Planning Your Trip to Mendoza

Thinking about going after read my post about Dreamy Mendoza?

Mendoza Contrasts 

At first, be well organized. For some reason (probably its fame), Mendoza area are almost always sold out. So If you wish to get to know the most unique wineries (not those touristic and big ones) and stay in special hotels, you should schedule everything at least several months in advance. Otherwise you will have to “accept” the options you get. See where I recommend you to stay here.

It’s better If you have a local agency to arrange everything for you. So we made it through Red Globe Tours, with Roman (the owner) and I can say they are absolutely dynamic, answering my questions and requests very fast.

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Vineyards of Mendoza in Summer

Each season has it’s own particular beauty. In our first visit, we went there in the end of summer, during harvest, so the vineyards were abundant and beautiful, full of grapes, and it was still  hot (about 20oC – 30oC). In April or May, it’s cooler but still warm, the Andes Mountains a bit white, and the vineyards’ leaves red. It’s magical! During winter it’s cold and can snow ocasionally. I saw some pictures and it’s amazing, but you are going to need more bottles of red wine (not a problem, at all). During spring, it’s warm and the leaves start to grow again. The best thing is that Mendoza has very dry weather, so whenever you go it’s almost always sunny.

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Mendoza in Autumm

An important thing to know before you go is that Mendoza is vast and the wineries and their vineyards are spread all over three different main areas: Maipú, Lujan de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. In my post Singular Wineries of Mendoza, I tell you more about the wineries I visited in my first visit. 

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Traditional Asado 

Dreamy Mendoza

Are you a wine addicted? Are you a gourmand? Are you a nature lover?

Wine Barrels 

If you answered YES to at least one of the questions above, Mendoza should be on your bucket list. For sure its a wine lovers’ playground, but also has some amazing food experiences (specially with Argentinian meat) to offer, combined with a great landscape (imagine having the Andes Mountains on one side and beautiful vineyards on the other) and warm hospitality in some outstanding hotels.

The Vines Resort 

It was on my bucket list for ages. It’s very close to home (about 4 – 5 hours flying), but the tickets are usually very expensive, so we kept putting the trip off. Thank God, my husband had the great idea to celebrate our 3rd anniversary there as well as my birthday. So… Early March this year we were arriving at Mendoza Airport to live our dream. And now I gonna tell you everything you should know about this amazing destination.

Decided to go? So let’s get started here planning your trip.

Hope you enjoy! Cheers!

Cavas Wine Lodge 

 

A Mendoza de Sonho

Você é um amante de vinho? Adora uma boa comida gourmet? Aprecia as belezas da natureza?

Se você respondeu SIM a pelo menos uma das perguntas acima, Mendoza deveria estar na sua lista de desejos de viagem. Definitivamente, ela é um centro de diversões dos apreciadores de vinho, mas também tem muito a oferecer em termos de gastronomia (em especial a famosa carne argentina), combinado com belezas naturais de tirar o fôlego (imagina ter os Andes de um lado e vinhedos de outro) e serviços de excelência em hotéis charmosos e muito confortáveis.

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Barris de Vinho

Estava na minha lista de desejos há anos. É bem perto da minha casa (cerca de 4 – 5 horas de avião), mas como as passagens geralmente são muito caras, nós estávamos sempre deixando pra depois… Graças a Deus meu marido teve a brilhante ideia de comemorar nosso aniversário de 3 anos de casamento por lá… E de quebra meu aniversário também. Então… No início de março deste ano estávamos desembarcando no Aeroporto de Mendoza para viver nosso sonho. E agora eu vou contar para vocês tudo o que precisam saber sobre esse destino incrível.

Vamos começar por aqui, planejando a viagem.

Espero que gostem. Tim-tim.

The Vines Resort
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Cavas Wine Lodge

 

Where to stay in Santorini

🇧🇷 Planejando a tão sonhada viagem para Santorini após ler os meus posts Como Uma Deusa em Santorini e Vivendo um Sonho em Santorini?

🇬🇧Planning the dreamy trip to Santorini after reading my previous posts Like a Goddess In Greece and Living the Dream in Santorini?

Bela arquitetura de Santorini / Beautiful architecture of Santorini – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Então agora você precisa começar a pensar aonde ficar. Eu sugiro que você faça as suas reservas o quanto antes possível. Essa ilha pode ficar realmente lotada na alta temporada e as melhores opções (melhor vista, melhor serviço, preço honesto) estarão provavelmente bem cheias quase todo o ano.

