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Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Faul Family Riverside Farm. It is a local farm in Henry County, that is trying to improve the quality of meat products in our area. It is a sprawling farm with 100 acres and several different types of livestock, including cows, chickens, laying hens, turkeys, pigs, and sheep. Apart from animals, they also have a gorgeous barn that is available for wedding ceremonies, special events, or barn parties.
The owners, the Faul family, along with their son Andre Faul being the chief farmhand, are trying to make clean and healthier made more accessible in our community. I am fortunate that I know Andre personally because we went to high school together, and we’ve kept in touch with each other over the years. Since I moved back to Kentucky, I had wanted to go and check out his farm. I saw posts from the farm on the internet, and he and I had talked back and forth about some of the things he was doing, so my curiosity was peaked. Since there is nothing better than seeing for yourself, I asked Andre if it would be ok for me to come out and take a tour of the farm.
The drive to the farm from Louisville is around 30 minutes, and the roads to get there are a little curvy, but besides that, it’s an easy journey. Once I arrived on the farm, the first thing that I noticed was the massive barn and the quilt on top of the barn. For those who don’t know, it is a widespread practice for barns in Kentucky to have quilts painted on wood at the top of them. It isn’t a concept original to Kentucky, but Kentucky loved the idea, and most barns around here have one at top. The reason why the Faul family’s quilt stands out is that it has the colors of the South African flag. You may ask yourself why the colors of the flag for South Africa would be on a barn in the middle of Kentucky. The answer is that the Faul family is originally from South Africa.
In 2001, Andre’s mom received a job offer at the University of Louisville, and the family decided to pack up and move halfway across the world. The next question you may be asking yourself is, “How does a family from South Africa end up with a farm in Henry County, Kentucky?” The answer was a bit surprising to me, but it once I heard it, I was inspired.
Andre’s grandfather was a citrus farmer in South Africa. He said that hearing his dad’s stories about growing up on a farm and farming the land inspired him and made him want to experience it for himself. His parents decided to buy the farm in 2015 and then offered him the opportunity to turn his dreams into reality.
Andre previously worked as a fish farmer in Miami, and he didn’t enjoy his job whatsoever. (We’ve all been there at least once.) So when his parents offered him the opportunity to run the farm for him, he gladly accepted. Although he traded warm weather and beautiful beaches for the bluegrass and the very brown Ohio River, he did bring back a part of Miami with him. See the Faul Family farm is one of two local farms that harvest shrimp. Andre runs the only farm that supplies fresh shrimp to the local Jefferson, Oldham, and Henry Co. communities and also a local Louisville restaurant, Harvest.
This year alone, they are on track to harvest about 300-350 lbs. of shrimp, and while visiting the farm, he showed me the new expansion that they are working on. Currently, the shrimp are harvested in a building that contains two huge saltwater tanks. Once Andre and his help finish building the new enclosure, he plans to have at least eight containers filled with saltwater shrimp. It will allow him to distribute his product to more local restaurants that are interested in purchasing local, organic harvested shrimp.
The fact that they harvest shrimp isn’t the only thing about the farm that makes them stand apart from others. It’s the way that Andre farms that truly sets them apart. They use a style of farming called ‘Regenerative Agriculture.’ When I asked Andre to explain this type of agriculture to me, this is what he said, “The farming we do has a positive impact on our land, as opposed to most farming practices that destroy the area. We mimic nature in how we move our animals around our pastures, i.e., wild herds of ruminants are always on the move, not staying in one area for more than a couple days. Moving the animals gets them off their manure and decreases the likelihood of them getting sick from constant exposure to parasites and bacteria, and it gives them continuous access to fresh grass. “
According to Andre, all of their animals play vital roles in maintaining the farm, and they all have specific jobs. “The laying hens move around the pasture and scratch through sheep and cow droppings, picking out any parasites and working the manure into the soil. They also leave behind nitrogen-rich manure that benefits the soil. The cows and sheep graze the pastures and promote grass growth by consuming the grass, and they also leave behind beneficial manure that feeds the soil microbes. Our pigs help us in clearing brush and thickets and digging down to disturb the seedbed underneath the pasture, thereby promoting different grasses and legumes to grow once they move on. And our turkeys are efficient grazers and love to graze on grasses, legumes, and even take care of some weeds in the pasture.”
