Ever since I used to be a toddler, I’ve had this passionate need to go to the Greek island of Santorini. After I was little, the dad and mom of certainly one of my buddies spent their honeymoon there, and after I noticed their pictures after they returned residence, the island grew to become my dream vacation vacation spot.
Nevertheless, time has flown by and circumstances change. I now have a four-year-old daughter, Betsy, and after I began lodges in Santorini, I realised that bringing a toddler alongside would show difficult. From what I might see, the lodges are very a lot arrange for {couples}. It is the best vacation spot for a honeymoon – as my good friend’s dad and mom found all these years in the past.
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Fabulous at 40: Denise raises a glass for her birthday alongside daughter Betsy, Elicia, far left, and Tamara
So regardless of my finest intentions, it was time to give you a Plan B. I requested buddies for his or her recommendation they usually all prompt I go to Mykonos as an alternative – and I am so happy they did. I am now its greatest fan. It is a rare island – an absolute gem. All the pieces about Mykonos was superb, and I’d simply return instantly as a result of I completely fell in love with it.
Earlier than the journey, I had celebrated my fortieth birthday by throwing a celebration in London. It was nice enjoyable however fairly hectic getting issues organised, so afterwards I needed to do one thing extra low-key.
Out of the blue: Denise fell in love with Mykonos and would return to the island instantly
That is the place the concept of a visit to Greece got here in. I travelled with Betsy, my finest good friend Tamara Edward and my goddaughter Elicia (simply to make issues slightly bit extra sophisticated, Elicia is now godmother to Betsy). I believed it might be beautiful to have a girly journey.
Elicia was particularly thrilled after I advised her we have been going to Mykonos as a result of the Kardashians had been there the earlier summer time – apparently it featured prominently on their actuality TV programme. Like many younger ladies, Elicia is a large fan of the collection.
Heading to a Greek island was additionally important for me as a result of I’ve co-written a one-woman present (presently operating at London’s Arts Theatre) by which I play a form of Shirley Valentine character having a midlife disaster.
I’ve had a form of Shirley Valentine obsession myself over the previous three years – no, not of assembly a tall, darkish, good-looking fisherman, however of exploring the Greek islands. This was my first enterprise out into that world.
Image excellent: Conventional fishing boats within the harbour at Mykonos city
The one Greek island I would been to beforehand was Zakynthos, which I would visited after I was younger. My principal reminiscence was that it was very windy – I bear in mind having to pin down all my belongings to cease them blowing away.
However from the second we arrived on Mykonos, I used to be enchanted. All the pieces was nearly excellent. The meals, particularly, was unimaginable.
We ate all the pieces as a result of I really like Greek meals. I had Greek salads and grilled halloumi, and the recent seafood was simply superb – big prawns and wonderful sea bass.
One-woman present: Denise pictured in London at this time and, proper, the spectacular Grace Resort
Usually I am very cautious about what I eat, however on vacation I let myself calm down slightly. In Mykonos, I felt I did not want to fret. At lunch, the restaurant employees served a easy tomato and cucumber salad in a scrumptious lemon and olive oil dressing and loads of herbs. After consuming one thing like that, I felt full, but had the satisfaction of figuring out I would had one thing actually wholesome.
One other bonus was that Betsy additionally cherished all of the meals. She tried halloumi for the primary time and she or he adored it. I used to be fairly stunned as a result of it may be salty.
All people on the island was ultrafriendly. We have been staying on the ‘quiet’ aspect of Mykonos (there’s a clubbing aspect too), however not as soon as did I really feel uncomfortable having a toddler with me. I have been to different locations with Betsy the place some individuals have intimated that we ought to not be there, that it ought to be for adults solely.
Serene: Denise stayed on the Grace Resort, which is located on the hills above Mykonos city
Betsy had such an excellent time, particularly strolling across the little city and wandering right down to the port to have a look at all the luxury yachts. She was so energetic that by the night, she was worn out and simply needed to go to mattress.
There aren’t actually any main ‘must-see’ vacationer points of interest on the island. Mykonos has small but pleasant seashores – I might sit on the sand and simply keep watch over Betsy. There weren’t too many individuals round both, so it was all very relaxed.
Very relaxed: Mykonos has small but pleasant seashores the place Denise might simply keep watch over Betsy
We stayed on the spectacular Grace Resort. It is located on the hills above Mykonos city, with gorgeous views of the glowing Aegean. As lodges go, it is comparatively small, with simply 32 rooms, lots of which have their very own plunge swimming pools.
In its literature, the lodge claims that ‘the overriding ambiance is certainly one of serenity’, with ‘the one departure from the standard Grecian structure being the set up of flat-screen televisions, iPod docks and outsized rainforest showers’.
For the adults in our group, one of many lodge’s nice treats was its signature Grace cocktail – a gin-based concoction that was completely scrumptious. It was virtually like a mojito in that it had mint and a contact of syrup. This grew to become my signature toasting birthday drink of the vacation!
Heading for the West Finish: Denise appeared on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV present ‘Lorraine Dwell’ at this time to advertise her one-woman musical, ‘Some Woman I Used To Know’
Each time we ordered a Grace cocktail, there was a refrain of Pleased Birthday – to the purpose that on our final day, I needed to say to everyone: ‘Proper, I believe we have established that I am 40 so there isn’t any have to hold celebrating!’ We had lunch day by day within the lodge however took the choice to dine out for a number of evenings, simply so as to add a little bit of selection. Having mentioned that, dinner on the Grace terrace was tough to beat, particularly with that tremendous sea view.
Mykonos city centre was only a five-minute cab journey from the lodge, so it was easy to get to the outlets – at all times an essential consideration throughout a girly vacation.
I knew that after I returned from my journey, I used to be about to enter the West Finish with my onewoman present, so this was the time to calm down earlier than a busy interval. The remainder of the summer time holidays have seen me juggling entertaining my daughter and rehearsing. Now that the present is up and operating, I am doing my jazz-hands factor, as I usually do.
And nonetheless dreaming of heading to Santorini.
Denise van Outen’s one-woman present, Some Woman I Used To Know, is on the Arts Theatre, Leicester Sq., London (artstheatrewestend.co.uk) till September 13.
