7 of the best places for a Greek island holiday

Greece’s colorful and gorgeous islands are truly one of the biggest and most beautiful assets of the Mediterranean region. From the Dodecanese to the Ionian Islands, these lovely tourist destinations offer an intoxicating and one-of-a-kind vacation to its visitors. What’s more, every island group in Greek has its own unique charm and allure that would beckon all sorts of travelers. On top of it all, these islands have the most picturesque landscapes and seascapes on the face of the earth.
Best island on a budget: Serifos
A backpacker’s delight, Serifos is without a doubt one of the world’s best value island destinations. From accommodations to food, nearly everything in this Greek island destination is offered at a very affordable price. What’s more, the island has a plethora of attractions that keep you hooked and entertained for a number of days, such as the Archaeological Collection, great beaches and Livadi & Surrounds.
Best island for food: Crete
Foodies would surely please their gastronomic urges with Crete’s famous culinary specialties, such as myzithra and dakos. Furthermore, the island is known for its olive oil, yogurt, honey, olives, and cheese. If you love hearty and healthy Greek food, make sure to book a trip to this beautiful Greek island.

Best island for beaches: Mios
When it comes to beaches, Milos definitely tops the list of the best places for a Greek Island holiday. Boasting more than 70 fine pristine beaches, the island of Milos indeed has a wide and diverse collection of beaches that include local favorites like the Sarakiniko, Tzigardo, Papafragas, and Paliochori beaches.
Best island for luxury villas: Mykonos
Home of the finest and most luxurious villas in Greece, Mykonos showcases a dazzling array of world-class epicurean villas, such as Vila Kymothoe, Ioannis Retreat, Villa Ammos, Villa Sandy, Moonlight Villa, Starlight Villa, Villa Alegria, and a whole lot more. For the most part, the villas available in Mykonos offer great views of the stunning Kapari Beach. Moreover, these villas are equipped with the latest and most advanced facilities and amenities. As for their ambiance, almost every villa Mykonos has a tranquil and laid-back feel.

Best island for families: Trilos
Known for its agriculture and eco-tourism, Trilos is an ideal respite for tourists who are traveling with kids. With over 300 plant species and 120 wild bird species on display, this island will surely amuse children, parents as well as people who are fond of nature photography. In addition, the island has a load of family-oriented activities to offer to its visitors, such as donkey rides, seaside picnics, and tours around its archeological sites.
Best island for a romantic break: Santorini
With its gorgeous whitewashed houses, legendary sunsets and otherworldly scenery, it’s hard not to feel the romance on the island of Santorini. Aptly billed as the ultimate honeymoon destination in Greece, Santorini beckons newlyweds and romantic couples with its nostalgic and relaxing ambiance. Like a Greek god struck by the love arrows of Cupid, the island’s romantic vibe will certainly make you fall head over heels once again with your other half.

Best island for an active break: Naxos
For a heavy dose of island fun and adventure in Greece, head off to the island of Naxos. Here, you get to enjoy scenic and exciting trekking adventures with quick stops to several historic sites, such as Byzantine churches, Hellenistic towers and ancient temples.

Christos Hajipapas is Head of Business Development & Strategy at Cyplon Holidays.

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The 9 best bacon festivals across the US

Pure bacon madness. Bacon Sundaes, Miso Bacon Steamed Buns, Chicken Bacon Apple Sausage Sliders and Thai Style Curried Coconut and Bacon Paella all washed down with a Maple Bacon Old Fashion. That’s just the tip of the bacon iceberg when you attend bacon festivals like the first festival on our list, the annual Bacon & Barrels Festival.
Bacon & Barrels, Los Olivos and San Diego
Held annually in July in Los Olivos and annually in May in San Diego, Bacon & Barrels brings out 1,700 people and 75+ top chefs, distilleries, wineries and craft beer makers. From bourbon infused with bacon to bacon inspired tacos, the sky is the limit. Wear lose pants and prepare yourself for one epic bacon food coma after attending this festival.

