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Chania, a beautiful port town in Crete

Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. It’s known for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, narrow streets and waterfront restaurants. I have visited Chania 3 times. From where I live the distance is very short and the price is quite cheap! We got a direct Ryanair flight to Chania from Paphos which cost us around 65 Euros return. When you arrive at Chania airport, if you’re a group it’s worth taking a taxi to the center which is around 15 EUR or take the bus which is around 2 EUR. Stay We stayed at the Kasteli Studios & Apartments in the 3 bedroom house. It was wonderful. The house was clean and cozy. It's a nice traditional place with a garden, an amazing place to sit and relax since it’s quite. Better to stay here than any other luxury hotel. The owner, Mr. Alexis welcomed us and provided us with drinks and fruit. He also answered any questions we had regarding the place and provided us information about places we can visit. Our rooms were cleaned and tidied every day. The location of Kasteli Studios is near the port and the Chania center; you only need to walk 2-3 minutes to get to the old port. I would totally recommend the place and will come back for sure when we are in Chania again. I also stayed at Elia Daliani Suites right in the center however during the night the street is very noisy due to the fact that there's a lot of bars in the same street. Booking.com Eat & Drink Every morning we had breakfast in Aroma at the old port. You can get a coffee and a ham & cheese sandwich for 3-4 EUR. The best food we had in Chania was at Tamam and Ta Chalkina. We visited Tamam, near the old port, during lunchtime. I would totally recommend you to go there if you are in Chania and have the Tamam salad and the Iranian rice, awesome tastes. Both restaurants provide you with a nice atmosphere and great food. Some [...]

2018-07-23T15:00:54+03:00June 19th, 2018|

Balos Lagoon, Crete – A MUST visit

The famous Balos Lagoon is the most photographed beach and a touristic spot in Crete. Balos Lagoon is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is famous for its crystal clear waters, its natural beauty, and its beautiful scenery. During summer time, Balos is visited by thousands of locals and tourists, who arrive mostly by the ferries from Kissamos port. If you do not like crowds, you’d better avoid visiting the beach in July and August (especially after midday). The perfect time is to arrive at Balos is early in the morning, before the boats arrive from Kissamos. Accessing the Lagoon The best and most convenient way to visit Balos blue lagoon is to drive there. No matter where you are located in Crete, just take a car and start your journey early in the morning. Bear in mind that the road from Kaliviani until you reach Cape Gramvousa is not premixed. Once you reach Kaliviani you'll be required to pay a fee, per person, which is used for the preservation of Balos. After a few miles, you will reach a wide parking area. Make sure to drive slowly and enjoy the scene. On the way, you'll get to see many goats. Bear in mind, if you visit the beach with a ferry you won't get to admire this wonderful view, so I strongly recommend you to go there by car or bus in order to view the lagoon from the top of the hill. From there you'll have to walk down to reach the lagoon. My first advice is to wear trainers and NOT FLIP FLOPS! My second tip is to have water with you. Balos Lagoon has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm making it ideal for children. In some areas, the sand has a slightly pink color, because of hundreds of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at [...]

2018-06-07T14:30:28+03:00June 7th, 2018|

Experiment Aveiro: Group Activities

Aveiro, the Portuguese Venice, a city in Portugal, with more than 250 years of ancient history. Visit this unique city and its Ria, get to know secrets and traditions which have been transformed into true tourist experiences. A wide, safe and clean city, with a differentiated tourist offer, with all the comfort and hospitality indispensable and make your trip a unique and unforgettable experience. Visit Aveiro and be amazed by its many charms.Below we are introducing you top activities to experiment in Aveiro in order to learn the history and experience the culture of this beautiful city. Salt Pans Experience Adaptation of a traditional salt field, for the teaching of salt crystallization and of all elements associated with the process. The visit is accompanied by tourism technician adapting the various contents to different audiences.Price for Groups: 3,00€ p/person Duration: Takes around 45’minutes Funceramics “Pottery Experience” Let's try the Wheel of Potter! Feeling in the wet hands the piece of shapeless clay that with the master’s help is taking shape. Taking advantage of the compass swayed by the foot, we will make the Wheel turn at the desired pace. It is necessary to dry and to bake so that in the end, it finally becomes Ceramic.Price for Groups: 3,00€ p/person Duration: Takes around 60’minutes Moliceiro Ride The experience of getting to know the city aboard the Moliceiro - typical boat of the Ria de Aveiro. Tour within the urban canals and performed with all security and comfort. Visit the 4 channels of the city accompanied by a tour guide.Price for Groups: 6,00€ p/person Duration: Takes around 45’minutes Workshop Ovos Moles Learn How to Make Ovos Moles with a professional. Visit a place of manufacture of Ovos Moles, a typical sweet of Aveiro, and learn how they are made and all the historical surroundings of these sweets conventual without missing the final taste and tasting sweet.Price for Groups: 3,00€ p/person Duration: Takes around 45’minutes Touristic Train Come to visit the city of Aveiro, in the most [...]