🇬🇧 So now you have to start to decide where you are going to stay. I suggest you do it as quickly as you can. This island can be really sold out in high season and the best options (better view, better service, honest price) will probably be taken any time of the year.

Que tal acordar com essa vista? How about waking up with this view? – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Como eu já comentei em outro post, eu decidi por ficarmos em Imerovigli e essa foi, de longe, a melhor coisa que fizemos. Eles dizem que essa região é a Oia de 10 ou 15 anos atrás. Para quem não sabe ( porque você precisa ler meu post anterior), Oia (menciona-se ‘ia’) é a mais famosa vila de Santorini, no lado direto da Caldeira, a área frontal da ilha.

🇬🇧 As I said in another post, I decided to stay in Imerovigli and this was, by far, the best thing we did. This region is, as they say, like Oia 10 or 15 years ago. For those who don’t know (cause you haven’t  read my previous post****), Oia (pronounced “ia”) is the most famous village of Santorini.

Imerovigli – by The Unique Traveler
Imerovigli – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Então Imerovigli é cheia de charme, tranquila, com tudo que você imagina de Santorini – casas brancas, igrejas azuis, pôr-do-sol maravilhoso. E a cereja do bolo: sem aquelas multidões que invadem as belas ruelas de Oia todos os dias (quase 5 mil pessoas – esse número é real – vindos de 2 ou 3 navios enormes que aportam no Porto de Fira diariamente).  É um lugar para relaxar e sentir a vibe de Santorini.

🇬🇧 So Imerovigli is full of charm, calm, with all you ever imagined about Santorini – white houses, blue churches, the best sunset views. And the cherry on top: without those massive crowds that invade Oia’s beautiful tiny streets every day (almost 5 thousand – that’s the real number – from more than 2 or 3 huge ships that dock at Fira Port daily). It’s a place to relax and feel Santorini’s energy.

Aproveitando a vista maravilhosa / Enjoying amazing views – by The Unique Traveler
Que tal um mergulho? How about a dip? – Kapari Resort by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Nós ficamos no Kapari Natural Resort, um lindo e pequeno hotel 5*. Ele é super bem localizado, com belas vistas para o pôr-do-sol durante todo o ano. Os quartos são super bem decorados e com tecnologia de ponta. O serviço é impecável. O café da manhã é delicioso e o jantar é simplesmente fantástico – uma das melhores cozinhas de Santorini com preços honestos. E. claro, com aquela piscina de borda infinita que eu busquei tão intensamente.

🇬🇧 We stayed at Kapari Natural Resort, a beautiful 5* small hotel. It’s very well located, with endless sunset views year round. Its rooms are well-appointed and beautifully decorated. The service is impeccable. The breakfast is delicious and the dinner is amazing – one of the best cuisines of Santorini with honest prices. And, of course, that infinite plunge pool that I was seeking so hard.

Cortesias de boas-vindas / Welcome amenities – by The Unique Traveler
Maravilhosa vista no Kapari / Amazing views at Kapari – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Logo em frente ao nosso hotel fica o belíssimo Astra Suites, um hotel 4* cheio de charme. Eu tentei reservar aqui primeiro, porque era um pouco menos caro que o Kapari (espere preços altos se você realmente fizer questão de ter vista do pôr-do-sol e estar bem localizado, tudo é caro, a não ser que você vá na baixíssima temporada – no inverno deles). A piscina do hotel é realmente fantástica e pelo site vi que os quartos são bacanas. Eles têm uma vista fantástica e preços honestos, então diante disso considero uma bela opção.

🇬🇧 Right in front of our hotel was the beautiful 4* Astra Suites. I tried to book a room here at first, because it was a little less expensive than Kapari (expect to spend some money if you really want to have sunset views and be well located, they are all expensive, unless you go during low season – their winter). The pool is really amazing and from the website the rooms are good too. They have wonderful views and honest prices, so I consider it as a very good option.