While on the farm, we discussed his schedule and how he has a set amount of days for each enclosure. The most impressive part about their operation is that it is just Andre and a family friend are the only ones working at the farm. His friend is only here temporarily, so once he heads back to South Africa, Andre will be a one-person show again. That means one man will be in charge of taking care of ten cows, one hundred turkeys, ten pigs, three hundred chickens, and ten sheep. Honestly, I don’t know how he does it because I can barely take care of myself, let alone a 100-acre farm with so many animals. Not only does he take care of the land and the cattle, but he is also in charge of taking their animals to their local USDA approved poultry and meat processor. Once they get the meat processed, he also sells it online and at the local Farmer’s Market in LaGrange, KY.
After discussing the entire process of how the farm starts with tiny hatchlings, baby pigs, and shrimp and Andre takes care of them until they are ready to be processed, it makes me have more respect for organic farmers like him. It’s a long process and not an easy one. The number of hours and work that goes into maintaining their farm is crazy, but in the end, it is worth it. As Andre said, when he can have a meal with his family that he knows were raised organically and processed in the least cruel way possible, it creates a sense of accomplishment. It also makes you respect your food, and in turn, you waste less.
The farm typically does a monthly event from spring until fall. Their “Chat & Chews” are where you can take a tour around the farm and have a meal featuring their final products. It’s a great way to educate children and adults on organic farming, and the positive effects that it has on the land. It is also an excellent opportunity to taste the hard work and labor of the farm. Andre also allows people to come out and walk around the farm during the day as long as they contact him prior and give him a heads up that they want to come out.
If you are looking for a taste of what the Faul Family Riverside farm produces, all of the poultry, meat, and shrimp products can be purchased online or at the local Farmer’s Market in LaGrange, Kentucky, from spring until fall. You can also try some of the Faul Family Riverside chicken at Grassa Gramma in Holiday Manor in Louisville, and the shrimp can be found at Harvest on Market St. in Louisville. Don’t be surprised if you start to see the Faul Family Riverside farm name start popping up on more menus around Louisville as they are currently in the talks for being a feature in other local restaurants.
Faul Family Riverside Farm is just another example of a local business that is trying to have a positive impact on our community through hard work, respect, and love for the environment. Their goal is to have a positive impact on the environment and a healthy product on your plate. To find out more about Faul Family Riverside Farm or to plan your visit, you can contact Andre directly at riversidefarmky@gmail.com. While you visit, you can purchase their products, and you can always buy their products online on their website below.
A special thank you to Andre and his family for allowing me to tour around their farm and for taking the time to explain the process to me. It was a great experience!
Andre and I outside of the barn which is also available for event rental.
Andre outside of the chicken enclosure.
This guy will soon be on your plate for Thanksgiving dinner!
I wanted to play with the cows but as you can tell from this one’s face, they weren’t having it.
I was born and raised in Louisville the majority of my life, and I had no clue that we have a waterfall known as “The Niagara of the South.” Nor did I know how easily accessible it is. It is an easy drive from Louisville, around two and a half hours depending on the driver. It may or may not have been a little quicker in my case. 😉 I used the GPS app Waze on my phone to guide me, but once you have been there, it is very easy to find.
I will say that I was a little nervous traveling to a part of Kentucky that I have never been to. I know this may sound ridiculous to some people, especially those from around here, but going to the country is intimidating to me. I’m always worried about having car problems, running out of gas, or not having a cell phone signal and being stuck in the middle of nowhere. It’s not fear, but those thoughts do pop up when I’m planning on going somewhere that I haven’t been. Luckily, after arriving in Corbin, Kentucky, the location of the falls, I realized that there were gas stations, restaurants, and I wasn’t in the “middle of nowhere Kentucky.”
Before leaving my friend and I decided that we would stay the night in Corbin and that way we could have two full days to explore. We chose to stay in the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, which I found on booking.com. The Cumberland Falls State Resort is quaint and has country charm, but if I were to go back, I would probably stay somewhere else. The convenience factor of the State Resort Park is that it is a 2-minute drive from the actual falls. If you want to catch a glimpse of this natural beauty in the morning, afternoon, and evening, it is incredibly convenient. The reason why I probably opt out of staying there in the future is that the rooms are very outdated. It was like traveling back in time with a very sixties feel. Considering the facilities, I feel as though it is overpriced, but it is a State Resort Park, so you help maintain the Park while taking advantage of the location.
