My Most Memorable Trips Across Continents and the Stories Behind Each
Take the 07:25 ferry from Piraeus to Thira (Santorini) on the Blue Star line – scheduled crossing 4h 10m; buy tickets online 2–3 months ahead for May–September, fares ~€35–€60 one-way; if swell exceeds 3 m or you need time savings, book a 40–50 minute flight with Aegean Airlines (fares €60–€150). Choose a forward-facing cabin or seat on the upper deck for best visibility and lower motion sensation. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway segment from San Francisco Marina to San Simeon over 1–2 days: plan stops at Santa Cruz (35 km, ~30–40 min), Monterey/Carmel (120 km from SF, allow 1.5–2h), then Big Sur (expect 90–120 km of slow coastal driving, 2–3h). Fuel up before entering Big Sur – services are 15–50 km apart. Reserve lodging 3–6 months in advance during May–October; check Caltrans for closures after storms. Walk the Torres del Paine W circuit in Chilean Patagonia as a 4–5 day…