Top 6 Multi-Destination Travel Tips

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If it’s your first or second time traveling to Europe, it’s understandable to want to see it all. The flights are long and it’s difficult to choose just one destination. We always recommend creating balance in your trip and ensuring you have some days in the middle to slow down, relax, and enjoy the local experience. When you’re trying to craft the perfect multi-destination adventure, here are a few more tips to keep in mind to ensure you have the best time.

Choose Locations Which Are Close Together

If you’re going to be moving from place to place – look for destinations that are close together and easy to travel between. Take into account travel time, and find well-connected cities/towns. This will give you more time to enjoy new destinations without spending too much time in transit. Don’t forget to include travel time in your plans. If it takes 4 hours to get from one destination to the next, then that is only a half day you get to spend in the new destination.

Balance Overnight Stays with Day Trips

Moving from place to place isn’t the only way to maximize an adventure. You can stay in the same home base each night and enjoy that city in the evening while taking day trips to nearby locales — giving you the best of both worlds. Look for home bases that offer lots of fun daytrips in the surrounding area.

[Photo Credit: Kendra & Shad via Shared Adventures. Read about their adventure to Portugal here!]

buildings in Sintra Portugal

Spend At Least 3 Nights in a Destination

At least 3 days/ nights is what we recommend for almost every city, with very few exceptions. The first night you arrive is always disorienting. You’re getting used to the new destination and learning about your surroundings.

A family visiting the Acropolis in Greece

The second night is when you start to settle in. The first culture shock has worn off a little and you can enjoy the sites you’re seeing, maybe find a favorite gelato place or café. You’ll spend the day seeing the major sites and attractions – what the city is known best for.

[Photo Credit: Alicia & Jay via Shared Adventures. Read about their family trip to Greece here!]

Then comes the third day. You have a better sense of where you are and how to navigate the city. You can start to relax and enjoy where you are. Make note of the little things and find a few hidden gems. More time is always better but without three full days, you won’t get a proper taste of a city.

Pack Smart and Travel Light

Nothing’s worse than dragging a heavy suitcase from hotel to hotel through Europe. Make sure you pack light. If you have multiple destinations on your itinerary, especially with trains where you’ll need to lift your luggage up a few steps, doing your best to pack lightly will make your trip that much more enjoyable.

[Photo Credit: Liz via Shared Adventures]

Prebook The Key Attractions

To make the most of your time, make sure you pre-book skip-the-line tickets for the major sites and attractions in your destination. This way you avoid waiting in long lines and can make the most effective use of your day. If you want a good overview of the major sites of a city, booking a walking or golf-cart tour is a great way to start your stay.

Traveling Off the Beaten Path Takes Time

Finding local experiences and hidden gems of a city takes time. The longer you spend in one city the more time you have to truly understand the city and explore the unexplored. You’ll enjoy the local culture and local experiences. Although it may not seem like it, sometimes maximizing your travel means visiting a few places more profoundly.

[Photo Credit: Ann via Shared Adventures. Read about her week in Rome here!]

If you’re ready to strike the perfect balance in your multi-destination adventure – let us know! We’ll give you expert advice and help you to plan a customized itinerary that maximizes your experience!

Deciding Between Mykonos and Santorini

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Ah, the Greek Islands – sun-drenched landscapes, turquoise waters, and ancient charm. But when it comes to Mykonos and Santorini, two of the most famous islands, choosing the perfect one can be daunting. Which one is right for your travel style? Below we consider the vibe (atmosphere), pros, cons and key questions to consider when deciding between these two incredible islands.

Mykonos

What can you expect from a stay on Mykonos? Think endless stretches of golden sand, vibrant beach clubs pulsing with music, and cosmopolitan charm. Mykonos caters to the social butterfly: those seeking lively nightlife, trendy boutiques, and the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities.

waves and windmills in Mykonos Greece

Imagine yourself indulging in champagne showers at Paradise Beach, dancing into the sunrise at Super Paradise, or exploring the narrow, whitewashed alleys of Mykonos Town. Mykonos offers charming Mykonos Town, windmills, and scenic coastal walks. This island perfectly caters to diverse interests, whether you want to relax on golden beaches, indulge in luxurious spas, explore Delos Island’s ancient ruins, or hit the vibrant nightlife scene.

Pros

  • Perfect for short trips 3-4 days
  • Flatter landscape – better for those with mobility concerns
  • Lots of variety available
  • Soft-sand golden beaches

Cons

  • Not as dramatic scenery as Santorini
  • Fewer activities are available in the off-season – most of the island is closed.
  • Not very many wineries to enjoy

Questions to Ask When Considering a Mykonos Vacation

Who am I traveling With? – Mykonos is perfect for families, large friend groups with diverse interests, and multi-generational trips or folks with mobility concerns.

