Tag Archives: Tourism

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! 

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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)!

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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.  

Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Road To Titisee-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Titisee-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Germany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Titisee-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Bade-Wutemberg-Sharzwald-Black Forest-Fom Titisee To Hinterzarten-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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.

Croatia: Opatija,The French Riviera of Istria

Croatia-Opatija-16-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Under a bright sun,

early in the morning we left by car the Esplanade Zagreb to the famous Opatija, a seaside town on the shores of the Mediterranean, in the Kvarner Bay. Halfway, we stopped at Lake Fuzine (picture 2), with emerald water. Beautiful landscape really green to walk and get some fresh air. The sky is blue, so blue. It is much cooler than in Zagreb and still impeccable, no paper, no butts lying around. A real pleasure!

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We hit the road and soon we arrive in Opatija.

The houses architecture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century reminds me of Nice and the French Riviera, or Sintra in Portugal. Quick jump to the hotel (with a direct view on a small marina) to leave my bags. And I go with Ze who lives in Opatija for a long walk in the city. What a great discovery!

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I have the impression of being in a book of Agatha Christie:

architecture, historical figures painted on the wall of fame wall (pictures 8 & 9), including Isadora Duncan (pictures 6, her house & 9). A kind of slow elegance (pictures 4 & 5: Villa Angiolina) … There are few people, it’s very nice: the best time to avoid the crowds is June or September. Photo 7: Park Angiolina. Photos 1,3 & 10: Lungomare is a sublime seaside promenade, to enjoy day and night, by far my favorite part of Opatija!

Croatia-Opatija-12-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Croatia-Opatija-11-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Croatia-Opatija-10A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Croatia-Opatija-18-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations     

Opatija Tourist Board www.visitcroatia.be   

Follow my whole trip in the CROATIA section. ENJOY! I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and of course all my opinions are mine. 

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS