NEW YORK TIMES TRAVEL SHOW TALKS FRUGAL TRAVEL

I had the pleasure to attend the New York Times Travel Show 2018 (held at the Jacob K. Davits Centre on the 26-28th January in New York City) as a member of the press. The show is the largest travel trade exhibition in North America and its 2018 show represented its 15th year running. The show comprised of many seminars to aid education around many areas of Travel from “food” to “affordability of travel”. The show was bolstered with an incredible travel exhibition representing well over 150 countries.

I attended a number of seminars from those that focused on Africa to “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel”. One of my favourite panels was “The Frugal Traveler With Lucas Peterson” and below I will be sharing my key takeaways from the session alongside images of the travel exhibition.

Lucas Peterson of the New York Times on stage during his seminar session 

WHAT IS FRUGAL TRAVEL & WHAT RESOURCES SUPPORT IT

  • Frugal travel DOES NOT mean cheap. It means finding the best value for one’s dollar.
  • Frugal travel can offer a more “genuine” travel experience allowing one-on-one interaction with locals.
  • Leverage home-sharing sites like Airbnb, GuesttoGuest, Couchsurfing
  • Travel is becoming more experiential – In effect, people want to feel as if they were a local (“step into the shoes of a local”)
  • Recommended “experiential” sites: Visit.org, Airbnb, ifonly, Vayable etc. These sites enable you to book local experiences (run by locals with most proceeds going back into the local communities).

TRAVEL MYTHS

  • There is no specific day/time to get the best deals on flights (but granted weekend travel tend to be more expensive).
  • Travel is too expensive. Travelling is becoming cheaper in this era. Key is to compare, compare, compare.

 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SHOW

Official opening of the show

Travel blogger session with Lina and David Stock of Divergent Travels & Hannah and Adam Lukaszewicz of GettingStamped.com

One of the many incredible exhibition stands by the Mexican Tourism Board


The exhibition was organised by continent (great to see a lot of African countries represented)

A snapshot of the stand representing the Tourism Board of the Seychelles Islands

  Overall, the travel show was a great opportunity to network with travel professionals, exchange insights from local travel markets and build relationships with like-minded travel enthusiast. Let me know if you found the information useful and which travel shows you attend in your local market.

Click here for more info about the NY Times Travel Show

Announcing the Winner of my ‘Miniso’ Travel Giveaway

I want to send a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who participated in my giveaway and helped make it a success!

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And a special congratulations to YouTuber “Bianca Fatima John”, the winner of the Miniso Wireless Speakers, Grey Backpack & Passport Holder.

Bianca Fatima John’s comment entry was randomly selected from TOP 5 comments (a selection made by my Mother and I) and has been crowned the winner!

[a )I honestly just discovered your channel and you need to see the way I hit the subscribe button Sharp Sharp ??. You’re so interesting and full of life. I’m already in love with your vlogs… I have a plan to visit not less than five African and Asian countries this year. That’s more like a travel goal than a plan but you get me. I love traveling almost as much as I love dancing and Visiting Kualar Lumpur, Malaysia is top of the list on my travel plan/goal for this year. I’ve seen so many YouTubers gush over it plus it’s got so many beautiful sites to see like the floating mosque , batu caves, the lake garden, deer park and lots more.

b) I’ll love to win the wireless speaker because I’m a dancer and I love to make dance video especially when I travel in front of famous sites. The only issue is that I don’t have a device that plays loud music and most times I use my phone to dance I can barely hear the songs when I dance and winning this speaker will definitely change that. I also need the passport holder because as much as I hate to admit it, I’m actually really careless. I almost lost my passport once. Yes, you read that right. My mom almost killed me ??. The bag is super pretty and I can already picture the speaker and passport holder in it while I take hikes in Malaysia and generally for everything. Thank you so much for having this giveaway Funke ??. God bless
Instagram: Fatttttyyyyy_xx]

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I chose the winner:

 

I plan to run a lot more giveaways in the near future for you all on my social media channels in the future so make sure you are subscribed to my social media handles so YOU DON’T MISS THEM. THANK YOU all once again for participating.

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Click here to see all of the giveaway entries.

MY 2017 YEAR IN 5 MINUTES | 2018 TRAVEL INSPIRATION

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OaWNeg0PWE[/embedyt]

2017 has been an incredible year of travel for me. Hope you enjoy this video montage of my travels this year and that it inspires you for the year ahead.