Once we arrived, we decided to check off our main object, the falls. Cumberland Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls I have ever been to, besides Niagara Falls. Anyone can access the different viewpoints except for one which is not wheelchair accessible, but the rest are wheelchair and stroller accessible. I saw every age group while I was there, young children, their parents and grandparents, and then people like us, young travelers. The actual falls are immense and impressive. Kentucky is currently experiencing an awful drought, so I can only imagine what they look like when it rains. Although they weren’t as grand as what they are typically supposed to be, I was still surprised by the size of the falls. Drought or not, they are a sight to be admired.
After taking our pictures of the falls and seeing a rainbow over it for a few minutes, 😉 we headed to the gift shop to see if they had any maps or suggestions for what to do in the area. The workers at the gift shop provided us a map of the falls, and surrounding hiking trails and they suggested that we explore the Eagle Falls trail. we decided to head to the recommended trail, Eagle Falls. We drove from the visitor’s center to the beginning of the trail. If you leave the parking lot and take a right, cross the bridge, you will see a small parking area on both sides of the road. The one to your right is the trailhead for Eagle Falls.
The trail is marked throughout the entire path. The trail is an easy walk but can be challenging at times, considering there is a lot of going up and downstairs. I’m not a professional hiker, I enjoy hiking for fun, and I found the trail to be easy. The trail leads down to the banks of the river and wind around to a waterfall that has plenty of boulders around to it lay down and relax. The entire time huge trees and boulders surround you. I went on September 16th, 2019, and was surprised to see that the majority of the leaves haven’t changed colors yet, but there were a lot of leaves falling while we were there. The entire loop is 1.8 miles, according to the app AllTrails. My phone said that it was 2 miles back and forth.
We came across other people while on the trail, and there were several locals who gave us tips on other places to check out in the area. One of the places that were mentioned several times is a trail called Dog Slaughter Falls. The name is totally awful, and the reason for the name is even worse (you can just imagine based on the title alone), so I’m not going to get into that, but it was a name that we heard repeated several times. We decided that we would check out Dog Slaughter Falls the following day and that since we completed the Eagle Falls Trail pretty quickly, we would head back to the tourist information center and choose another trail.
We chose to check out the #2 Trail. It is approximately 5 miles, and it follows the shoreline throughout parts of the trail. It was more difficult than Eagle Falls, and at times it was confusing. Several paths intertwine with each other, so we found ourselves on other trails at some points. Apart from the track not being as clearly marked, some parts were more complicated due to the terrain and them being downhill. We were able to manage, but I wouldn’t recommend this trail to someone inexperienced.
My worst nightmare also almost became a reality while on this trail. I almost stepped on a snake. As we were walking and taking in the views, I looked down and thought what I saw was a stick but quickly realized that it had a head. Luckily, I stepped back and allowed the snake to continue on its merry way while I stood a few feet away, trembling in fear. I love mother nature and respect all of its creatures, but I have a horrible fear of snakes. I know it is irrational, but I’ve been afraid of them since I was a child. It doesn’t help that my stepdad used one to scare me while I was young. (Inserts childhood emotional trauma here, lol.) Thankfully both the snake and I were able to continue on our peaceful ways without any issues.
Since it was getting later in the day and I had a mini heart attack from my snake encounter, I figured it was the time that we called it a day and looked for something to eat. As I said, I was shocked that there were various restaurant options in Corbin because quite honestly, I had never really heard of Corbin before. It was Mexico’s independence day on that day, so my friend and I decided to check out a local Mexican restaurant called Santa Fe. To our surprise, the food was delicious, and the portions were huge. Neither of us was able to finish our entire meal.
We also met one of the owners while we were there who is a Cuban immigrant and has been living there for twenty-three years. Admittedly, it’s an odd place for someone from Havana to end up, but he told us that he loves the area and that the locals treat everyone as if they are family. As I mentioned earlier, I am very wary of traveling in the country, and part of it is because people in small towns are not always accepting, and they become very suspicious of outsiders. His comments took some of my initial worries about locals away. I even met another patron who told me about the app AllTrails that has maps and guides to trails that are nearby. I downloaded it and used it the following day when we went to Dog Slaughter Falls. She also gave us a lot of information about what to do in Corbin and nearby. Moral of this part of the story, never judge a book or a place by it’s cover. 😉
One of the places that they mentioned to us while we were at the restaurant was Sanders Cafe or otherwise known as the original KFC. I know in my previous post I slammed KFC a little bit, but I do have to recognize and be grateful that Kentucky Fried Chicken has put Kentucky on the map internationally. If it wasn’t for Colonel Sanders, I’d probably have to carry a map of the U.S.A. with me everywhere I go so I could point out where I’m from. My friend and I decided that when in Corbin, we might as well see the birthplace of the fried chicken that we dislike so much. The Sanders Cafe is the original KFC, and it has been converted into a museum and restaurant. The left side of the restaurant is a functioning KFC, and the rest is filled with memorabilia from the original design, including the Colonel’s office, the original kitchen, and bathrooms. It was a nice stop and probably something I would have never done if someone didn’t suggest it. My mom dislikes KFC just as much as I do so I decided to buy her a souvenir as a joke. I’ll include it in the photos.
