Tag Archives: Vacation

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.

Ayana Resort & Spa, Bali: Thalassotherapy & The Rock Bar

Posted on January 6, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thalassotherapy At The Thermes Marins Spa

Sparkling Happy New Year to everyone! Here’s a post that is specially aimed at those who have eaten too much chocolate, champagne and whatnot … during the holidays : ) And also to travelers before a long haul flight.

Invited by the luxurious Ayana Resort and Spa, I had the pleasure to experience a thalassotherapy at the Thermes Marins Spa of the Ayana, just few hours before flying back to Europe. The goal was to prepare the body for 25 hours travel (plane and stopovers included).

Throughout the course of care that lasts 2 hours in the Aquatonic Pool, a huge pool of 700 liters of the Indian Ocean’s water, I am guided by a member of the spa staff that shows me the jets to use. I guarantee you that I felt my muscles worked deep (sometimes it was a bit painful), while enjoying a direct sea view, in a pleasant golden light of late afternoon. Happiness!

I came away softer than a mollusk, LOL! Extremely relaxed and a bit euphoric! Honestly, if I had had more time, I’ll be stayed even longer! I usually have the swollen legs and back pain in the plane, this time I slept like a new born.

A Drink At The Famous Rock Bar

Even though I am late because of the spa, no way not to make a short stop at the Rock Bar of the Ayana Resort and Spa. People can stand in line more than an hour to have a seat at the sunset time.

I know, it’s insane, but the location is great with good music! Even crazier: after sunset, the bar empties. For me, the best time is the dusk, when candles are lit and the ocean gets darker … But I gotta run to the airport, bye bye beautiful Bali!

Informations

Ayana Resort and Spa : Thalassotherapy and the Rock Bar Bali

To go to Bali : Qatar airways

The Hot Cold Wellbeing Treatment of The Thermes Marins de Saint Malo @ Sapsiba, Brussel

Sungai Gold, Bali: A Luxury Villa in The Countryside

BEAUTY, HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the Ayana Resort and Spa for the invitation and Qatar Airways. As always these opinions are my own.

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel: A Room With A View

Posted on November 9, 2014 | Leave a comment

I like this kind of surprise.

By opening the door to my room, I am won by a kind of euphoria and I head straight to the window. I opened wide the curtains to enjoy the warm golden light of early evening, the last weekend of August.

Spectacular panorama for nature lovers ! A stunning 180 degree view of the Atlantic Ocean and Sagres cliffs. A part of wild Algarve in the extreme south of Portugal: the beautiful Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel is located in a protected natural park.

Yes I love the feeling of being both outside and inside. The decor is very simple and stylish, with a 50’s twist and a Nespresso coffee machine.

But the icing on the cake: falling asleep under a moonlit night, lulled by the sound of waves … in an incredibly comfortable bed (lol). I tried to do a podcast, it did not work. Dizziness ! A thousand words: here are some amazing pictures !

Pictures below: panoramic overview from the room, left (pictures 1 & 2) to right (pictures 3 & 4). Pictures 5 & 6, the building rooms with ocean views. Last picture: my room.