Santorini – Camera & Carry On

Our Favorite Metropolitan Hikes in Europe

Michael — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 01:46:14 +0000

What's the first thing you think of when you picture a great hike? Mountains? Wildlife? Being out in the middle of nowhere, traversing rugged terrain, mud on your face, blisters on your feet, and the sent of poop in the air?!?! Well, maybe not all of that, but probably something close. One thing I've come to learn is that there are many great "hikes" that are a short jaunt, subway, or bus ride from your hotel. Many bustling cities have exciting treks that offer stunning sea views alongside incredible city architecture. I call these "metropolitan hikes," and Europe is full of 'em! Below are my absolute favorites! (I tried my best to mark exact locations on the maps below)

Oia to Fira (Santorini, Greece)

Santorini never seems to disappoint, and the trail that leads from Oia to Fira won't either! It was a little tricky to find the starting point, but once you're on the trail it's 6 miles of pure splendor. Many hikers tend to start in Fira and walk towards Oia. It's a bit easier to find the path coming from Fira, but since we were staying in Oia, we did it backwards. Either way, have your camera ready to capture the bluest blues and whitest whites in Greece.

Path of the Gods (Amalfi Coast, Italy)

Whenever someone tells me they're visiting the Amalfi Coast I always tell them the same thing: find the Path of the Gods. You may plan to spend your time on beaches and boats, but make sure to build in a day to gaze above it all. The Path of the Gods is an old donkey path above orchards, farms, and the sea. While we traveled along this path, we were also greeted by many, and I mean many, goats!

Slieve League Lookout (Ireland)

Slieve League is the tallest sea cliff in Ireland. The 1,972 ft drop will land you right in the Atlantic. That's nearly three times the height of it's more famous cousin, the Cliffs of Moher! To get the best view of Slieve League find this lookout point. A fairly short walk from a parking lot will have you among the vast meadows and dramatic drop-offs of Ireland's coast. And if you're lucky, you may find a delicious ice cream truck waiting at the end.

Cap d'Ail Coastal Path (Nice, France / Monte Carlo, Monaco)

Ah the magical coastal path between France and Monaco. While Shannon and I were in Nice we thought it'd be fun to take a quick side trip to Monte Carlo. Although Monte Carlo was interesting, it was the walk back to France that really made the day. Like all of these metro hikes, there's no shortage of views, but the Cap d'Ail Coastal Path also offers a number of secluded spots to sunbathe or take a dip in the Mediterranean. To get here we took an easy bus ride from Nice into Monte Carlo, found the path, walked to Mala Beach, then took the bus back to Nice.

Mt. Salève (Geneva, Switzerland)

From Geneva take the #8 bus for about 12 miles, all the way to the end... welcome to France! From the bottom of Mont Salève you can either hike or take a cable car to the top. Once up there you'll likely find a plethora of paragliders (people running off the mountain with a parachute on their back), perhaps the best view of Lake Geneva, and on a clear day, a view of Mont Blanc.

Path Around Toledo (Spain)

A common day trip from Madrid is the old world town of Toledo. Toledo is known for it's history and craftsmanship. Whether it be steel, plaster, or food, these Spaniards know what they're doing. If you want to get a look at the town as a whole, cross the moat and climb up and around. There's a quazi path/sidewalk that hugs the town from a far, and provides a really nice overview.

Cinque Terre (Italy)

Ah the famous Five Lands of Italy! Hardly a secret, but never to be missed. Unfortunately massive flooding destroyed many of the walking paths several years back, but even still Cinque Terre is a great area to explore. We took the train from La Spezia, and between the 5 towns, as most do. Along with the beautiful cliffside dwellings, make sure to catch a glimpse of Il Gigante in Monterosso.

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16 Photos to Get You Excited About Traveling in 2016!

Michael — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:12:08 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well it's that time again, time for resolutions and reflection. If you're reading this, there's a good chance one of your resolutions for this year is to travel more. To help you visualize this, I've searched through 10s of thousands of our photos, and found 16 of my absolute favorite panoramics that I hope will encourage you to travel in 2016! Not only are these some of our most spectacular images, but they're also from some of our most treasured destinations. From the most bustling cities, to the calm and silent, there's always something great to capture.

