The Weekly Edit
happy mother’s day, why you should work with a travel advisor, paros/antiparos restaurants, a mini guide to anguilla, and Newark is still the worst airport.
In this week's newsletter: an ode to my three wonderful children in honor of Mother’s Day; a pitch on why you should work with a travel advisor (aka me); a short list of Paros/Antiparos restaurants; a mini guide to Anguilla - where to stay, eat, what to do; and no spoilers here - Newark is still the worst airport.
Good morning! Still in Greece as you read this - I will have so much to share when I get back. A quick shoutout to my kids before I get this newsletter going today. It’s Mother’s Day (in the US) and I have to say, I am the luckiest that I get to be Henry, Rosie, and Charlie’s mom. Mothering those three is the joy of my life. I’ve known since I could properly vision a future that my future was to be a mom, and even though I thought I would love it, I had no idea the depth to which I would LOVE IT. The pure joy I have when they reach milestones - like Henry losing his first tooth last month, or the sacred connectedness I feel when Rosie leans in closer to be next to me, or giggling with Charlie when he whispers in my ear that we should sneak off for a walk just him and me, just fills my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible. Being a parent is one of the most common unique experiences you can have, and I’m so thankful it’s one that I am immersed in.
On to the travel stuff!
Why You Should Work with a Travel Advisor
Working with a travel advisor is the bee’s knees. Truly it can take your trip from good to great, and can save you a ton of stress and time, so I wanted to take a minute and detail out my top five reasons why you should work with a travel advisor, aka me.
VIP Perks + Access - You can’t “VIP” yourself. So let me.
My clients enjoy:
✔️Upgrades on arrival (when available)
✔️Daily breakfast
✔️Resort credits for spa & dining
✔️Early check-in and late check-out
✔️Personalized notes + amenities throughout your stay
Stress-free planning - close the tabs and let me handle it.
Many of my clients USED to love planning their own trips, but now are too busy with work/kids/life or feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information to parse through. If you find yourself asking “did the hotel write this review?” - that’s a sign to give me a call.
Curated, exclusive experiences - Let me show you the coolest experiences!
Gladiator camp in Rome for your kids? ✔️
Private catamaran off the coast of Greece? ✔️
Behind-the-scenes access to sold out events? ✔️
Harry Potter tour of London ✔️
Reservations at Michelin dining ✔️
“What about AMEX FHR? Isn’t that the same thing?” - Actually, no.
AMEX FHR is last in line for upgrades behind all travel advisors.
AMEX FHR often gets a lower value resort credit + breakfasts
And the biggest reason? Travel advisors have personal relationships with hotels and on-the-ground teams, and have much more leverage for upgrades, personalization and support if something goes wrong.
“Ok, but I like planning my trips!“ - I love planning too, so I get it. I can help with as much or as little as you’d like, while still passing through all the perks.
Just a hotel? Great, I got you. Just a few activities while you’re there? Happy to help! Fully-planned itinerary? That’s my specialty, put me in coach!
“Isn’t working with a travel advisor expensive?”
X Myth - travel advisors cost a LOT!
✔️Reality: I often save my clients money through exclusive perks, upgrades and insider rates.
Plus, my relationships will get you priority treatment, which no booking site can guarantee!
Getting away – whether it’s 3 days or 10 days – should feel exciting, not stressful. Stop reading hotel reviews for hours upon hours, stop crossing your fingers hoping for an upgrade, and stop cross-checking activities across multiple sites … and just let a luxury travel advisor (me) handle it all instead. The best part is - I can do as much or as little as you’d like. Just want to book a hotel with my perks? Done. Prefer I make you a full itinerary custom to you? Also done. Either way, you’ll get the insider intel that no forum or booking site can match.
Ok, that’s my pitch! Reach out if you want to get going on a trip!
Paros/Antiparos Restaurants
I have a lot more to say about the two islands of Paros/Antiparos, but let’s start with some restaurant recommendations.
Paros
Yemeni - traditional wine restaurant
Barbarossa - Paros on a plate v
Blue Oyster - fresh oysters with a view
Sigi Ikthios - “The Silence of the Fish” - fresh, local, delicious
Siparos - fresh fish every day, amazing sunsets, and you can arrive by and be served on your boat
Mouragio - traditional seafood tavern on the water with amazing sunsets
Cabana Paros - Beach Bar & Restaurant
The Faragas Beach Club - come for the beautiful views, stay for the vibe.
Antiparos
Kalokeri - Refined Aegean
Soros Beach Club - beer, chicken tacos and the sand
MINI BLACKBOOK: ANGUILLA
Anguilla is a tiny island - just 16 miles long - but in those 16 miles you’ll find the most beautiful snow-white sandy beaches and some of the best dining in the Caribbean.
Wake up with a view of the crystal clear turquoise waters, spend the day snorkeling, and cap it off with a sunset dinner of fresh seafood and champagne sabering.
Fun fact: Anguilla has no street address, and just one postal code for the entire island.
Where to Stay
Cap Juluca - the best sand on the island
Four Seasons Anguilla - great dining, great for families
Malliouhana - luxury boutique vibe
Where to Eat
Sharky’s - local favorite
Jacala - consistently considered the best food on the island
Blanchards - one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean
Salt- on property at Four Seasons, worth a visit
Cap Shack - dine under the stars, on property at Cap Juluca
What to Do
Boat out to Sandy Island
Champagne sabering
Snorkeling
Explore the beautiful white sandy beaches
Tips
Fly into SXM (St. Maarten) and ferry over to Anguilla (25 minutes)
Great for a long weekend
Shoulder season is May & August
Links
19 Underrated spots to travel to this summer. I’ve got my eye on Catalina Island and Sardinia (plans in the works for September!)
Best new affordable hotels list! I’d love to see The Standard, Singapore
Newark, still the worst airport.
Jane Austen’s 250th birthday will be celebrated all over southwest England this year.
Two senior best friends (aka TikTok Traveling Grannies) went around the world in 80 Days—here’s their travel advice.
I’m booking for summer 2025 trips right now, as well as already into the fall and festive - and already have inquiries for Spring Break 2026. Reach out if you want to get on my calendar, I’d love to work on a trip with you!
If you enjoyed this, would you be kind enough to give it a little heart? I hope you have a nice week!