Here’s where my boyfriend stepped in and gifted me tickets to Sicily for my birthday back in April. We chose Sicily in the hope of warmer weather and maybe some swimming in the sea. And since the bets airplane offer was for Catana, we decided to stay in the closest city that was also popular: Taormina.

I will link here where we stayed and there will be a completely different post with all the delicious food we tried. But for now, let’s take a look at how you can spend (almost) a week in this gem of a town.

1. Stroll around Taormina

It’s the easiest, cheapest yet most beautiful thing you can do. The architecture is a dream, with the Ancient Theatre dating back to the third century BC. But there are beautiful buildings representing almost every century. The details are a dream and there’s nothing better than having a gelatto and taking it all in.

I couldn’t take my eyes from the churches you can find all over town or the balcony view between Chiesa din San Giuseppe and Chiesa di Sant’Agostino.

Another thing I loved were the ceramic decorations that embellished almost every building. Some had just two tiles with the home’s number painted on them. Others had an entire work of art displayed on beautiful ceramics glued together. But all had pine cones at the entrance which signify the host’s wish of health and fertility (yes!) for their guests.

2. Sunbathe at Isola Bella

You can’t miss this gem of a beach. Getting there is easy: take the funicular from Taormina and in 5 minutes you are in Mazzaro. From there, there’s a short walk to get to the actual beach. Watch out, the walk does include some stairs, which are not bad when going down, but are not a joy coming back.

The beach is pebbly, but it’s so beautiful! If your thing is getting a sun-bed and a cocktail you can do that. But I liked crossing the pebbly causeway to the island and laying there on my towel. You are right next to the water and shaded by the palms guarding the entrance on the island.

3. Visit the Isola Bella Nature Reserve

Since you are there, make sure to also visit the Nature Reserve. While it actually makes for a very short visit, it’s totally worth the 4 Euro entrance fee. Besides the plants and (if you’re lucky) the pretty lizards, you’ll also get a breathtaking view over the shore.

4. Have lunch in Mazzaro

We will talk more about the delicious food in Sicily, but for now I will mention that restaurants in Mazzaro were recommended to us and they didn’t fail. We were recommended Ristorante Il Barcaiolo, but we never managed to get there when it was opened.

There are also several options in terms of beach-beds, and while the view is so beautiful and the mood serene, the sea is not actually impressive. But give it a try nonetheless.

5. Stroll through Giardini Villa Comunale

This one’s perfect for a low energy day or for one where the sun is not quite right for beach time. It’s like a mini botanical garden, with lush vegetation, and cute little spots where you can take a minute. Bonus: another amazing view over the shoreline.

It also doesn’t hurt that it’s a short walk from or to the Teatro Antico, a must see while you’re in Taormina. Sadly we didn’t make it there. But as I like to say, there’s always next time.

8. Hike the Alcantara Gorge

It’s not a hike per se, but it makes for a good walk with some amazing views. Right as you enter the park you take an elevator that descends on the perfect spot the see the gorge. It’s the place where the water comes from between the huge rocks, relaxing into a turquoise creek. The more courageous took a swim in the pristine waters, that are still very cold, coming from the mountains. The rest of us took in the view and took the elevator up to the hiking trails.

I loved the lemon and orange tree orchard that we passed by. I really hope they harvest all those lemons for some delicious limoncello! We saw a little aromatics garden, where they grow herbs and where lizards hide from the visitors and the sun.

I also loved the several spots where you get a chance to catch your breath and take another view of the gorge, this time from above. The shade, the flowers and the sound of the water makes it all worth it.

In the end we stopped at the small  gift shop and cafeteria. You can buy all sorts of spreads – the walnut and pistachio ones are amazing. I think they also sold olive oil, limoncello and some other drinks. But the cafeteria was the big surprise. I grabbed a slice of pizza that was average and we also got some ravioli with walnuts and cream. They were so amazing we had to have a second plate!

Conclusions

I loved my first time in Italy and Taormina so much! we really wished we could have spend more time and explore more of Sicily.  I was expecting Italian food to be good and it didn’t disappoint. But as someone who doesn’t drink wine that much, I didn’t expect to love it there.

Everyone warned us that Taormina is expensive and can be crowded. It was expensive, but not prohibitive. And it was crowded, I think it’s a nightmare to drive around it. But as we mostly walked, we were not bothered by the crowds who were just as excited to be there as we were.

1. DUMBO

DUMBO actually stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass – not sure if you knew this, but I Googled and here it is. It is probably one of my favorite spots in New York, so far. It’s cool and hip and the view over the two bridges – breathtaking.

I really wished we had more time to stroll in the area. Because I really loved the cool graffitis and that there were so many options in terms of food. I’ll talk more about it in a post dedicated to food in NYC, but nothing compares to sushi overseeing Brooklyn Bridge.

2. Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges

I was so determined to get to Brooklyn Bridge that I didn’t even realize that Manhattan Bridge stands so close to it. Or that is just as beautiful. Walking through Dumbo we got to what I think is the best spot: right between Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. Bonus: the West Elm store. I am obsessed with this brand! And getting to visit their store was one of the highlights of our trip. We left with four plates that luckily made the plane trip.

