Santorini Mykonos Venice - Logistics

Logistics.....

I apologize in advance for my videos. I don't know how to upload it or change the format of it. I'm still old school...

With that said, this trip was eight nights. We spent four nights in Santorini, two in Mykonos, and two in Venice. Our flight routes were pretty complex going there, but it was worth it! There were a couple of delirious children, making the flight all the more interesting. The flight back was pretty straight forward. We like straight forward routings.

Note: One thing about Mykonos. The fit people are so fit! It's totally #fitspo all the way! Motivation to go to the gym!

Flights:

Getting there:
- SFO-IAH (United Economy)-MAN (Singapore Airlines Business)
- MAN-JTR (Easy Jet) - different itinerary

Getting back:
- VCE-ZRH-SFO (Swiss Air Business)


Hotels:
The original plan was six nights in Santorini (three in Imerovigli, and three in Oia). After a lot of research, I felt like Imerovigli was more "us", but everyone says we MUST stay in Oia. So hence, the split. FORTUNATELY, the flights with Volotea air from Santorini to Venice didn't work out, so I changed it to fly out of Mykonos, cutting our stay in Santorini to four nights. This allowed us to enjoy two days in Mykonos. It was PERFECT!

Iconic Santorini
We won an auction and stayed at this hotel for four nights. There are so many creative ways to book hotel rooms for cheap(er).

The first three nights was in the Cycladic Suite. The last night was in the Iconic Suite ("our most lavish suite" - Dimitra, Guest Services Supervisor). We chose this hotel because we ran across a deal we could not pass up.

This 21 room hotel was AMAZING, even though there is no infinity pool. However, the rooms are sizable with spectacular caldera views, and the service was beyond! The food was delicious. Breakfast consisted of eggs, protein, fresh juices, bread, yogurt, coffee. We didn't have the same breakfast twice in the four days we were there. The Pergola restaurant didn't have a large menu, as it changes daily. But the food was SO GOOD! No regrets for missing a stay in Oia. While at the resort, I was thinking this would've been a perfect honeymoon.

The Cycladic Suite - This was my favorite room. It was spacious and luxurious. The suite was set in a cave with a large living room, bedroom and two full bathrooms. It has a wonderful cliff hanging terrace with phenomenal views of the crater and the villages hanging off the sides of the caldera. Here is a video and some pictures.

Hers bathroom

Living Room

Extra Large King - like two fulls combined

His Bathroom

The Iconic Suite - we moved to this suite on our last night to enjoy their "presidential suite", I guess. This suite consisted of two jetted tubs, one outdoors and one indoors. They did not have two bathrooms, but did have two showers and sinks. The room was carved into the cliff side, a "cave room". Since there are so many better pictures of this room online, I decided to take it off of google. Don't judge!

Plunge pool - outdoors

Plunge Pool - Indoors

Living Room

Santa Marina Mykonos
We used Chase points to book through the chase travel portal at 1.5x Sapphire Reserve!

This place is SWANKY and it's a true "resort". It's set in Ornos Bay, and I believe it's the only hotel in Mykonos with its own stretch of beach. We chose this hotel because it's part of the SPG collection to utilize my platinum status.

If you don't want to leave the Santa Marina, you really don't have to. There is everything you need on site, although it costs an arm and a leg. I mean, it's Bora Bora prices to dine on site (15 Euros smoothies?? yuck!)

As my previous post touched on, the hotel offer transportation to Mykonos Town, and the clubs Nammos and Scorpios. This is because Ornos is not that convenient of an area. There isn't really much around. I don't know if it's similar in Paradise Beach, Platis Gialos or other areas. I suggest staying in Mykonos Town if you want to walk around and get decent priced food.

What it lacks in convenience it makes up for with a trendy atmosphere. There is an impressive adults pool, a Buddha Beach Bar (lounge for god awful expensive and overly sweetened drinks), wonderful architecture for those perfect instagram pictures, and a clean stretch of clear water beach. We saw several instagram influencers who braved the cold May water (both pool and beach) for a post.

After my stay here, I kind of like Europop, as it was ever so present at the pool and beach. Yup, I was one of the cool kids for two days!

The Gritti Palace
SPG points!!! 30,000 SPG points a night! Totally an awesome usage of miles and points.

Oh Gritti Palace...This was a perfect end to our trip. According to their website, it's a 16th century palazzo. From what I read, it's "the" famous hotel in Venice (well there is the Cipriani and Aman too), that occupies the most prestigious address on the grand canal. It overlooks some pretty church (yeah, I suck at researching history). A very reputable hotel where famous celebrities stayed (i.e. Scarlett Johannsson, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, etc). It was also where Hemingway wrote one of his novels. It was also in Tim Allen's movie "Everyone Says I love You" (yes I googled that). In other words, it piqued Caroline's interest.

So, how was the hotel overall? A-W-E-S-O-M-E! The service was formal, professional, and remarkable in every way. It's location is close to everything tourist worthy in Venice. It's luxurious, comfortable, and convenient. What more can you ask for to end a romantic trip?

Picture perfect view of the Canal