To stay up-to-date with my incredible travel vlogs and hacks, subscribe to my YouTube channel here: http://bit.ly/sassy-funke

THE ULTIMATE LAGOS BUCKET LIST

Lagos (Nigeria) is a city bustling with so much energy and vibes. Lagosians are a friendly and vibrant bunch and our energy is contagious. Having lived here for many years as a child and more recently as a working adult, I can say that their are few places in the world like Lagos. Below is my Lagos bucket list a.k.a gems and experiences that stand out to me and that hopefully will help you enjoy your time here (however brief or long you time in Lagos may be).

1. Walk across the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge at night

This 1.36km bridge connecting Lekki and Ikoyi is best seen at night where the beauty of the bridge truly shines. Expect to find runners and walkers getting their fitness sessions on in the evening.

2. Visit Yellow Chilli restaurant and order their “Seafood okro”

This is for all foodies. Yellow chilli restaurant is where you find authentic Nigeria dishes at affordable prices in a lovely african-inspired setting. The seafood okra is no doubt their signature dish and it will keep you coming back for more.

3. Visit the Lekki Arts & Craft market

Here you will find authentic arts and crafts from every culture in Nigeria (whilst also getting a history lesson). From leather to painting to metal work, prepare to find unique gems in this market. This market will leave you in awe and keep you spending (well worth it). See my review of the market here

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4. Go to Quilox on a Friday or Saturday night

This is for those that want to verify that Lagos is truly the AFRObeat party capital of the continent. Quilox is a popular nightclub with beautiful decor and great music. Prepare for a long fun night out.

5. Attend an “Afropolitan Vibes” night out

Afropolitan Vibes is the premiere live concert series that invites amazing artists to perform live at Freedom Park’s Amphitheatre in Lagos, Nigeria. A very chilled and down-to-earth environment that brings the culturally aware residents of Lagos together. Here you can also try the local food and drinks like “palm wine” e.t.c

6. Take a day trip to Badagry

Badagry is home to the history of the Slave trade. In Badagry, you have visit the slave museums, the first storey house in Nigeria and visit “the point of no return” (This is the point where slaves were shipped from Nigeria to foreign lands).

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7. Ride the streets of Lagos in a Keke Napep

This is certainly a great way to get around Lagos especially if you are traveling short distances. They are small enough vehicles to manoeuvre through traffic and also airy enough to ensure you don’t suffer heat stroke (Did I mention they are a cheap and affordable means of travel?)

8. Visit the beach

There a many stunning beaches to visit in Lagos. If you are keen for a beach club scene, visit “Pop Beach Club” on the weekend. If you are looking for a private beach feel, visit “La Manga Luxury Villas Ilashe” and if your thing is more of a resort feel, visit “La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort”.

9. Visit Makoko “The Community Built on Stilts”

Makoko is a community village build on stilts in water. The people of Makoko thrive on fishing as their major form of trade. A tour through Makoko is an eye opening experience to a completely different way of living than in the rest of Lagos.

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10. Visit Nike Art Gallery

If you’re looking for a gallery that truly celebrates the many dimensions of what Nigeria has to offer, look no further than Nike Art Gallery. Chief Nike-Davies Okundaye (the owner of the gallery) is

11. Watch a play at Muson Centre

Muson Centre (Music society of Nigeria) is a performing arts centre that hosts many awarding-winning plays. Check their schedule and attend one of the plays. This is another side of Lagos that showcases the incredible talent that Nigeria has to offer.

12. Try a Gelato scoop or 2 at Hans & Rene 

You think Lagos and you don’t necessarily think Gelato. Hans and Rene has changed that. With so many flavours (some inspired from locally grown fruits), you will be spoilt for choice. They are indeed the connoisseurs of the sweet life.

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13. Stop by at “Glover Court Suya” and try Suya 

Glover Court Suya is the King of Suya (grilled beef meat nigerian-style) in Ikoyi and is conveniently located on Glover Court. It is a popular spot for locals and expect long queues late nights on Friday and Saturday but the Suya is certainly worth any wait. Word of advise, if you are not into spicy food, ask them to go low on the spice or put the spice to the side #ThankMeLater

14. Visit Terra Kulture

Terra Kulture is a leading art, culture, lifestyle and educational centre in Lagos. For most of us Lagosians, we see Terra Kulture as a GALLERY + AFRICAN RESTAURANT. It is worth the visit.

