Explore With Laura

07/13/2025

After a full morning on Delos, we sailed over to Mykonos, a well known destination 🌿
We explored the picturesque streets of Little Venice, where the charm of the island’s history meets breathtaking sea views. The iconic windmills, standing tall against the sky, offer a glimpse into Mykonos’ rich past. ⛵️🏛️

🛍️The shopping experience here is unlike any other, with a blend of luxury and local craftsmanship that’s impossible to resist.

Exploring the Archeological Museum, we saw several pieces that were famous and the real artifact as opposed to some of the repicas we had seen on Delos.
And to top off an unforgettable day, I was walking down a random street and in front of me was a light pink pelican! Absolutely amazing!

Mykonos truly captivates with its serene beauty and undeniable allure. 💙

07/13/2025

⚡️Myth Meets Mythology on the Island of Delos 🇬🇷
Step back in time on the mythological birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. 🏛️✨ Just a short boat ride from Mykonos, Delos is a hidden gem full of ancient ruins, stunning mosaics, and breathtaking views over the Aegean Sea. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers over half the island.
🦁 Terrace of the Lions – guardians of Apollo’s sanctuary�🏺 Explore ancient temples including the Temple of Apollo
🎭 Ancient Theatre – imagine performances beneath the Aegean sky…
🍷Temple of Dionysus - son of Zeus, who was the God of Wine, festivity, ecstasy, theater, fertility, and religious mystery.
⚠️ No one lives on Delos today — making it one of the most well-preserved archaeological sites in Greece. A truly magical experience!
📍This must see is for history lovers, mythology buffs, and curious travelers. A bucket list island I didn’t know I was missing! 💙

07/11/2025

🌊✨ Amorgos, Greece – A Hidden Gem in the Aegean 🇬🇷🌿
Tucked away in the Cyclades, Amorgos is relatively untouched by tourism. Where dramatic cliffs meet deep blue seas, and time slows down taking you back to a simpler world.
The main attraction on the island is hiking up to the Chozoviotissa Monastery, built into the face of a towering cliff 900 feet above the sea. 🏞️⛪ Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Monastery was founded in 1088 and looks like it is suspended in the sky. The hike up was no joke, especially in the heat, but it was worth it.
Besides our amazing view, we were offered psimeni raki which is a strong traditional spirit made from distilled grape pomace and infused with cinnamon, clove, and sugar. It's typically served at room temperature in small glasses and often offered to guests along with a piece of loukoumi (Greek delight) as a gesture of hospitality after the hike up.
I’m not sure how I kept walking after the hike, but we strolled around Chora, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cyclades. The charming whitewashed houses, alleys and small churches makes you feel like you are in an untouched part of Greece. 🌅🌿

07/09/2025

🌞✨ Simi, Greece — The moment you pull into the harbor, it feels like stepping into a postcard — pastel-hued houses stacked on the hills, sparkling blue water, and a peaceful, slow-paced vibe that’s just perfect.💙🏛️
Tucked away near Rhodes, this hidden gem is pure Greek island magic: charming harbors, cobblestone streets, and the beautiful Aegean Sea. 🇬🇷
It’s honestly one of the most beautiful little islands I’ve ever been to.
We ended the night with a reception with the Captain, enjoyed dinner and another gorgeous Greek sunset. 🌅

07/09/2025

Patmos - The island of Revelation. 🇬🇷💙
Tucked away in the Aegean Sea, Patmos is a hidden gem where history, spirituality and Greek Mythology blend together.

💫 Mythical Origins: According to legend, Patmos was once underwater until Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, convinced Zeus to raise it up from the sea.

Legend has it that Icarus, the boy who flew too close to the sun, fell into the sea near Patmos after his wax wings melted. The nearby Icarian Sea is named after him—proof that even tragic myths left their mark on these waters.

