Creating Custom Google Maps

Obviously the idea that you can create your own custom Google map is not new. I’ve read several articles describing how to do it in the past, and always thought, “what a great idea.” Despite thinking I should do it, I never actually created one, which is surprising given how much I love to plan and research before I travel somewhere (especially somewhere new).

As I was researching where to find the best spots for blue dome pictures in Santorini, I quickly realized that these spots were actually quite hard to find. I finally found a photographer who gave a good description and the GPS coordinates. I knew I wanted to make sure I could access that info while in Santorini, and that’s when it dawned on me -- this was the perfect occasion to make my first custom Google map!

The process is super easy. You simple log into your Google account and go to maps. You create a new map, name it, and start adding by address, GPS coordinates, business name, street name, or by dropping a pin or line on the map. You can then automize the colors and pin icons (You can find more thorough, step-by-step instructions here). Before I departed for Santorini I added just handful of places to my map and then downloaded it on my phone (I just used the google maps app, but you can also download into other map apps). It was a lifesaver.

But the real value of the custom Google map came when I returned home and wanted to record and share my favorite places and best photo spots. I had several people who were traveling to Santorini or planning a trip in the future who wanted some recommendations. I realized that the easiest and most useful thing for them was for me to add everything to my Google map and then share it. That way they too could access it on their phones while traveling (remember having a working phone in Europe is cheaper and easier than you think).

So here it is, my Google map for Santorini, Greece that you can view and save - just click here!

I am hoping to make one for all of the places I visit, and, of course, I want to make one definitive one for Florence.


So what do you think? Is this a useful addition to the travel section of this blog?

10 Things You Must Do in Santorini

Oh, Santorini! How I miss your white-washed architecture, blue domes, bright pink blooms, charming towns, and crystal clear waters already. After editing a ton of photos and summing my adventures, I thought I should share my definitive list of “must-dos” when visiting this magical island.

1) See the sunset in Oia
It is gorgeous and famous for a reason. But get there early to stake out your spot!

2) Rent a four-wheeler
So fun and a great way to get around the island (oh, and super affordable too).

3) Say hi to the donkeys in Fira
These donkeys are crazy, but cute. If you’re like me and feel bad riding them up the hill, you can walk down the path to the port (just keep an eye out for rouge donkeys and all the poop!) and ride the cable car back up to town.

4) Hike a trail
There are lots of trails on the island, but the best one is the hike from Fira to Oia (which you can read more about here).

5) Take a great picture of some iconic blue domes
You can read about my favorite blue-dome photo spot here. But these gorgeous blue domes dot the island, and searching them out is half the fun.

6) Explore a smaller more local town 
I loved the little town of Pyrgos. So adorable and charming, and definitely less touristy and unspoiled than the more popular towns of Oia and Fira. I also explored Akrotiri, Firostefani, and

7) Visit Red Beach
I am not a huge beach go-er, but Red Beach, thanks to its unique red color, was stunning and definitely worth a visit and a quick dip in the crystal-clear waters.

8) Take a boat tour around the island 
This one of the best ways to see the island and the circular “Caldera,” which formed when the area collapsed from a volcanic eruption. This gave Santorini its present-day unique semi-cirluar shape. The entire area is a basically a collapsed ancient volcano!

9) Explore ancient Thera
The island of Santorini (or Thera as it was called) has a long (and important) history, which you can see and explore through the archeology museum in Fira or the ruins of the ancient city of Akrotiri.

10) Get lost in Oia
Oia was definitely my favorite town on the island. It is everything everyone says it will be -- gorgeous and magical. The best way to explore its winding alleys and little nooks is to just let yourself get lost!


You can read about all of my adventures in Santorini here:
Postcards from Santorini Day 1
Postcards from Santorini Day 2
Postcards from Santorini Day 3
Postcards from Santorini Day 4

Outfit: Comfy Caftan

caftan // sunnies // bracelets // purse (old) // sandals (from Positano)

When it comes to tropical or Mediterranean travel, there is nothing better than a stylish and comfortable caftan. I snagged this Lilly Pulitzer caftan during the After Party Sale in August (thank goodness I was home for that!). 

Not only was it a steal, but I also knew it would be perfect for my travels to Santorini and Ischia (sadly my plans for Croatia fell through, but the islands of Ischia and Procida proved to be a wonderful substitute).

What I love most about a great caftan when travelling is how versatile it is. It can be worn as a tunic, cover-up, or dressed up for dinner or an evening out. Yet, it is still comfy, flowy, and easy to wear in warm climates. Basically it is effortless chic. 

Not only was I super comfortable exploring Santorini in my caftan (although I am sure it was a funny site on my four-wheeler), I also loved the way the pink and blue design went with the overall aesthetic of the island. Santorini is basically a sea of blue and white with the occasional splash of pink. I wore it on my second day on the island to explore the cities of Oia and Fira. You definitely want to be comfortable when exploring Santorini because there are a ton of stairs and lots of little alleyways to be investigated.

