The Cotswolds

The quaintest countryside towns you ever did see! The Cotswolds offer stunning vistas of magical, sheep-dotted farms and hills. Visit the Cotswolds any time of year. Driving is the easiest, but it is possible to train from London to Moreton-on-Marsh, with a stopover in Oxford.

If you are driving from London, carve out a few hours to tour the great house and grounds of World Heritage site Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill’s ancestral home.

EAT

The Cotswold Cheese Company With locations in Moreton-on-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford, this shop stocks locally made farmhouse and artisan cheeses. Try the Stilton!

The Cotswold Chocolate Company Locally, handmade chocolates with natural ingredients. Shops in Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold.

The Peacock Oxhill 15th century pub a 10 minute drive from the villages of Upper and Lower Tysoe in the northern Cotswolds. Great for lunch or dinner.

The Swan Pub + Restaurant 16th century pub (with a remaining, exposed wall!) in Broadway with delicious food and an outdoor garden.

Sweet Memory’s Homemade fudge in Bourton-on-the-Water.

DRINK

The Bell Inn Traditional pub in Moreton-in-Marsh’s with an outdoor beer garden. The pub is rumored to have served as inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Prancing Pony” pub in Middle Earth.

Lucy’s Tea Room Adorable spot in Stow-on-the-Wold. Take tea in the garden.

Lygon Wine Bar Chic, cozy wine bar in Broadway with a roaring fire.

The Swan Hotel in Bibury Peaceful place for afternoon tea on the River Coln in the picturesque town of Bibury. Try the local trout.

PLAY

Broadway Tower This one mile, uphill hike from Broadway’s high street to the Cotswold’s tallest castle offers stunning views of the town below.

Hike through the villages and countryside Many of the villages are near each other and connected by trails. Stow-on-the-Wold, the Slaughters, and Bourton-on-the-Water are all within easy walking distance from each other.

Shop the medieval, honeycomb-colored villages Visitors will be treated to local, homemade specialties, including jams, honeys, chutneys, mustards and more.

St. Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold The medieval church’s west door is said to have captured J.R.R. Tolkien’s imagination in creating “The Doors of Durin”.

STAY

AirBnB a cozy cottage We’ve enjoyed stays at Honeysuckle Cottage in Tysoe and Old Sheepcote in Broadway.

Old Farm This 15th century B&B is a working farm and a mile’s walk through sheep fields to the Moreton-in-Marsh town and train station.

The Cotswolds

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Kigali

The capital of Rwanda, Kigali is the gateway to the land of a thousand hills. While still recovering from the 1994 genocide and civil war, Rwandans have worked hard to establish peace and rebuild. Today this tiny East African nation is well-known as a safe and stable place to do business.

Many nationalities are able to apply for single-entry visas on arrival. You may need to show proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter Rwanda.

Plastic carrier bags are banned and airport security will scan your bags before you depart the airport. Leave them on the plane or throw them away before you exit the luggage carousel.

If you are deciding whether to go to Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo to see mountain gorillas, choose Rwanda. It’s safer, and while more expensive, the Rwandans truly treasure their gorillas (so much so that the government hosts a naming ceremony for the babies every September).

If you have only a few hours in Kigali, do visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The memorial and museum honor the one million Rwandans murdered in the 1994 genocide and are a powerful reminder of the triumph of the human spirit.

If it is your first time to Rwanda or East Africa, we highly recommend reading Jacqueline Novogratz’s The Blue Sweater to better understand the local context of the country and region. For other great books by African authors, check out Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie’s Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun, both about Nigeria. We also love Alexandra Fuller’s memoir, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight.

EAT

Heaven Restaurant Open air restaurant known for its Rwandan and international cuisine. It is also a social enterprise with an artisan boutique on site.

DRINK

Cafe Neo Hip, rooftop cafe popular with the ex-pat community. Try delicious, Rwandan coffee and stock up on a few bags to bring home. Other good brands are Gorilla and Maraba.

Hotel des Mille Collines Take in one of the best panoramic views of Kigali with a drink from the pool bar. During the 1994 genocide, the manager of the Mille Collines famously sheltered and saved over one thousand Rwandans.

PLAY

Haute Baso A social enterprise sourcing high-quality apparel, accessories and home decor from local women artisans.

Kimironko Market One of Kigali’s busiest markets, pick up everything from your daily produce, cooking, hardware supplies and beautiful local crafts and baskets.

Volcanoes Safaris Plan a 4-7 day luxury retreat into the hills with the mountain gorillas.

STAY

5 Swiss Hotel Clean and bright boutique guesthouse. Location is close to everything and the staff are lovely.

Kigali Marriott Hotel Palatial and new, its down the street from the 5 Swiss and a bit cheaper than the Serena.

Kigali Serena Hotel Five star glam and celeb spotting, but hard to justify the cost.

Kigali

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Marrakech

With its winding, narrow passage ways, smoky souks, bright-eyed peddlers and crumbling Islamic architecture, a visit to Marrakech’s medina is like stepping back into medieval Arabia.

