Tag Archives: Shopping Guide

Thessaloniki, Greece: Shopping, Creative Tour and Outdoor Cafes

Posted on May 26, 2015 | Leave a comment

Shopping & Creative Tour

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).

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!

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)!

Outdoor Cafes

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 Restaurant, open from 9:30 am to 2 am, where I relaxed much of the afternoon facing the sea, with an excellent fresh orange juice ; )

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!)!

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?

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.

Tokyo, Japan: Interview of Tomoko Inuzuka

Posted on February 18, 2014 | Leave a comment

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : SHOPPING / FASHION INSIDER

– I think Japanese girls are all the same now.

Tomoko Inuza has a unique look for sure. Made up of Minnie‘s détails (yep Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend) and the creative outfits of the Indian fashion designer Manish Arora.

Tomoko is certainly his biggest fan. Humoursly, she said: “I want marry him“, a quick look at her Mickey watch. Tomoko and her husband Katsuhiro are the managers of Vermeerist Beams shop in Harajuku.

A kind of boudoir presenting a colorful outfits and accessoiries selection of Japanese and overseas fashion designers, like the great Manish Arora of course. Funny, Tomoko and I were at one of the shows of Manish at Cique d‘Hiver, without knowing each other! Small fashion world!

– I was at Manish first show in the London Fashion Week, four years ago. Very Bright colors: I’ve bought few pieces very difficult to sell in Tokyo.

Tomoko regrets:

– Here young people have no energy and originality to get dressed. Three reasons: the parents buy their clothes. Magazines are bad: same styling, not interesting. Except the Nihon Vogue. And they spend all their money in mobile phones.

The grim reality? We laugh.

– The hype Aoyama is the trendiest area in town to me,

says Tomoko. Where bash shops have incredible architectures. Her choice: Comme des Garçons, Corso Como and Loveless. And serious, Tomoko concludes with:

– Fashion is my life.

Domo arigato Tomoko.

Tokyo, Japan: A walk and coffee in Omotesando and Aoyama

Tokyo, Japan: Shopping and Architecture in Roppongi

DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Tokyo, Japon: rencontre avec Tomoko Inuzuka

Posted on February 18, 2014 | Leave a comment

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : SHOPPING / EXPERT MODE

– Je pense qu’aujourd’hui les filles japonaises sont toutes pareilles.

Tomoko Inuzuka a un look unique, inspiré par Minnie (oui la meuf de Mickey aux longs cils). Et surtout par les créations du talentueux styliste indien Manish Arora, dont elle est certainement la plus grande fan.

Avec une pointe d’humour, elle confie vouloir l’épouser, un bref regard sur sa montre Mickey. Tomoko et son époux Katsuhiro sont les responsables du Vermeerist Beams à Harajuku.

Petit Boudoir à la sélection très colorée et pleine de fantaisie de créateurs internationaux, dont le fameux Manish Arora bien sûre. Amusée, nous aurions pu nous croiser à ses shows parisiens.

– J’étais au premier défilé de Manish à la London Fashion Week. Beaucoup de couleurs vives: très difficile à vendre à Tokyo.

Tomoko regrette :

– Les jeunes manquent d’énergie et d’originalité dans leur façon de s’habiller ici. Trois raisons: les parents qui achètent souvent leurs vêtements. Les magazines qui sont mauvais. Ils proposent tous le même stylisme inintéressant. A l’exception du Nihon Vogue. Et enfin le portable, où passe tout leur argent.

Sans concession! Nous rions.

Le très hype Aoyama

est actuellement le quartier le plus tendance de la capitale d’après Tomoko. Où les boutiques rivalisent d’architectures improbables et fantasques réussies. Ses préférées : Comme des Garçons, Corso Como et Loveless. Et de conclure sérieuse :

– La mode, c’est ma vie.