Zingerman’s Camp Bacon, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Camp Bacon takes loving bacon to a whole new level. Attendees celebrate the history of bacon, bacon-making and bacon art all while listening to music and poems inspired by the meat of the hour – bacon!
2014 Bacon Bowl, Bentonville, Arkansas
Chefs and amateur cooks put their creativity to the test during this annual festival. Competing in either the entrée category or the dessert category, the Bacon Bowl is the ultimate bacon show down. Ready, set, bacon!

Baconfest Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
With the festival officially only running for two days, Baconfest Chicago takes the fun a step further with a week of preview events leading up to the big days like a Baconfest Cocktail Kickoff Party, Bacon Cocktail Tour, a Baconfest Past Masters Kickoff Dinner and Neighborhood Bacon Crawls. You can never have too much bacon, can you? Only one way to find out
Beer Wine Food: Bacon Edition, Glendale, Ohio
With all proceeds of this festival going to The Cure Starts Now Foundation, a foundation funding pediatric cancer research, eating bacon has truly never felt so good. Held in “Porkopolis,” Cincinnati’s historic meat processing city-center, there’s not much to not like about this beer, wine and bacon themed festival.
Big Bite Bacon Fest, Long Beach, California
Californians take their bacon-eating seriously. Like, next level seriously. With dishes like meatballs wrapped in bacon, bacon donuts, pork belly sandwiches and more, accompanied with craft beer from places like LA-based Angel City brewery, there’s a lot of eating and drinking to look forward to at this event.

Hormel Black Label Bacon Fest, San Diego, California
Held on International Bacon Day, you know the folks that run this festival aren’t messing around. With 20 eateries and 25 breweries serving unlimited tastings, things just might get a little hog-wild.
Southwest Bacon Festival, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Beyond the typical bacon snacking, beer tasting and live music listening that goes on at most bacon festivals, this one raises the bar by also offering bacon eating contests, bacon film screenings, bacon photography, bacon art and bacon poetry contests. Yep, that just about covers everything.

Ozarks Bacon Fest, Springfield, Missouri
If you’ve ever wondered how much bacon you can eat in two minutes, the Ozarks Bacon Fest has a challenge for you. Their bacon eating contest is definitely not to be missed and a highlight of this day-long festival.
Now that you’ve gone through the list, which bacon festival are you most excited to attend?

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Every traveller’s nightmare: losing all your photographs

In the old days of photography, if a precious picture (and by that I mean a print) was destroyed for some reason, you had the negatives that you could fall back on. So long as they were still intact, you could get a re-print. The advent of digital photography has changed all that. People often don’t get prints any more, safe in the knowledge that they have a digital version and can get a print at any time if they so wish.

But how safe are those treasured images? Well, it depends on how careful you are when backing up. I’m a little paranoid on this issue – the thought of losing thousands of photographs – be they from my travels or, even more so, precious photographs of family and friends fills me with dread, so I’ve always tried to ensure that I’m taking all the necessary precautions.
I have images on various machines which I then back up on to two different portable hard drives. One of those drives I store in a different location. Remember, even if you’re backing up, if everything is stored in one place, then you could still lose it all in the event of an incident such as a fire.
But what if you were simply unlucky? You had a fire, perhaps, and your backup at another location had a hard disk failure. Although unlikely, it could happen, so it’s useful to have an additional safety net. It was for this reason I decided to try out Crashplan, which offers continuous backup of all of your files as well as your photos, as I’d read a number of favourable reviews on it elsewhere.