While Marrakech is amazing, real Morocco lies beyond its cities. We spent three days on a private tour with Rough Tours Morocco traveling to Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert. We highly recommend Rough Tours and our guide Youssaf.

The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency. This means you can not obtain dirham before arriving in Morocco or exchange it outside of Morocco. Be sure to exchange any leftover dirhams before leaving for the airport.

Organize airport transfers via your hotel or riad.

EAT

La Relais du Lac About 35 kilometers outside the city, this is a charming, traditional restaurant on Lake Barrage Lalla Takerkoust.

Latitude 31 Romantic outdoor restaurant with delicious traditional food. Try the tagines!

Museu de Marrakech After touring the museum have a simple lunch in the courtyard.

Terrace de Epices Where the cool kids hang. Good music, good vibes on a roof-top stunner. The shops downstairs are fantastic — check out fair trade clothing brand Tribal Chic.

DRINK

While visiting be sure to try the National drink:  moroccan mint tea.

Cafe Arabe Beautiful, casual roof-top. Try for drinks at sunset.

Le Salama Take a break from the bustle of Jemaa el-Fnaa square by escaping to this cozy rooftop for drinks, snacks and gorgeous views of the Atlas Mountains and medina.

Restaurant el Bahia Next door to the Palais de la Bahia. Service is slow but it has a quiet rooftop on which to cool down and rest with a beer.

PLAY

Bab Agnaou Gate One of the most well preserved and beautiful gates inside the Medina.

Ben Yousef Madrasa This former Islamic college is now a historical site with beautiful architecture and design.

Heritage Spa Try the hammam and massage package.

Jardin Marjorelle Stunning botanical garden created by the French artist, Jacques Majorelle. Worth the wait of the queue.

Jemma el-Fnaa Square  The main square and entrance to Marrakesh's medina quarter. It can be overwhelming but a must.

Mellah The spice souk located within the old Jewish quarter.

Palais el Badi An ancient palace built at the end of the sixteenth century. One of our favorite sites in Marrakech! Spend at least an hour inside.

Palais de la Bahia A small palace with gorgeous mosaic work.

Tombeaux Saadiens Grab coffee at a roof-top terrace across the street before going inside.

STAY

If visiting Marrakech for a few days, stay in the medina. For an authentic experience consider staying at a riad, a traditional Moroccan house with an interior courtyard and garden.

Marrakech

Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh was founded in the Middle Ages and today both its Old and New Towns are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Sitting at the edge of the North Sea, with large hill and rock formations rising to its south and a medieval castle on a hilltop, Edinburgh epitomizes the saying “pretty as a picture”.

To Old Town from the airport take the tram to city center and then walk. Trams run every six to eight minutes between 6am and 11pm.

EAT

The Canon’s Gait Bright and friendly pub serving up local beers and delicious pub grub.

First Coast Modern Scottish and European food with fresh ingredients and a good wine list.

The Tea Rooms at Edinburgh Castle Break for tea after your castle tour.

DRINK

Kilderkin Cozy pub near the bottom of the Royal Mile.

Sandy Bells Iconic, live-music venue with Scottish folk artists, friendly bartenders and a Scotch library.

The Scotch Whiskey Experience While touristy, this one-hour, immersive tour and tasting gives a good overview of Scotch whiskey.

PLAY

Arthur’s Seat Hike up this ancient volcano for incredible views of the castle, city and coast.

Edinburgh Castle This incredible castle tells of the Scottish wars for independence, holds the Scottish Crown Jewels and has a pretty cool dungeon. Book in advance and go early.

Haunted tours Edinburgh is a city of ghosts. We tried Mary King’s Close, a tour through the forgotten under-city, but have heard the City of the Dead tours may be better.

Holyrood Palace The official residence of Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh. Admire from the outside gates or take a tour.

Old Town Explore Edinburgh’s medieval streets and the shops on the Royal Mile. Victoria Street is rumored to be the inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley.

Scottish Parliament Peak inside this modern building across from Holyrood Palace.

St. Giles Cathedral 15th century church.

Stockbridge neighborhood Stop by the Sunday market and walk down Ann Street to admire the stately homes on one of the UK’s most exclusive streets.

STAY

To be close to all the sites, book an Airbnb off the Royal Mile.

Want to splash out? Rooms at The Witchery look stunning (and we hear its haunted).

Edinburgh

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Santorini

A Long Weekend in Santorini

Santorini is a dream. The island received its name from the Venetians in the 13th century in honor of Saint Irene, but is known as Thira in Greek. Santorini is full of stunning caldera and Aegean views, delicious seafood and local delicacies, and amazing (albeit windy!) weather from spring through fall. Get lost in the windy stone streets, pop into little boutiques and enjoy the endless views around the island. Santorini is the perfect stop for a long weekend or on a tour of the other Greek islands.

We recommend traveling to Santorini in the shoulder season from April to early June, or September. The island is small and can get very crowded in high season.

Some European airports, including London Gatwick, have direct flights into Santorini National Airport. Otherwise, we recommend flying through Athens or taking a ferry from Athens or a nearby island. It is possible to take the ferry from Naxos to Santorini in two hours.