How do I feel about Crowds? – In the quieter “shoulder” season you can actually escape the crowds on Mykonos. The slightly wider streets and larger island also offer some crowd relief, so if crowds aren’t your thing Mykonos is the best option.

Do I want an Active Adventure or More Relaxation Time? – Mykonos offers more relaxing on soft sand beaches, go with the flow vibes. There is a greater focus on wandering, relaxing and indulging.

[Photo Credits: Courtney via Shared Adventures Travel]

Santorini

What can you expect from an adventure to Santorini? Picture dramatic cliffsides crowned by whitewashed villages, breathtaking volcanic landscapes, and panoramic views that melt your heart. Santorini entices the romantic soul: those yearning for candlelit dinners with caldera views, intimate sunset strolls through Oia’s charming streets, and exploring ancient ruins steeped in myth.

A happy couple with the white washed walls and blue domes of Santorini Greece behind them

Witness the fiery magic of the sunset, sail around the volcanic caldera, or indulge in a wine tasting amidst the vineyards. Santorini offers volcanic hikes, wine tastings, boat tours, and cultural immersion. It’s the perfect destination for outdoor adventures.

Pros

  • Unbelievably stunning dramatic views and vistas
  • Perfect for hiking and outdoorsy activities
  • Romantic atmosphere which caters to honeymooners and couples
  • Over 20 wineries to enjoy
  • Plenty to do and see – could easily spend a week on the island

Cons

  • Lots of hills and stairs – challenging for those with mobility concerns
  • Longer tourist season – expect to find crowds from early April – November
  • Volcanic pebble, rocky, or course sand beaches

Questions to Ask When Considering a Santorini Vacation

How much Time do I have? – There’s enough to do to spend a whole week here and you can take your time to enjoy Santorini. It’s worth spending more than a few days, if budget permits.

sunset over the ocean santorini greece

Do I want an Active Adventure or More Relaxation Time? – You can, of course, spend time relaxing on Santorini but with its dramatic cliffs and volcanic landscape it’s great for active travelers who enjoy hills, stairs, hiking and water adventures like kayak and boating.

How do I feel about Crowds? – Santorini is well known and its narrow streets don’t offer a lot of breathing room. While the shoulder season is less crowded there will almost always be crowds. But, as Santorini makes an effort to become a year-round destination, more hotels and activities are available in the cooler months. (The only thing you won’t find open in winter is beach clubs/ pools)

[ Photo Credits: Alicia & Jay via Shared Adventures Travel – read about their family adventure to Greece here! / Christina via Shared Adventures Travel]

No matter which famous island destination you choose – you’re sure to have an incredible time soaking up the sunshine and beautiful Greek culture! If you’re ready to start planning your Greek Island Adventure – or want to find out about some hidden-gem island options — let us know!

A Family Adventure in Greece

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Long-time clients Alicia & Jay came to us for some help with a bucket-list trip to Greece with her mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law. The whole family wanted a mix of sightseeing, relaxation, luxury hotel amenities, gorgeous beaches, and incredible food! We were thrilled to put it all together for them. Here’s their feedback:

We can’t thank you enough for planning such a perfect family trip to Greece! We had an amazing time! We had beautiful, warm, and sunny weather for most of the trip.

Athens

As you already know, when we arrived in Athens on Saturday morning, there was a mixup with our transportation and we ended up just taking taxis to the hotel. However, after this, the trip was mostly seamless! The Athens Gate Hotel was wonderful and very helpful in confirming our transportation for the following day. When we arrived on Saturday, we had lunch and explored Hadrian’s Arch and Monastiraki Square. We had drinks and dinner at the Athens Gate rooftop, which had beautiful views of the Acropolis.

On Sunday, we had our tour of the Acropolis. When we got to the meeting point, there was no one there to meet us for the tour. We contacted the tour company and they arranged for someone to meet us back at our hotel so we could leave from there. The tour of the Acropolis was amazing and our tour guide was incredible. It was definitely good to do it early in the day because it was 90+ degrees, and it wasn’t too crowded as we were climbing up, but on our way down we noticed that the crowds had increased significantly.

After the tour, we grabbed lunch and headed to the airport.

Crete

We absolutely loved the Minoa Palace Resort in Crete! What a beautiful resort, which certainly earns its 5-star status.

We spent the next four days mostly between the beach and pools and walking to nearby restaurants for dinner. The hotel staff couldn’t have been nicer, arranging taxis and even salon appointments for us. We loved our rooms with the private pools!

