Charts A Course

While I am glued to my phone watching the doppler radar track a colossal storm stretching from Pensacola, Florida to Toronto, Canada and praying these tornado warnings are not for my area; I fantasize about sitting at a café, overlooking a beautiful city centre or, better yet, ocean view, absorbing the sunshine for a comfortable warmth, and eating a delightfully soft but crisp pastry.

The reality of a New Year is hard… bills… taxes… resolutions… traveling… family complications… work…

Wherever you are reading this do me a favor. Close your eyes. Center yourself for 5 to 10 seconds. Repetitive breathing helps.

In spirit of 2024, take a little mental vacation with me, to discuss 4 cities in 2 countries to melt worries away (Hint: these emphasize warm and relaxation).

Greek Islands:

• Price: Low cost (great value) for European continent with frequent and various packages for airfare and lodging
• Route: Fly into Athens and embark from there via connecting flight or ferry
• Santorini: A crescent shaped island famous for the northern most city of Oia atop rugged cliffs. This is the social media hot spot with its stunning sunsets amidst white-washed buildings and blue roofs, resulting in large tourist crowds and expensive accommodations. It is also the farthest city from the airport requiring transportation. Once there, you must haul luggage across stairs carved into the cliffside. However, it is a bucket list item with high-end restaurants, unique hotels, and good excursions, like sunset cruises and the winery at the bottom of the cliff. The Island has other large cities closer to the airport and beautiful beaches like Red Beach and Perissa Beach. These other cities can provide serene relaxation or a min-Mykonos vibrant nightlife. A must-do for the active is to hike the donkey trail from Imerovigli to Santorini (or vice-versa) which provides an expansive lookout across the crisp blue waters of the Caldera and Aegean.
• Paros: An island that, until recently, was not a tourist destination. It primarily is a holiday island for mainland Greeks. As a result, it has gained popularity in mainstream media as an authentic Greek island experience away from the tourist crowds with a serene atmosphere, unspoiled beauty, and diverse landscapes. I stayed in the penthouse villa within a 5 minute walk to Naoussa Beach. It is a little village feel with a variety of restaurants and retail. Do not miss the chance to watch the sunset while sipping cocktails from the various 2-story bars. For wine lovers, you must visit Moraitis Winery on the outskirts of town. Enjoy a flight and food while learning about the history of how the Greek Islands escaped the clutches of great phylloxera event.

Thailand:

• Price: Low cost (great value) with frequent and various packages for airfare and lodging. Two huge airports in Bangkok. Connecting flights available to major cities and many other destinations.
• Route: Fly into Bangkok and embark from there to destination
• Bangkok: Truly a remarkable gateway city to Southeast Asia. It is the largest city in Thailand and capital of the country. It is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and cuisine sprinkled throughout the different neighborhoods. As a first timer, I stayed in the Western-Ambassador area which was more upscale and expensive. However, Tuk Tuk’s are available to traverse around. There are many outdoor markets that sell anything you can imagine. It is a perfect place for explorers of all kinds: mental, physical, & cultural. Lodging varies from 5-Star Boutique hotels on the river to Hostels.  
• Phuket: This is where the wealthy come to relax. It has countless boutique hotels amidst the jungle and cliffs of the Island. You can choose to stay more remote or in the city. There are various activities from Elephant tours to taking pictures of the Big Buddha. I stayed at, and highly recommend, the Anantara Layan Resort for its remote luxury experience, situated exclusively on a cove for beautiful sunsets, and offering private Villas, refreshing spa experience, and muay-thai for the active. Check out the website as this explanation does not provide justice to the experience.

Whether it’s slowly pacing the charming villages of Greece, exploring the diverse and unique neighborhoods in larger cities, or relaxing in luxury resorts in Phuket, these destinations promise warmth, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences in 2024.