The process of performing a backup with Crashplan is really straight forward. You simply select the folders you would like to back up, and it deals with the rest. I have the Family account which allows you to back up from as many as 10 different devices and – incredibly – you have an unlimited amount of space. All this comes for just $149.99 for the year (less if you commit to multiple years).
If you’ve any volume of data, the initial back up will take quite a while – probably days, weeks or even months (if you’re a really large amount and a slow connection!) – but thereafter any backups will focus on any new material that you add to the folders you have assigned to be backed up.
For me this is a great solution because sometimes my travel schedule means I’m not quite as diligent with my backing up as perhaps I should be or would like to be. Whilst it’s still prudent to do your own backups, with Crashplan at least it happens automatically in the background. Sure, you’ll have to wait for it to be uploaded, but with that comes the added bonus that it’s then being stored in a remote location.
Another nice feature is the app that is available free of charge. With this you can access the files you’ve backed up from your smartphone or tablet.
Have you ever stopped to think how you would feel if you lost all your photographs? It’s a horrible thought, isn’t it? I hope this provides a useful solution, and please tell me in the comments what measures you’re taking to ensure the unthinkable doesn’t happen.
Image #1: Shutterstock

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Top 10 stops along Florida’s A1A Scenic Byway

Florida’s Historic Coast is an eclectic combination of old-world charm and history, natural habitat, and beachy fun. The drive south along the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway from Ponte Vedra to Flagler beach is a visual feast of fish shacks, colorful beach houses, and 42 miles of unspoiled cinnamon sugar beaches. Step back into time in an old Spanish town, visit a luxury spa, restaurant hop for local culinary surprises, and head outdoors for endless activities including watersports, cycling, golf, and tennis. It’s a place ripe for the senses.
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
If you are looking for a luxurious Florida beach getaway, Ponte Vedra Inn fits the bill and perfectly captures the mood. Rooms are directly in front of the ocean—you literally step out of your room and within a few steps, you’re in the sand. Sea glass blue walls and sumptuous décor make the rooms feel decadent but somehow still relaxed and beachy. You’ll notice a charming sea horse motif throughout the immaculate resort and a happy welcoming staff.

Watch the sun rise from your bed, sip coffee on the porch overlooking the sea, and see the moon come up right over the water at night. This particular beach is special for its abundance of ancient shark teeth that make for some fun beach combing. Dine at the Seahorse Grille for great views and exceptional food like their signature Caesar salad and grilled Mahi-Mahi.
The spa is one of the best in the country and is not to be missed.   Relax in a chaise lounge on a beautifully appointed porch overlooking the private spa pool post treatment and enjoy some healthy food and drink from the spa menu. There’s plenty here to keep you active, including two golf courses, an ocean front fitness center, 15 tennis courts, pools, and of course, the beach. This is some serious AAA Five-Diamond magic and one of the best-kept secrets on Florida’s east coast.
St. Augustine
From the second you drive over the Bridge of Lions, you are in another world a few steps back in time. Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, St. Augustine remains rich with historical character.

Charming cobblestone streets, pretty bay views, an old Spanish fort, and a wide variety of food options are just a few reasons to visit St. Augustine. Cute little shops, endless outdoor activities, cafes, restaurants, museums, and galleries galore will keep you busy, so allow plenty of time in your schedule for this magical place.
Casa Monica Hotel
Centrally located in the heart of St. Augustine, Casa Monica is an ideal spot for soaking up the history and atmosphere of the town and you can valet your car and walk to most places you’ll want to see. Built in 1888, Casa Monica is one of the oldest hotels in Florida. It’s a AAA Four-Diamond property that has been renovated to blend old world ambiance with modern convenience. Spanish and Moorish inspired architecture and décor, leather chairs, and canopy beds capture the mood of the city. Notable guests include dignitaries like Desmond Tutu and the King and Queen of Spain, as well as celebrities like Sharon Stone and Angelina Jolie.

Castillo De San Marcos
Castillo De San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the country and one of the first things you see when you cross the bridge into St. Augustine. Built by the Spanish between 1672-1695 and later modified by the British and Americans before being retired in 1900, it’s situated on the bay with beautiful views of the bridge and entrance to the town.

St. Augustine Eco Tours Kayak Adventure
Paddle in Matanzas Bay and learn all about Florida’s natural world with St. Augustine Eco Tours. Founded by a marine biologist with an emphasis on education, conservation and wildlife protection, this is one of the best things going on in the city.  You’ll have the luxury of being guided by an expert who can answer any question you might have.

