As the afternoon softened into evening on the shores of Tulum in early February, we made our way down the powdery stretch of sand just as the sky began its nightly transformation for our penultimate sunset of the trip.
While Tulum sits on Mexico’s east coast meaning the sun technically sets behind the jungle, the Caribbean still puts on a spectacular show.
For the evening I leaned fully into the boho beach aesthetic with a long brown maxi skirt from ASOS paired with a brown flower detail bikini top, my pearl necklace from By Alona, a butter yellow handbag from Topshop, and my ever faithful Celine sunglasses to complete the look.
Soft blush pinks, pale blues and hints of lavender slowly spilled across the horizon, reflecting off the sea in the most dreamy way.
We wandered along the shoreline as the light shifted minute by minute, the colours becoming richer and more surreal with every step, and the sky melting into a pastel painting above the water.
Eventually we drifted back towards Vagalume to soak in the final moments of the sunset.
Cocktail hour felt essential so naturally I ordered a spicy margarita, my go-to whenever we’re by the sea.
With the last glow of the evening lighting up the beach club, we took a few aesthetic photos along Vagalume’s famous wooden walkway, framed by the sculptural pair of hands that look as if they’re cradling you.
It’s one of those iconic Tulum photo spots that feels just as mesmerising in person as it does online.
As the last traces of colour faded from the sky, the moon appeared bright, full and impossibly majestic high above the sea.
The beach took on a quieter, almost cinematic feeling underneath the moonlight; a magical moment I will never forget ❤
Primarily found on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, cenotes are natural, crystal-clear sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, revealing fresh groundwater underneath. So during our stay in Tulum we made it our mission to visit some of the best in the nearby area, one of which being ATIK.
Just a short 30 minute drive out of central Tulum town, it cost about £20 per person for entry to the park which features a number of cenotes, as well as some fantastic art installations.
Arriving in the mid afternoon, it wasn’t too busy so we were able to walk around the park and get photos without any crowds or many other people at all.
We started by exploring the art installations which feature the theme of skulls.
Not my usual taste of art, but the striking wall of colourful skulls made for some great content.
Continuing further into the thicker jungle canopy, there is a ginormous stone effect head sculpture.
Incongruous in its surroundings, this sculpture makes for quite the spectacle amongst the greenery of jungle growing around it.
I couldn’t get over the size of the thing, it made for a brilliant shot of me in front demonstrating its towering size.
Around the corner there was a set of two smaller head sculptures in another clearing which were giving spooky vibes, I wasn’t a fan of those if I’m honest!
It was time to move onto the main event of those dreamy turquoise blue cenotes.
The biggest cenote in the centre of the park is a classic open air one framed with impressive limestone cliff faces.
Nothing matches the magical blue colour of those waters making it feel like you are no longer even on earth, it’s just too perfect.
Although there were a few people swimming, unfortunately it was an overcast day and we weren’t brave enough for a chilly dip.
However on the other side of the cenote pool, there was a large wooden ladder from where we got some picturesque shots.
The way the luscious green vines frame the cenote so perfectly, it’s an Instagram girl’s dream.
I wore my bright coral one piece swimsuit making for an aesthetic colour contrast against the turquoise backdrop.
Another iconic photo spot at ATIK is the small pool within the jungle with a walkway up to another head sculpture.
With the shadows of the jungle canopy above, this photo spot made for a more moody shot.
ATIK park is just made for photos and filming, me and my boyfriend were in our element.
There was also another medium size cenote where there is a manmade large waterfall feature.
Again it wasn’t the perfect weather for taking a dip, but of course we got a few more pics here too.
On reflection, it would’ve been better to go on warmer day in order to experience the cenotes in all of their glory and enjoy bathing in their beautiful blue waters.
That’s not to say we didn’t have a successful trip though as the content we captured was just what I envisioned.