2018-04-22T13:34:22+03:00April 22nd, 2018|

Spring Europe Travel Destinations

There's nothing like a last minute decision to spend a few days at a lovely destination before hot summer arrives. If you don't have schoolchildren, May is the best period to take your Europe Spring Holidays. Sea and skies are blue, flowers are blooming and everything is quieter and pricing wise, it's a better value. So here we are, proposing you 5 of our Top Spring Europe Travel destinations. 1. Bucharest, Romania 2. Seville, Spain 3. Krakow, Poland 4.Ghent, Belgium 5. Aveiro, Portugal

2018-04-21T07:48:33+03:00April 21st, 2018|

Things To Do in Bucharest: For First Time Visitors

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is an attractive city for visitors looking to experience something different and authentic. In case you’re planning to visit Bucharest for the first time, here are my Things To Do in Bucharest based on my latest trip there. Bucharest weather, during my visit, was cold since I visited in February so you'll notice that my photos are not so bright and colorful. Explore the Old Town Bucharest Old Town should be the first part of your Bucharest trip. It's advised to have a walk around during the afternoon until night. It's both amazing during daylight and nighttime. The capital preserves some of the oldest monuments whilst the lively streets are packed with many restaurants and bar. Some of the major attractions include the 19th-century Manuc Inn, the oldest church in the city and the oldest residence of medieval princes, the 18th-century Stavropoleos Monastery and old merchant streets. Visit the City’s Historic Churches Romania is Eastern Orthodox, but the real beauty of Bucharest's architecture is not found in the big cathedrals you'll see around. Many date from the 17th and 18th centuries and fuse elements of Byzantine, Greek, Ottoman, and Renaissance styles. The churches share common elements that include impossibly high steeples built over tiny floor plans, elaborate frescoes, and signature details such as raised pillars and stone balustrades. The Stavropoleos Church in the Old City is an excellent example, with its rich wall paintings and finely carved doors. Other churches to look for include St. Apostles’ Church, Antim Church, and the hard-to-find-but-worth-the-effort Doamnei Church. Take a photo at the Colourful Umbrella Street Another colorful side street, which I've found on Instagram, is Parasolowe Knajpy, where Pizza Colosseum is located. It’s hidden in a passageway just off one of the main roads of Bucharest and attracts loads of people on a daily basis who seek to photography the colorful umbrella rooftop. Palace of the Parliament The Palace of the Parliament is one of the main tourist attractions in Bucharest. It is the world's 2nd largest administrative building (after the Pentagon), an architectural colossus that also claims the title of the heaviest building in the world. With more [...]

2018-03-20T13:03:49+03:00March 19th, 2018|

Dubai Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world

The Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Soaring high at 555 meters, At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY is fittingly Dubai's most iconic destination. Get ready to enjoy exclusive access to the redefined, highest outdoor observatory in the world, spread across levels 148 and 125 of Burj Khalifa. BOOK YOUR TICKET The Burj Khalifa holds an impressive set of records, including: Tallest structure ever built at 829.8 meters (2,722 feet to the top of the spire) Building with 163 floors, one of the most the most floors Longest elevator travel distance at 504 meters (1,654 ft) Highest observation deck on the 148th floor at 555 meters (1,821 ft) Highest outdoor observation deck on the 124th floor at 452 meters (1,483 ft) Highest restaurant on the 122nd floor at 442 meters (1,450 ft) Highest nightclub on the 144th floor Anytime during the day is nice to visit, however, its true that the best time to visit the Burj Khalifa is just before the sunset. If you arrive early enough you can take pictures from the top during the daylight hours, throughout sunset and blue hour, and then during nighttime. Tickets for prime hours (during sunset) increase to 200 AED  (45 EUROS). I would recommend you to purchase your ticket in advance. Your ticket defines only your entrance time. You can stay up at the top as long as you want. If you prefer to go during night time, the ticket is 300 AED (66 EUROS). We purchased the morning ticket which is cheaper, 125 AED (28 EUROS) and also its the best time to up there avoiding the crowds. You get to admire the views with not many people and may take photos easier. Photos I captured

2018-02-24T10:27:02+03:00February 23rd, 2018|

European Shopping Destinations

This post is expected to raise interest to shopping lovers. Below you’ll find my favourite five European shopping destinations.  The following cities offer you the ability to make purchases ranging from cheap buys up to expensive designers – the choices are endless. London Oxford Street 1. London, UK London is one of the best places for shopping, specially during its big sales during the Christmas period. The best places are the famous Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and Covent Garden.  Other areas which are enjoyable for shopping include Russells Square (Brunswick) or Enfield Town (Palace Gardens). There are also many shopping malls e.g. Westfield and Hammersmith Broadway. Here you’ll find all the high-street shops with the best prices. Brent Cross shopping centre is another place you can go shopping in North West London. For more luxury purchases visit Knightsbridge and step into Harrods. Don't forget  Selfridge & Co in Oxford Street. For a more characteristic shopping taste visit Camden Markets in Camden Town. Sales Period: The big sales start on Boxing Day (26/12) and end around mid January.  Summer sales start around min June and end around mid July. If you’re in London beginning the sales period make sure to go shopping early in the morning. 2. Athens, Greece  McArthurGlen Athens Outlet I love shopping here. You can find anything from leather goods around Monastiraki area and its surrounding small markets - called Monastiraki Flea Area. You will find chic stores in Kolonaki and Tsakalof Street or by visiting Attica.  For more down to the earth shopping try Ermou Street and the Mall of Athens. If you wish to purchase branded clothing visit the McArthurGlen Athens outlet or the Factory Outlet.  I prefer McArthurGlen since it's big with many brands and it's surrounded by cafes and restaurants. Sales Period: Summer sales start mid-July and run throughout the end of August whilst winter sales begin mid-January and run throughout the end of February.   3. Brussels, Belgium Avenue Louise in Brussels In Brussels you can find all sorts of shops in Rue Neuve and Avenue Louise. In the lower part you’ll find exclusive designer shops (Avenue Louise) and in Rue Neuve you’ll find [...]