The Cretan Cooking Class was an incredible experience and one of the best meals we had the entire trip. It was amazing to see the family’s villa high up in the mountains with incredible views.

We also explored Chania Old Town on Wednesday, which was beautiful. We stopped for lunch along the water at the perfect time because the skies opened up and gave us quite a storm. I think that was the only time it rained the entire trip in Greece!

Santorini

I think Santorini was collectively our favorite place! The Petit Palace Hotel blew us away with its incredible views. Talk about a grand entrance – the hotel’s entrance is literally two doors on the side of a cliff and all you see is the water below when you walk through. Our rooms were again spacious and impressive – from the unique bathrooms to the balconies. We saw the best sunset of our entire trip from our hotel room balconies. The hotel had a shuttle that runs back and forth to Fira, and the staff was very helpful with arranging taxis for us elsewhere.

We spent time exploring both Fira and Oia, which was my favorite place, as well as the black sand beaches – we spent a day at one of the beach clubs called Wet Stories. Marissa, Joe, and Bob did a hike from Fira to Imerovigli, which they said was amazing! We also did a tour and wine tasting at Santo Wines, which was great!

The highlight in Santorini for all of us was the Sunset Boat Tour. The tour ended up being all adults and relatively small (we lucked out with a fun group). The crew was spectacular and the food they prepared was delicious. We all swam in the Aegean Sea and enjoyed drinks, good music, and beautiful views.

Conclusions

We all agreed that it was so nice to have one extra night in Athens at the end of the trip. We loved the Sofitel – the convenience of the two-minute walk from baggage claim was ideal. We had dinner at their rooftop restaurant and it was great to be able to freshen up and get a good night’s sleep before the long flight back to Boston.

Overall, you knocked it out of the park again! This was the most memorable family trip. Thank you from all of us for planning the best escape to Greece!

 

5 Movie & TV Inspired Destinations

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Have you ever watched a movie or tv show and thought you really wish you were there? Of course you have! Especially during the last few years, when we were all binge-watching our favorite shows and using them as an escape into another world. 

We’ve rounded up five cool destinations that were catapulted into fame and put on countless bucket lists because of movies and TV shows. Whether you’re looking to visit the exact spot where your favorite actors stood, or just want to experience the vibe of the worlds they created, these destinations are unforgettable additions to any must-see list. 

New Zealand

This is perhaps the place that has capitalized on “set-jetting” tourism the most.

New Zealand is, of course, well known for the Lord of Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. And how could you not want to visit these incredible landscapes, lakes, mountains, and rivers? In addition to the over 150 filming locations of LOTR, New Zealand was the backdrop to other famous films like the Chronicles of Narnia, King Kong, and Avatar. The country exudes an other-worldly, larger-than-life atmosphere, and is well worth the long trip.

[Photo Credit: Nate Johnston via Unsplash]

If you are going to see Hobbiton in Matamata then you can expect crowds, tickets, and a bit of over-tourism. But the great thing about New Zealand’s on-screen inspiration is the wide open spaces and the multitude of locations utilized by different films. There are a wide variety of destinations within the country where you can explore filming locations and make the most of your stay.

If you don’t want to brave the crowds at Hobbiton, you can make your home base in Wellington for some of the most accessible LOTR locations, including Tongariro National Park. Skull Island (Lyall Beach & Shelly Bay) from King Kong is also near Wellington. If, instead, you’d like to step through the wardrobe into Narnia, base yourself around Aukland for the incredible forests, or on the South Island where you’ll find Elephant Rocks.  There’s plenty of space to enjoy it all.

[Photo Credit: Dario Mueller via Unsplash]

Sicily

We’ve had a lot of requests for this incredible Italian destination thanks to White Lotus season 2. Much of White Lotus takes place in Taormina with picturesque seaside vibes, luxury villas and hotels and incredible Greek ruins. But Sicily is the Mediterranean’s largest island, with a rich history all its own, and there’s lots to explore.

We would recommend staying in two locations – Taormina (or the larger Catania) in the shadow of Mt. Etna and then Palermo on the other side of the island. This way you can enjoy the beach clubs and a few well-planned day trips to the quaint local seaside towns along the coast. While you can use a train to get across the island, having a car is extremely helpful for day tripping.

[Photo Credit: Flo via Unsplash]

While Sicily is not quite as packed with tourists as other parts of Italy yet, it is seeing an increase in travel over the past five years. If you’re looking for a similar vibe without the crowds we recommend Sardinia. An Italian island with stunning landscapes and unbelievable beaches. Or, Puglia for the quaint seaside villages and unforgettable food. Or you could try Crete for all the Mediterranean island flair and nightlife with a Greek twist.

