Tag Archives: Short Break

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

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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.

Germany: Traveling & Wellness Weekend in The Black Forest

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Offenburg et ses alentours

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Would you like going to the countryside? Follow me time to a traveling and wellness weekend in the Black Forest. On my way to my first stop, the Waldhotel Gruener Baum in Oberkirch-Ödsbach: the road is lined with cherry blossoms and vines. What a gorgeous landscape! Summer temperatures, the Ortenau county enjoys a microclimate.

Gengenbach

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The next day I discover the small medieval town, Gengenbach, famous for its Christmas market and carnival according to the German tradition (picture above: view of the city hall from the Niggelturm tower of the carnival museum). Pictures below: old beautiful buildings with trompe l’oeil facades (of the Benedictine old Abbey) and timbered houses.

Then I do a wine tasting of the Gengenbacher Winzer eG cooperative (which includes many small growers). It’s always pretty fun for me who doesn’t drink to taste new wines. Here are the two wines I really liked: the elegant Riesling Klingelberg Kabinett Riesling Klingelberg Kabinett (2013 er Gengenbacher) and the very fruity fresh white wine Grauer Burgunder (2014 “Herz & Hand”), a Pinot gris.

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Gengenbach-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Gengenbach-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Gengenbach-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lake Titisee

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After having spent one night at the Elztal Hotel in Winden im Elztal, I hit the road to the lake Titisee of glacial origin, for a short boat ride with a group of Chinese tourists. On the road, I enjoy the traditional farms and barns roofs and rolling hills and conifer forests (above picture).

I arrive to my last stop, Erfurth’s Bergfried in Hinterzarten in the early afternoon (last photo). Hinterzarten is a ski resort where ski buffs can also visit the ski museum. And I highly recommend you to visit Freiburg. I only crossed the city that seems very interesting.  

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

Wellness Stars, The German National Tourist Board, the hotels : Erfurths BergfriedWadhotel Grüener Baum & Elztalhotel

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTE 

Many thanks to the Wellness Stars and The German National Tourist Board for the invitation. As alwyas these are my opinions.

Three Restaurants in Zagreb: dobar tek, bon appetit!

Zagreb Restaurants_Agava_4_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

Dobar tek, bon appetit! 

Remember I stayed two nights and a day, barely enough time to discover these three restaurants in Zagreb. If you have any suggestions, some WOW spots, just drop me an email, or leave me a comment here or in my Twitter  (yes I am now, LOL!)! Thanks!

1. Agava

Zagreb Restaurants_Agava_3_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Zagreb Restaurants_Agava_1_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

Great location in picturesque pedestrian street: the trendy Tkalčića street! The restaurant terrace has a view of the design accessories shop Modus, where I liked canvas bags made ​​in Croatia. It is also just minutes from (my favourite) Bar Cica. For that matter I chose to taste Croatian dishes ; ) So as a starter, the Strukli (picture 2), with cottage cheese and dough. Typical dish of Zagreb. Followed by a specialty of Dalmatia (picture 1) with ink gnocchi and fish steak. And picture 3: excellent bread that reminded me of the Greek pita. Tkalčića 39, 10000, Zagreb. Tel +385 1 4829 826.

2. Le Bistro Esplanade

Zagreb Restaurants_Le Bistro Esplanade_1_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

A charming art deco place where I dined at my arrival (picture 4). On the map, dishes inspired by a mixture of French and Croatian I found it very light and very tasty cuisines. I chose a watercress soup as input (picture 5) and monkfish fillet with vegetables. I do not like complicated sauces or heavy dishes. I appreciate the simplicity and recognizing the taste of each food. Picture 6: great appetizer. More information about Le Bistro Esplanade, click HERE.

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3. Amphora

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I did not eat here, but when I asked Dora, my guide, where she likes to go for a lunch, she replied without hesitation: Amfora (picture 7). And I immediately understood why: the authenticity of the location, close to the market of Britanski Square. The iconic market in Zagreb, with its red striped umbrellas (pictures 8 & 9). On the daily menu: fresh fish coming directly from the fish market (the next door, lol). Dolac 2, 10000 Zagreb. Tel +385 (0)1 481 6455, +385 (0)98 480512.

Zagreb Restaurants-Place Britannique-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Zagreb Restaurants-Place Britannique-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés 

Informations

www.visitcroatia.beZagreb Tourist Board, www.zagrebtalks.com 

Discover my whole trip in the CROATIA page. ENJOY! I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and as always all my opinions are mine.  

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS