INSTAGRAM WORTHY SPOTS IN NASSAU PARADISE ISLAND!

Taking in the gorgeous views from my balcony at the The Cove, Atlantis Paradise Island

Taking in the gorgeous views from my balcony at the The Cove, Atlantis Paradise Island

The water sparkled like blue zircon sapphires as I stood speechless, taking it all in. As a child, I have faint memories of sailing around the Bahamas with my dad, but now, seeing the intense and mesmerizing crystal clear blues of the water was enough to leave me breathless all over again. “Somebody pinch me,” I thought.

This trip to the Bahamas was going to be very different than any of my previous visits with my father. For one I was not with family, and secondly, I was finally going to have a chance to explore more of Nassau Paradise Island. My stay in Nassau Bahamas would be split between two of the largest and most popular paradise island resorts, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas and The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar; and while in town I was also going to get the chance to explore many other smaller Nassau Bahamas hotel properties and talk to locals in hopes of finding out where the most Instagram-worthy spots on the island are! So, are you ready?

Views of Cabbage Beach from the porch of a three bedroom unit at Sunrise Clubs and Villas

Views of Cabbage Beach from the porch of a three bedroom unit at Sunrise Clubs and Villas

One of the smaller properties I visited was the Sunrise Beach Clubs and Villas, located on Cabbage Beach. It was here while standing on the back porch of one of their three-bedroom villas that I saw the water sparkle like blue zircon sapphires for the first time.

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN NASSAU BAHAMAS

Cabbage Beach is known for being one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Bahamas and spans approximately 8 km. Along the beach, you will find countless resorts, bars, and restaurants lining the shores. The beach itself has the most beautiful clean, white sand, and although the water is shallow and perfect for beach walks, swimming, and sunbathing, I have heard the rip currents can also be very strong. Since there are no lifeguards on duty I would suggest being mindful of this when going in the water. Cabbage beach starts at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas property and the further west you go the quieter the beach gets. By the time you hit Sunrise Beach Clubs and Villas or the famous Four Seasons Ocean Club (more on that later), the beach becomes less busy and in my personal opinion much more enjoyable. Since there are many restaurants and bars along the beach, beach chairs can easily be rented wherever you decide to settle down, making this the perfect place to post up, do a little ‘liming’, snap some Instagram worthy photos and enjoy a gorgeous beach day in Nassau Paradise Island.


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The gorgeous mosaic pool at Graycliff Hotel in Nassau

The gorgeous mosaic pool at Graycliff Hotel in Nassau

RESTAURANTS IN NASSAU BAHAMAS

The second place I recommend you check out while in Nassau Paradise Island Bahamas is the Graycliff Hotel and surrounding Graycliff Heritage Village. Not only does the hotel have great historical significance, but it also has an amazing fine dining restaurant – the first 5-star restaurant on the island and the best food I had while in Nassau – and an expansive wine cellar that boasts over 200,000 bottles of wine at an estimated value of $20 million! The hotel itself is located near downtown Nassau and was originally a mansion built in 1740 by Captain John Howard Graysmith, a famous pirate known for looting treasure ships along the Spanish Main (the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea). If you have a chance to visit the hotel I would recommend snapping some photos by their gorgeous mosaic pool in the back which is like a little tucked away oasis and unlike anything else, you will see in Nassau Bahamas. If you continue through the Heritage Village you will also find the Graycliff Cigar Company, Graycliff Chocolatier, and Bahama Barrels (Bahamas’s first winery) – all of which are great places to pick up some souvenirs.

NOTEWORTHY LUXURY RESORTS & HOTELS IN THE BAHAMAS

The Versailles-inspired tiered manicured lawns and gardens at the Four Season Ocean Club

The Versailles-inspired tiered manicured lawns and gardens at the Four Season Ocean Club

Anyone who loves James Bond movies would recognize the famous Four Seasons Ocean Club from the Daniel Craig-starring Casino Royal. Not only is the Ocean Club an extremely exclusive property but the grounds are absolutely stunning. On the property, you will find beautiful ocean views, tranquil spots in which to relax, a beautiful fine dining restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the water, and a racket club. For me, what made this property so Instagram-worthy was the 35 acres of Versailles-inspired tiered manicured lawns and gardens. If you can snag a dinner (it’s definitely one of the most romantic restaurants in Nassau) or lunch reservation at the hotel restaurant (Dune Restaurant) make sure to take a walk around the property to find the gardens. You are guaranteed some beautiful, fairytale-like pictures here!

