Growing up in South Alabama, we were always piling in the car to drive to Destin, Orlando, Sandpiper, New Orleans, Atlanta, etc. We had so many road trip options, and now after living in Dallas for 10 years, we decided it was time to start exploring our state and see what our road trip options were. This particular road trip was much longer than the ones we were used to, but it was incredible!
THURSDAY EVENING:
We left after work from Dallas on Thursday and pulled into Odessa, TX around midnight. There are tons of hotel options, so we booked a hotel along the interstate when we got tired. This is the boring part of the drive, but we loved the podcast S-Town (we are obsessed) to make the evening speed along.
FRIDAY:
We woke up early and started our drive again! We headed to Marfa and were excited to discover this quirky town that we’ve always heard about. The drive was easy, no traffic, no cars, but make sure you have a full tank of gas!
I HIGHLY recommend Marfa - it’s a tiny town with no stoplights, but it’s really cool. We had lunch at Hotel Saint George, and I felt like I was in an upscale New York City hotel. The food was divine (truffle pasta- yes!) and the people watching was even better. Everyone in Marfa was incredibly chic and had an air of sophistication.
If you're a fan of glamping, be sure to check out our review of El Cosmico Marfa here
After our lunch we explored downtown Marfa and enjoyed meeting some of the wonderful people who live in this town - keep in mind, the total population is only 1,700 people. We also stopped by the Chinati Foundation, which is an art exhibit full of Donald Judd art - the man known for shaping Marfa. Lastly, you can’t visit Marfa without seeing Prada Marfa! Warning- it’s an extra 30 minutes outside of Marfa, but you have to do it.
We left Marfa after exploring and headed to Lajita’s near Big Bend National Park. This is where the drive became absolutely beautiful! Within a few hours we arrived at our hotel – Lajita’s Golf Resort.
Evening was approaching so we explored the hotel grounds and sat down to enjoy a cocktail and dinner. The surroundings are beautiful and the food was great. The bar has live music every night (which we loved), so we enjoyed the bar while lounging on their comfy couches - so relaxing! There are many parts of the trip where you won’t have cell services, so plan on getting lots of R&R.
SATURDAY:
Since this was our main day at Big Bend, we really packed it all in! Next time we would spend 2 full days here. We had an 8AM tee time, and there is no doubt my husband counts this as one of his top three favorite golf courses. The views are stunning, and the course is really fun to play.
We grabbed a quick sandwich after golf and were ready to go hiking! We hiked Closed Canyon in the Big Bend State Park, which was about 20 minutes west of the hotel. This was an easy hike, but very unique since you are walking between two huge canyons. We had so much fun hiking that we decided to see the Big Bend National Park, so we drove to the Chisos Basin and had a glass of wine while we watched the sunset. It was absolutely perfect!
We stopped by Terlingua Ghost Town on our way back, which is a tiny town with some cool shops and restaurants. It’s very hippie and has Colorado vibes - a quirky change from Texas. Finally, we rounded out the evening by heading back to our hotel for dinner and more live music and margaritas!
Turkey has been on the top of my travel list for as long as I can remember, so being able to experience a taste of the Turkish culture with Royal Caribbean this year was an absolute dream. While Bodrum and Istanbul are still on my bucket list, I loved getting to experience the small-town charm of Sirince following our journey in Ephesus (the site of St. John’s Basilica where John the Apostle is buried – click here to read my Ephesus guide!)
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT
You may wonder why I recommend visiting this 600-person village on your vacay, but this charming little village has a unique flair that can’t be found anywhere. With a Greek influence and Turkish history, this mountain village is undeniably charming. With stone and stucco homes with red tile roofs surrounding the town and open markets lined along the cobblestone roads, the architecture is a sight to see. Sirince is also known for its fruit wines, olive oils, soaps, and handmade traditional goods.
HOW TO GET THERE
Located off the Aegean coast of Turkey, Sirince is the perfect day trip from Ephesus, Selcuk, or Izmir. Whether you choose to rent a car or take a bus, the town is found at the end of a long and winding mountain road – beware, there are no guard rails!
Also, if you plan to take part in the local wine tasting, be sure to take a bus or book a room at one of the local boutique hotels.