If you’re looking for an Instagramable location whilst visiting the area of Tulum, bookmark ATIK for the most picture perfect backdrops with a touch of abstract artistic edge ❤
Exploring Tulum on push bikes is said to be one of the best ways to get around town and see the sites, so that’s exactly what we did one delightful Tuesday afternoon in late January.
Our morning began with a stop at the Insta-famous Azulik.
Its sculptural wooden forms, woven and curved as if grown rather than built, rise from the jungle floor in perfect harmony with nature.
Walking through the installation felt peaceful and meditative, the kind of place that invites you to slow your breath and soften your thoughts.
From there, we continued our 40 minute cycle along the straight stretch of Tulum’s beach road.
Hotels peeked through palms and every so often, the Caribbean sea flashed between the trees in impossible shades of blue.
The ride itself was a long flat road cutting through the jungle canopy, but those fleeting glimpses of tropical coastline made it feel almost dreamlike.
We made it just in time for the final 3pm entry at the Tulum Mayan Ruins.
After a short walk along a neatly cleared jungle path, the ancient structures revealed themselves against the bright afternoon sky.
Dating back to the 13th century, the ruins carry a quiet strength with their weathered stone walls standing firm against centuries of sea breeze.
Iguanas seemed to rule the grounds, lounging confidently on rocks and darting through the grass, completely unbothered by passing visitors.
The most beautiful view was standing before El Castillo, the old castle perched on the cliff’s edge.
Below it, powder white sand met the endless turquoise of the Caribbean; history and horizon blending into one unforgettable view.
On our cycle back we stopped in at a lovely beachfront hotel restaurant called Mezzanine.
Serving Thai cuisine, it was exactly what we’d been craving in contrast to all of the Mexican food, and of course those beachfront views from the terrace were absolutely dreamy.
I ordered a spicy margarita because when on holiday, an afternoon cocktail is an essential!
We shared a creamy Penang chicken curry with coconut rice, fragrant and comforting in all the right ways.
A hearty curry and my favourite cocktail overlooking that picturesque beachfront, made for the perfect closing chapter to a day that felt both adventurous and beautifully unhurried all at once ❤
Being a January baby, escaping the UK winter in search of warmer climates is always the best way to spend my birthday. So for our winter dose of sun at the start of this year, we jetted off to Mexico and enjoyed two glorious weeks in the coastal town of Tulum.
My birthday on the 26th January was about halfway through our holiday, and it was the most perfect sunny day in Mexico which started with some chilled time on the beach.
I had a fresh coconut to enjoy as I read my book, before dipping our feet in the ocean.
My birthday bikini of choice was this cute butter yellow number with ruffle details.
These butter yellow ruffle hot-pants were the ideal finishing touch to my beachside look.
After a few hours relaxing in our cabana, we walked down the beach to have a couples massage.
With the sound of the ocean waves and palms rustling in the light breeze, it was the most dreamy location to indulge in a massage together.
We then walked along the beach road to find the famous Escultura Ven a la Luz.
This iconic work of art by Daniel Popper is a 10 meter tall sculpture made with steel, wood, rope and greenery.
Ven a la Luz meaning ‘Come to the Light‘, represents the harmony between people and nature and is one of the most instagrammable spots in Mexico.
An afternoon pickup was in need, so we popped into Starbucks for iced coffees and some fruit to snack on.
It was then time for a spot of shopping in the many boho-chic boutiques which line the beach road in Tulum.
I treated myself to a stunning handmade top with flared sleeves and tassels from this shop called Las Lulas.
At £80 it wasn’t cheap, but I just loved the hippy-chic vibe of this piece and the level of detail is exquisite.
Casa Pink Revolver was another lovely boutique selling gorgeous gold jewellery, so I purchased this chunky statement gold ring to add to my collection.
I was yet to choose a gift for my boyfriend to get for me, so with a Sunglasses Hut just down the street, I couldn’t resist the Miu Miu classic round shape sunnies which have been on my wish list for so long.
Not a huge amount of gifts, but each very high quality pieces which I will get a lot of wear out of both on holidays and back home.