Kids having fun at Aquaventure at Atlantis Paradise Island

Kids having fun at Aquaventure at Atlantis Paradise Island

If you have kids or are just a big kid at heart, the waterpark at Atlantis Paradise Island is an amazing place to check out and snap photos while in Nassau Bahamas. Aquaventure, Atlantis’ waterpark, is a remarkable 141-acre with Atlantean-themed towers that house high-speed water slides. Numerous swimming pools, a water playground/fort, a mile-long not-so-lazy river with rolling rapids and wave surges, and twenty additional swimming areas can also be found scattered throughout the property. The good news is you don’t necessarily need to be staying at Atlantis to access the park as day passes can be purchased at The Atlantis Adventures Tour center located outside The Coral. Space is limited so best to arrive early and anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by an Adult (18 years or older) to access the water park. While on Atlantis grounds, make sure to also check out the numerous aquariums on the property for a glimpse at majestic stingrays and schools of tropical fish.


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One of the pools at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

One of the pools at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Last, but definitely not least, the Baha Mar Campus offers numerous amazing photo opportunities. The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, where I stayed, is the largest hotel on the Baha Mar campus and has 6 gorgeous pools to choose from – one of which even has a grotto! Colourful cabanas along with cute little Airstream trailer food trucks can also be found scattered throughout the property, both of which make incredibly cute backdrops for photos. Besides the beautiful casino (where you aren’t really allowed to take photos of/in) the Baha Mar campus is incredibly photogenic and all three hotels that make up the campus – Baha Mar SLS, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar – offer unique experiences. The Baha Mar SLS (the party hotel) and the Rosewood Baha Mar (Nassau’s ultimate private, luxury hotel escape) provide guests with further exclusive access to parts of the property that Hyatt guests do not have including smaller, private pools (SLS has one and Rosewood has two) as well as a private beach (reserved for Rosewood Baha Mar guests only). No matter which hotel you end up staying at though, you are bound to get some great shots for your IG!

This is obviously just the tip of the iceberg for Instagram worthy spots in Nassau Paradise Island, let alone the Bahamas! One place that should for sure be on this list, but I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to really visit, is downtown Nassau. Known for its bright colourful buildings and Straw Market, downtown Nassau Bahamas is super close to the cruise ship port making it an easy place to visit if you are coming in via boat. Other than that, Nassau is a beautiful island with so much to offer and I am sure anyone who visits will find unique spots of their own to add to this list. If you know of or find a spot that you think I should add to this list, feel free to leave me a note in the comments below!

Until then safe travels and happy photo taking!

Chilling on my balcony at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau Bahamas Paradise Island

Chilling on my balcony at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau Bahamas Paradise Island


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FROM SANTORINI TO MYKONOS: ISLAND HOPPING IN GREECE WITH BOOKING.COM

Watching the sunset from Iconic Santorini - A Boutique Cave Hotel in Imerovigli Santorini

Watching the sunset from Iconic Santorini - A Boutique Cave Hotel in Imerovigli Santorini

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Every spring a sea of travel Instagrammers I follow seem to flock to the Greek islands and fill my feed with beautifully white cascading buildings accented with the quintessential blue domes you associate with Greece. Frankly, it’s enough to send a girl into a fit of envy. I have always dreamed of going to Santorini and Mykonos and finally this last June I was able to cross another big destination off my bucket list once and for all!

Prior to going, I knew that the trip was going to be expensive. Both Santorini and Mykonos are only really ‘open for operation’ between May and October and even then if you’re not there in the peak summer months (June - September) it can be a little too cold/windy, or kind of ‘dead’. Nevertheless, I was looking to do this destination the right way and quickly accepted the fact that I may have to pay a heavy price tag for it - sometimes you just gotta treat yourself!