After touring the original KFC, my friend and I decided that we would head back to the falls and try our luck to see if we see a natural phenomenon called a “Moonbow.” Once a month, when there is a full moon, a “moonbow” can be seen across the falls. The moonbow looks like a rainbow, only that it is white, and it only occurs during the full moon. The Cumberland Falls website has a schedule to which dates each month it can be seen. We stood outside for hours in the night sky at an attempt to catch a glimpse of the moonbow but to no avail. Even though we were disappointed that we didn’t get to see the moonbow, it was pretty cool to see the falls at night and hear the crashing of the water. Once we decided that we had waited enough, we headed back to the lodge and got some rest for the following day.
Once we were able to get up and enjoy a quick breakfast, we checked out the app that was recommended to us and saw that Dog Slaughter Falls was one of the top recommended trails in the area. Although I am not a fan of the name, at all, we decided to check it out. If you plan to go, I suggest downloading the app as well. It gave us driving directions to find the trail, which was difficult because it is not marked. Once we arrived, the app also allowed us to download a map of the trail on our phones which was awesome because I had no cell phone signal. (Thanks, T-Mobile.) Once we located the trailhead, we were on our way.
Dog Slaughter Falls is an easy trail considering there isn’t much change in altitude, and there are signs everywhere that indicate which way to go. The sign at the beginning says that it is only 1 mile, but we found out that it is 2 miles to get there and 2 miles back, making it a total of 4 miles. The trail is easy, but it does get a little complicated towards the end when you arrive at the falls. There is a downhill pitch that requires precaution, but besides that, the trail is overall easy. While you walk towards the waterfall, you are accompanied by a stream and shade provided by the many trees in the area. There are lots of stunning views along the trail and plenty of opportunities to take photographs. Kentucky’s woods/nature provides stunning views that most people (including myself) would never imagine. Once we arrived at the waterfall, we spent around an hour or so hanging out, taking photos and enjoying the fresh air. The scenery is breathtaking and relaxing and allows you to feel one with nature. Once we got enough dose of nature, we decided to go ahead and head back home to Louisville.
The trip overall was inexpensive, fun, and exciting. I highly recommend making the trip to Cumberland Falls and checking out the surrounding hiking trails. I know that I will be returning to check out other trails. Some of the tips that I would give anyone planning to go would be to take plenty of water, (make sure you have a reusable bottle), sunscreen depending on what time of year it is, bug spray (Kentucky is mosquito heaven during the summer), and the weirdest but probably most important thing to take would be bear spray. There are black bears in this region of Kentucky and the best way to protect yourself from a black bear attack, (besides walking slowly backward and making lots of noise), is to use bear spray.
Here is a list of the trip expenses for anyone interested in how much a trip to Corbin and Cumberland Falls costs.
Gas- I used a full tank of gas which cost me $40. Gas was $2.55 at the time, and I have a 16 gallon tank. Food- Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant- $36 for dinner for two. (I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys TexMex.) Park Entrance- $0.00. That’s right. Free.99. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park- One night stay cost a total of $105.00. Found on www.booking.com. Souvenirs (optional)- $5.99 for a coffee mug from KFC and $18.99 for a T-Shirt from the Falls Gift Shop. Spending time in nature = Priceless.
Helpful apps while used on the trip: Waze (GPS) and AllTrails (Hiking App)
I’ve also created a video recap of my hikes on YouTube which can be found by clicking below.
As most of you know or have figured out by reading my about me page, I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky. When I travel, and someone asks, “Where are you from?” I immediately say, “Kentucky” to which their immediate response is “KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN!” (Cue hard eye roll) Yes, we are known for chicken, but Kentucky is more than a bucket of chicken thighs slathered in lard and dropped into a deep fryer. No offense to KFC or the Colonel, but we are a state that offers so much more. Plus, have people not heard of bourbon or the Kentucky Derby? Booze and gambling. How are these not popular? What I’ve come to learn from my extensive travels is that people, including people from the U.S., don’t know much about Kentucky and I want that to change.
