico City lately, but it is a very reasonable place to travel. Most any day of the week you can find a round trip flight for under $300! In the travel world that’s a crazy good deal. Once you arrive in CDMX it is very easy and affordable, and by affordable, I mean super cheap, to use Uber for all of your travels. A ride from the airport to our Airbnb in Roma Norte was under $10, which is just crazy based on the distance and time in the car. However, it makes it very easy to get around and see everything you’ve been wanting to check out. We also, took a our chances on the metro to get from Roma Norte to Zocalo. I have never in my life seen a metro station so clean! Seriously, it’s obviously very busy, frequently used, but well kept, clean, just unreal. The metro was relatively easy to navigate, but be prepared for packed cars all throughout the day. It was easy enough and definitely and option for anyone traveling the city.

+Where to stay– Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world and there are no shortage of hotels all throughout the different areas of the city for you to book for your stay in the city. We opted for an Airbnb in the area of Roma Norte and it was one of the best decisions we made for the trip. This area is not located close to many popular attractions, but as I said it is very easy to navigate the city on the metro or by Uber. So we preferred to stay in an area we preferred and travel during the day to the busier areas and attractions. I truly believe when visiting Mexico City, much of what you experience and enjoy about your trip will be based on the area of town you are staying in. The coffee shops you find around the corner, the parks and restaurants you stumble across while exploring the city really make the trip for you and make you fall in love with the city. There are so many amazing areas and the prices are amazing for the amazing, modern, accommodations you can find. With a little searching you’ll find an amazing place for a great price.

+ Area to consider staying while in Mexico City:

  • Roma Norte
  • Condesa
  • Polanco
  • Coyoacan

+Things to do- As I mentioned before, Mexico City has no shortage of things to do. I’m sure, if you have been considering traveling to CDMX, you have your own list of attractions to visit. Depending on the length of time you will be in the city, you should have time to visit most everything within a few days. We didn’t get to do everything we wanted to but we we more than content with everything we got to see and what better excuse to visit the city again.

CDMX Areas & Attractions:

  • Plaza Nacional
  • Angel de La Indepencia
  • Museo de Bellas Artes
  • Zocalo
  • Tempo Mayor
  • Coyoacan
  • Frida Kahlo Museum
  • Museo Soumaya
  • Museo Nacional de Antroplogia
  • Xocomilco

Frida Kahlo museum is in the area of Coyoacan, which is a great area to explore. This attraction is very popular. I recommend buying tickets online, before hand to minimize your wait. Even with tickets you will wait in a shorter line, without a ticket and purchasing at the location you will wait in line for at over an hour. It’s worth the online purchase.

+Areas To Explore-

  • Roma Norte
  • Condesa
  • Zocalo
  • Polanco
  • Coyoacan
  • El Centro
  • Templo Mayor

+What and Where To Eat- Another thing you may not have heard about Mexico City is about it’s amazing food scene! The amazing food we ate was one of the most amazing things about our trip. And let me tell you about the price! Incredibly reasonable!! We could believe our bill each will after the amazing food we enjoyed. We ordered everything family style, which helped us try many more items on the menu than ordering on our own.

You will run into amazing restaurants while exploring the city. If you pass by something you like, I’d stop and see if they take reservations. Most restaurants do and it is the best way to make sure you get to enjoy the food you are looking forward to trying. Most of the popular restaurants named below will be booked a few weeks in advance and will require a reservation.

+CDMX Restaurant Recommendatios-

  • Pujol
  • Quintonil
  • Huset
  • Rosa Negro
  • Barra Buena
  • El Balcon de Zocalo
  • El Morro (Churros)

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Travel

Cancun Travel Guide

Hi, everyone! I’m back and spring has me planning and dreaming of summer vacations and days on the beach. Today, I’m sharing my Cancun Travel Guide with you all to help you plan your first, or next, Mexican getaway. If you love gorgeous blue water, white sandy beaches, maybe some ancient ruins, Cancun might just be the next best vacation spot for you. 

+Getting to Cancun-Cancun, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, is a popular tourist destination any time of the year. With a large international airport, Cancun, is an easy destination to fly in and out of from most any city in the United States and around the world. Depending on the size of your travel group, you can book a shuttle to pick you up and take you to your hotel or Airbnb. You can also catch a taxi or an Uber at the airport to take you to your destination. While in the city, you can continue to use taxi’s and Uber’s or ride the city bus for about $1.
+Where to Stay-Cancun being a very popular tourist destination has many major hotels to stay, with all major accommodations. Most hotels are located in Zona Hotelera along the beach coast. Many hotels offer all inclusive packages for your stay, food and drink. You can also find many Airbnb’s for rent, depending on the area you would like to stay.

+Things to do-There is no shortage of things to do in and around Cancun.  From relaxing on the beach to getting away for some adventure and historical site seeing. Cancun is an easy place to please most anyone in your group.

+Spend time at the beach. As I mentioned earlier, Cancun has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. White sandy beaches, surrounded by aqua blue water, you really cannot go wrong with a day or two on the beach. 

 Shopping-If shopping is your thing, you can certainly take advantage of several shopping malls, from luxury to local markets and goods. Many of the shopping malls are located  close to the Zona Hotelera.      

 Visit Parque De Las Palapas-If you’re looking for an authentic experience while visiting Cancun, Parque de las Palapas comes with my highest recommendation to visit. The town square, located in downtown Cancun, is a square full of amazing food and vendors. I’m talking about the best food you will eat on your trip! You can find a variety of tacos, tortas, elote, marquesita, churros, you name it they have it. Plus, it’s delicious and authentic. The square often has entertainment such as music and activities for kids and is busy each evening. By far one of my most favorite experiences of the trip and a place you should consider visiting while in Cancun.

+Day Trips- Although, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy in Cancun itself, there are many day trips to book to explore more of Yucatan Peninsula. Here are some popular day trips around the area, not to mention, the 7th Wonder of the World, Chichen-Itza! Most of these day trips can be arranged by your hotel concierge or through a travel site. Most bookings include transportation to and from the location, one meal and entrance tickets.

Chichen-Itza- Located a few hours from Cancun is home to a complex of Mayan ruins, including, El Castillo or Temple of Kukulcan. This ancient structure, said to be thriving in about 600 AD is well worth the day trip.

Tulum- A gorgeous, small port city on the coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula. It’s known for its beaches and well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan’s. Tulum is beyond beautiful and more than likely where I will stay on my next visit to the area.

Swim in a Cenote- A cenote is a natural sink whole, usually created by the collapse of the limestone bedrock, exposing the ground water underneath. There are many cenotes all over the Yucatan Peninsula, where many people visit and swim daily. We were able to book a took taking us to a local cenote and Chichen-Itza in the same day, completely worth the long day of traveling.

Other quick day trips from Cancun:

  • Isla Mujeres    
  • Xcaret      
  • Playa Del Carmen

There is so much to do and see around Cancun, no matter what your traveling style, you will find plenty of activities to keep you busy and enjoy your time. Hope this travel guide helps you plan and enjoy your trip to the Yucatan Peninsula.