Exploring the village of Imerovigli Satorini, Greece

Exploring the village of Imerovigli Satorini, Greece

Although I knew this trip was going to get expensive from takeoff I started my accommodation search the way I always do, with a scroll through Booking.com. I used this website on my last trip to Italy and quickly appreciated the vast variety of accommodations they offer. From hostel stays to people’s apartments to luxury Santorini villas and boutique cave hotels, they seem to have every type of accommodation under the sun at a variety of price points. My goal, however, wasn’t to find cheap accommodations. I wanted to experience true Hellenic hospitality and so I sought out those hotels that provided the picturesque caldera views I was envious of when seeing those Instagrammers photos. Something quintessential of the destination that would give me the full, real experience. Also, another great thing about this website is that every once and a while you do come across a hilarious review that makes the research portion of planning a trip so much more fun - LOLz!

After a deep dive into the best places to stay in Santorini, I found and secured two perfect places (Iconic Santorini and San Georgio Mykonos) to stay and booking our flight - Adam and I were ready to go. We didn’t bother planning too much ahead in terms of restaurants and activities, because the hotel we were staying at in Santorini said it isn’t really necessary in June - reservations can easily be made the day of or a day in advance at the most. Going with the flow is not my usual style, but we decided to take their advice and see how it played out. In the end, they were right and I was still able to comprise Two ‘Eat, Stay, Play’ survival guides for you so HERE WE GO!


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A beautiful church I found in the town of Imerovigli

A beautiful church I found in the town of Imerovigli


SANTORINI, GREECE

Essentially Santorini is made up of 3 larger towns and villages - Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia. They are all situated on the steep cliffs of the island and face the caldera. To my surprise and what I didn’t know prior to visiting, is that Santorini is a volcanic island with all the beautiful towns you see in the photos are situated on the inner lip of the mouth of an ancient volcano! CRAZY RIGHT!?

Santorini Restaurants

Ammoudi Tavern in Oia - Recommended by the concierge at our hotel, Ammoudi Tavern is one of the best restaurants in Santorini. Adam and I had an absolutely sensational seafood dinner at this restaurant in Oia Santorini. Although it did involve having to drive there, we totally made an evening of it. We went early to catch the sunset beforehand (HOT TIP: Oia is the best place to watch the sunset in Santorini) and once the sun went down, made our way to the little cove below the city where the restaurant can be found. It was very romantic and I would have easily gone back again if we had the rental car for an extra day.

Argo in Fira - This restaurant was another beautiful hotel recommendation and I am so glad they did because it would not have been something I would of found on my own. It was one of the best meals we had while in Fira Santorini and I can still remember the delicious seafood plate for two Adam and I ordered. We spent the evening sitting on their second-floor deck overlooking the Caldera and tiny pathway filled with shops and people, drinking house wine and giggling. The food was spectacular and in very traditional Greek style. The service was friendly, fast, attentive and it easily became one of the best meals of our trip not to mention it’s a great spot to start if you want to experience the nightlife in Santorini or want to grab a bite before hitting up bars and clubs in Fira.

To Psaraki Tavern - A favourite amongst locals, this seafood restaurant gets busy at lunch and after eating there I can see why. The fish was fresh and very beautifully prepared. The restaurant was perched atop a cliff looking over the marina where the sailboat charters come in (you should definitely go sailing while in Santorini - more about this recommendation below) and provides a relaxing atmosphere away from the city crowds for you to enjoy your lunch. The staff was friendly and parking was easy. It is also smack in the middle of Eros and Perivolos Beach (more on this to come as well below) so it’s a great pit stop on your way from one beach to another.

Our Hotel in Imerovigli Santorini

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Iconic Santorini - A Boutique Cave Hotel - situated in the small village of Imerovigli Santorini this hotel is what Santorini vacation dreams are made of. This 17 room boutique hotel offers comfortable, clean, cozy accommodations carved into the mountainside. The hotel recently underwent renovations in 2013 and has been completely modernized and redecorated in a  natural, traditional Hellenic style. Each room comes with its own private terrace and two day beds - a perfect spot to enjoy your complimentary breakfast.