I loved the superb view of Manhattan with the little pebbly beach where couples took their wedding photos and the Main Street Park. There’s also a carousel that was not working but looked so beautiful. We loved this place so much! So we ran to grab a bagel and some sushi and had lunch in the park taking in the view.

From there we wanted to get to the Staten Island Ferry. For that, we had to cross to Manhattan with the East River Ferry from Dumbo Pier 1. But on our way to get tickets, we passed the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and couldn’t resist it! The view was amazing and the sun made it all too inviting. I highly recommend the experience on a sunny day.

3. Staten Island Ferry

Neither I nor my boyfriend were crazy about seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. But we both agreed that we had to a least get a glimpse of it since we were there. So we decided to take the Staten Island Ferry that passes close to the Statue and it’s free!

Tip: please don’t be fooled by the aggressive tour seller who will try to get you to buy a $20 ticket that you don’t want. Don’t get me wrong: if you want that experience go for it. But if like us, you’re not crazy about it, just say no and move along. One of these ticket sellers kept talking to us until we missed the free ferry. And I am pretty sure it was intentional so that we would buy a ticket from him instead of waiting another 20 minutes. However, we decided to wait and it was worth it. He also tried to convince us it would take an hour and a half to go and return with the free ferry. It proved not to be true and it took as a little under an hour.

The Staten Island Ferry’s main purpose is taking commuters from Manhattan to Staten Island. So it will not pass too close to the Statue. Nor will it stop there. You will pass by it and be able to take some photos. And you will also be able to return with the same ferry you came, without having to wait more than 5 minutes. The best part was the Manhattan panoramic view when we returned. Be sure to come down to the gate before everyone else does and you will get the best view over the financial district.

4. Zuccotti Park

The formerly Liberty Plazza Park was heavily damaged by the 9/11 attacks and has been used for several commemorating events ever since.

I spotted this little gem when we first visited the Oculus Mall and the World Trade Centre Pools but didn’t actually get to visit it. This time around we passed right by it and I couldn’t resist those adorable lights in the trees. I could have spent a lot of time there just gazing. But we were super tired so we took some photos and went to our AirBnB home.

5. Tom Otterness Subway Installation

Getting back to our apartment, we stumbled upon the prettiest subway ever. Thanks to Tom Otterness’ permanent public artwork, the 14th Street – Eight Avenue subway station is a little art museum. There was no one around, it must have been around 11 p.m. and I started documenting all these amazing sculptures spread around the station.

If you want to read more about this artwork go here. And if you are ever in the area, pay attention. You will be surprised at every corner by the wonderful creatures living Life Underground (name of the artwork).

This is where our trip to NYC concludes. If you want to read parts one, two and three I linked them here. And keep an eye out for a foodie article and one on how to plan your trip to New York.

On our third day one of our partners for LinkedIn was kind enough to offer to get us on Empire State Building. So we planned our day around that, and here’s what we did.

1. Natural History Museum

When we’re visiting new cities, my boyfriend and I like to hit two things. A Botanical Garden – that didn’t work out for us this time. And the Natural History Museum in town. So since it was too cold for the Botanical Garden, we chose the Natural History Museum as it was kind of close to Empire State Building too.

Although we appreciated the pay-what-you-want ticket and overall liked the museum, we weren’t as impressed as we anticipated. And the reason is because we got to see the one in London first, that is so big and beautiful. I guess it’s really hard to compete with it.

Best part of the visit: we bet (and I lost) that my boyfriend wouldn’t ask the staff if Ross Geller works there. They didn’t know if he worked there… and they didn’t catch the reference, but it was too funny!

2. Empire State Building

As I mentioned above one of our partners at LinkedIn offered to get us in plus a tour of their offices there. We had planned for a Top of the Roc experience, but with an offer like this we had no doubts about what we wanted to do.

We got to skip the line and the ticket and get straight to the 86th floor where you can go out on the balcony and take in the view. It was a cloudy and cold day, so I guess there are better days to get there, but we were happy anyway. It’s breathtaking how you get to see so much of NYC and it’s iconic buildings and places. This is how I got to see Chrysler Building too and I loved it.

After that we went up to the 102nd floor, which is smaller and where you can’t go outside. It was pretty impressive but also crammed. And apparently you can’t get on the 103rd floor (outdoors) unless you are a VIP (think Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande).

If you are going to pay a ticket and stay in line then I would recommend checking Top of the Roc first. It has a better view of Central Park, plus you get to see the Empire State Building too.

3. World Trade Center

As our stay was coming to an end we felt some pressure to do more shopping and get the gifts sorted before our last day in the city. So our third day wasn’t as packed with sightseeing as the others. But luckily on our way out from a Century 21 outlet we bumped into the World Trade Center pools.

