This is one of my favorite posts that I wrote in 2020 before our lives completely changed. I thought it was a good time to send it again and remind everyone that Love comes in all forms. Happy February and Happy Valentines Day!

Photo credit - @touladouka

Syros- The Capital of the Cyclathes. The most Aristocratic of all the Greek Islands. Definitely worth a visit. Take the high speed, 2 hour ferry from the Port of Piraeus and combine it with a visit to Tinos island only 30 minutes away. I recommend the cooler months of September/October or April/May to be able to take in all that the cultural and historical center has to offer.

The Greek Islands are on everyone’s bucket list. It feels like people are continuing to come into Greece in the summer months by the droves. I have alot of opinions on when to come and where to go when visiting Greece and now that I am finally feeling settled in my new country, I hope to share my travels along the way.

@nickkarvounis - photo credit

Moving to Greece was a little bit like finding out Santa Claus isn’t real. As Greek-Americans we are raised by people that left Greece many many years ago. We are raised with a certain belief in our heads of how the country is, and we think we know Greece so well from all the summers we spent in the islands and the villages, and occasionally some longer lengths of stay in Athens. The reality of actually living and operating a career and a life, at least in the Capital of Greece, is very different.

(Photo credit - Arthur Yeti @arthuryeti)

It’s been a year! I have not written in a while. Getting settled in a new country is Alot! But I’m back, and I’m excited to share all my stories and experiences with you again.

She felt something click inside. She suddenly realized she was no longer available for careers, relationships or thoughts that were not in alignment with her highest expression, desires and truth. Her worthiness had grown roots, and she was now unshakeable in the belief that she was worthy of a life of magic. And she knew that the only person that could give her that…was herself. - @ElyseSantilli

When I moved to Greece I knew I was going to take life one step at a time. I didn’t know what lay ahead or where I would end up. I still don’t. But as the days go by on the island of Crete, I have found myself settled into a nice pace of life in a tiny little village where my life could not be further from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

@kellysikkema (Photo Credit)

Happy New Year! Καλή Χρονιά και Χρονιά Πολλά

Wishing everyone a fantastic 2022! I have high hopes for the coming year and think it is going to be amazing!

I never understood what it was like to actually live in Greece. To experience all four seasons here. It’s amazing how everything shuts down after the summer months and it becomes almost ghost like and so quiet. It’l like the island goes into hibernation waiting for the next season. After 17 years in NYC I can’t say I hate it. It’s a different experience for sure but i’m very much enjoying the country in many ways I never experienced it before.

Photo Credit - @noqqe

I found myself suddenly moving to Crete this summer when the job market in the US proved to be nearly impossible. Now after several months on this amazing island I can truly say I have fallen in love. The amazing beaches, the trendy culinary scene, the romantic venetian towns of the island, it all makes Crete truly special.

(Photo Credit Ian Schneider @goian)

When I decided to move to Greece, I thought that it would be a “healing” experience. The past couple years had been rough and I was excited to start over in a new country and to be working again. The honest truth though is that moving to Greece has been probably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. There have been setbacks, self-doubt, exhaustion, pain and alot more. I’m not complaining, I am still so thankful for this opportunity, but I think it’s important to recognize that while something sounds like it’s going to be amazing, the reality is often times it is very different from what we think it will be like.

Photo Credit - @Jonathangallegos

Greece has become one of the top destinations for travel over the past 10+ years. But vacationing to Greece is so different than living and working in the country. I have been able to learn so much about the culture that I was born into just by living every day in the country of the people who raised me. It has been an eye opening experience for me, and a window into the past of all the Greeks I grew up around. I have been able to better understand why they are the way they are, and start to appreciate it in a different way. Everyone should visit Greece, it’s an incredible place, but if you are really interested in truly learning about the people, and the culture, that will for sure take more time than just a 10 day jaunt to the islands.

Photo Credit - Egor Myzink @vonshnauzer

The pandemic kinda put a wrench in all my plans. Things changed…I changed, and my life..well it’s completely different now. I traded the Subways for a Car, People for Sheep and Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee for Freddo Cappuccinos. I’ll be honest with you, moving to a new country looks so glamorous in the movies, in reality it’s a huge adjustment, especially between two countries that are so different. But I did it, and I’m committed to seeing it through and seeing what my new life has in front of me.

Photo Credit: @matthewhenry

I know it’s been a while since my blog has shown up in your inbox. Let’s just say there has been a lot going on in my world. The truth? After 17 years (and over a year of COVID struggles) I decided to leave New York to seek opportunities elsewhere, and before I dive into what’s been going on, I wanted to take this week to officially say goodbye to New York City.

Dear Friends,
I know it’s been a while since I’ve shown up in your inbox. It’s been a crazy few months and I promise to fill you in, but in the meantime check out my blog post featured on Millennials in Travel http://www.millennialsintravel.com/blog

I am very excited for what the next year will bring with the recovery of the Travel Industry globally and I pray for a speedy return especially for NYC!

Photo Credit: @Brettjordan

The one year anniversary of this global pandemic is upon us. This year has been ALOT, to say the least, and there have been times when it has just felt like too much to handle, for so many of us. During this incredibly hard time though, it’s important to remember all the hard things we have been through before, and how we eventually ended up on top. It is important to remember that this too shall pass, and it’s only a matter of time before we are on top once again. .

This is one of my favorite posts that I wrote a year ago before our lives completely changed. I thought it was a good time to send it again and remind everyone that Love comes in all forms. Happy Valentines Day!

Photo Credit - Timo Stern @timonrets

From the time I was a little girl living in Alaska, I dreamt of seeing the world. I loved meeting people from different countries and learning about their childhoods that were completely different from mine. Throughout my life, I have been blessed to have had so many beautiful experiences traveling and living abroad, which have opened my mind to understand why people think the way they do. I truly feel that only by traveling can we open our minds and understand each other.

Photo Credit - Mark Adriane @markadriane

With each new year comes a new opportunity to let go of the things that pull us down, and welcome the things that bring us joy. In 2021, it is especially important after all that we have gone through this past year to recognize that the most important things in life are not money, success or fame, it is happiness. What are the things you are going to let go of in 2021 to live your happiest life yet.

Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year is embraced and celebrated in places like Alaska as a day to look forward to. After December 21st, each day brings more sunshine and brighter days ahead. As we reflect on the darkness of 2020 and celebrate the Holiday Season in a much smaller way this year, I will remember all of the blessings 2020 has brought me despite all the pain. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!