15. Visit Lekki Conservation and climb the longest canopy walkway in Africa

Lekki conservation centre is one of Africa’s prominent and most-diverse urban Nature Parks due to its high species richness so certainly a must during your trip. The main attraction of the park is the walkway where you will find yourself close to the clouds. IMG_0153

16. Visit the NEW AFRIKA SHRINE (KALAKUTA)

First started in 1970’s by legendary Late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, this is an entertainment centre with african politics, great live music, food and drink bringing together residents of Nigeria from all walks of life. Out of the box but certainly a must.

17. Venture beyond Lagos

One of the biggest mistakes visitors of Lagos make is that they fail to venture outside of Lagos. Many of the incredible festivals that occur in Nigeria aren’t in Lagos. Many of the incredible resorts in the country aren’t in Lagos. My own plan is to venture out more than I currently do. Stay tuned for more experiences in Nigeria.

 

So over to you! What are your favourite memories from your trip to Lagos?

A GUIDE TO VISITING CROATIA (TIPS & HACKS)

Croatia is what I call a pleasant surprise, a surprise I hadn’t heard much about in all my years of living in Europe. All I knew was that this beautiful country was home to the set of the tv show “Game of Thrones”. My visit to Croatia took me to visit Dubrovnik (a city in Southern Croatia known for its stunning old town with large stone walls) and Split (a town in the Dalmatian Coast which is know for its beaches and fortresslike complex at the Diocletian Palace).

Did I mention that the old city in Split is a UNESCO heritage site? I spent 5 days and 4 nights in Croatia and here is what I got up to (and hopefully inspiration for your trip to Croatia).

 

DAY 1: “DUBROVNIK” – EXPLORE OLD TOWN, CABLE CAR RIDE, LOCAL FOOD & NEW FRIENDS

I arrived into Dubrovnik at midday which meant that I had enough time to begin exploring. I stayed at the Hilton which was a mere 2 min walk into the old town. I then took the cable car up to the top of the city, grabbed a baileys coffee and walked down the hill to an incredible meal (a recommendation made by my Croatian airport driver).

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The gates to the old city in Dubrovnik

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Walking through the old city, I decided to surround myself with beauty. One actually took out my ear rings.

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Making new friends: Many were friendly and wanted to take pics!!

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Enjoying some gelato in the old town

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One of the many beautiful paths/staircases in the old town

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After the cable car ride from the town, we grabbed a seat at the Panorama Restaurant and sipped our baileys coffee whilst absorbing the stunning (I mean extremely stunning) views of Dubrovnik.

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Absorbing the beauty of this city on our walk down to an amazing restaurant “Konoba Dubrava”

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Touch down at “Konoba Dubrava” where I had an unforgettable time

DAY 2: “DUBROVNIK”- EXPLORE OLD TOWN, VISIT FORT LOVRIJENAC

The plan for today was to explore more of the old town, explore the Game Of Thrones set, set sail on the waters and go exploring. Unfortunately weren’t able to charter a boat as the weather was not great.

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On our way to explore Dubrovnik from Fort Lovrijenac….what a view!!!

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Exploring the stunning walls at Fort Lovrijenac (There was a fee to enter the fort)

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Another view of the city from the Fort. This view shows our hotel

DAY 3: VISIT TO SPLIT

We left Dubrovnik at 6am on a bus to Split (bus was approximately 15 EURS). The bus took us approx 4 hours to Split and we then checked in at a beautiful boutique hotel before we began to indulge in the town. Walk around the old city, indulge in some good food (Try Villa Spiza for great home cooked food and Restaurant Sperun), take tour of the city, explore the many museums if history is your thing. I recommend

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A view of the port of Spilt from the beautiful window in the old town

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Exploring this UNESCO heritage site in the city of Split

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The city is filled with many museums and a few Cathedrals


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The statue represents Bishop Gregory of Nin, a Croatian Bishop that strongly opposed the Pope. It has been told that the rubbing of the statue’s toe will bring good luck (Trust me to keep rubbing on the toe for a while)

DAY 4: SPLIT TO BOSNIA – MOSTAR, WATERFALL 

This trip to Bosnia was not part of my well planned itinerary but after speaking to locals and a friend of mine from Serbia, I was advised that it would be a missed opportunity if I didn’t go. The trip to Mostar, Bosnia was approx. 3.5 hours and truly flew by.
IMG_8843 “In mostar”


DAY 5: BACK HOME

We took an early bus ride from Split to Dubrovnik where we then caught our flight back to London. The bus was an hour late but given we had allocated enough time, we made our flight. I would suggest factoring in bus delays when travelling between cities in Croatia due to e.g. passport checks, bus delays e.t.c

 

MY REVIEW

What did I enjoy: The views, the food and the people. The warmth of the Croatian people was incredible.