The kayaks are top of the line, as comfortable as a lounge chair and very stable—perfect for beginners. Enjoy spectacular views as you paddle right under the Bridge of Lions and past the Castillo through the marshes.   Not only do you catch glimpses of wildlife up close and personal, but your guide can tell you all about what you are looking at.
Present Moment Café
Mitigate vacation indulgences with some fresh pressed green juice and the most amazing collard wraps you can imagine at Present Moment Café, just slightly off the beaten path. This is healthy colorful organic, raw, vegetarian food that tastes like decadent treats.

Flagler College and Lightner Museum
If you like history and strolling through collections of interesting curios, check out St. Augustine’s Flagler College and the Lightner Museum across the street. Both were once luxury hotels built by American Standard Oil tycoon Henry Flagler and are now open to the public as historical monuments. Flagler College is a functioning four-year liberal arts college and the Lightner Museum is part museum, part City Hall.
Ice Plant
Literally an old ice manufacturing facility adjoined to the St. Augustine distillery, the Ice Plant is a new restaurant big on craft cocktails with an emphasis on the quality of ice and how that influences the drink. They use quality ingredients for their menu, like grass fed beef and locally sourced food. The atmosphere is ultra cool industrial, furnished with antiques and a blend of rustic and modern décor. Think concrete, wood, glass, and steel.

Hammock Beach Resort
Located in Palm Coast between St. Augustine and Flagler, Hammock Beach is an AAA Four-Diamond mega resort. It’s perfect for families with small children and offers a variety of accommodation options and large one to four bedroom condo-like suites with full kitchens and washer and dryers. It’s popular for its ocean front golf course, but has many amenities. Take a dinner cruise on the Sundancer yacht, have a spa treatment, rent a bicycle and cruise around the neighborhood, play putt-putt golf with the kids, hang out under an umbrella at the beach, or just relax and float around on the lazy river. There’s something for everyone and plenty of space. Just outside the resort is a grocery store so you can prepare food in your suite.

Flagler
Colorful beach houses, quirky little fish shacks and six miles of gorgeous dog friendly beaches are what makes Flagler stand out. Flagler is just plain cute and it’s full of character. Named after Henry Flagler, it remains (for now at least) uncorrupted by tourism and has the feeling of an authentic seaside community. It has a very local vibe and it’s fun to hang out by the pier and watch people surf and fish. You’ll find lots of food options and funky little shops, but the highlight is the relaxed and uncrowded beach.

Leah DeAngelis is Editor of Best Travel Gear.

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A resort for the honeymoon of your dreams: The Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas, Crete

Thinking and planning where to spend one’s honeymoon can make for an incredibly difficult decision. Thus it is important to find the right destination, the right package and special offer that best fits your individual needs. With a variety of honeymoon offers provided the Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas, Crete, may just be a good choice for you.
The Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas, is a luxury resort in Crete set in a prominent location near to the charming town of Aghios Nikolaos, inviting guests to indulge with a series of luxury facilities and services. Offering a luxury spa experience in Crete as well as yoga, Pilates, shopping and many other activities, the property’s philosophy which is to provide guests with exclusivity, privacy and luxury in every facet of their stay, is artfully fulfilled. For couples seeking the ultimate honeymoon experience, suffice it to say that the property is absolutely world class. With great attention to detail on every level, the Daios Cove constitutes an ideal destination for holidays for couples in Crete.

With a team of experienced honeymoon coordinators this luxury hotel can orchestrate a honeymoon tailor-made to your desires. Couples to be wed can select amidst some of the finest honeymoon packages for Crete holidays such as Sapphire, Amethyst, Diamond and Complete Happiness:
The Sapphire Ring Honeymoon Package provides one extra night’s accommodation on 6 or more nights when booking a Deluxe Sea View Room with Individual Pool (42 sqm), free one-day access for two persons to the VIP Wet Area that comprises of saunas, steam bath, waterfalls and indoor pool, a romantic dinner for two (up to 100 euros in value) at one of the Daios Cove’s a la carte restaurants and romantic turn down service.