When I moved back home one of the things that I quickly realized is that I (like many others) have traveled to tons of other states in the U.S. and I’ve even traveled to other countries more than I’ve traveled around Kentucky. I know that the idea of seeing different places more than your own state sounds absurd, but it’s true. I’m guilty of thinking that nothing is exciting or fun to do in Kentucky because a) I’m from here and b) you don’t hear people talk about exciting places to check out. Once I realized that I don’t know many areas in my state besides Louisville (my hometown, GO CARDS!), the immediate surrounding counties, Frankfort (the capital) and Lexington (horse country). Then it dawned on me that there is so much that I’ve never seen.
Therefore, I have decided to dedicate a section of my blog to my home state. I want to show the world the adventures that anyone can experience here. Sometimes we dream so much about foreign lands and unique cultures that we forget to explore our own backyard, so that is my plan. I plan to travel to a new place around Kentucky as frequently as possible. I will post information on how to get there, what it’s like, how much the trip cost and my recommendations on if it’s worth the trip or not. A lot of the places that I go to will probably involve nature because Kentucky is a great state for outdoor exploring such as hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Besides nature, I’ll include posts about things to do in Louisville as well, because who better to tell you about the hot spots than a local. Louisville is also one of the top food cities in the U.S. right now, so any excuse to try a new restaurant is good enough for me. 😉
There are a lot of things that this state has to be proud of, and if more people knew about what they can experience while they are here, then we would probably be a tourism hotspot like Colorado. Hey, a girl can dream! In all seriousness, I hope to do this state justice and show others like me that there isn’t a need to forget about your own state when deciding where to travel. I hope that this section helps show not only locals but other people around the world that Kentucky has more to offer than a bucket of (awful) fried chicken. (No offense KFC, but locals do not like your fried chicken. It’s a fact.)
Santorini is a Greek island made of dreams and technically speaking volcanic rock. It is a top honeymoon/wedding destination and to be quite honest; I can’t blame anyone for having their special day on the island. Santorini is incredibly picturesque. But for those of us who are not planning on a wedding or honeymoon anytime soon, Santorini is also a great European destination that allows you to take in spectacular sunsets, soak up the rays on their many beaches, ride a donkey (if you dare), eat amazing Mediterranean food and get sick off the Greek version of moonshine, ouzo. This Greek island is small enough that you can get from one side to the other but large enough to keep you from feeling cramped. I’ve visited Santorini 4 times, twice by myself and twice with friends, and I could probably visit 40 more without ever getting bored. I’ve come up with what I feel is the perfect way to spend a day in Santorini if you are looking to visit the island, but you are doing island hopping of other Greek islands or if it’s merely a layover. I’ve got you covered.
As I mentioned before, Santorini is a small enough island that you can get from one side of the island to the other in an hour via car, but my favorite mode of island transportation is an ATV. I grew up riding ATVs because my stepdad thought it was a great idea to teach a four-year-old how to drive not only ATVs but dirt bikes as well. I know, I’m lucky to be alive, BUT his crazy idea ended up working for me later in life when I found myself at a rental car places in Fira, Santorini trying to decide if I wanted a car or an ATV. I went for the ATV and was happy that I did. Finding parking on the island can be difficult, and when you see the number of motorbikes and ATVs around the island, it makes you want to join in on the fun. After signing the standard rental paperwork, I was on my way.
The itinerary that I planned was to see the three different types of beaches on the island in one day. Santorini has a red sand beach, white sand beach, and a black sand beach. After checking out the map, I realized that the white beach is the further from Fira where I was staying so I decided to head there first. I also noticed that there is a lighthouse near that side of the island, so I decided to head to the south end of the island early and explore and then make my way back while making stops to the red beach and black beach.
I arrived at the lighthouse within 40 minutes and began to look around. Once I arrived, I noticed that there isn’t much to see besides the lighthouse building and a cliff below it that makes for some lovely photos. If you’ve never seen a lighthouse before then definitely check it out but if you’ve seen a lighthouse, then you can probably skip it and head straight to the beach. I hopped back on the ATV and headed straight for white beach. It was easily accessible, and there were people renting lounge chairs. I found a sweet spot on the beach and was able to catch some rays for about an hour before I decided that it was time to head to the red beach and check it out.