Soon the early evening crept up on us and I was hoping for another sunset moment on the rooftop of our hotel, but a huge storm came in bringing buckets of rainfall with it, so we headed back to our room to get ready for the evening.
My birthday dinner fit was this incredible Flook The Label chocolate brown maxi beach dress that my boyfriend bought me for my 30th birthday last year in Bali.
This dress is such a flattering cut and the perfect vibe for a special evening out on holiday.
To complete the look I wore my By Alona pearl necklace, Heaven Mayhem statement gold earrings, my gold swirl bangle, ruffle mule heels from Sol Concept, and my little Bottega dupe handbag from Topshop.
Beachy, sexy and a touch of glam with the pearls, I truly felt like the birthday girl in this outfit.
My restaurant of choice for birthday dinner celebrations was Ilios Greek in the centre of the Tulum beach road.
We’d visited this place earlier in our trip and it was such a fun party vibe with delicious Greek food, we had to come back for my birthday.
In traditional Greek style we did the plate smashing which was super fun.
Then they gave everyone sparklers and we all danced on our chairs!
I ordered my all time favourite, a Greek feta salad which was simply divine.
We also shared the flatbread with hummus, a hearty moussaka, and a fresh green avocado salad.
I had such a fun evening celebrating my birthday and was even surprised with a cupcake and candle from my boyfriend back at our hotel to finish the night.
Another wonderful birthday spent in paradise with the sand between my toes, sunshine on my skin and a big smile on my face; hello chapter 31 ❤
Being my first time in the Caribbean Sea off the shore of Mexico, I was super excited to go snorkelling with turtles in those iconic crystal clear waters. It was a bucket list moment and such a special memory we will cherish forever.
We discovered the tranquil village of Akumal beloved for its sea turtles grazing on seagrass in the shallow bay.
True to its Mayan name ‘place of the turtles’, Akumal welcomes visitors to swim side by side with the spectacular sea life including lots of tropical fish and stingrays too.
Only a 40-minute taxi ride from Tulum we arrived in the quaint village at midday, so started by grabbing a spot of lunch at an authentically whacky local Mexican restaurant.
I had a refreshing plateful of fruit with an iced coffee, whilst my boyfriend had a classic burrito which he claimed to be the best he had during our trip. Local food done well and at a fraction of the prices we were used to in Tulum!
We hadn’t pre-booked any particular tour but instead found a local guide when we arrived on the beach and it was only about £25 each for an hour long guide, lifejacket and snorkel equipment hire.
After a group briefing on the beach, we paddled out together and soon enough we encountered our first sea turtle; but the further we swam out, the clearer the water was and we were able to see the sea turtles in all of their glory.
Every few minutes they have to come up to surface for air and one of them popped up their head right by me! The coral reef and tropical fish were also mesmerising and we even got to see a sting ray on the bottom of the seabed.
In total we probably saw about 5 or 6 different turtles in the hour we were out there and it was a magical experience I’ll cherish forever.
After snorkelling we showered off the sand, changed into dry clothes and went to the beach bar where there was a band playing live music.
We ordered a portion of pico de gallo with tortilla chips as an afternoon snack along with a beer for my boyfriend and a crisp glass of white for me.
Sat there overlooking the white sand beach with the late afternoon sun glistening on the water and the band playing vibey tunes from the bar, I felt in full holiday mode bliss.
On our way back to the taxi rank I spotted a local gift shop where I couldn’t resist a cute little turtle figure for my niece and a fun sombrero hat fridge magnet for my mum.
I’d highly recommend visiting Akumal if you’re looking for somewhere in Mexico to snorkel with turtles as you can also make a day of it with the quaint town offering authentic local food, boutique shopping and a relaxed, beachside vibe perfect for holiday makers wanting to lap up the Mexican sun ❤
And so we find ourselves; it’s mid January, the weather is miserable here in the uk, so we are jetting off in search of sunshine this week. On Tuesday morning we’ll be heading to the airport and boarding the plane to Mexico and I cannot wait for some much needed winter sun on my skin.