Don’t worry; if you missed snagging this Lilly caftan, there are some new versions in stock. I have also linked some more great caftan options below. 

What is your go-to piece for warm weather travel?

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Postcards from Santorini: Day 4

Tired of Santorini pics yet? No? Ok, good because here are some more! Sadly, however, this is the last round. These are from my last day on the island, which I spent hiking the incredible trail from Fira to Oia. The trail is easy to find, it starts at the archeology museum and Fira and the trail is well marked by signs along the way.

The full hike takes just over three hours and is about 9 kilometers long... and it is completely worth it! The views are incredible and it is not a necessarily difficult trek. The hike takes you through stunning towns of Firostefani and Imerovigli on your way around the rim of the caldera and finally finishing in Oia.

Not only is the hike not difficult, but it is incredibly peaceful, just a handful of tourists along the way. I recommend getting an early start to beat the heat (I also recommend filling up on delicious fresh crepes with fruit in Fira at the Corner Cafe before starting). I was fortunate that it was a bit cloudy and windy the day I went.

About half way through the hike you come across this little church perched high on one of the hills (it’s actually called the black hill). The little church is whitewashed and serene with a bell archway that perfectly frames the town of Oia below. If I ever am lucky enough to return to Santorini, this little archway will be my next sunset shot!

The hike ends in, where else, Oia. One can never get to much of Oia and I was excited to return once more. The hike works up quite an appetite, so I indulged in some traditional dishes before taking more, you guessed it, pictures of blue domes lol. I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering and shopping in Oia. I wanted to stay and catch a shot of that magical sunset everyone one is always raving about. It did not disappoint and was certainly worth the wait.

But instead of heading to the crowded castle for the standard sunset over the ocean shot (which, in my opinion, looks the same everywhere), I stayed in my favorite blue-dome-spot so I could get a shot of the sun setting over the city (here are the gps coordinates if you want to find it - 36.46092, 25.37622). Where ever you pick for your shot, make sure you get there about an hour before sunset to stake out a spot.

Of course, leaving Santorini was bittersweet, but I am always happy to return to Florence, and happy to mark another incredible adventure off my bucket list!

You can read more of my Santorini recaps here:
Postcards from Santorini Day 1
Postcards from Santorini Day 2
Postcards from Santorini Day 3

Postcards from Santorini: Day 3

For my third day in Santorini, I forced myself out of Oia and headed to the southern part of the island to explore. Of course, I started my day in the neighboring town of Pyrgos. I really grew to love Pyrgos, especially in the mornings when it was quiet and deserted (it also had the best little cafes for breakfast and coffee). On this particular morning, I was there especially early and I swear I had the entire town to myself. So charming, so blue, and so serene. I definitely think if I return to Santorini I want to stay in Pyrgos.

After my morning in Pyrgos, I hopped back on my four-wheeler and headed south to Akrotiri and the famous Red Beach. The southern part of the island is far less inhabited and has a completely different feel from the huddled and colorful cliff-side villages in the north. It was interesting to explore this more rugged side of the island. 

Akrotiri, like Pygros, also has an old castle-fort (built by the Venetians) that you an explore. But the most interesting site in this area is the Minoan Bronze-Age city of Akrotiri (which is just slightly southeast of the current city). This almost-3,000-year-old city was destroyed in a volcanic eruption and rediscovered in the nineteenth century (FYI the entire island is a former volcano that collapsed into the sea, creating the semi-circular caldera as it is called today). For a couple euros you can explore the excavations of this historic city.

My final stop for the day was Red Beach, one of the best beaches on the island and famous for its red hues. Apparently it is the high iron in the rocks that makes it red. It is definitely gorgeous against the bright blue Aegean sea and a wonderful place to relax and take a dip in the cool, clear water.

Don’t worry, I have one more set of photos to share Thursday!

Postcards from Santorini Day 1
Postcards from Santorini Day 2

Outfit: Santorini Dresscode

dress // hat (Florentine purchase, last seen here) // purse (old, but obsessed with this one for fall) // sandals (purchased in Capri, but love these) // sunglasses

Packing for Santorini wasn’t difficult, I just threw some shades of blue and pink with a touch of white into my suitcase, and I matched the island perfectly. Since navy has long been my go-to color for travel (and in life), I was set.

I actually picked up this Rebecca Minkoff dress while home in Tampa specifically for my trip to Santorini. It has everything I want in a dress - navy eyelet, ruffles, and it’s easy to wear yet still flattering. Sold! I love this dress so much, I am really contemplating purchasing the white version and the top version (which comes in navy and white as well).