Neither of us was initially sure that we wanted to visit, but when we saw them from across the street we were pulled by curiosity and the beautiful lights. We only saw one of the memorial pools, but it was so impressive. They look like huge waterfalls built on where the Twin Towers used to sit.

It’s chilling how a place that is now so beautiful was witness to such horrific events. You can still feel the sadness, especially reading the names of all the people who lost their lives that day, marked on the granite of the pool. Although we got there accidentally, I think it’s worth a visit. I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t remember 9/11 and sad as it is, we really can’t forget the people affected by the event.

Our third day in New York ended with us rushing back to catch the Thai restaurant in our neighbourhood still open after a day full of sightseeing and shopping.

If you haven’t checked our first two days in NYC go back here . And you must check Adriana’s tour of Bushwick.

And stay tuned for our last day in New York when we got to see DUMBO, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, took the Staten Island Ferry and saw the Statue of Liberty then bumped into the lovelies little park in Manhattan.

We started the day with breakfast in our adorable Airbnb – to which I will dedicate a separate post. And then took the subway from Brooklyn to Chelsea to meet my manager and friend. She was so kind to take the time and plan a New York must: Sunday brunch. Plus a walk on the High Line We loved it and I hope so did she!

1. Brunch at Fig and Olive

We had the loveliest brunch at Fig and Olive with live music none the less! We shared the best bruschetta platter and paired it with cocktails – how else? And then we also had a very yummy avo toast – it was perfect. I am sure there are a million places for a good brunch, but if you are near Chelsea Market I highly recommend Fig and Olive.

2. The High Line

I really wanted to visit this railroad transformed in a park because I had seen a documentary on its impact on the area and the designers that worked to make it happen. And although the cold and wind didn’t exactly make it the best day for a walk, it was totally worth it!

You get a beautiful view of Chelsea and New Jersey. There are some beautiful murals both on the High Line and some on surrounding buildings. The vegetation is not exactly at its best in October, but there still are a lot of trees and autumn flowers to admire. On a warmer day, you could rest on the many benches and take in the views.

3. Chelsea Market

After braving the low temperatures for the High Line walk, my boyfriend and I knew we wanted to stop by Chelsea Market. First, because we usually like including a local market in our itinerary, but mostly because we had heard about the tacos they have there.

I will write more about how we discovered this taco spot and if it’s worth a visit on another foodie post. But until then, I will let you know that there’s a lot to do and see there. We shopped at a sample sale and I fell in love with the Anthropologie store. I would have taken everything home! There are spice shops, pubs, and home design stores and a lot of other things to discover. So make sure to put Chelsea Market on your list when in NYC!

4. Chelsea Neighbourhood

After tucking in tacos and horchata my boyfriend really wanted to do some shopping at a Century 21 outlet store. We thought we found one nearby so decided to walk there and we loved our stroll.

There are so many beautiful buildings in the neighbourhood! I am especially in love with the brick ones and I adore the contrast with the black fire stairs. I also loved the colourful doors and how much this area reminded me of  Sex and the City. I felt like waking in a movie scene.

5. Flatiron Building

Looking for the Century 21 outlet I mentioned above, we got super close to the Flatiron building. It was super high on my list of things to see so I couldn’t miss it. The outlet turned out to be a real estate office (we mixed up the names), but it got us within 300 meters of this architectural gem – so I couldn’t complain.

Bonus: we arrived there right around the golden hour so the lighting was amazing. I took SO many photos and would have stayed there longer if there weren’t another thousand things to see.

6. Times Square

From Flatiron Building we went on to look for a real Century 21 outlet, but stopped at a Barns and Noble store because – I mean Rachel from Friends once furnished her whole apartment from them, so I had to see what that was all about.

Anyways, after we got our shopping fix for the day and decided to go back home, we had to exchange subways at some point. Only this time, luckily, our Google Maps app said we had to go above. And above turned out to be within a few meters from Times Square.

Although we weren’t 100% sure we wanted to see the place, we were convinced when we saw it. All the light, the hype and the action make it irresistible to the common tourist. There was also a concert there and we climbed up the stairs so we could take a good shot of everything going on. You don’t need to spend a lot of time in Times Square. For us 10 minutes were enough to take everything in and then we were ready to leave the crazy behind and head back home.

Our second day in New York City was packed with fun adventures and lucky encounters so we couldn’t wait for another day of exploring. Stay tuned for day 3: The Natural History Museum, Empire State Building with a private tour of the LinkedIn offices and World Trade Centre.

If you want to see what we did on our first day, head back here. And if you want to read what Adriana wrote on differences between Europe and US go here.

I’ve spent 4 beautiful and full days in the city, with my boyfriend. We really tried to make the most of it and for just four days. And I am pretty satisfied with all the things we got to see. We will definitely have to come back soon, but for now this will have to do.

And since there are so many beautiful things I want to talk about here, I decided to take you on my trip day by day. Here’s what we did on our very first day in the Big Apple (I’m sorry, I really had to say that, I know it’s cheesy).