Piscina do Grace / Grace’s pool – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 O melhor hotel desta área é o famoso e sofisticado Grace Santorini. É um hotel 5* super exclusivo com serviços de primeira. Eu dei uma olhada nos preços antes de reservar o nosso hotel e posso dizer que é muito mais caro do que eu imaginava. Provavelmente deve valer a pena para aqueles que desejam ficar em alto estilo. A piscina é incrível, toda a estrutura do hotel é muito bonita, incluindo um charmoso restaurante. Eu não entrei em nenhum quarto, mas consegui tirar umas fotos do lado de fora. As vistas aqui também são fantásticas.

🇬🇧 The best hotel of this area is the famous and upscale Grace Santorini. It’s a very exclusive 5* hotel with outstanding services. I checked the prices before I booked our hotel and I can say it’s much more expensive than I thought. But probably worth it for those who want to stay in high style. The pool is superb, the whole building is very beautiful, including a charming restaurant area. It is very close to where I was staying, so the views are fantastic too.

Anoitecer em Imerovigli / Imerovigli by dusk – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Em Fira, no lado esquerdo da Caldeira, você consegue encontrar alguns hotéis com custo mais acessível, mas não consigo recomendar nenhum porque eu não fiquei lá. É onde fica o Porto, então se pode encontrar inúmeros restaurantes, lojas, alguns bancos, locadoras de carro, salões de beleza. É mais como uma vila comum, mas também tem seu charme. 🇬🇧 In Fira, on the left side of the Caldera, you have some hotels that are easier on your wallet, but I can’t recommend any because I didn’t stay there. It’s where the Port is, so there are lots of shops, restaurants, some banks, rental car places, beauty salons. It’s more like a common village, but beautiful too.

🇧🇷 Se você prefere ficar ao lado da praia – são poucas em Santorini, terá que procurar por algum lugar na parte detrás da ilha, porque na Caldeira, aonde quer que você se hospede, dificilmente terá acesso a praia. 🇬🇧 If you want to stay closer to the beach – there are just a few in Santorini, you should find a place on the back side of the island, cause on Caldera, wherever you are staying, you will hardly have beach access.

Pôr-do-sol em Oia (você consegue enxergar quantas pessoas estão na foto? Sunset in Oia (can you see how many people there are?) – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Na famosa Oia, você encontrará a maior quantidade de hotéis da ilha, mas esteja ciente de que, dependendo da época do ano (verão), você não terá aquela vista maravilhosa do pôr-do-sol do seu hotel. Isto acontece porque o sol se põe atrás da vila nessa época do ano. Então você terá que ir a um restaurante ou terraço para assistir ao famoso espetáculo do astro rei. Nós tivemos a sorte de conseguir uma mesa perfeita no restaurante do Fanari Villas. Nada demais quanto à comida, mas realmente tivemos uma vista exclusiva.

🇬🇧 In the famous Oia, you have most of the island’s hotels, but be aware that, depending on the time of the year (summer), you won’t have those amazing sunset views from your hotel. This happens cause the sun is setting behind the village at this time. So you will have to go to a restaurant or a terrace to watch the famous sunset. We were so lucky to find a marvelous available table at Fanari Villas restaurant. Nothing in particular about the food, but we definitely had an one-of-a-kind view.

Aproveitando o belo cenário de Oia / Enjoying the amazing view of Oia – Fanari Private Terrace  by The Unique Traveler
Sunset time in Oia – Fanari Private Terrace by The Unique Traveler
Jantar com vista / Dinner with a view – Fanari Private Terrace by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 A melhor parte de Oia, na minha opinião, é a charmosa ruela de comércio, cheia de boutiques lindas e sofisticadas. Em Imerovigli não se tem comércio, apenas hotéis e flats, alguns poucos restaurantes (fora os dos hotéis). Dia também oferece inúmeras opções de bares, cafés e restaurantes, então é uma melhor escolha se você é do tipo que prefere manter-se em movimento. Não considero um lugar para relaxar, mas, claro, isso depende muito da época do ano. Provavelmente é bem mais calmo durante a baixa temporada.

🇬🇧 The best part of Oia, for me, is the beautiful shop street, full of charming boutiques. In Imerovigli you don’t have that – just hotels and flats. There you also have many options for restaurants, bars and cafes, so it’s a better choice if you want to keep on moving. Not exactly to relax. But, of course, it depends on the time of the year. It’s probably much quieter during low season.