Enjoying breakfast at my hotel - Iconic Santorini in Imerovigli Santorini

Enjoying breakfast at my hotel - Iconic Santorini in Imerovigli Santorini

Although the hotel felt very luxurious, the staff aimed to make you feel at home and comfortable. They were so very accommodating, greeted you every time they saw you, and even allowed for special dinner menu requests from guests. Chef Mattheos - a Santorini native - makes special trips to the market each day to gather fresh ingredients for his dinner menu and was kind enough to pick up an octopus especially for me one evening. His menus often reflect what is in season and is prepared in a traditional Greek manner. Many of the recipes and techniques he uses have been passed down through his family for many years.

The food at the hotel was sensational and very reasonably priced. Although we ate out several times, the view from the dining area at the hotel was one of the best we experienced during our time in Santorini! It’s honestly one of those hotels you could enjoy being cooped up in your entire trip and feel totally content about it.

Since the hotel is perched upon the highest cliffs in Imerovigli Santorini, it does have a 'no children under 14' policy (mainly because a 1000 foot drop off the cliffside is a dangerous risk), but for those who are interested in a quiet, calm, adult-only atmosphere,  one will quickly realize it is the perfect honeymoon hotel. In the end, my stay here was hands-down the best hotel experience I have EVER had and I have nothing but great things to say about my stay at Iconic. I’ll definitely be going back!

Things To Do In Santorini

Santorini Sailing - one of the best activities we did while in Santorini was a 5-hour sail around the south side of the island. Adam and I were walking into Fira Santorini one night for dinner from our hotel (an easy downhill walk) when we passed the Santorini Sailing storefront and decided to step in out of curiosity to check out prices. At this point, it was 9 PM and we wanted to sail the following morning.  Usually, the rates start as low as 90 Euro per person however in our case that boat was sold out. Lucky for us they bumped us up to the semi-private boat which included lunch and unlimited drinks for the same cost! BRILLIANT! The sailing company picked us up from our hotel at 8 AM the next morning and we were sailing by 9! It was such a beautiful day!  The crew were so friendly and told us all about the different island formations and areas. The food at lunch was great and they were always offering to help take your photos, making sure you were having fun, and always had a cold beverage. If you are looking for things to do in Santorini Greece and you don’t get seasick, I highly recommend doing a day sail!

Tango Bar, Fira Santorini - If you are interested in experiencing nightlife in Santorini, this champagne and cocktail bar was recommended to us by a couple of people we met during our stay and so happy they did! Adam and I went and enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine at Tango after dinner one night (the party doesn’t really start to happen till after 11 PM so go late) and danced to some great house music. The bar to me has more of a nightclub feel but unlike many of the other bars we went to, it is cliffside and offers great views of the water and surrounding views of the city lit up at night. Most of the clubs in Santorini are located in Fira anyways so even if it’s not super busy, it’s super easy to walk from one club to another until you find one with an atmosphere to your liking.

Rent a car - Although our hotel was amazing and I could literally spend all day there (and be happy as a clam doing so), Adam and I wanted to explore all the island had to offer. The hotel was amazing at helping us arrange a car and for 60 euros and 24 hours of freedom we thought, why not. If you want to check out Eros beach or Perivolos beach - or even just go into Oia for dinner and watch the sunset, you are looking at a 40 Euro taxi ride each way so may as well rent a car for a day and do all of it! Navigation and parking isn’t difficult so it’s actually one of the best options if you want to be more mobile and explore the island further.

Sunset in Oia Santorini

Oia - A lot of the Instagram photos you see of Santorini are actually taken in Oia. It is a beautiful town with many busy streets and is known as the best place to watch the sunset! Although it’s a bit of a distance from Fira and Imerovigli I definitely recommend checking it out at least once. There is a hiking path you can take from the hotel that is supposed to be about 2 hours walking or you can drive there within 15 -20  minutes. Since Adam and I rented a car, it wasn’t an issue getting to Oia Santorini and actually made for a nice drive. If you didn’t want to rent a car and just take a cab expect around a 40 Euro price tag for a taxi one way.