1. Brooklyn and Pizza di Fara

We arrived in New York on a late Friday evening. We were really tired so we just grabbed something to eat near our Brooklyn AirBnB and then hit the bed.

First thing next morning, after having breakfast at our lovely AirBnB, we went for a Brooklyn adventure. We meet a friend for pizza at diFara. It was our first subway ride and it was better than we expected. The neighbourhood is charming with beautiful architecture and it was so free on Saturday at noon.

Pizza at diFara was delicious! I will talk more about on a post dedicated especially to food in New York. But if you are in the area you have to try it! There are a lot of famous “must-try” pizza places in NYC, so don’t go running after a specific one. I would keep the highest rated ones in mind and stop by one that’s in my area.

I would have loved to spend more time in Brooklyn, see Bushwick and its famous murals. But that will have to wait until next time.

2. Manhattan

There really isn’t anything like Manhattan! And that’s a feeling that strikes you the moment you get there. We rode the subway to Manhattan so the impact was even bigger. Because we left Brooklyn with houses and small buildings and when we exited the subway station we were surrounded by skyscrapers. We let out some oohs and aahs before we were able to make sense of it and move on.

I really loved so much the architecture! The huge buildings, the contrast between concrete, blue or black glass and granite. It’s fascinating and something like nothing else I’ve ever seen. I was especially impressed with the CBS Building at 51 West 52nd Street, also called the Black Rock. Its dark granite cladding was how it got this name. And the way the sun shone on it made it seem like it was floating among the other skyscrapers.

The 6th Avenue was partially closed for some sort of street fair where I grabbed a scarf for $5 because I was freezing! Totally worth it 

3. MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art

This was definitely the highlight of my trip. Both my parents are talented at drawing, with my mother being a painter. So there’s always been an artistic interest in my house growing up. My grandfather would hand us painting albums instead of other books when we were little. So being able to stand in front of some of my favourite paintings that I had seen only in albums was a dream come true!

Standing in front of Les Demoiselles D’Avignon by Picasso was probably the highlight of the trip. I must have stood 30 minutes on the bench in front of it. I literally couldn’t believe it! And I never expected it to be that big. I was just as moved by The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian’s Trafalgar Square and Broadway Boogie Woogie and Claude Monet’s Water Lilies to name just a few.

If you love art, you want to spend as much time as possible at MoMA. But with only 4 days in the city and a lot of things to see I spent an hour or so on the main exhibition and then quickly went through the rest of them.

Another wonderful surprise was the Brancusi exhibition on the first floor of the museum. There’s such a deep sense of pride to see a Romanian artist being celebrated. And Brancusi is one of our greatest. So seeing his work there and so many people admiring it was unique.

4. Central Park

From MoMA, we wanted to make a pit stop in central Park. We were lucky that it was such a beautiful, sunny day and we got there just in time for the golden hour. I wish we had spent more than the hour there. But we were super tired and just wanted to get back home in time for dinner.

However, we enjoyed our time there so much. Central Park seems like a wonderful oasis of green and nature in the middle of a concrete jungle. We saw a couple of weddings there and as we were climbing a small hill someone was singing Tales as Old as Time by flute – dreamy!

5. 5th Avenue

After a brief visit to Central Park, we decided to walk a little through the famous 5th Avenue en route to the subway that would take us back to our AirBnB in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

We did a little window shopping at Coach – where we were greeted by a huge dinosaur made of coach bags, Armani and I couldn’t possibly miss Tiffany’s! Of course, I couldn’t touch anything there lol, but it was a fun experience.

That is how our first day in New York City concluded. With a cinnamon apple bagel and a cuddle with Honey and Biscuit, our host’s two adorable chihuahuas.

Stay tuned for day 2: Chelsea Market, the High Line, Chelsea Neighbourhood, Flatiron Building and Times Square.

But until then check out Adriana’s last article on impressions of an Eastern European in US.

Our first option was Portugal, but since we wanted to travel in September and had our hearts set on the seaside we knew bathing in the ocean was out of the question. Mallorca was another option, but it was quite expensive and then we found out that in Malaga it was supposed to be hotter. Hotter means warmer water too, right? After a bit of research, we decided that the smaller town Nerja is better for us: better beaches, beautiful water and not that crowded. So there we went!

What I loved about Spain

I have mixed feelings when it comes to Spain, after this trip. There a lot of things I really loved and made an impression on me. I also love the language, I find it romantic and sexy and it helps that I can speak a little Spanish However, there are things that will keep me from coming back soon, but more on that later.

The architecture

I think I must have photographed every door in Nerja! And every white wall dressed in colorful tiles. And I don’t think I saw a house I didn’t like. I loved the Spanish architecture so much, with neat white houses decorated with tile in blue, yellow or green.

But I think what I loved most were the strong wooden doors, simple yet fascinating. I also fell in love with their interior gardens, lush and green with high banana trees and heaps of flowers and greenery.

The vegetation

As I was saying above, I adored the lush, green vegetation in Spain. It didn’t resemble much of what I usually saw in Greece, and it felt more tropical than the Mediterranean.

