Everyone has a picture of Santorini in their head. Blue domes. White walls. A sunset with the whole caldera spread out in front of you.

Here's the thing. That picture was probably taken by someone who got paid to take it.

A lot of the travel content you see online is made by people whose job it is to make a destination look good. Tourism boards hire creators. Brands sponsor trips. And when that's how you pay your bills, you're going to put your best shot forward.

You can't really fault them for that. They have to pay their bills. But you need to know it when you're watching.

I went to Santorini with my eyes open. My travel instincts were already on high alert. But I needed to see it for myself.

The iconic blue domes everyone photographs? One spot. One church. You're shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of other people all trying to get the same shot.

The sunsets are real. The caldera is stunning. 

But the crowds don't just make things crowded. They bring tourist trap restaurants, hawkers, and prices that feel like a penalty for showing up.

And here's something I didn't expect. The locals I talked to told me they don't go to Santorini. One of them mentioned a superstition that it's bad luck for couples to visit. I don't know how widely that's believed. But when locals are finding reasons to avoid their own island, that tells you something real.

Here's where it gets complicated.

When you go somewhere and it's underwhelming, what do you do? You don't want to trash the place. You don't want to make the people or the culture look bad. That's not fair to them.

But if you're too balanced, nobody watches. So even without trying to exaggerate, content drifts toward one extreme or the other. That's just how it works. Things are never that black and white.

Santorini is worth seeing once. Go in knowing what it is and it won't let you down the way it lets down people who show up expecting the dream version. The magic is real. It's just different from what you've been sold.

And if you want to know where the Greeks actually go?

That's a newsletter for another day. 😉

Keep traveling, 

Andrew

Cocktail of the Week

The Paper Plane cocktail was created in the United States, specifically in New York City by bartender Sam Ross in 2007. This modern cocktail quickly gained popularity for its balanced and bold flavors, making it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts.
 

Recipe:

• 3/4 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz Aperol
• 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
   

Directions:
1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
5. Serve and enjoy!
 

Random Travel Thought

I feel like visiting Africa.

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The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com : This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner : An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing : I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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