Eros Beach and Perivolos Beach - another great activity to do if you have the ability to move around the island and want to spend a day at the beach. Since we had a car for the day we were able to go explore both Eros Beach and Perivolos Beach (the black sand beach) and see the different landscapes of the island. These two beaches are both on the more flatter end of the island and are filled with beach clubs and restaurants - a much different vibe from the cliffside towns


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SANTORINI TO MYKONOS

The next stop on our Greek island hopping tour was Mykonos - the party island! Although we did look into flights from Santorini to Mykonos we figured the most viable way to make the journey was to swim. JUST KIDDING! We took a ferry for 70 Euro a person and within 2.5 hours we arrived in Mykonos! It was super easy and the hotel helped us arrange the booking of our ferry tickets and transportation to the Santorini to Mykonos ferry dock.


Exploring Mykonos Old Town

Exploring Mykonos Old Town

MYKONOS, GREECE

So what we quickly learned about the island was that all the big beach clubs and the majority of hotels are all located on the south side of the island. The north side of the island has picturesque secluded beaches with lovely restaurants, but for the most part, everything is happening on the south side. Also, the BIG party day in Mykonos is Sunday so if you can work your itinerary to be there on the weekend like we did, you can really get a taste of the party scene. Lastly, although we did rent a car for a day while in Mykonos, navigating was not as easy as Santorini. We did get lost and had to turn around a handful of times, not to mention I’ve never experienced so many blind corners in my life!

Restaurants in Mykonos

When it came to restaurants in Mykonos, prices were all over the map! Some places were so expensive and a total rip-off, while others offered great value for amazing food. To help you avoid getting stuck in a tourist trap or spending your entire meal budget in one shot (one place we went to was charging over 100 euro for a grilled fish) here are two restaurants in Mykonos I highly recommend adding to your list!

Kiki’s Tavern - When it comes to Mykonos Restaurant, this place is no joke! It was hands-down one of the best afternoons Adam and I had the whole time we were in Mykonos and it wasn’t just because of the food. Picture a little wooden restaurant next to a secluded beach with their own private swimming cove. You show up, add your name to the list (which will typically already have an hour-long wait), help yourself to complimentary rosé while you enjoy the beautiful view of the cove. The wine will start to hit you quicker than usual because 1) you’re hungry and 2) you’re in the hot sun, so you walk down to the waters and go for a dip to cool off. You do this several times until your table is ready and then you enjoy a beautiful meal in the shade with a picturesque view of the water. Beautiful! Since Kiki’s isn’t in town you will need to either rent a car like we did to get there or take a taxi which may even be your best bet considering we did get lost…. a few times. LOL

Nikolas Tavern - Loved this place! Mainly because it was a family-run and owned business and you could really see how they put their whole heart into operating it. There are family photos all over the walls inside and they are so welcoming and ready to offer you something to drink. The restaurant is right on the beach so you can go early to watch the sunset and then hang under their illuminating overhead string lights while you enjoy some traditional Greek food. They also had 14 Euro half-liter pitchers of wine which was a perfect way for me to get a little tipsy before going out. Adam and I loved it here and since it was only a short walk from our hotel we ended up coming back several times during our trip. The prices were completely reasonable and allowed us to eat until our stomachs were full and heart content for under 70 euro! With drinks!

Our Hotel In Mykonos

*use my discount code to receive 15% off your next accommodation reservation with Booking.com

San Giorgio - What really attracted me to this hotel was the bohemian aesthetic. When you see pictures of Mykonos you usually see pictures of the town – all the white buildings with blue windows and railings. What you don’t see is that the island is actually very rustic and when you get out of town, more bohemian, airy, and minimalistic. The land around the populated areas are used for farming and every once and awhile you will see small herds of animals. My hotel San Giorgio was on a beautiful point between two of the best beaches to party in Mykonos – Paraga Beach and Paradise Beach – making it a great location for anyone looking for that Mykonos party experience.

