For almost 16 years, I called the Hawaiian Islands "home." A perpetual wanderer, I left for a summer in Alaska, a winter in Aspen, and a bike ride across Southeast Asia. But I always eventually made it back to the lush, green curvature of Hawaii's mountains, its stunning coastlines, and the palm trees blowing in warm breezes scented with jasmine and plumeria.

I love the magic of Hawaii, and I will forever be grateful for my time spent living on Oahu and Kauai. But somehow, since my first trip to Europe 20 years ago, I've had an even deeper affinity for the Mediterranean region. I lived in the Greek islands for a few years in my early 20s, and I knew I'd one day make it back to live on this side of the world again.