The Amethyst Ring Honeymoon Package offers one night’s free accommodation on 6 or more nights of accommodation booked in a One Bedroom Sea View Suite (65 sqm) with Private Pool which comprises separate sleeping and living areas, romantic turn-down services with champagne and fresh strawberries, breakfast in bed for two featuring international and Greek delicacies, a one day VIP Wet Area pass for two and Spa Suite along with a Couple’s Massage.
The Diamond Ring Honeymoon Package includes one free night on bookings of 6 nights or more in a One Bedroom Villa Sea View with Private Pool (95 sqm), private VIP transfers to and from the airport, breakfast in bed for two, romantic turn down service with champagne and strawberries, a romantic dinner for two (up to 140 euros in value), a one day VIP Wet Area pass for two and one hour use of the spa suite.

Finally, the “Complete Happiness” Honeymoon Package as its name suggests, ensures a honeymoon of absolute bliss in a fine honeymoon villa in Crete taking the form of a Two Bedroom Sea View Family Villa with Private Pool (115 sqm) which consists of a spacious living room, two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms as well as a spacious outdoor 50 sqm deck (upgrades can also be made upon availability to the Three Bedroom Sea View Family Villa with Private Pool). Other complimentary services include private VIP transfers to and from the airport, Champagne and strawberries or Milk and Cookies for younger guests, VIP Wet Area passes for two days, in the case of younger guests, 3 hour free babysitting for one night and free upgrade to Half Board for all children.

For an unforgettable luxury honeymoon in Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Daios Cove ensures honeymooners as well as couples wanting to exchange their vows in Crete all that they desire. The unrivalled facilities and services provided have made Daios Cove a favorable global destination for that picture perfect summer honeymoon by the sea.

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The top 5 seafood restaurants in Boston

Having lived in Boston for a few years, I came to appreciate what fresh seafood really can taste like.  Being on the coast has major advantages, like fish caught the same morning, lots of availability, and a sustainable mindset.  When looking for where to dine on seafood in Boston, there are many places to choose from, which can seem daunting.  So take a look at these top 5 options to help narrow your search.
Neptune Oyster
Located near Quincy Market, and known throughout Boston as the best seafood in the city, it is a hard table to come by due to lack of reservations.  But if you wait, it will be worth the wait.  Along with fresh oysters (a local speciality of the NE), their crude menu and entrees such as the Maine Lobster Roll, will please any seafood palate.  This is a cozy and upscale spot, worth visiting for a romantic evening, if you are willing to wait.

Island Creek Oyster Bar
Located in Fenway, this is a number two spot on this list, but #1 in my heart.  Their menu is extensive and changing, and filled with delicious oysters, a daily crudo, and several delicious entrees.  I tend to fill up on oysters, with lemon and mignonette and top off the meal with a delicious buttermilk biscuit drizzled with honey.  The drinks are divine as well, pairing several mixology favorites, fresh pressed juice, and bartenders who will mix almost any creations for you.  The atmosphere is airy and fresh, with huge oyster-shell filled cages as part of the decor.
B&G Oysters
If you are seeing an oyster trend here, you are right on.  However, along with oysters you can dine on delicious lobster rolls and premium champagne at this intimate bar in South Boston.  I prefer a glass of Veuve Cliquot with my oysters at B&G.

Legal Harborside
Located in the fast-growing Seaport District, this is a Legal Seafood location known for fine dining and casual dining on different floors, and one of the best rooftops in the city.  The lines can be long for the rooftop, so head up mid afternoon and take in your fill of fresh sushi and drinks while taking in the view.
Clio
Located in the Elliot Hotel, right on the border of Back Bay and Fenway, this upscale restaurant boasts a lovely fine dining and modern atmosphere, with delicious food to ensure your experience is perfect.  Feast on the changing menu which boasts local halibut and cod, and bluefin tuna, all which comes and goes with the seasons.