We’ll be staying in the coastal town of Tulum known for its ultra cool, boho-chic vibes and picturesque, palm lined, white sand beaches.
My birthday is at the end of January and my boyfriend’s is the beginning of February, so getting away at this time of year is a must for us. Why be in cold, rainy England where everyone is on diets and doing Dry Jan, when we can hop on a plane and escape to warmer climates and tropical beachside living!?
We will be there for just under two weeks so the tan will be tanning and being a beach bum will become my full personality!
Hotelito Azul is where we will be staying for the two weeks, located right on the beach amongst all the best beach clubs and aesthetic restaurants.
I’m thinking fresh coconuts by the sea, a good book in hand and tapping into that boho-chic vibe with all of my cutest holiday wardrobe pieces.
As always I’ve made a Pinterest board for our trip and also have an extensive list of all the top spots nearby our hotel including Papaya Playa, Bagatelle, Ziggy, Taboo and Ilios.
Mexican cuisine is one of our favourites so my inner foodie is super excited for all the delicious authentic food we have to tantalise our tastebuds.
And not forgetting it being the home of the classic margarita, so my hopes are high for some epic beachside cocktails.
I plan on consuming bucket loads of guac with tortilla chips, plenty of fresh tropical fruits and all the seafood including fish tacos and the freshest ceviche.
Aside from all the relaxing beach time, we will definitely be going on a few day trips further afield to see the amazing landscape and nature Mexico has to offer.
We already have booked snorkelling with turtles which was on my goals list for 2026, such a special and unique opportunity in Mexico.
Exploring the breathtaking cenotes is another must while we’re there. A cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole, formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes a pool of crystal-clear groundwater, common in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and sacred to the ancient Maya as portals to the underworld.
Seeing these natural pools and swimming in their vibrant turquoise waters will be other worldly, like we’re in a dream fantasy world!
The Mayan ruins are another spectacular historical attraction we will have to visit during our stay.
This walled pre-Columbian city perches on 12 meter cliffs overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, known for its dramatic coastal setting, unique walled fortifications, and status as one of the last Mayan cities built.
I’ve already brought a few pieces to add to my ever growing holiday wardrobe, but I’m also excited to shop the boho chic boutiques and bazars when we get there to achieve the ultimate Tulum beach girl aesthetic.
I have a feeling we’re going to love Tulum with its aesthetic charm, cool coastal vibes and stunning white sand beaches of dreams; nos vemos pronto México! ❤
Being considered the most picturesque village on the island of Santorini, we had to visit Oia to experience this world famous sunset spot for ourselves.
Catching the bus from Imerovigli was very easy and only takes 20 minutes or so to get to the central square of Oia where we were dropped off. Arriving early evening at around 5pm, we had a few hours of sunlight left to explore the stunning maze of hilly streets lined with shops and restaurants.
There’s no denying how busy this village becomes during the summer with all the tourists, but we did manage to find some quieter corners off the beaten track like this old windmill.
We stopped to get some shots down this cute side street framed with pink flowers too.
The white wash buildings against the volcanic rock they are built into is so unique and breathtaking to see in real life, it really is like a postcard painting.
It’s the blue top churches and old windmills dotted amongst the white buildings which make that distinctive Santorini landscape so iconic.
I wore this patterned bow back detail dress paired with white buckle sliders, a classic basket bag and my MiuMiu sunnies, the perfect afternoon into evening look for strolling the hilly streets of Oia.
I made 7:30pm reservations for sundown drinks at Veranda Aperitivo, a rooftop bar part of the Canaves Sunday Collection.
With sunset views and away from the crowds of tourists, this was an ideal spot to enjoy golden hour with a drink in hand.
I ordered an exquisite Tommy’s Margarita, whilst my boyfriend had his usual classic Mojito cocktail.