What didn’t I like/What would I change: The weather wasn’t the best. We travelled in April so I would suggest that people travel in the summer around June (when the weather is a bit stable) but I could imagine that the city would also be incredibly packed then.

I would visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. A few travellers I met said it was probably the one of the most stunning places on earth they had been too. I had heard of it but I didn’t have enough time to visit.

Would I go back?: Yes, certainly

 

TRAVEL TIPS & HACKS

  • Avoid tourist traps e.g. Some of the costly tours can be conducted by yourself with a free map (available at hotel lobby and travel centres).
  • Avoid restaurants in the old city (or at least do some research on trip advisor prior to going there) as they can be very very expensive
  • The view from the top of the cable car is a MUST. I am sure I spent 2 hours there sipping my baileys coffee (it was a bit cold so happy that guests at the Panorama restaurant were given blankets)
  • Eat at the Konoba Dubrava in Dubrovnik – The food, the wine, the hospitality at this restaurant was unreal and second to none. I have never felt so much at home “away from home” as I did at this restaurant. Hence why I spent 6 hours there.
  • Make sure to visit other parts of Croatia. Dubrovnik can be done in a day or two.
  • In Dubrovnik and Split, ensure to stay at close tom the old town especially if you are not mobile.
  • A Bosnia day trip is very much worth it.

Have you been to Croatia before? What was your most memorable moment in Croatia?

 

HOW I AFFORD TRAVEL: BADASS TRIPS ON A NOT SO BADASS BUDGET

I recently made a youtube video on how to afford travel without a Sugar Daddy (i.e. without someone handing you over “free cash”) and thought it would be useful to write some of these ways down. I have been able to save so much money by using this methods. So many times, we think travel is only for the rich but the truth is, it isn’t (one just needs to know the hacks and be diligent). Read on for more hacks, tips and tricks to afford travel:

1. FLIGHTS: The trick here for me is to fly cheap. Flying cheap means partly to fly during off season. During off seasons, airlines are likely to have reduced prices. Avoid flying during christmas, summer holiday, easter holiday etc. Flying cheap also means to  join every airline’s frequent flyer programme. It costs absolutely nothing to join these programmes but the benefits will result in free points which you can later redeem as free flights.

2. ROOMS: There are many loyalty plans in the hotel industry where you receive points for staying with a particular brand/chain (You can later redeem these points for free hotel stays). I don’t really tend to subscribe to those. I am a fan of everyday flexibility. There are so many options when it comes to accommodation and here are my favourites and why:

Hotwire.com: This website basically helps hotels/airlines sell off their unsold inventory at a crazy discount. You are not aware of which hotel you booked until after payment. Prior to booking, you are only given information about the star rating and the area in which the hotel is located. I love love hotwire as its a great way to get great deals if you are not tied to staying at a particular  hotel.

Airbnb: This is essentially renting a private apartment directly from someone a local who lives where you are going. I love to use Airbnb as It feels like living in a real home whilst away from home at a flexible budget. I recently used an airbnb to find a apartment in Montreal, Canada and it was cheaper and nicer than a room at a very good hotel nearby. Having a kitchen and living room ensured that I wasn’t forced into eating from a hotel restaurant and could also easily entertain friends whilst I was travelling.

Wakanow.com: A local travel website for booking flights and hotels in Nigeria. They have come a long way and they tend to have good deals. Their customer service is very responsive hence another reason why I use them.

Expedia.com: Expedia is a reliable site to book hotel rooms and I tend to find their prices very competitive. I use expedia because they have extensive choice to choose from.

Call the hotel directly: Sometimes you can get better deals directly with the hotel so its worth calling in to see what they have on offer.

The secret to getting a great deal on hotels is to compare, compare, compare. Use all the options above together and pick the best one.

3. BEG YOUR FAMILY/USE THEIR MILES: Many of us have friends or family that love to travel that also have the habit of accumulating airline miles/points. The beauty of these miles is that they can be used to redeem flights for anyone. So the next time you are trying to find out whether you can afford a flight, simply ask your friend if they can be generous enough to hand over their miles 🙂

4. MAKE SAVING A LIFESTYLE: I knew very early on that I had a passion for travel and because of that I would save a considerable amount of money each month “just because”. I didn’t have a concrete plan for the money saved but I knew it would come useful in the future. The beauty of this is that when I had a certain urge to explore a new destination, I could easily afford it.