📖 Biblical: Fast forward to the 1st century AD—Patmos becomes famous again as the place where St. John the Apostle was exiled by the Romans. While living in a cave, he had a powerful vision that became the Book of Revelation, aka the Apocalypse. Fire, angels, beasts, and prophecies—it all started right here.
🌀 So whether you’re into ancient myths or apocalyptic visions, Patmos is beautiful and peaceful.
📍A tiny island with stories as deep as the Aegean Sea.

07/05/2025

Greek adventure starts now! ✈️🇬🇷🚢

06/11/2025

A week later and I am still smiling after sailing the Mediterranean on the Azamara Onward! It had been many years since I had been on an ocean cruise, and I was excited to sail on a smaller ship 🚢

I know most of you have never heard of the Azamara cruise line, but after having the opportunity to learn more and experience myself, I would be happy to recommend them!

I loved:
*Their small ocean ship (700 passengers)
*Excellent service-the crew were amazing
*The ability to dock where others can’t
*Longer stays in port which allow you to enjoy shore excursions and not have to rush back on board for departure. Many port stays were 10 hours or more!
*Overnight stays and Azamara’s signature Azamazing Evenings, where they take all passengers off the boat and transport them to an authentic destination and immerse them in a cultural experience. Ours was in Barcelona.

If you are looking for a smaller cruise line, with a relaxed atmosphere, many extra inclusions that other cruise lines make you pay for, reach out to me. I would love to share more details and get you booked on a cruise with some extra perks. 😎
Call, text or email me!

06/04/2025

Saturday we cruised into our final port, Lisbon, Portugal, the second oldest city in Europe after Greece. I was so excited as we sailed under the bridge and saw Christ the King and the beautiful skyline. On Sunday, we left our wonderful Azamara cruise friends and crew behind to discover Lisbon for a few days.
We took one of the many tuk tuks around this expansive city, to get an overview and see some of the “must sees” of the city. I highly recommend!
From the gorgeous Lisbon Cathedral, to the Belém Tower and the Monument of the Discoveries, I was impressed by the architecture and friendly people. We explored the city and several of its districts, enjoying the best pastel de nada in the city, tasting Ginjinha, the special cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup, marveled at the tiles around town and taking in a Fado dinner show. On Sunday we stumbled on 6 different markets where we got a flavor of local life, and supported local crafts people.
It will feel good to sleep in my own bed after two weeks on the road. I visited 5 countries, and loved sailing the seven seas with my great friend Heather. Thanks for following my adventures!

05/31/2025

The Rock of Gibraltar is located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It stands at about 1,398 feet high and overlooks the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Europe from Africa and connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
Due to its position, it has been a vital military and naval base for centuries. The Rock is mainly composed of limestone and houses over 100 caves, the most famous being St. Michael’s Cave, which is a stunning natural limestone cave. Known for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites, it has been a popular attraction for centuries, both for its natural beauty and its historical significance. Ancient Greeks believed the cave was the entrance to Hades, but others believed it was a temple to Hercules. It was breathtaking inside.
Back on the ship I enjoyed the “Heart of Azamara” drink in the Atlas Bar, and dancing our way through ABBA night! 🎶💃
Onward to Lisbon!

02/05/2025

I am excited to be headed to Santa Barbara for this travel showcase on 2/27. All sorts of travel will be represented: ocean and river cruises, tour companies, rail travel and adventure touring.
Let me know if you have questions about what suppliers will be there and if you would to attend with me.

12/31/2024

As the year comes to an end, I want to say it has been my absolute pleasure to work with my clients to create the best possible travel experience for YOU. I look forward to sending you on more unforgettable journeys in the new year. Here's to 2025 and all the exciting adventures ahead!

If you enjoy this music consider buying me a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/patrickdexterTraditional Scottish song Auld Lang Syne played on solo cello outdoors...

12/24/2024

I just retuned home from a two week trip visiting London, Madrid and Barcelona. I visited several Cathedrals, Palaces, and parks. With today being Christmas Eve, I thought I would share pictures of the beautiful decorations I saw during my trip. I’ll share more about these three amazing cities soon, but for now I hope you enjoy seeing what the holidays look in other countries.
Wishing you a beautiful holiday week surrounded by your loved ones.