[Photo Credit: Flo via Unsplash]

Ireland

From fictional worlds like Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and Dungeons & Dragons to real-world stories like Derry Girls, Once, and Vikings. Ireland is a very popular filming location! Lush green forests, dramatic cliffs, and seascapes combine to offer viewers unforgettable scenery. 

Kylemore abbey Ireland

Depending on which film or show you find most inspiring, you’ll either head to Northern Ireland (Derry Girls, Dungeons & Dragons), the craggy cliffs and stunning roads along the west coast ( Star Wars: The Force Awakens/ The Last Jedi, Game of Thrones, The Princess Bride), the forest of Wicklow County (Vikings, P.S I Love You), or the quintessential city vibes of Dublin. Each area of Ireland has something incredible to offer, but the more popular sites will also come with crowds at certain times of the year.  

[Photo Credit: Lori via Shared Adventures – read about her Scottish and Irish Honeymoon here]

Here are some more off-the-beaten-path suggestions, if you prefer. Instead of The Cliffs of Moher, you can try the Sliabh Liag Cliffs in Donegal in the far northwest. Or, the Cliffs at Loop Head Kilkee in County Clare. If you’re looking for Star Wars vibes but not wanting to battle the crowds at Skellig Michael, you can try Malin Head in Donegal ( where many of the scenes were filmed). And a great alternative to the famous Ring of Kerry is the Skellig Ring Road just to the northwest of the Ring of Kerry, but with nary a tour bus in sight. 

[Photo Credit: Alicia & Jay via Shared Adventures — read about their Irish Adventure here!]

the cliffs of Moher Ireland

Paris

The city of light, art, and romance – Paris has been glorified in movies and tv since the beginning of film and has certainly inspired many travels.

a photo of the Amelie cafe in Montmartre Paris

Whether you’ve recently been inspired by Emily in Paris or Lupin, or you were inspired years ago by Midnight in Paris, Amelie or countless others, the list of movies set in Paris is never ending and it certainly merits a visit.

[Photo Credit: Nicole & Paul via Shared Adventures — read about their Paris Anniversary Adventure here!]

While you won’t ever find the bustling city lacking crowds, visiting in the shoulder or off seasons will certainly help. Spring and Fall are beautiful times to enjoy the romantic narrow streets, wide boulevards, fabulous food, and unique architecture.

[Photo Credit: Kim & Paul via Shared Adventures — read about their first time in Paris here!]

Overlooking Paris at sunset from the Arc du Triomphe

 

If you’re looking for the Parisian vibe without the crowds, there are two other cities you can enjoy. Strasbourg is near the German border. It features a stunning cathedral, gothic architecture and narrow streets. And Lyon used to be the capital of France and has retained its remarkable heritage. You can take the tramway to glide above the Rhone river, or head underground for secret covered passageways. Lyon also boasts several Michelin starred restaurants and gourmet food. A perfect destination for a chic city break.

Greece

The Greek Islands have an undeniable visual appeal. Incredible turquoise waters, white-washed buildings, and charming seaside villages populate the movies as much as social media. Perfect for a beachy holiday, the Greek Islands provide every bit of those Mamma Mia vibes you’ve been craving since 2008. 

sunset over the ocean santorini greece

If you’re inspired by the wealthy private island from Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, then you’ll want to head to Spetses. With luxury and tradition, this is a favorite island of the rich and famous. Close to Athens, the Saronic Island is a perfect addition to a mainland Greece adventure. And those inspired by Daisy Jones & The Six can explore the quaint port and serene alleyways of Hydra – another of the Saronic Islands in the Aegean. 

On the other side of the Aegean, Mamma Mia fans will be taking a ferry to the Sporadic Islands of Skopelos and Skiathos, which are ideal for a peaceful laid-back vacation. With gorgeous nature, small fishing villages, and idyllic emerald waters, these islands are a bit more difficult to reach, as there’s no ferry from Athens. You’ll either need to take the ferry from Agios Konstantinos in central Greece or Volos in Thessaly. Or fly into Skiathos directly. 

For any Greek Island adventure, we recommend a little island hopping. While places like Santorini and Mykonos have gotten a bit crowded, there are plenty of islands to explore that have yet to gain a huge influx of tourism.  Why not get creative and check out Milos, Folegandros or Naxos instead.

Wherever you’re inspired to travel to, whether from the latest tv show or movie or a simple Instagram post – let us know! We’re always excited to help you realize your travel dreams and can offer options to fit the perfect vibe. 

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