Once the sun went below the horizon, we wondered over to a famous viewing point overlooking Oia to see the village lit up by night.
We then caught the bus back to Fira where we found a lovely Italian restaurant called Da Vinci for a late dinner.
I had my favourite linguine vongole which was divine and my boyfriend had a penne arrabbiata he devoured too; we needed carbs after all that walking!
Whilst the village of Oia was beautiful and amazing to experience at sunset, we didn’t go back again as it was by far the busiest of places we visited on the island.
There are so many other equally incredible places around the island to see Santorini’s magnificent golden hour away from the crowds. Checkout my other posts in my Santorini Diaries series to learn where our top locations are for the best views of sunset ❤
When looking into where was best to stay in Santorini, we settled on the smaller town of Imerovigli situated between the capital Fira and popular larger town of Oia. This turned out to be the best decision not only because it avoids the busy tourist hotspots, but this area has some of the most stunning, uninterrupted views off the beaten track at sunset.
On night one I booked a table at The Wine Bar in the centre of Imerovigli, to have drinks and dinner as we watched our first sundown over the Caldera.
Whilst this was on the pricier side of places we ate, the wine was divine and we enjoyed our selection of dishes including pitta bread, olives, pulled pork sliders and a Greek feta salad of course.
Just next door to the bar was a white rooftop, simply perfect for those gorgeous golden hour shots.
We spent our afternoons soaking up the scorching Greek sun on our private balcony with plunge pool at Cresanto Luxury Suites, just a 5 minute walk from the town of Imerovigli.
The hotel also had a main infinity pool with loungers where we could order cocktails poolside too.
Now these are the kind of Monday blues I’m talking about!
Our private balcony provided the ultimate spot for handstand practice and I would often do my workout routine in the mornings here, before jumping straight in the pool to cool off.
One of the most incredible locations for sunset away from the crowds was Skaros Rock on the cliffside of Imerovigli.
We hiked over to the other side of the rock where there is a deserted church with the most breathtaking sweeping views of the Caldera at sundown.
Unlike the tourist hotspots in Oia and Fira, we had the place all to ourselves making this a hidden gem for golden hour.
Strolling around the town, we finally found the famous spot overlooking those iconic blue top churches.
Once the sun went down each night, the moon came out to glow over the white wash buildings of Santorini.
One evening we decided to take a sunset stroll to this church on the hill which we could see from our hotel.
Walking along this coastal path on the outskirts of Imerovigli was so peaceful and once again, away from any crowds of tourists.
Along the way we stumbled across the super luxurious CavoTagoo hotel where there is currently a Roka Restaurant popup.
Here we stopped to enjoy sundown cocktails with yet more spectacular views of the Caldera and sun dipping below the horizon.
This was a more popular spot in Imerovigli, but we got a table and soaked up the sunset whilst sipping our delicious cocktails.
That evening we strolled into the centre of Imerovigli and ended up at a local restaurant called Mama Lena.
We had courgette fritters with tzatziki to start, followed by rice stuffed peppers for me and a vegetable tomato linguine for my boyfriend. A much more reasonably priced restaurant serving traditional Greek food.
The local kebab shop called Jimmy’s Souvlaki on the main street of Imerovigli, became my boyfriend’s favourite place to grab a classic Greek lunch of chicken gyros.
On reflection we would choose to stay in the town of Imerovigli again given there’s far less tourists, there’s plenty of 5* luxury hotels and suites to choose from, and there’s no denying the outstanding sweeping views of the iconic Caldera ❤
Upon returning from our holiday to Santorini last week, I can definitely put it up there as one of the most beautiful, picture perfect places I’ve ever had the fortune to visit.
From the aesthetic white wash towns built into the cliffs of the volcanic rock overlooking the caldera, to the stunning sunsets every evening showering the island in golden orange hues, I can see why Santorini is a world famous destination for couples in search of a romantic vacation.
During our week we explored most of the island including the capital Fira and the Instagram famous Oia. We even did a sunset boat cruise and had plenty of time for relaxing at our hotel by the pool too, so a week away turned out to be just right.