5. USE YOUR NETWORK: I have had a very cosmopolitan life having lived in many countries and made friends with a diverse group of people who lived across continents. Because of this, I have been able to save on accommodation costs as I have had friends that were willing to host me for free (Travel Tip: Ensure to bring a gift for your host).

6. TRAVEL IN GROUPS: There is no doubt that traveling in groups could lead to lowers costs for you overall (well at least financially). Accommodation costs and taxi costs are a few of the costs that can be reduced by travelling in groups.

 

I really hope this post was very useful for you and that it helps you on your journey to traveling more. Perhaps you have other ideas on how we all can afford travel more, COMMENT below on your best TIP for affording travel.

8 HACKS FOR surviving an airport in Nigeria

Before you think I am a bitter expat with too high expectations, I would like to clarify that I was born in Nigeria and have lived here for a considerable part of my life. Amongst my peers, I am always the first to defend my country. To say I love my country despite its many flaws is an understatement. I am #ProudlyNigerian. Nevertheless there are some things that even I cannot defend, things that I have tolerated and defended for so long that to defend them would be pure stupidity and more importantly impede the growth of my nation. One of those things is the state of our international airport in Lagos. I will not go into the issues but I will simple give you tips so that you can enjoy or at least not hate your experience so much that you refuse to fly into my beloved country again. Here they are “8 Hacks for surviving an airport in Nigeria”:

1. CHECK IN ONLINE (and PRINT out your CHECK-IN confirmation)

This is important especially if you are flying “cattle class”, sorry I meant Economy. And bear in mind that you may not see a baggage drop queue at the check-in desk. Simply approach an official with your confirmation and you will be able skip ahead of that unbelievable long-winded line.

2. DRESS LIKE YOU ARE GOING SOMEWHERE

The saying that says you should “dress as you want to be addressed” really applies here. People respect you more when you look decent so I suggest to avoid disrespect, dress like you’re someone important (aka rich or at least “not poor”). Sorry flip flops don’t cut it.

3. AVOID HEELS

If you’re unlucky enough to use an international credit card to book your flight, you will have the joy of being sent on a merry go round to do credit card verifications at the airlines office (Pray their systems are working). You want to conduct these activities in comfort AKA “NO heels” (simply to reduce your irritation).

4. IF ASKED YOUR OCCUPATION, RESPOND THAT YOU ARE A STUDENT (AKA You likely have little means of income)

This will reduce the likelihood that you will be begged for money. It can be a little irritating so just curb this by explaining you’re a student of UNILAG or which ever school you please (no rich schools).

5. HAVE MANNERS (a.k.a RESPECT YOUR ELDERS)

The truth is the airport can be a power-hungry environment and everyone from the check-in rep to the immigration rep may use his or her authority to put you down. Key ways to respect your elders are as follows:

  • Don’t use your left hand to pass anything to officials (it is rude and you will be faced with insults)
  • Respond to officials with “Yes Ma” and “Yes Sir”
  • Keep a happy/neutral face and banter with officials

6. GET A SHAPARONE

Who you know is everything in life and this applies at the Nigerian airport. Know the right person and you will likely seamlessly enjoy your hopefully short stint at the airport.

7. ENSURE YOU’VE BUILT UPPER BODY STRENGTH (or travel with a hulk)

Given all bags are manually checked at the check-in desk (I still don’t understand this), you will have to haul your bags on tables to be checked. Ensure to prepare for this so that you don’t feel irritated or question why the hell you have to do this.

8. BE MENTALLY PREPARED TO SHARE THE AIRPORT WITH OTHER SPECIES

The airport has been known to be homes to rats (don’t worry, they don’t bite and they are scared of you). Know that you are a superior being so when you see them, just ignore and continue with your day.

There may be many more hacks out there and perhaps you know them. Do SHARE in the comment section below so that your fellow travelers in and out of Nigeria can have a better experience.

Photo Credit: FAAN

A GUIDE TO Visiting PETRA, JORDAN

Petra is located in the country of Jordan.  It is an archaeological city in southern Jordan and a UNESCO world heritage site which essentially means it’s unique and worth seeing. The city was carved into the rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in Petra more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. I went to Petra simply to see one of the wonders of the world. It took my friends and I about 7 hours to tour the whole city but not without the help of donkeys of course.