It was the first time I actually saw bananas in the trees and frangipani flowers, but also a lot of other plants and flowers, so luxurious and so beautiful!

The desserts

Spanish food is not exactly my favorite, but their desserts are so delicious! I was especially in love with one of them: two meringues stuck together by a thick layer of caramel.

They also had a lot of varieties of ice cream, sold on the streets and hard to ignore. I liked one with cinnamon and my boyfriend was addicted to another one with chocolate and sour cherries.

And what I didn’t like about it

All in all, it was a beautiful vacation. We had good weather and such a great company that it was hard not to enjoy it. Still, I must touch on the reasons why I wouldn’t hurry back soon for a vacation in Malaga.

The food

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when I’m on vacation I love to dive into the local culture and food is an important aspect of it. Well, Spanish cuisine didn’t quite do it for me. The dishes are too heavy and greasy for my taste. And by the end of our stay there, we were almost afraid to order something off the menu after one too many failed attempts at having something good.

If you want to be safe, I would order paella, fried calamari, fish, and rabbit. But I would steer away from hamburgers, salads and anything resembling a stew – way too oily if you ask me.

Of course, I’ve only photographed the dishes I liked, and you might think that with what seems plenty of good options, why would I complain about the food? But the truth is that most of the meals were not great, so these were just exceptions in a 2-week stay.

The sea

Don’t get me wrong, the sea is gorgeous! Blue and crystal clear, it looks divine. But we were “fortunate” enough to arrive right after an oceanic current had entered the sea, making it almost impossible to swim. There were a few brave swimmers, boyfriend included of course, but I took a quick dip and that was it for me for the rest of the vacation.

I am not sure if that’s always the case, but being so close to the ocean I feel like the sea is usually colder than I think it’s comfortable for me.

Hospitality is not their strongest suit

I’ve been so many times to Greece, that I’ve become accustomed to the warm welcomes and friendly faces you see there in every hotel or restaurant.

Spain was not like that. I can’t say how many times we found bored or straight up rude waiters and we are not by far fussy or the type to complain. But when you ask for the bill and wait for 30 minutes, during which waiters place bets on a game and wait to see the results, I find that a bit irritating. I also was left disappointed when I ordered fresh octopus and got something canned and drenched in oil. Add to that that it was half hot and half cold from the microwave so I had to send it back.  I usually don’t send food back, but if it’s expensive and bad, I’m not going to pay for something else that I ordered. The waiter called us “bad persons” for doing that and we never returned to that restaurant.

I’ve heard a lot of people saying the Spanish are warm and fun, that was not my experience, but I keep an open mind and will give it another try for sure because I have my heart set on a city break in Barcelona. Plus I still regret not seeing the Picasso museums in Malaga and visiting Alhambra so maybe I will come back after all

What was your experience with Spain and especially Malaga? Let us know in the comments sections below!

Greek cuisine is rarely sophisticated or pretentious. It’s simple, flavourful and delicious! I could live on tzatziki with pita, fried calamari or mussels saganaki. Usually, when we go to Thassos we have our favorite restaurants that we have to check off the list, but this time we explored a little and I was pleasantly surprised.

1. Giorgo’s Tavern (George’s Tavern) – Limenaria

We probably had our best dinner here. It’s quite popular on Trip Advisor, so it’s best to either book a table in advance or go earlier. We went around 6 p.m. and it was perfect. Although it doesn’t look like much, just a regular blue tavern, with traditional dishes, George’s Tavern is a delight.

I loved that it played Greek music so slowly in the background. It made for a very relaxed atmosphere, with people talking to each other without having to raise their voices in order to cover the music.

This trip we opted to choose several starters and one main dish to share in order to sample more options. At George’s Tavern, we went for the usual tzatziki, grilled bread with olive oil and oregano and a Greek salad. To these, we added fried calamari, served with chips – absolutely delicious and grilled cheese. The cheese wasn’t necessarily my favorite, but my boyfriend loved it, so it really depends on what you crave at the moment.

Also, this was probably one of the cheapest meals we had on the island, except for the 2,5 Euros gyros you find everywhere, so a totally winning combo.

2. Agorasto’s – Kinira

We went to this restaurant simply because it’s perched somehow upper on a hill with a breathtaking view over the sea and a neighboring island. We didn’t regret it!

Whether at sunset or sunrise the view is spectacular. You get to enjoy your meal on a beautiful terrace, decorated with bougainvillea contrasting the white wood of the balcony. Once we were seated I thought it would take for a really crapy meal to disappoint me with that view, but fortunately, it wasn’t the case 

The dinner was exquisite. I ordered some simple fettuccine with tomato sauce and basil. I really appreciated the fresh and sweet tomatoes. My boyfriend wanted a chicken with mustard sauce that was good, but not necessarily the best option in their menu. We also chose to share a grilled pepper stuffed with cheese and a spicy cheese dip served with chips made of fried phyllo – so good!