The red sand beach doesn’t seem like much when you first arrive at the parking lot. There are a few small food vendors and some artists selling jewelry near the parking lot and when you look around the “beach” looks underwhelming until you realize that the actual red sand beach is a small hike away. I would suggest bringing tennis shoes along because the walk can be a little rough, especially for someone in flip flops (thongs) like I was. Once you begin your hike you start to notice the landscape change and the dirt becomes red, hint the name. As you come to the final, descend to the beach to see a huge cliff that looks like it has been carved out. The beach is directly in front of the cliff, and the view is simply amazing. I had never seen a red beach before, and since it was my first time, I was beyond impressed. I decided that I would take some time to swim and lay on the beach while I was there. The atmosphere is pleasant, and there isn’t anyone trying to bother you while you are on the beach relaxing. I spent a few hours on the red sand beach, relaxing, swimming, and just taking it all on. After a while, I started to get hungry and decided it was probably best to go ahead and head to the black beach Perissa to check it out and grab a bite to eat. I hopped back onto the ATV, and about 20 minutes later, I arrived at Perissa.
Perissa has a very resort-type feel to it in the fact that there are lounge chairs everywhere and there are plenty of restaurants lined up one after another. I decided to grab a quick bite to eat that I could take with me on the beach. I later found out that you can order food on the beach if you decide to rent a lounge chair. Renting a chair isn’t overpriced seeing how it was 5 euros the last time I was there, but since I was by myself, I decided to just lay my towel down in an area that I liked.
Now it was time to take a dip in this famous black beach. One thing that I didn’t realize was that the sand was going to be extremely hot because it’s black and it holds in heat, so obviously it was going to be extremely hot. Guess who forgot that tiny bit? I did, of course. As soon as I felt the hot sand burning the bottoms of my feet, I ran directly for the water. The water was cold and refreshing, and I was happy about it, considering that my feet felt like I ran across hot coals for an hour. After spending some time cooling down in the water, I decided that I had enough of the beach for the day. I wanted to check out another side of the island before heading to the very northern tip of the city Oia for sunset. I then made the mad dash back to my towel to gather my things and head out to my next destination and also where I was staying, Fira.
The Fira Port is known for three things; it is where you can catch the boat to go to the active volcano of Nea Kameni, take the cable car to get to the port, and last, but not least, donkey rides. That’s right; you understood correctly — donkey rides.
Since it was my first time in Santorini and I had no clue about donkey rides, I decided that I would take the cable car down and ride a donkey up the mountain. Today, I can 100% say that I would never do this option again. One reason is that I’m pretty sure someone gave my donkey a Redbull as it decided to shoot up the mountain at an insanely fast pace. I was holding on for dear life as I thought I was going to fall off at any given moment. It was the scariest animal ride of my life and one of the reasons why I am glad that I will never do it again.
The other and MOST crucial reason being that after educating myself and finding out that the donkeys in Santorini suffer from spinal injuries and sores caused by the saddles, I can say that I will never do it again. I love animals, and I would never want to harm one just because I was too lazy to walk up steep steps or because I didn’t want to ride in a cable car. I understand that there are people who cannot climb the steps and that it is more convenient for them to take a donkey, but if you are physically able to choose another option, please do so. While I don’t suggest riding a donkey, I do suggest petting one if you have the chance. They are adorable, and if you enjoy photography, you can get some beautiful shots of them walking up the hill.
One I was finished being an irresponsible twenty-something-year-old, I decided to head to Oia. Oia is at the top of the island. It is the location of the sunsets that are posted all over the internet, and it is the first thing that pops up when you google search Santorini. Every evening hundreds, upon hundreds of people (tourists), head to Oia to take in one of the best island sunsets that you can experience. I suggest googling the time of the sunset for that day and getting there several hours before. Finding a place to park on that side of the island before sunset is incredibly tricky, and having an ATV comes in handy. There are plenty of places to stand to watch the sunset but just as the parking lots get full quickly, so do the public areas to stand. Get there early and enjoy a walk around Oia since there are heaps of lovely shops that sell anything from paintings to jewlery to clothing. There are also lots of cute hotels and resorts on the walk to the end where the sunset occurs. A lot of the more expensive hotels are on this side of the island, and you can see how some rooms have private pools that light up at night. If you’re like me and you can’t afford that life, but you like to plan ahead for when you will be able to, take a while to write down some of the names of the places you wish to stay in for future trips. I mean, a girl can dream, right?