Not sure I had the right shoes but oh well.

What a beauty!!!!!!!!!!

It took my friends and I about 7 hours to tour the whole city but not without the help of our donkeys of course. FYI – donkeys are amazing animals. I am sure my donkey carried me up 300 steps.

 

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*Why Not Shop* for your artefacts and refuel during your 7 hour trek 🙂

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Mixing in with the locals: I met this lovely girl on my way out of the bathroom and she helped me tie my scarf the appropriate way to avoid me getting a heat stroke (It’s the simple things like these that make a difference to ones experience (don’t you think?)

 

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You know I never turn down a shopping opportunity. This shop had all artefacts possible and was certainly an unexpected find in deep into the city of Petra.

Tips for Petra:

(I) Prepare for the heat

(II) Pay for a donkey to take you up to the Monastery (Don’t be cheap)

(III) Bargain for everything

(IV) Prepare to be left breathless

Check out my Jordan travel vlog here

Have you ever been to Petra? What did you enjoy the most? Share with us. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.

A GUIDE TO VISITING SANTORINI, GREECE

Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It is one of the many beautiful islands in Greece. My perception of Santorini is that it was filled with only white and blue architecture as many pictures on social media portrayed (not quite, only a particular village in Santorini reflected this). I always also had the impression that Santorini was one of those islands meant for honeymooners and couples and having spent a few days there on a week tour of the greek islands, I could see why. My trip to Santorini followed my trip to Ios and was before my trip to to Mykonos. Make sure to check what I got up to in these locations too.

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Capturing a cute boat after arriving at the ferry harbour

I arrived in Santorini by ferry, after spending a few days in the interesting and lively island of Ios. The streets of Santorini where windy and hilly. I went along this trip with one of my girlfriends and we stayed at the Ira Hotel & Spa. The hotel is located in Firostefani about 1km from Fira, the capital of Santorini (which is away from the bustle of Fira but close enough to walk to). Ira hotel is a stunning hotel with an incredible view of Santorini (Did I mention the pretty decent breakfast?).

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Arriving at the Ira Hotel

 

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Our beautiful balcony at the Ira hotel

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The view from our balcony at the hotel

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Poolside at our hotel before we went to explore the beauty of Santorini

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We spent the day taking strolls in Santorini

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Art work was very prevalent in most of the shops in Santorini

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Post dinner vibes in Santorini with my room mate in business school

We spent our last evening visiting Oia, an village in the north west edge of Santorini where most of those stunning pictures we see online were actually taken from. Oia is the perfect backdrop for the beauty that is in Santorini so this is where you want to make sure you are camera ready.

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Donkeys in Oia

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A church in Oia

One of the most popular things to do in Oia is to watch the sunset from one of the bars on the cliff in Oia. Certainly a must-do if you decide to visit Oia. Because it is a must-do, I suggest you find yourself a spot early as its a popular tourist destination that gets packed very quickly.

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Watching sunset in Oia

Before I forget, the food in Santorini was phenomenal especially if your thing is seafood. My favourite restaurant hands down was Sea side by Notos. It is located by the beach of Agios Georgios. The beach here is filled with dark sand and is home to many gorgeous beach bars. Memorable thing happened on our arrival at the beach when our car got stuck in the sand. Within minutes, people came to help to pull out our car. I had thought we would be stuck there for hours.


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Food at Sea Side by Notos

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Fish based starter at Sea Side by Notos

In summary, if you are single and visiting Santorini, ensure to bring your single friends along (at least 3 people), fill your days with beach activities, venture to the many amazing restaurants and beaches and of course, don’t over stay your welcome in Santorini (The many love birds may make you depressed after a while).

Getting around: For the most part we walked for the most part but hired a two seater vehicle when we ventured to Oia and to other beaches.

What I liked: Food Food Food and of course the spectacular views. That I stayed two nights, any more days would have been boring.

What I didn’t like: That I didn’t eat enough lol. I also felt Santorini lacked much to do in terms of activities aside from beach related ones hence why its a perfect honeymoon destination

Travel Tip: Worth getting a car when in Santorini or even a quad bike if you want to explore the island. You don’t have to book in advance as there were many hiring companies to choose from. I also felt it was cheaper to book when on ground.

 

Hope you enjoyed the write-up. Have you visited Santorini before? What were your highlights? and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.