And since we loved it so much here we decided to come back for breakfast. However, we were a bit disappointed by the lack of options. It was either a 10 Euro per person open bar that seemed a bit expensive and with not too many options. Or anything from the menu that was tailored more for lunch or dinner. So we chose tzatziki with grilled bread, a Greek salad and cheese croquettes, all delicious. Such a great start for the day.

3. Pizza Pub Mama – Potos

When in Greece my first choice would never be pizza. Partly because you can find it anywhere and also because there are so many traditional dishes to enjoy that pizza would seem like a waste of opportunity.

However because my boyfriend really craved pizza, on our last day we asked around and got to Pizza Pub Mama. It was supposed to be really good especially being baked in a pizza oven – and it really was. I especially liked that they had some “Greek” options such as gyros pizza and a lot of options that included feta cheese.

I went for a vegetarian one while my boyfriend had Pizza Mama, they were both delicious and not expensive.

4. Taverna Giorgo’s – Kinira

There are a lot of Giorgos in Greece so make no mistake, it’s not the same tavern as the one mentioned above. This one was located right at the end of the street where we stayed. So we went there twice when we were too tired to figure out something for dinner.

The food was good and so were the prices. We had tzatziki and they were actually the first to suggest grilled bread with olive oil and oregano since they didn’t have pita. That’s where we picked up the idea and asked for it at all the other restaurants. We also had a Greek salad, delicious gyros and really good calamari that went so well with Mythos beer. Unfortunately, we always went there late at night so the photos don’t really do justice to the dishes. That’s why after a few failed attempts, we stopped taking photos and just enjoyed the food.

5. Leonidas Tavern – Aliki Beach

We ate here before and I remembered they had delicious grilled octopus so of course, that was my first choice. It was a bit chewy-er than I remembered, especially for 12 Euros. I also had toast there in the morning (toast bread, ham, and cheese), we shared tzatziki and a really good baked feta with tomatoes and pepper.

A couple of years back I also had moussaka there. Although by anyone else’s standards it might have been great, I found it too greasy. But then again that’s the case with any moussaka you have in Greece if you ask me.

6. Beautiful Alice – Aliki Beach

Lunch here was nothing spectacular, but it was the only place that had pita bread, go figure. To understand why this is a big deal, pita bread is a traditional option for bread in Greece. So not being able to order in any restaurant was a bit strange and disappointing, but not a tragedy by far 

I had grilled gilt-head bream fish that was tasty, my boyfriend had chicken schnitzel with a white mushroom sauce that was really good. We also shared tzatziki and Greek salad.

7. Skidia Tavern – Kekes Beach

We loved Kekes Beach so much and having the lunch with a beautiful view of the sea was the best way to end our trip to Kekes.

As usual, we shared a Greek salad, tzatziki, and a gyros portion – and we were stuffed. The best thing? Desert on the house: a traditional semolina and cinnamon cake that I vaporized in minutes. Thank God my boyfriend didn’t want to share it!

8. Elena’s Tavern – Panagia

Two years ago we had an impromptu dinner here and one of our friends had skewered goat meat. I thought it was fantastic so I had to order it this time. It was still good, but not as good as I remembered.

My boyfriend ordered a gyros portion that was generous and tasty and we called it a night. If in Panagia you can give it a try, but I wouldn’t cross the island for it.

9 Gkoumas Pastry Shop – Potos and Panetteria – Panagia and Skala Potamia

All Greek cakes are to die for! Whether they’re made of phyllo and drenched in syrup, made of semolina and spiced with cinnamon or soft, silky custards – once you taste them you’ll be hooked.

Well, Gkoumas is a famous pastry shop in Potos, the only place on the island where you’ll find the Politikos cake. Made of a semolina cake base and a masticha custard, powdered in cinnamon, this cake is perfection on a plate! I went to Potos twice just for it and I never regretted a bite 

On the other hand, there is Panetteria. With at least 2 locations on the island (not sure if there are others too), it’s pretty hard to escape the temptation of stopping by and dropping 20 euros on boxes filled with syrupy, nutty treats. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you twice you need to give it a try.

10. Special mentions

During our previous vacations in Thassos, we visited a lot of places and tried a lot of dishes. Though I cannot give an accurate update on them based on this year’s trip, since we haven’t checked them, I would still encourage you to give them a try.

Paradise Beach Restaurant

Not to be mistaken with the beach bar situated at the other end of Paradise Beach, this restaurant used to have the best mussels saganaki I had. We also tried gyros and pizza here and I highly recommend it, especially since this is my favorite beach ever!

Hotel Dyonisos – Golden Beach

The first time we set foot on the island we asked the owner of a charming beach shop in Golden Beach where we could eat well. He recommended 2 options. For fast food, Palude, for anything else Dyonisos.

We had a lot of lunches and dinners there and we enjoyed it every time. Add to that the perfect view of the sea and there’s not much else you could ask for. Tip: listen to your waiter’s recommendations and order the bifteki with homemade tomato sauce!

Zorba’s – Limenas

We passed through Limenas a couple of times and we never stayed long enough to explore it. But, accidentally we discovered a lovely little restaurant where we had lunch twice. Given the chance, I would definitely go back.