You can wear the dress (and top I suppose) either on or off the shoulder. I personally prefer on, but I imagine it is just as cute off. I also like that as it gets cooler, I can throw a denim jacket over it. It won’t exactly work with tights when fall truly arrives to Florence, but in Florida, this is a year-round dress lol. And unfortunately, I will at some point have to return to Florida.

Check back tomorrow for more pictures of Santorini and my day-three recap! And you can read my first two posts on Santorini here:
Postcards from Santorini Day 1
Postcards from Santorini Day 2

Postcards from Santorini: Day 2

For my second day in Santorini, I wanted to get up early to see the sunrise and Oia. You’re probably thinking “Oia, again?” but I loved it so much I actually visited it three times out of my four days on the island! Call me crazy but I wanted to photograph this unique city (village?) in different light - morning, afternoon, and sunset.

I was so glad I forced myself to get up early because Oia was gorgeous at sunrise and basically empty, which was wonderful! Armed with my tripod and camera I wandered down countless little alleys and winding paths. I just can’t get enough of those stunning blue domes!

After grabbing a quick coffee and a tasty mushroom and leek pie at the super friendly Skiza Cafe (this was my go-to coffee and snack spot), I left Oia and headed to the capital city of Fira. It is a bit confusing, but I finally figured out that Thera is the old name of the island and Fira the capital, but now these are sometimes used interchangeably. However, I discovered that following the signs to Thera and Fira both took me to the same city. I found that navigating the island was very easy. You simply follow the signs, and since there aren’t that many main roads, it is hard to get lost.

Fira has a much different feel from Oia. Oia is well-manicured and elegant, even the main street is marble lined, while Fira is vibrant and bustling (it is also where all of the cruise ships dock and disembark). After strolling the busy shopping streets and sampling several versions baklava at the many bakeries, I headed down to the old port.

The street that leads down to the port is famous for its (rather unruly) donkeys. I knew I would see donkeys, but I had no idea I would see that many donkeys. Not only are there a ton of them, but they are a little crazy (and surprisingly well accessorized!). They definitely do what they want (they don’t keep left or right), and at one point I found myself surrounded, but they are friendly and it is a fun experience. For the way back up, however, I spared both my legs and the donkeys and rode the cable car for 5 euro.

After long but exciting day of exploring, I hoped back on my four-wheeler and headed home for another amazing meal at Metaxy Mas!

Postcards from Santorini: Day 1

As you can see Santorini was a blue and white dream! As I type this, I am exhausted from four jam-packed days and a flight delay getting back to Florence. But I was too excited not to post my first day of photos. I’ve decided to share a set of postcards and a recap of what I did for each day (so brace yourselves for three more posts!).

After arriving the night before and getting settled in my adorable traditional Greek island house (which was an incredible value), I awoke early the next day. The first order of business was renting my four-wheeler for the duration of my stay. When I booked my accommodations I did not realize just how remote it was. Don’t worry, staying in one of the smaller, more traditional towns, turned out to be an amazing accident. I assumed that I could take the bus, but the lovely Maria of Morning Star advised me to rent a four-wheeler. She said that was how everyone got around and it was the best advice! Not only was the four-wheeler a blast to drive, but it gave me the freedom and flexibility to explore all of the island (it cost me 90 euros for my entire stay, plus 10 euros of gas).

Armed with my four-wheeler (and still a bit uneasy at the wheel), I scooted to the nearby town of Pyrgos (first three photos). Pyrgos, unlike many of the other more manicured and touristy towns on the island, is very charming and much more traditional. It’s tiny streets are full of white-washed houses with bright blue doors. You will find the occasional donkey resting in the square, little shops selling their wares, affordable and delicious cafes, and gorgeous domed churches. On top of the town is an old castle that is definitely worth exploring (and be sure to stop at Franco’s Bar).

After spending the morning in Pyrgos, I was ready and excited to hit the road to Oia. As you will see from my photos, I spent a lot of time in Oia. But, I also made sure to explore the other cities and parts of the island. While Oia is picture perfect, I think it’s a shame when travelers never leave it.

I don’t know if anyone else is this way, but when I travel I usually have a couple of photo goals in mind. For example, I knew I wanted a picture of Oia’s iconic three blue domes. I spent hours google mapping and researching how to find just the right angle. So when I arrived to Oia, I set out to find them. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to find (there is a street you turn left on after you pass a gorgeous blue-domed church and just before a fancy jewelry store). After taking countless pictures of these domes, I wandered around the city for a couple hours getting lost and taking a ton of photos.

Since I was new to four-wheeling, I decided not to stay for the famous Oia sunset on my first night, since it meant I would have to drive home in the dark. So I headed back to my hotel, which just happened to be next to what the locals told me was one of the best restaurants on the island, Metaxy Mas. Apparently it’s so good they were booked solid for my entire stay. But they were kind enough to prepare some dishes for me to go (and some wine!), which I enjoyed on my balcony overlooking the sea (pure heaven!).

Check back Thursday for my recap of day two!