Honorable mentions: Ostra, a new restaurant in the Theater District.  Fine dining meets innovative cuisine, in a lovely and vast restaurant.  Turner Fisheries, loocated in the Westin Copley Place, right in the heart of Boston; this is an old meets young spot, known for great seafood classics and the occasional twist.  They have a wonderful wine selection to go along with your local Black Cod, or other dish of choice, and a location overlooking the lovely Copley Square.
If you are dining on seafood in Boston you will be sure to be pleased wherever you go, but for a special and luxurious experience, be sure to take in one of these delicious choices on your next trip.

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7 of the best places for a Greek island holiday

Greece’s colorful and gorgeous islands are truly one of the biggest and most beautiful assets of the Mediterranean region. From the Dodecanese to the Ionian Islands, these lovely tourist destinations offer an intoxicating and one-of-a-kind vacation to its visitors. What’s more, every island group in Greek has its own unique charm and allure that would beckon all sorts of travelers. On top of it all, these islands have the most picturesque landscapes and seascapes on the face of the earth.
Best island on a budget: Serifos
A backpacker’s delight, Serifos is without a doubt one of the world’s best value island destinations. From accommodations to food, nearly everything in this Greek island destination is offered at a very affordable price. What’s more, the island has a plethora of attractions that keep you hooked and entertained for a number of days, such as the Archaeological Collection, great beaches and Livadi & Surrounds.
Best island for food: Crete
Foodies would surely please their gastronomic urges with Crete’s famous culinary specialties, such as myzithra and dakos. Furthermore, the island is known for its olive oil, yogurt, honey, olives, and cheese. If you love hearty and healthy Greek food, make sure to book a trip to this beautiful Greek island.

Best island for beaches: Mios
When it comes to beaches, Milos definitely tops the list of the best places for a Greek Island holiday. Boasting more than 70 fine pristine beaches, the island of Milos indeed has a wide and diverse collection of beaches that include local favorites like the Sarakiniko, Tzigardo, Papafragas, and Paliochori beaches.
Best island for luxury villas: Mykonos
Home of the finest and most luxurious villas in Greece, Mykonos showcases a dazzling array of world-class epicurean villas, such as Vila Kymothoe, Ioannis Retreat, Villa Ammos, Villa Sandy, Moonlight Villa, Starlight Villa, Villa Alegria, and a whole lot more. For the most part, the villas available in Mykonos offer great views of the stunning Kapari Beach. Moreover, these villas are equipped with the latest and most advanced facilities and amenities. As for their ambiance, almost every villa Mykonos has a tranquil and laid-back feel.

Best island for families: Trilos
Known for its agriculture and eco-tourism, Trilos is an ideal respite for tourists who are traveling with kids. With over 300 plant species and 120 wild bird species on display, this island will surely amuse children, parents as well as people who are fond of nature photography. In addition, the island has a load of family-oriented activities to offer to its visitors, such as donkey rides, seaside picnics, and tours around its archeological sites.
Best island for a romantic break: Santorini
With its gorgeous whitewashed houses, legendary sunsets and otherworldly scenery, it’s hard not to feel the romance on the island of Santorini. Aptly billed as the ultimate honeymoon destination in Greece, Santorini beckons newlyweds and romantic couples with its nostalgic and relaxing ambiance. Like a Greek god struck by the love arrows of Cupid, the island’s romantic vibe will certainly make you fall head over heels once again with your other half.

Best island for an active break: Naxos
For a heavy dose of island fun and adventure in Greece, head off to the island of Naxos. Here, you get to enjoy scenic and exciting trekking adventures with quick stops to several historic sites, such as Byzantine churches, Hellenistic towers and ancient temples.

Christos Hajipapas is Head of Business Development & Strategy at Cyplon Holidays.

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