We stayed at Cresanto Luxury Suites in the town of Imerovigli situated between Fira and Oia. Whilst this is a newly opened hotel which is still finding its feet in terms of delivering a 5* service, it was a great location and our spacious room with the private balcony and plunge pool with sea view was fantastic.
Dinners and drinks out were fairly expensive which we expected, however my boyfriend’s favourite gyros spot Jimmy’s Souvlaki was less than 10 euros for a meal and drink. When in Greece it’s local gyros for lunch most days!
We enjoyed lots of delicious meals together including wonderful fresh seafood, my favourite Greek feta salad on repeat of course, and even some great Italian cuisine too.
Over the next few posts I will look back on each area of the island we explored and share my top tips along with my food and drink recommendations.
Having been to Santorini before, my boyfriend already knew of some hidden gems for sunset which avoid the crowds and provide uninterrupted, panoramic views at golden hour.
So stay posted for all the picturesque Santorini content to come as I relive our incredible week on this breathtaking Greek island of love ❤
When booking our trip to Bali, we were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing where to stay in Canggu. Whilst we considered renting our own villa given how cheap it is out there, upon researching online there was a lot of advice recommending hotels are preferable as they have 24 hour security. Zin was somewhere which kept coming up in our searches and with its jungle vibe aesthetic, it looked like the perfect tropical oasis in the centre of Canggu.
We booked via Expedia, so together with return flights it came to just under £1,400 each for the flights and hotel with breakfast included, an absolute bargain for 10 nights at such a stunning resort.
Opting for an upgrade to one of their Deluxe Bamboo rooms, we had this beautiful terrace overlooking the central pool which we had to ourselves a lot of the time, our own private paradise.
The room itself was ultimate Bali vibes too with stone flooring and aesthetic decor like this rattan woven wall hanging.
The dreamy Queen size bed was like sleeping on a cloud and waking up in heaven with the white bed net to keep those mosquitoes away.
Another awesome detail was the double shower head in our massive en suite complete with rustic stone walls and flooring.
My favourite place to relax in the afternoons or before dinner with a cocktail in hand, was our private terrace nestled amongst the luscious greenery.
Zin Cafe offered an extensive variety of options for brekky every morning.
They had a number of smoothie bowls to choose from, my favourite being the dragon fruit bowl with it’s vibrant pink colour and tangy sweet taste.
My boyfriend made his way through the menu of savoury dishes before trying the sweet treats, his favourite being the classic French toast.
The fruit in Bali is always super fresh and even the fruit bowls from Zin Cafe were a piece of art.
We had a local Balinese curry at the hotel one evening which was incredible, and another afternoon enjoyed a late lunch on our terrace.
I could tell how fresh and healthy all the food was from Zin Cafe and every dish was so perfectly presented.
The staff were very welcoming, wonderfully friendly and made sure we had everything we needed during our stay at Zin.
We even had a complimentary hour long couples massage in the spa, a delightful treat and heavenly experience.
Poolside handstand practice was the ideal setting to find balance and channel my inner yogi.
Even at twilight the jungle of tropical trees and tree house style canopy looked magnificent.
Zin was ideal for our stay in Canggu being only a 10 minute walk from the main strip of restaurants and bars and just a 2 minute walk from Echo Beach. They also have a co-working space in the cafe which offers a peaceful area for working, something we would’ve used if we were staying longer and needed to work.
I would highly recommend Zin Canggu Resort & Villas to anyone travelling to Bali, particularly young couples who are looking for a bit of luxury. Prime location and safe with 24 hour security, clean and beautifully aesthetic, brilliant food and wonderful people, it was everything we hoped for and more.
The Deluxe Bamboo room and resort grounds felt like a home away from home by the end of the holiday.
To book your stay at Zin, you can find them on Expedia and Booking.com or visit their website – https://zin.world/zin-canggu/
Dani Aneka 