NICOLE UNPACKED

Your insider’s guide to the most beautiful corner of Crete.

After moving to Chania and falling in love with every winding alley, hidden cove, and family-run taverna, I put together the guide I wish I’d had when I arrived. This is the real Chania — the spots locals love, the experiences worth your time, and the places that will make your trip unforgettable.

Inside Volume 01, you’ll find nine carefully curated chapters covering:

• Where to stay, from boutique stays in the Old Town to the brand-new JW Marriott and the highly anticipated Hilton Chania Old Town

• The best beaches — including the famous pink sands and turquoise lagoons most travelers miss

• Where to eat and drink like a local, from seaside tavernas to hidden wine bars

• On-the-water experiences, including a 100-year-old wooden boat tour you’ll never forget

• The best spots for beauty & fitness

• For the adventurer — scuba diving, traditional Cretan cooking classes in the mountains, and more

• Day trips, cultural gems, and the little details that make Chania magic

Whether you’re planning a week or a month, this guide will help you skip the tourist traps and experience Chania the way it’s meant to be lived.

Beautifully designed. Easy to navigate. Built from real life on the ground.

Καλώς ήρθατε στα Χανιά — welcome to Chania. 🇬🇷💙

The EXACT recipes I make for my own clients, family & friends - no shortcuts, no fluff.

If hosting the holidays feels overwhelming, let me say this clearly:

• You do NOT need a million dishes.

• You do NOT need to cook all day.

• You do NOT need to impress anyone with complexity.

• You DO need a small handful of reliable, chef-tested recipes that never fail.

These are the five dishes I make every holiday season — for clients, family, & the people I actually want to impress. They’re rich, comforting, elegant, & built to hold up in a real holiday kitchen.

Inside, you’ll get:

1. My EXACT 5-Cheese Mac & Cheese (the one people literally beg for! Perfected after 15 years of being a chef!)

2. SECRET INGREDIENT Creamy Mashed Potatoes that never turn gluey

3. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon that will convert anyone who “doesn’t like brussels sprouts”

4. A PERFECTLY cooked, super flavorful, easy-to-make Beef Tenderloin

5. One Simple & DELICIOUS Sauce that makes everything feel intentional

6. CHEF TIPS & NOTES.

7. “Make Ahead” & “Reheating” instructions for each recipe, where applicable.

These are not “internet recipes.”

These are professional, scaled, holiday-ready dishes — with real technique, real portions & zero fluff. My recipes are easy to understand & packed with flavor.

This year, blow everyone away with your cooking skills.