A principal rua de compras de Oia / Oia’s main shop street – by The Unique Traveler
Bela rua de compras / Beautiful shop street – by The Unique Traveler

🇧🇷 Então, em conclusão, Santorini é uma ilha com muito mais do que apenas um lugar para ficar. Você precisa definir suas prioridades primeiro – Eu quero ficar perto de uma praia ou ter vista do pôr-do-sol do meu quarto? Eu prefiro ter uma piscina com borda infinita e um quarto luxuoso ou ficar num hotel que tenha um bom custo-benefício e preços mais em conta? Depois de decidir esses pontos, será muito mais fácil filtrar a busca e encontrar a opção perfeita.  Eu espero que eu tenha facilitado o seu planejamento ou tenha aguçado ainda mais a sua vontade de conhecer essa lugar paradisíaco.

🇬🇧 So, in conclusion, Santorini is an island with much more than one place to stay. You have to decide your priorities at first – Do I want to stay closer to the beach or do I want to have sunset views from my room? Do I want to have a infinite plunge pool with high-end rooms or do I want a better value for money hotel? After you decide, it will be much easier to filter your search and find the perfect option for you. I hope I was able to help with your planning or, at least, enhance your feelings about this idyllic place.

 

 

Like a Goddess in Greece

Hello travelers. In this post I will talk about my itinerary in Greece, where I felt like a real Goddess (lol)! Let me explain… that place is a true paradise on earth, we felt like we were in heaven.

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Mykonos Beaches

Jokes aside, I went to Greece about 10 years ago, then they were struck by the crisis and I confess I was a little worried about what we would find there. On the contrary, we were surprised by an incredible country, full of life and joy. Of course, I’m talking about the most famous Greek islands, Mykonos and Santorini, and as touristic places it’s much easier for them to avoid the crisis, but we also went to Athens for a couple of hours and we were amazed as well.

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Marvelous Aegean Sea

We stayed just for a few hours in the capital due to a long flight delay between Split and Athens, which cost us our precious Saturday night, that was supposed to be taken in one of the several trendy rooftops of this historic city. I won’t recommend any cause we weren’t able to try one, but some of our friends who were already there went to some of the bars around our hotel, Coco-Mat Athens  (highly recommended), and they said it was a great experience. In a few hours, we could see that the city is well developed, the roads from the airport to the center are well maintained, everything seems to work perfectly.

Acropolis view from our hotel

So we went back to the airport to take a 40-minutes flight to dreamy Santorini. We would have just about 48 hours there, but I honestly declare they were some of the most amazing hours of my whole life. We were absolutely overwhelmed by the beauty of that incredible island. Fantastic indeed! Even much more beautiful in person than through pictures.

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Astonishing Santorini

In the exclusives posts about Santorini I will tell you everything you should know before you go. We stayed for two nights, that is a good number, but it’s better if you can stay for three nights to enjoy every detail with no hurry.

Greek Classics

Our final destination was Mykonos. Between islands we took a fast ferry boat (2h 30mins trip), an easy way to move around the Greek Islands.

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Charming Mykonos street

Mykonos surprised us so much. We had been to the island before, but this time we were really impressed by their high level services and elegance. Everything works fine, from the beautiful new port to the stylish restaurants, luxurious and charming hotels, not to mention the wonderful famous beach clubs. When you are there, you understand why the European high society heads to the island every summer. In my post about Mykonos (coming soon) I will tell you more about the famous beach clubs and some interesting restaurants and places that we have been too.

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Impressive Beachfront Restaurants in Mykonos – Scorpios
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Greek Classics

Uma Viagem pela Croácia e Grécia

English Version Here

Início desse ano fomos convidados para um casamento na Grécia, que seria realizado nesse último setembro. Apaixonada por viagem que sou, logo já comecei a bolar a viagem. Minha cabeça fervilhava cheia de planos, lugares e experiências que imaginava viver… Tanto planejamento, tanta ansiedade, confesso que fiquei com medo de exagerar na expectativa e, talvez, me decepcionar. Muito pelo contrário, foi uma das viagens mais fantásticas que já fiz.

 

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Construções Ocre em Split

Descemos empolgados em Split após longas 24 horas viajando de um ponto a outro. Acordamos com um sol maravilhoso num dos países mais incríveis da Europa – a tal Croácia que a minha mãe tanto sonhava em conhecer (meus pais foram juntos na primeira parte da viagem).