After you fantasize about spending a week in one of the plush hotels with your model boy toy, (I can’t be the only one who does this.) make sure to find a spot to stand to watch the sunset and get ALL of the pictures possible to send back home to mom and dad, just kidding. Take as many photos as possible because one, it’s a gorgeous sunset and two, social media. If you do decide to put the camera down and take a look around, you will notice that everyone around is either taking videos or pictures with their phones, gopros, or cameras. The sunset in Santorini is truly a spectacle, and although it doesn’t last long, it capture’s the audience. Once the sun actually sets, the crowd begins to cheer and clap, and then they start to make the mad dash to leave Oía. If you are impatient and hate slow walkers, I suggest staying behind a while longer and getting a nice glass of wine or a cold beer to pass the time. A lot of the shops stay open so if you didn’t have an opportunity to check them out before, now is a good time to do so. I had to get the ATV back to Fira in 28 minutes after the sunset, so I was one of the crazy people who made the mad dash to her ATV. Note to self and reader: Ask to return the ATV at 10:00 p.m. if you are staying in Fira. I luckily got it back in time but not without driving incredibly fast through dangerous curves. Sorry, mom!
At this point, most people would call it a night and head home or get back on their cruise ship, but since I was staying in Fira and it is very lively at night, I decided to grab a gyro to go and walk around the city while I enjoyed some people watching before headed back to my hotel. I could have easily gone out seeing how Fira is where the nightlife scene is in Santorini. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to check out if you want to explore the late-night scene. I suggest Two Brothers Bar if you are staying on the island and looking for a wild night out. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you. Seeing how I had a pretty packed day and was tired from soaking up so much sun, I skipped the bars for that night.
This was how I spent an entire day on the island and got to know the major tourist spots. There are plenty of other things to do while on the island such as checking out one of the wineries, taking a tour to the active volcano and hot springs, or visiting the prehistoric ruins at Akrotiri. If you are short on time or you are like me and try to see as much as possible in a day, then this itinerary is perfect for you. It can also give you an idea of what to do while the island and how to spread it out over your stay. Santorini is a gorgeous island and for those who have always wanted to go but they aren’t sure, I recommend that you take the trip!
Here are a few photos from my last visit to Santorini where I rented an ATV, again, and explored the island some more.
One of the questions that I always get is, “How do you plan everything, and what websites do you use?” Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure around Asia, there are websites and tools specially created to take some of the pain out of planning. Below I’ve listed my current favorite websites and apps that have helped me not only save money, but keeps me from losing my mind while I try to plan out longer trips.
1. Kayak
Kayak is my go-to website for flights. There are other websites out there that are sometimes cheaper, but Kayak is consistent. The site is easy to maneuver even for the less technologically savvy. It’s so easy that even grandma and grandpa can find their flights with it. There are also other features on Kayak besides flights such as hotels, cars, cruises, and package deals. I only use it for flights, but I know plenty of people who have used it for the others mentioned.
Once we decided that the Airbnb wasn’t going to work for us, I opened the Booking.com app on my phone and found a place and booked it within 5 minutes. It is that simple. The website and app are user-friendly, and it is essential in an “I’m standing in the middle of the world’s largest slum” moment.
https://www.booking.com/
3. Airbnb
I tend only to use Airbnb when I am traveling in a group. It’s not that Airbnb isn’t good for solo travelers, but I feel as though I get more bang for my buck on Airbnb when I’m traveling with at least four people. If you have never heard of Airbnb, it is a website that people rent out their apartments, houses or extra rooms to anyone who is looking to stay in another city or country but still wants the “at home” feel while they are away. Those traveling on a budget love the fact that they have a full kitchen to cook and reduce expenses. It’s also nice because of ample space, cleanliness and the option of never having to see the owners unless you need to. I always look at Airbnb and compare their choices with Booking because there are some hidden gems on Airbnb. I found a Treehouse in Puerto Rico that has the beach and chill vibes that I want. Some people swear by Airbnb others swear by Booking. Just like everything else with travel, it’s what works best for you. Take a look at both and decide what suits your needs the best.