WHAT TO DO
One of the highlights of my trip to Turkey was my experience in Sirince. We had lunch at a local family’s home in the village, and it was wonderful having a true taste of the village. During our lunch, we were surprised by a belly dancer who performed during our meal and offered belly dancing lessons to all of us! Safe to say we should stick to our day jobs, but giving belly dancing a whirl was definitely a ton of fun!
Since Sirince is known for its fruit wine, I definitely recommend trying the local wines. With influences of blueberries, peaches, and more, the wines are a sweeter and more unique flavor than traditional wines.
Also, don’t forget to bring cash to shop the local markets for handmade goods.
WHAT TO WEAR
Be sure to pack something with sleeves (or a pashmina) for your trip to Turkey. Also, comfortable flats or sneakers are essential for the cobblestone streets!
FUN FACT
I’m sure most of you remember the supposed Mayan Apocalypse during December 2012? Well the small-village of Sirince gained mega media attention, as many believed the “positive energy” of this mountain town would be a safe place for the catastrophe. While nothing actually occurred during the so-called apocalypse, it definitely helped Sirince’s tourism!
I’ve been sharing stops along my journey through Europe with Royal Caribbean (Read Positano, Sorrento, & Pompeii), so today we are heading to the picturesque Greek Island, Mykonos. If you’re not familiar with Mykonos, this island is a part of the Cyclades and is known for its beautiful beaches. While it has the reputation as the “party island”, Mykonos offers something for everyone and is a must-visit spot if you plan to head to Greece!
Before you nestle away to a chic hotel on one of the serene beaches, I recommend visiting Mykonos Chora – Yes, the capital city is also named Mykonos. We spent the afternoon exploring the Chora (or city center) before heading off to Elia Beach. While I absolutely loved the city, I must note that it’s a popular tourist area and crowds are generally expected – which is why it’s great to plan a trip that includes both a visit to the town AND an escape to one of the beaches! The beautiful Chora is exactly what I imagined Greece to look like. The narrow streets lined with blue and white homes and pink flowers felt absolutely magical.
WHAT TO DO IN MYKONOS (CHORA)
The Windmills Of Chora
While windmills are scattered all along the island, the most recognized windmills are found in Chora. Built in the 16th century by Venetians, these windmills have become a signature landmark overlooking the sea, just a few steps from Little Venice. Photo tip: Stop by early in the day to avoid the crowds.
Little Venice
Considered one of the most charming areas of Mykonos, Little Venice is a row of old fishing houses that have been transformed into local cafes, bars, and galleries. What makes these buildings so unique is the way they were built directly on the water’s edge, so waves crash along the buildings throughout the day. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy the scenery, or take a short walk down to Little Venice’s public beach – the Alevkantra beach.
Watch The Sunset
Greek islands are either a sunset or sunrise island, and Mykonos is known for its sunsets. Find a little cafe with a great view and watch the sunset before a night out – Remember, Mykonos is known for its late-night party scene!
Wander The Charming Streets
Spend the afternoon getting lost in the beautiful streets of Mykonos. The white-washed buildings and bright blue staircases are perfect for photo-ops, and pop in and out of the local gifts shops for souvenirs to take home. If you feel like treating yourself to something fancy, luxury boutiques (hello, Louis Vuitton) can also be found in town!
Visit The Church of Panagia Paraportiani
As one of the most photographed churches in the world, it’s no surprise The Church of Panagia Paraportiani makes our list. What makes this church unique (besides the incredible views) is that it is actually five churches built on top of each other gradually over centuries. The Church of Virgin Mary (Panagia) is on top of the four with its famous dome roof.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING MYKONOS
Don’t confuse Mykonos Island with Mykonos Chora when planning your trip
Plan a trip that combines both the town and a beach
Rent a car or scooter – While the taxis are cheap, there are very few on the island. Buses are also an option and run every 30 minutes.
Mykonos is known as the “Island of the Winds” – so pack a jacket and ponytail holders!
Don’t be surprised when you learn many visitors party until sunrise
The Euro is the form of currency
WHEN TO GO TO MYKONOS
The summer is high-season in Mykonos, so the island can be crowded and extra lively. If you’re looking for a tranquil escape, visit during the winter season.