There are so many places where you can eat well in Thassos! I think it’s safe to say that you can’t really go wrong, whatever you choose. Whether you grab gyros to go, experience a traditional meal at a taverna or try something more international at a hotel restaurant – everything is fresh, light and delicious.

But what I love most is the way Greeks serve their meals: no particular order, each meal arrives at the table once it’s ready and the food is always shared so that you can experience more at once.

P.S.: Make sure to check my other article to see the best beaches on Thassos. I have updated with the latest discoveries after our trip, this year.

And there’s no doubt of that considering this year it will be our 5th time there! I must admit that at first, I didn’t even consider it as a probable destination. It seemed too popular and commercial, what could it possibly have to offer? And that’s actually what everyone asks us every time we say we’re going back. Aren’t you bored? Why not visit other places, too… explore a little while you’re young? Isn’t Thassos more like a family/elders kind of spot? And the list goes on.

I could have never anticipated the deep connection and unexpected love I felt for this piece of land. Each summer they draw me back to Thassos. And this is how, after taking a break last year to visit Spain, my boyfriend and I felt the need to take the safe, known and beloved road to Thassos this year.

Why choose Thassos?

Everyone goes to Greece for the sea and the beaches, and Thassos has over 50 beaches to choose from. So here ‘s a list of our favorites, the main reason we keep coming back:

Marble Beach

Also known as Saliara, this is probably the most popular and beautiful beach in Thassos and all because of its deep turquoise color that resembles a tropical beach.There is a beach bar there where you can rent beach beds, umbrellas and also buy refreshments or a sandwich. You should also know that the road is not the best. That is why it’s a good idea to rent an ATV from Limenas or Golden Beach and improvise a 30 – 40 minutes safari to the beach.

Paradise Beach

This is my favorite beach by far because the water is crystal blue and so clear you can easily see your toes  Also because it has fine sand all the way in the water, it’s shallow and I’ve had the best mussels saganaki (tomato sauce and feta cheese) at the restaurant on the beach.

Also, this is the best spot to come if you like a wavy sea. Even on the sunniest, most clear-skyed of the days, at Paradise Beach there are always waves to play in. Some days they’re rougher than the others, but they are always a lot of fun!

Golden Beach

We stayed twice in this village and we loved how intimate it felt. The sea is clear, sandy and shallow and there’s a rock from which the brave (boyfriend included) take turns jumping into the sea. Last time we went, you would get 2 beach beds, an umbrella and a drink for 5 euros – neat!

Blue Bay Beach

I don’t actually think this beach has a name, but that’s how I call it after the only hotel you can see in the area, somewhere up on the cliffs. I think it’s actually one of the hidden gems of the island as it’s very little and looks kind of deserted but it’s the perfect spot for snorkeling (and skinny dipping  ). It’s not reachable by car, you have to drive up to a spot and then continue by foot, and you might want to keep your crocs on when swimming – thank you sea urchins!

Needless to say, there are no bars, beach beds, toilets or anything of the likes on this beach. So bring your own umbrella and lunch if you’d like to stay longer. Also, it’s good to know that this beach is close to Golden Beach, so worst case scenario you can go back there for shade and food.

Pefkari Beach

It’s perfect for snorkeling, that’s probably why they also have a scuba diving center here. You can also find one in Potos, but Pefkari is less crowded. It also doesn’t hurt that when you’re finished swimming you can grab a delicious lunch from one on of the many restaurants nearby.

Pefkari is also known as one of the most colorful seaside villages in Thassos, thanks to its’ vibrant vegetation, but also to the traditional buildings in gorgeous shades of blue.

Note: the photos below are not taken during a scuba dive session. My boyfriend took the photos while snorkeling around, so there’s a lot to see!

Aliki Beach

It’s a very small beach, so make sure you arrive early in order to grab a sunbed, or two. If you know you like to sleep in, or you are a larger group you can book the sunbeds a day in advance from one of the tavernas. The sea is beautiful, though rocky. However, the main attraction for me is the road that leads you up the cliffs, with a gorgeous view of the sea and that ends at an archaeological site.

Kekes Beach

Although it looks a bit like an alien beach, due to the fires that ravaged the island, this little corner of untouched nature is a dream.

There aren’t any sunbeds or umbrellas here, so you will have to bring your own. And then figure out how to prop them into the stones, as there are no sandy shores either. But it’s all worth it. Because this beach doesn’t get crowded, the water is perfect and the views are breathless. Plus you can have a delicious lunch at Skidia Tavern.

Trypiti Beach

This is a wide sandy beach, not very crowded and popular with families that stay at the hotel placed right on the beach. I wouldn’t mention this one if it wasn’t for a lagoon nearby. It’s not necessarily swim-able, but it looks pretty. You can also rent sunbeds here and eat really well.