 

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50 Tons de Azul em Bol, na Croatia

Nos deleitamos com degustação de azeites de olivas e ostras recém pescadas. Sem falar de mexilhões deliciosos que nos fizeram ir ao céu. Nos maravilhamos pelo charme histórico de Dubrovnik e um hotel com um dos quartos mais bonitos que já vi em frente a um mar cristalino.

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A Beleza Estonteante de Dubrovnik

Nos encantamos por cidadezinhas minúsculas e charmossérrimas em ilhas fascinantes como Korcula e Hvar (lê-se “ruar”).  Nos espantamos com a geografia espetacular da Croácia, com águas cristalinas e grandes montanhas rochosas pontilhadas por cidadezinhas medievais. Comemos como os antigos faziam em uma vila abandonada – só eu mesmo para inventar isso! Foi demais!!!

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A Charmosa Korcula

E, como se não bastasse, e como se nada mais pudesse nos surpreender, caímos o queixo por Santorini. Que paraíso! Que espetáculo na terra. É muito mais encantadora do que as fotos demonstram. É incrível!

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Santorini – De Tirar o Fôlego

Então veio a hora de separar o grupo e bateu aquela nostalgia… Embarcamos num ferry rumo a Mykonos, o destino do casamento. Eis que nos deparamos com uma programação para lá de especial organizada pelos noivos, passando pelos lugares mais badalados que já fomos na vida.

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Belas Ruelas de Mykonos

Estivemos na ilha há muitos anos, mas nos surpreendeu como a cidade está num nível de excelência impressionante. Lugares mais do que elegantes, serviços impecáveis, cenários deslumbrantes. Sem falar da música. O que há de melhor no mundo. A cada dia uma supresa maravilhosa, um lugar espetacular de amaciar os olhos de qualquer bruto.

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Mar Azul Turquesa de Mykonos

Ficamos bem cansados, claro, foi uma maratona. 8 cidades em 15 dias. Incluímos ainda uma parada rápida no Porto – Portugal. Mas nosso coração voltou cheio de alegria. Vivemos, possivelmente, alguns dos dias mais fantásticos das nossas vidas.

 

Croatia and Greece – Travel Impressions

Versão em português aqui

At the begining of this year we were invited to a wedding in Greece that would take place in September. The travel lover that I am, I soon started to plan the trip. My had was brimming with plans, places and experiences I was imagining.

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Hvar Island

So much planning, so much anticipation, I confess I was worried my expectations were too high and maybe I was fooling myself.  But in fact it was one of the most fantastic trip I’ve ever taken.

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Ocre Buildings in Split

We landed thrilled in Split after a long 24 hours voyage. We awoke to a marvelous sun in one of the most incredible countries in Europe –  that Croatia my mother always dreamed so of getting to know (my parents were with me and my husband in the first part of the trip).

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50 Shades of Blue in Bol, Croatia

We were delighted with olive oil tastings and fresh-harvested oysters. To say nothing of the delicious mussels that took us to heaven. We were amazed by Dubrovnik’s historical charm and a hotel with one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever seen in front of a crystal clear sea.

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Amazing Beauty of Dubrovnik

We were enchanted by tiny charming villages on fascinating islands such as Korcula and Hvar (pronunced “huar”). We were stunned by the spectacular geography of Croatia, with crystaline waters and dramatic mountains topped by medieval villages which plunged directly into the sea. we ate like the anciens in an abandoned village – only I could come up with that. It was awesome!

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Korcula Port

So, as if that wasn’t enough, and as if nothing more could amaze us, our jaws dropped upon seeing the beauty of Santorini. Such a paradise! How spectacular! It’s much more enchanting than the pics show. It’s amazing!

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Breathtaking Santorini

So the time for the group to split had come and we were overtaken by nostalgia. We boarded in a ferry to Mykonos, the wedding destination. There is where we joined the program especially organized by the bride and groom, passing through the hottest and most exclusive places we have ever been.

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Beautiful Streets of Mykonos

It had been a long time since our last visit to the island, what surprise us is the city’s high level of excellence – pretty impressive! Places beyond elegant, impeccable service, luminous scenes. To say nothing of the music scene, which is one of the best in the world. Every day a place so spectacular as to make a grown man cry.

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Mykonos Beaches

It was tiring, of course, a marathon. 8 cities in 15 days. We also included a short stopover in Porto – Portugal.  But our hearts came back full of joy, We experienced, possibly, some of the most fantastic days of our lives.