Greek Maybe Time

11 years ago, I set off on a whirlwind backpacking journey. 20-something countries, 50-something cities, one backpack crammed with crap, a relatively small budget, and a dream of seeing the world. And I did. I wanted to go to 50 countries by 30, and I did.

At the end of one of my longest backpacking stints, my friends and I decided to charter a sailboat through the Greek isles. We would ask our captain what time we should be back on the boat to set sail for a different town, and he would shrug his shoulders and say, “Greek Maybe Time.”

I had no idea what it meant, and it became a running joke. Yet, somehow, we were always all on the boat around the same time.

10 years, 52 countries, countless flights and cities later, I’ve learned a thing or two about what I want out of an experience.

I no longer want to take the shittiest flight with 9 layovers, a bus ride, and questionable safety instructions. I no longer want to steal drinks off tables to save some money and still have a rager of a night. And you wouldn’t catch me following a stranger I just met to a backwoods barge for one of the coolest nightclubs in Eastern Europe.

Don’t get me wrong, that was an epic time in my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But now, damn, it’s nice to slow down.

This past week, I was invited to Santonero, a luxury hotel in Akrotiri, Santorini.

Our suite was incredible. Two stories, two bedrooms, gorgeous bathrooms, a private infinity pool and hot tub, and the most comfortable daybed I have ever sat on.

And the view?

I’ve been a writer all my life, majored in journalism, and I genuinely don’t think I could put into words how exquisite and truly awestruck-inducing this view was. We overlooked the caldera, directly opposite Oia, with what felt like the entire island stretched out before us. The wind was blowing, but the cliffs to the right sheltered us from the giant gusts, leaving us perfectly content under our plush blanket.

Naturally, it wouldn’t be a real testament to this little oasis if I didn’t mention the five-month-old kittens that called this place home. I should say you do not have to interact with them if you don’t want to, but you bet your ass that was not going to be me.

I let these kittens go anywhere and everywhere. Cuddled up on the daybed, having breakfast, I even left the door open so they could sleep in the bed. And let me tell you, best sleep of my life. Don’t tell Jonah.

But what was supposed to be just a run-of-the-mill hotel collaboration rapidly changed into something more.

One morning, my friend and I woke up early to see the sunrise. Actually, we did this every morning, but this one was special.

We had pulled a comforter off one of the beds, grabbed pillows and coffee, and sat and watched the sky turn pink, then orange, then blue over this island.

Before I knew it, 3 hours had passed, and I had been mesmerized by this view.

I realized, for the first time in YEARS, my brain was quiet. Not from sitting in meditation, not from convincing myself I needed a moment, but just from pure peace.

I had nowhere to be, nothing to do, and absolutely not one thing to prove.

Right there, I realized what had been missing from this new version of Brittany in Wanderland. I had coined this tagline, “You don’t have to become someone else to have a magical life,” but for the first time, I was experiencing it in real life.

Traveling is about experiencing and living, but also just being.

Time was not relevant. Somehow, we could sit there for hours and still have time to go see the sunset across the island, or sip wine outside a monastery in Pyrgos, or walk to a local restaurant just a few hundred feet away for the best meal I’ve ever had.

No, there was no rushing, and ten years later, I finally understand the meaning of Greek Maybe Time.

It’s not just a “hope for the best and guess” kinda timing. It’s going with what feels right and trusting yourself enough to know that there is no wrong answer. Just going with the vibe.

I have been to Greece 6 times.

And this is the first time I actually WENT to Greece.

No checklist, no obligation, no clock, just a view to soak in and the most peace I have ever felt in my vast 34 years.

All I can tell you is that in your trip planning, if you need a real moment, Santonero will give it to you.

And I hope you take it.

Because, genuinely, you deserve it.

Disclosure: My stay at Santonero was hosted as part of a collaboration. All opinions and experiences shared are my own.