2018-02-23T09:14:20+03:00January 2nd, 2018|

Cyprus Vavla Rustic Retreat: A Traveller’s Review

Vavla Rustic Retreat Booking.com Rustic means relating to the countryside; rural. Kelly, the owner, emailed me straight away asking me what time we'll be arriving, if we need wood for the fireplace, or dinner/breakfast in order for her to sort it out. We booked at Vavla Rustic Retreat since it had the best reviews and met our requirements. We needed a 2 bedroom country house in a nice village, with a fireplace and traditional  Cypriot feel. Friendly Owner We arrived at Vavla Rustic Retreat and Kelly was waiting for us. She toured us around the place and even showed us all rooms and told us the history of the old traditional family stone house. An old restored house This place has been restored though funding by the Cyprus Government and the EU. The rooms contain traditional Cypriot items which were used mainly for preparing and storing food e.g. bread. They have maintained the old traditional food scales, some cookware, traditional old sweepers, even in the garden there's the original water well (an excavation created in the ground to get water). The garden is amazing! It has the traditional stone oven where you can use yourself to prepare food - if you know how to use it of course. Breakfast Vavla Rustic cooperate with their neighbors Donna Marie and George for serving breakfast, lunch or dinner. Donna Marie and George are former owners of an award-winning restaurant in New York, and are excellent chefs and hosts. They primarily offer a traditional Cypriot cuisine, however are often open to requests, and can also cater to those with food requirements. Note that they serve on a reservation-only basis. Our Country House We stayed at the Anoi, a 2 bedroom apartment, cosy, warm and most of all comfortable and clean. The kitchen literally provides everything! Even a juice maker and a coffee machine. You don't need to take anything, just your food. All rooms are fully air-conditioned. You can purchase a big basket of wood for the fireplace, which costs 15 EUROS, that is enough to last all night and a few hours the next morning. BOOK [...]

2018-02-23T09:14:21+03:00December 20th, 2017|

Top 5 Holiday Autumn Destinations

There's nothing like a last minute decision to spend a few days at a lovely destination before winter actually arrives. If you don't have schoolchildren, it's the best period to take your European spring/summer holidays in autumn. Sea and skies are still blue, everything is quieter and pricing wise, it's a better value. So here we are, proposing you 5 of our Top European Autumn destinations. 1. Verona, Italy 2. Seville, Spain 3. Krakow, Poland 4. Chania, Crete 5. Aveiro, Portugal

2018-02-23T09:14:21+03:00September 12th, 2017|

Mesa Potamos: Waterfalls, St. John Monastery, Picnic area

Mesa Potamos area, is located near Saittas, towards Kato Amiantos in Cyprus. You can spend a whole day here by visiting the Waterfalls, the Monastery and have a relaxing time at the picnic area. Mesa Potamos Waterfalls On the way towards to Monastery of St. John the Baptist you will find the Mesa Potamos waterfalls, situated on the Argolachanias river. From the main road you will have to park your car and walk a bit. The height of the waterfall is 7m and it’s located on an altitude of 1000km. The river flows directly into Kourris dam. Geology consists of gabbro.   Monastery of Timios Prodromos The Monastery of Timios Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) lies in the Troodos forest area of Mesa Potamos. The Monastery located amongst the mountains surrounded by pine forests, has springs of sweet water near.  The monastery has been renovated in 2003 and you can see that it’s well preserved. There are a few monks living there at the moment, and if you visit the place you might see them walking near the forest, seeking for a quiet place while visitors are visiting. It’s worth knowing that archbishop Makarios and Grivas were using the monastery as a meeting point during 1950 until 1955 in order to conduct the Unity Referendum. Further to that, it has also served as a hideaway for the EOKA fighters ending up damaging the monastery when British soldiers invaded to the monastery to arrest the fighters. Mesa Potamos Picnic area 7 km from Saittas and site road to the left before the Monastery there’s a picnic area.  It’s one of the 40 picnic sites managed by the Forestry Departments who make sure to provide all the necessary facilities (barbeque area, water, tables, washrooms) when visiting the place.  The picnic area is large enough to accommodate up to 700 visitors. The picnic tables are scattered from each other, offering visitors privacy. There’s a facility to make your own barbeque if you take your equipment. The forest in which the picnic area [...]

2018-02-23T09:14:21+03:00September 4th, 2017|
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