https://www.airbnb.com/
4. Hostelworld
Hostelworld is a great place for young backpackers who are yearning to see the world, but they don’t have the same budget as Beyonce. (Let’s be honest, the majority of us don’t.) Hostelworld is what helped me travel Europe while I was in college and still be able to afford to eat while I was traveling from one destination to another. The website is one of the most go-to sites for young backpackers, and I still use it when I’m going somewhere by myself even though I’m no longer in my twenties. (Shh!) Hostels are typically shared dormitories that allow you to meet other travelers, have a place to sleep, and most of the time, a kitchen to cook a meal. Hostels have various sleeping options that range from private rooms to a mixed room with six bunk beds. Hostels also have the single-sex option so for female travelers like myself, and it makes you feel a bit safer knowing that you will only be sharing the room and bathroom with other females. I always suggest hostels to younger travelers and especially those who are traveling alone because it is a great way to meet new people, find out the best sites to see, the things that aren’t worth your time and the top food and bars in the area. If you are an introvert and enjoy your alone time, then I suggest going with a private room or a smaller dormitory so that you get that peace and chill time. Extroverts, like me, this is your time to shine. Go to the common areas and strike up conversations and see where the rest of the night takes you. Some of my best memories are from meeting new people at the hostel and then spending the rest of the day with them.
https://www.hostelworld.com/
5. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is an app that allows you to search for specific dates and destinations and sends you an alert when the price for the flights drop or if they project that the price will increase. The majority of seasoned travelers that I know use it and trust it. It is user-friendly and helps save you money and time. It is no secret that flights tend to be cheaper on certain days of the week, but who has an entire Tuesday to sit at their computer and hit refresh? Not most. I appreciate Skyscanner because it does the leg work for me. If the light that I am eyeing is about to go up in price, then I get an alert, and it allows me to lock it in before it does. It’s a helpful tool for any kind of traveler.
https://www.skyscanner.com/
6. Vueling
Vueling is a budget airline that has cheap flights all around Europe. Most travelers will tell you to use the rail (train) to travel across Europe, but what I have found is that the rail is more expensive than flying.* I have found flights as cheap as $75 while using Vueling. Seeing that it is a budget airline, there are limits on luggage, and there are fees if you go over the weight allowance so make sure that you can pay for more weight before your flight or pack light because there is nothing worse than paying for extra weight. It will burn through your savings, so avoid making a huge mistake. You will thank me later, I promise! For my fellow travelers from the U.S., everything around the rest of the world is measured in kilos, so 7 kilos are roughly 15 pounds. (1 kilo=2.2 pounds. Memorize this formula because it will save you more than you can imagine.)
https://www.vueling.com/
7. Scott’s Cheap Flights
Scott’s Cheap Flights is an app that sends price alerts straight to your email. The great thing about Scott’s is that they give you a heads up on price drops to destinations all around the world, so it takes the hassle out of searching for great deals. The only disadvantage that I have found to Scott’s Cheap Flights is that not everyone has a flexible schedule or budget that allows them to book a holiday on such short notice. Once you receive the alert, you have a limited amount of time to book the deal before the flights go back up. I still recommend Scott’s Cheap Flights because you get killer deals and it doesn’t cost anything to sign up. They have a premium option that I do not have, but it may be worth looking into for those who are continually looking for great deals.
https://app.scottscheapflights.com
8. Gate1Travel
I’m not above admitting that I have booked through a travel agency. Gate1 Travel takes the hassle out of planning. One of the things that people tell me is their worst nightmare and keeps them from traveling abroad is the planning that goes into everything. I typically do plan my own travel, but there are times where I want a getaway that I have to put no effort into it. What can I say? I’m human. I can admit that planning everything can be exhausting and that’s when I’ve used Gate1 Travel. They have packages for destinations all over the world. The great thing is that they have everything lined up from the moment you arrive until the moment that you leave. The downside to this is that you are on a schedule and sometimes you just want to do your own thing. Gate1 allows downtime for those who wish to explore on their own, which is what I enjoy about it. I don’t suggest booking trips like this often, but if someone I know is looking for a site that will take the headache out of the planning, then this is the one that I always provide.
https://www.gate1travel.com
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a beginner, all of these sites and apps are helpful. I have at least three opened in my browser at any given time. I know beginner travelers have a difficult time navigating through the immense amount of sites that offer great deals and trust me, there are a lot, but I find all of these sites and apps to be the most trustworthy. I’m not sponsored nor am I partners with any of them, but I have used all of them and can vouch for their usefulness. Now that I have given you the tools that you need to plan your next adventure, the next question is, where next?