(Click an image to expand it larger)

Santorini, Greece

Siat, Switzerland

Machu Picchu, Peru

Bruarfoss Waterfall, Iceland

Trulli of Alberobello, Italy

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Seville, Spain

Koh Yao Yai, Thailand

Cusco, Peru

Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands

Great Wall of China

New York City

Sligo, Ireland

Mont Salève, France

Amalfi, Italy

Gruyères, Switzerland

•••••

P I N M E !

Save this "16 Photos to Get You Excited About Traveling in 2016!" image to your Pinterest board to keep track of these awesome images, and remember where you can go, and what you can see!

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10 Reasons Why I’d Live in Santorini

Shannon — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 21:11:08 +0000

People ask me where I've enjoyed visiting the most, but I always have a tough time answering. The thing about the world is, it's a big place and each destination is unique; you know, apples and oranges. Now, if the question is, "Where would you consider moving?" that narrows my options a bit. I'd be stocking up on humble homes around the globe if money was no object: a tiny chalet in the Swiss Alps, beach bungalow in Thailand, studio flat in London, lakeside charmer in Lake Como... you get the idea. Of my dream locations, Santorini has secured a spot on my small, but thoughtfully cultivated list. It's got a lot going for it, and here are 10 reasons why I could see myself living there:

The view. Have you seen photos of Santorini? I won't bother you with 10,000 adjectives about its beauty, but I can assure you it's gorgeous from every angle.
Space. While the towns are established and compact, between them you'll find very little. Having heard Santorini is a big tourist destination, it surprised me to find how rural it was. There's much more to the island than smooth, white buildings and blue fences; space, and lots of it.

The great outdoors. I like think of myself as a city girl. But now and again, I get away and realize how much I love the peace and beauty of the contrary. Sweeping seascapes, craggy, cliffside trails, and white, puffy clouds across the sky: these are things that make my soul happy.
The people. Everyone was very friendly, even if there was a bit of a language barrier with some of the older locals. A wave and a smile speak volumes.

Desserts with honey. It's a wonder what can be done with filo, honey, cinnamon, and nuts. Baklava, kataifi, loukoumades -- you name it, I love it.
Gyros. These filling and delicious pita sandwiches made with fresh ingredients only set us back 2€ a pop. In the words of craft-mogul Martha, "It's a good thing."

Sunsets. Some of the most vibrant, brilliant sunsets I've ever seen have been here and Oia is the ultimate place to take it in.
A steady breeze. Nothing can suck the life out of a person quite like stale heat. I love the sunshine, but that breeze made sure we had comfortable afternoon walks and could enjoy sitting outside without melting to plastic, bistro chairs.

Real estate. While I'm no expert on Greek real estate, I know enough to realize that properties are for sale and that the economic climate in Greece is favorable for buyers. There were a number of properties with jaw-dropping ocean views, in serious disrepair, and in need of a good renovation (so... cheap-ish?). I like a good deal and I'm cool with getting dirty.
Proximity to mainland Europe. We like to travel. There, I said it. With an airport on the island, reasonably priced airfare, and hundreds of destinations within a few hours' flight, that makes for pleasant journeys.

Bonus: It's on the sea. I grew up in a coastal town in Florida and have always loved the ocean. Being on a large body of water is comforting and makes me feel at home.

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Stunning Sunsets Around the World

Shannon — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:01:40 +0000

Sunsets are juxtaposed between the ordinary and phenomenal. Around the world, people witness the glowing orb rise and fall at the horizon, signaling the natural beginning and end to the day. A celestial routine and marker of time, the sunset is a sight worth seeing. In this infinite act we find beauty, limitless and personal, an experience celebrated across culture, race, and distance. Watching the sunset, something we've done a thousand times over, is made new again; spectacular, fleeting, full of color and movement, in an unfamiliar place. [See image gallery at www.cameraandcarryon.com]

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