Tag Archives: Activities

Thessaloniki, Greece: Shopping, Creative Tour and Outdoor Cafes

Shopping & Creative Tour

Thessaloniki-Greece-Fashion & Beauty Shopping-Outdor coffe-Marina Konstantinou-Lou-Nail Bar-Hotel Daios-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Glam shopping in Proxenou Koromila Street

and its surroundings. To help, the street behind the Daios hotel (located in the waterfront). A mixture of a myriad of trendy cafes and posh shops. There you find international brands (like Vuitton, Tod’s, Dolce & Gabbana …) and multi-brand shops and local designers. Above picture : necklace of Marina Konstantinou. Hippie chic Tunic in the showcase of Lou. And the famous Lefas hairdresser (hair salon with a L.A. vibe).

Thessaloniki-Greece-Koupni Coffe & Crafts-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Drink An Iced Coffee While Making Your Souvenir Bag

DIY! Yes, I did it (above picture): the painted and sequined designs represent the iconic monuments of Thessaloniki! In the old town, opposite the ruins of the Greek agora and the Roman forum, Koumpi Coffe & Crafts is a cafe with a creative workshop. You can have different iced coffees (a Greek specialty), while choosing a creative kit. Really fun: my buddies and I had big laughs and even the boys made jewelery! And the result is far nicer than those cheap souvenirs made in China! 

Thessaloniki-Greece-reative Tour & Shopping-by Hand Peak- Art Gallery-Now by Yorgos Maraziotis @Nitra Gallery-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Discover the creative Thessaloniki

If you have little time and want to discover another side of the city (insider spots), do not hesitate to book a tour with Handpeak. After the Koumpi Coffe & Crafts: the visit of a new contemporary art gallery, the Nitra Gallery. Photo above (courtesy of the Nitra Gallery): an installation of Yorgos Maraziotis (Neon, 150×40 cm). Then we continue through several workshops shops.

My favourite :  Object2Repair, a deco vintage shop that also repairs furniture and lighting (below picture of the lighting). Margaritarenies, a small shop of jewelry made by two designers with the same first name Margarita (below picture of the hand). And if your boyfriend and you are a kind of wannabe rockstars, have a look at the guitar repair and manufacturing shop: Alfa Handcrafted Guitars. And you may come back from Thessaloniki with your guitar (lol)!

Thessaloniki-Greece-Creative Tour & Shopping-by Hand Peak- Art Gallery-Nitra Gallery-Margaritarenies Jewels-Object2Repair-Vintage-1C-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Outdoor Cafes

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Navona Ristorante-@Makedonia Palace-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Culture of Outdoor Cafes

Outdoors cafes are absolutely everywhere! Often full. Morning by the seniors and then by everyone. Thessaloniki is a student city, with lively and busy streets until late at night. Above pictured: the terrace of Navona Restaurantopen from 9:30 am to 2 am, where I relaxed much of the afternoon facing the sea, with an excellent fresh orange juice ; ) 

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-To Palio Hamam-Cafe-Bar-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Lovely View of The Bei Hamam’s Rooftops

This outdoor café and bar offers a unique view on the roofs of the old Turkish baths, built by Sultan Murad II in 1444 (above pictures). Unfortunately you can not visit this historic monument, but you can admire the roofs with a drink at the To Palio Hamam Cafe-Bar. Too bad I didn’t have time to return at night (I was too busy, too much to see!)!

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Near The Seafront-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Going to the statue of Alexander the Great, 

I discovered Dentrospito (Tree House): this bar under the trees, has a very nice atmosphere. Really cool spot, with a seaview (above photo montage)! As it was full, we walked on Nikis Avenue, munching Greek traditional pastry (forget diet baby!)..

The other place I’d have liked to taste some veggie sushi, is the Roots. The only vegetarian restaurant in Thessaloniki that also serves cocktails in the evening (below pictures)!

And you, what are your favorite outdoor cafes, shopping and activities in Thessaloniki? 

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Roots-Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant-Bar-Cocktails-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association & Ryanair

From Ryanair flies to Thessaloniki and ten other destinations in Greece including Athens and Santorini.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOW TO PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL  

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association and Ryanair. As always these are my opinions.

Club Med Val Thorens Sensations: Ski, Wellness & Parties


Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Mountain View From My Room-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Bright mountain and slope views 

from the bedroom for my first wake-up at Club Med Val Thorens Sensations (picture above)! The club is next to the slopes. After visiting the various facilities, I go to the Ski Room, trying “my” ski boots, skis, poles and helmet provided by the Club Med throughout the stay.

I am unable to know in what shoe I feel more comfortable. Thanks to the Skiing G.O.s for the perfect organization! And the material is brand new! On photo montage, the fourth and last fame: the locker with my equipment.

In the early afternoon, I start my ski lesson for beginner with Gaëlle, the instructor of the renowned Ecole de Ski Français (ESF). We are five adults (let’s face it) slightly stressed by what’s going on (LOL)!

Finally, I can fully enjoy the breathtaking panorama, blue sky and pleasant temperature. To my surprise, I’ve quickly had lots of fun to slide, turn and slow down for two hours. We go back the Ski Room really tired but a bit euphoric. Then we’ll drink and relax on the Epicurious couches.

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Ski Room-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Ski Room-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Cable Car-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

A Really Deserved Turkish Bath!

Day 2: in the morning, I agree to join a more experienced group that will ski on a blue slope, without understanding the concept of blue slope! For my first time on the chairlift, I am captivated by the view and don’t imagine what awaits me …

At the top: mild panic, the slope is … yes, steep! I take too much speed and can’t control my right turns! Do I need to specify that Val Thorens is the highest ski area in Europe?

A skier friend helps a girlfriend and I (we are the same beginner level). And he suggests us to use the chairlift going down to the station. Ok, we go back to the chairlift (that never stops) while our expert skier friend goes skiing.

And here we are taught it was impossible to get back to the station with the chairlift. What? Here’s the choice: skiing or walking on the green slope, “the green not the black one”. Seriously? “It will be half an hour walking.” Oh yeah, we had 1:30 by skiing to get back to the station, L-O-L! Okay the view is stunning from the top …

I couldn’t see the end and me and my muscles were fed up. We arrive so exhausted that we take a light lunch to the Main Restaurant, where we find our anxious group! Then we head to the Turkish Bath of the Club Med Wellness Center. We dreamed of steam bath on slopes! And I continue with a back & legs massage at the Club Med Spa by Carita

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Mountain View From My Room-2A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Party time baby!

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Opening-Fireworks-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Beautiful fireworks for the opening night 

of the Club Med Val Thorens Sensations (picture above and last picture)! Needless to say, I am much more comfortable on a dance floor than on a blue slope! LOL!

As always, after the shows: the disco. On the photo montage below: the neon evening. And a picture of the team with torches to welcome us the evening of our arrival, enjoy : )

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Parties-1A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Arrivals-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Opening-Fireworks-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Club Med Val Thorens Sensations  

Related posts :  

LIFESTYLEDESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to the whole the team of Club Med for this invitation and as always these are my opinions! Thanks to Isaline, my new BFF for this epic skiing experience!