Olive tree at my hotel - San Giorgio Mykonos

Olive tree at my hotel - San Giorgio Mykonos

The hotel itself is beautifully laid out and upon arrival we were ushered down to the pool, given a welcome glass of prosecco, and a breakdown of the hotel. We were informed that our stay included a complimentary breakfast, a free 30 minute training session with the hotel trainer Panos, and were encouraged to participate in one of their many free workshops, talks, and meditations that happen daily. The philosophy of the hotel is to be a communal space where creatives can come to meet and inspire one another. We met a lot of interesting people while we were there and everyone was so friendly and open to chatting, making it super easy to buy into the concept and make new friends.

San Giorgio is a member of the Design Hotel Collection which made it no surprise that the rooms were beautiful. Although not as luxurious as the Iconic Santorini, there was beauty in their understated, earthy, and airy simplicity. It really emulated bohemian chic perfectly with earth-tone painted walls, straw hat decorations, and lights made from natural material. This boutique hotel has only 34 rooms, but each one comes with a little terrace adorned with at minimum a small table and a couple stools. Although you can hear the echoes of the beach club a short distance off it was definitely a nice close haven to escape to when you get sick of the parties.

Things To Do In Mykonos

Mykonos Town - Mykonos Town is picture perfect. This is where you will see all the white buildings and stone-painted (it’s not real stone) ground. A lot of pictures of Mykonos are taken in town, especially by the windmills in Little Venice Mykonos! Go for an afternoon and get lost down the winding alleyways, in and out of small shops, and restaurants and bars - you won’t regret it.

Scorpios - A contemporary take on the ancient Greek Agora, Scorpios is the best beach club in Mykonos and definitely more on the posh side. Drinks will run you between 9-12 Euros so unless you have money to blow come with your buzz already on. Since it can get quite expensive here I found that it attracted a 30+ crowd. Nevertheless, it was beautiful and I loved their ancient Greek tribal atmosphere. The music consisted mostly of techno tribal beats with it was a cool spot to hang out, dance, listen to music, and people watch. This place also happens to be the sister property for the San Giorgio Hotel so if you are staying at the hotel you get line bypass and priority access. A lot of the DJ’s that play at Scorpios also end up being put up at San Giorgio so don’t be surprised if you see them poolside at the hotel the next day ;)

Cavo Paradiso - If you want to party until the sun comes up then this is where you need to go. Scorpios and the beach clubs on Paraga beach usually close down around 1:30 am but the party is still going on at the beach on the other side of the hotel – Paradise beach. Cavo Paradiso is on the point just after Paradise beach (you can literally see it from the hotel) and takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to from the hotel. Here you will find a younger, hostel crowd who want to stay up all night and party! This is the only club we went to while in Mykonos where we had to pay cover (20 Euro) but we got what we paid for and were able to dance all night to a sick DJ (FULL DISCLOSURE: I was pretty tipsy and couldn’t tell you his name, but all I remember is dancing up a storm!) and had a great 'party night in Mykonos' experience. We ended up staying here until the sun came up and walked back to our hotel, totally ready for bed.

Faros Lighthouse - always a sucker for a good sunset, if you are interested in the best spot to watch it from, you just found it. Since it is located on the north side of the island though, you will only be able to do this if you rent a car because 1) there was no taxi stand so how would you get back and 2) it’s not walkable from town.


Although Santorini and Mykonos were two destinations I was dying to visit I really could not have pulled this trip together without my partnership with Booking.com. I have used their site in the past for many of my accommodations reservations and am happy to pass on a 15% savings to you on your next trip with my discount code. No matter where you want to go, whether the US, Europe, a festival or a weekend cottage getaway, Booking.com has such an array of properties and accommodations to choose from they are easily my #1 site. Be a savvy traveler like me! Save on your next reservation and spend that money on a dinner or activity instead!

If you have any questions about my Santorini/Mykonos trip feel free to hit me up in the comment sections below!


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