Roman Colosseum
It’s funny, I’m always asked where Maui realtors go on vacation or if you even leave the island. Well, we do have a life! I love to take a big trip at least once a year. Having lived on Maui for 50 years, I love my Maui life, love to surf, windsurf, and garden. So why leave? Why even go on a vacation? I’m asked wherever I go, “Why are you here when you live on Maui?”
Rome Italy
A couple of things come to mind, it’s nice to take a break and get refreshed. I love history, art, beautiful places, great food, and mixing it up with other cultures. Being a realtor it’s a habit to take my computer and keep an eye on my business. Also, to have support and a quality agent to back me up (thank you, Erica) is essential.
Vatican
Steve & Ivy in Italy
So, having all my bases covered it’s time to start planning a trip. My travel partner is my wife, Ivy. She pretty much leaves all the planning to me; she loves a good adventure and trusts me. We both pick a couple of points of interest to mix it up. Last year we were in Spain and Portugal. I love getting off the beaten paths of most traveled destinations.
Love morning Espresso
This year I relied on some friends in Barcelona and Greece for some guidance and suggestions of their favorite places to visit. They suggested southern Italy and some smaller Greek Islands. So, while we did plan quality downtime with these two destinations, we decided to begin with a couple of days in Rome, tucked in Athens and Pompeii in between, and end our trip with Florence. Amazing!
Southern Italy
Southern Italy-Sweet home for a week
Local Artist Claudio “Cevallo” Giagnotti, Thanks for the CD
Love the peace and quiet of Southern Italy
We spent a week in southern Italy on a beautiful bay and a week in the Greek islands, at a beautiful hotel on the water, both very laid back and quiet, (we were in pre-season). There was windsurfing, stand-up paddling, amazing food, homemade gelato, and visiting small villages. We love the passion of the Greek & Italian people, much aloha there as well!
Apolis Pompeii before heading to Greece
Pompeii
Pompeii
Renting a car is the only way to go when you are exploring the country and coastal regions, yes you can ride the trains, and take taxis in the bigger cities (which we did) but it’s easy to navigate driving country roads once you get out of the big cities. I really enjoyed driving through fields of olive groves, vineyards, farmlands, and wide-open spaces.
Ancient southern-Italian cave city of Matera
The best is the unexpected, discovering little towns hundreds of years old and villages without tourists (except us!) and mixing it up with the locals. When they would ask us where we were from, they would just roll their eyes and laugh. I love the little cafés and local restaurants and amazing food.
Athena Temple Athens
Ok, here is the good news, the dollar exchange is not too bad. Lodging is a great value, and food prices are low for quality goods. And I can’t say enough about so many excellent restaurants we visited, many off the beaten path.
Greek Islands
Greek Islands, Island Girl
Windsurfing Greek Islands-water was amazing.
Love Greek Islands-view from our hotel.
So, my takeaway is to avoid summer and the high season. There are so many amazing places to discover you can go to the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre but know thousands of tourists are all over it as well. For an adventure, try lesser-known areas. But having said that, I did mention we started with Rome, tucking in Pompeii and Athens (mid-way), and ending with Florence. Amazing architecture, and art, what a great way to see layers of history of mankind, great minds, man’s talents, feats, and failures. Our journey (“road”) began in Rome, and you get this feeling if the statues could speak, they would say, “Make wise choices!”
Greek Islands Home for a week
The best part of a trip is coming home to Maui refreshed and feeling like we made a wise choice of making Maui our home. I am very thankful for the lifestyle we enjoy on Maui. After getting over the jet lag, I was able to get in a windsurfing session yesterday after working in the Wailea office. This is why Maui is so amazing, you can enjoy the outdoors, surfing, hiking, golf, and enjoying great beach weather year-round. Maui No Ka Oi.
Florence Italy
Life is good
So, if you’re thinking about buying or selling real estate on Maui. I work with Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers. I have been selling real estate on Maui for 29 years, and would love to hear from you!
Maui Realtor
Aloha, Steve
Steven Nickens RS-54097 GRI ABR
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers
The Shops at Wailea
Serving all Maui for 29 years
Cell: 808-280-2208
Email: nickensmaui@gmail.com
Website: nickensmaui.com
Carlos Coto
June 11, 2023
What a cool spread!
As a realtor on a small barrier island off Miami (Key Biscayne, Florida) I also love my surroundings. However, just like you, we like to take long vacations in far away places, at least once a year.