From the airport, there are a few options for getting to accommodation around the island. Most hotels will provide a pick-up/drop-off service for around €40. Alternatively, take a taxi from the airport for a similar price, but you will need cash. It is possible to take the local bus from the airport to Fira for €1.80, and then onwards to wherever you are staying from there.

Getting around the island is somewhat of a challenge, as the different villages are spread out. There is a public bus service to most major villages that begins and starts from Fira Central Bus Station. Most bus trips range from €1.80 to €2. Tickets are purchased on the bus and it is reliable, though can get quite crowded. For those who want the flexibility to explore at their leisure, we recommend renting a car (Vazeos is a reputable local brand), moped or ATV.

While the island is small, there is so much to do that we recommend planning at least three to five days to explore, or a long weekend in Santorini.

EAT

Argo Mediterranean and Greek taverna in Fira.

Dimitris Fresh seafood caught daily at Ammoudi Bay. Dimitris is the farthest restaurant on the walkway to the left and has the best sunset views. Make a booking and make sure to try the saganaki mussels or shrimp.

Fino Cocktail Bar & Restaurant Nice cocktails and tasty bites in Oià. The tuna tartare and eggplant souffle come highly recommended.

Karma Traditional Greek food in a cozy atmosphere in Oia.

Pito Gyros The best gyros in Oià and a great place for lunch or a casual dinner.

The Athenian House Local, romantic seafood restaurant featuring great views in Imerovigli.

DRINK

Coffee lovers! Substitute your go-to cappuccino for the Greek freddo cappuccino.

Marykay’s Bar Fun, cozy spot in Oià that is also open late.

Meteor This tiny bar in Oià is an oasis away from the sunset crowds and chill winds in spring. Stop in for a drink before heading to dinner.

Tango Great cocktails and tunes in Fira. Start start out the evening here.

Tropical Bar Casual, local dive with a great sunset view in Fira.

Wine! Wine has been produced in Santorini since the ancient times and there are several varieties indigenous to the island that are highly prized, including the white Assyrtiko grape. Today, the island is dotted with wineries. Make time to visit a few, either organizing a tour with a guide or DIY. We have listed some of our favorite wineries below. Note that Gavalas, Santo and Venetsanos are all within walking distance of one another and bus stops in Megalochori or Pyrgos.

Domaine Sigalas Just 15 minutes from Oià, this winery has a lovely patio with elevated Aegean views.

Gavalas This fourth generation, family-owned winery has won international awards. Their tasting room in the Megalochori village is tiny but worth a visit for a €14 tasting. We loved their Aidani white.

Santos A cooperative owned by over 1000 grape farmers, Santos is situated just west of Pyrgos and high on the cliffs overlooking the caldera. Enjoy a tasting on their large patio. Table for two? We recommend splitting a flight of 10.

Venetsanos Just a 12 minute walk from Santos, Venetsanos is smaller and a bit more intimate. It has an equally as stunning view but has a smaller patio. Book in advance.

PLAY

Ancient Thera The ruins of Santorini’s ancient city feature breathtaking views of the island, caldera and Aegean. Hike to the top (not for the faint of heart!) or drive.

Boat Tour There are a tons of options. We recommend one that takes you to the volcano, hot springs and some of the beaches. There are also sunset cruise options.

Firà to Oià or Oià to Firà hike This 10km hike has amazing caldera views. Take the bus back from either ending point. 

Kamari This coastal village on the Aegean features a long, rocky beach, beach-side tavernas and a bit of nightlife. It has long been popular with the tourist set.

Megalochori This adorable and picturesque village in the island’s center is worth a stop on its own. Known for its stunning bell tower, it is also home to Gavalas Winery.

Perissa Black Sand Beach Another coastal, resort village on the Aegean, albeit a bit further south than Kamari.

Pyrgos Visit this medieval village in the center of the island for its castle and quaint shops. It is a mile walk from the square to Santos Winery.

Red Beach The most beloved beach on the island is celebrated for its rocky red beach and the dramatic red cliff sheltering it. The beach is a short hike from the parking lot and gets crowded in summer.

Skaros Rock A little trek to some amazing views in Imerovigli.

Watch the sunset Oià is the best place on the island to catch the setting sun, or by boat.

STAY

It depends! If you are looking for luxurious and romantic accommodations, or for something special for a honeymoon, we recommend staying in either Oià or Imerovigli. Both have tavernas and restaurants nearby for dinner and drinks, but turn quieter after the sun goes down.

In Oià check out Art Maisons, which has two luxury boutique hotels, Onar Villas or Solstice Luxury Suites. All feature cave rooms, and either private hot tubs or cave pools.

In Imerovigli try Cocoon Suites, modern, luxury suites with private plunge pools.

If you want to be near nightlife, and have the flexibility to get around the island on public transportation, stay in Fira. We loved Enigma Suites Santorini and still dream of the views and delicious breakfast delivered to our suite each morning.

For a more casual experience, or proximity to the beach, stay on the Aegean Sea side of the island. Both Kamari and Perissa have nice beaches with enough going on to keep you fed and relaxed.

Santorini

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