Livadi Beach

Livadi is a small beach, a good option if you want to avoid the crowded beaches. It’s not sandy, so bring your crocs with you as the shore is quite rocky and you risk injuring your feet getting into the water. There’s a small beach bar that serves sandwiches and drinks, but there’s no toilet in sight. I suppose the closest one is taking the car up back to the main road and finding the first restaurant, but that would be a while. Actually, when we were there last time and asked where the toilet is, the guy at the bar pointed laughing to the sea… so be prepared to take that way or the highway, literally!

What you can skip

Makryamos Bungalows

We didn’t stay there, but many seem excited about the ideal position and the 4 stars they promise. We visited someone there and rooms seemed very old, with paint peeling off the ceiling. The beach is also not the best I’ve seen on the island and it all seems isolated from the beautiful sights of Thassos.

Potos beach

It’s a great place to base your accommodation, but don’t bother to go to the beach. It’s so crowded and it really doesn’t offer anything out of the ordinary. Rent a car (if you don’t have one) and explore the island.

Limenaria Beach

Same situation as in Potos, only the beach here is not necessarily crowded, but very small.

Giola

You will see mesmerizing photos of this natural pool, nestled on the rocky shores, but most of them are edited. The water is dirty and stinky, the rocks are crawling with some kind of bugs and it’s a long rocky walk to get there and back. Many who’ve been there liked it and will advise you it’s a “must-see”, but I wouldn’t hurry back.

Kinira

This year (2017) we stayed in Kinira because we found a nice accomodation, that seemed close to the beach and wasn’t that expensive. Unfortunately, the beach that was 5 minutes away is actually very rocky, narrow and the sea was kind of smelly 

Also, Kinira seems to be more like in between villages so there are little options in terms of supermarkets and restaurants as opposed to bigger villages such as Golden Beach or Potos.

Let’s get started.

1) Guys don’t stay for the ride

If you’re hoping to find the man of your dreams (or just a man) you’re in for a long wait. I don’t want to sound discouraging, but none of my Estonian girl friends were happy with their marriage/partner. I say “were” because ALL of them are divorced, separeted and pursuing new relationships with more hot-blooded nationalities.

But what’s wrong with these guys, you might ask? Well, they’re just too slow (a word you’ll hear very often when talking about Estonians.) Too slow to do or feel anything. How come? We can only assume it has to do with the fact that there aren’t enough men in Estonia.

An interesting stat says there are 119 women for every 100 men and that number is rising to 130 women in the capital city, Tallinn. For men,  It’s almost like going to the supermarket and getting promotions for everything they want, because the market needs to stay competitive.

Ok, maybe it’s a bit of an exaggeration, still, it makes sense. Guys don’t bother to make “the perfect purchase”. They grab the discounted offer and if that doesn’t work out they throw it away for another.

2) There’s no family culture

At least not in the traditional way. Research links the rising number of unofficial marriages and high divorce rates to the countries where societies have not been traditionally religious. This is where Estonia ticks the box.

In this little country, the divorce rate is one of the highest in Europe. Marriage is not a value, it’s a failure.

3) There’s no successful family model

Let’s get teary. Do you still remember how great it was when you were a kid? All those lovely Christmas holidays where all family gathers together. My mom and dad always take one week in advance to prepare all delicious foods while everyone around them gets excited.

If you have a similar picture in your mind then you’re lucky. In Estonia, kids grow up in mono-parental families and likely go through one divorce, at least. In fact, figures show that in Tallinn alone 80% of high school students are living in single parent families. Their experience with the concept of “family” is likely very different than mine.

One in five Estonian families is made up of a single mother and her children. This means kids grow up surrounded by friends that come from single-parent families. Many have witnessed fights and carry on their parents’ grief, buried somewhere inside. Many carry it all the way through their life.

Ok, I might be a little overdramatic here, but you get my point. From what I’ve seen in my 4+ years of living in Estonia, they’re not the best at “familying.”

4) People give in easily

Now let’s go back to my favorite topic. Religion. This is a tricky word. I’m not sure if this is because Estonians are scared of it or simply because they don’t give a hack. In every Estonian’s head “religion” means “manipulation,” definitely not sexy. Given their history with Religion who’s going to blame them (I am!)

As someone growing up in an orthodox society, I feel the lack of spirituality in the Estonian mentality. I grew up with priests teaching us funny prayers everyone loved (like My Little Angel). Our local priest, also our class teacher, would invite us to church and we’d (10-year-olds) leave him notes on pieces of paper, scattered all over the church.

We were curious and imaginative and he never discouraged this behavior. Instead, he’d build our trust in ourselves and prepared our minds to explore different possibilities: a hidden universe with magical angelic beings (and some sad stories of people being the subject of multiple injustices aka the Bible.)

Upon analyzing my thought process as an adult, I can’t help thinking what a great defense mechanism this has been for me. It taught me that no matter the situation, or how bad life hits you, there’s always a place of hope that never fails you.

That’s why we don’t quit, we don’t get shattered to pieces (as hard as others), that’s why we recover from hard times. That’s why we stay in a relationship and not hit the door, that’s why we fix our toys instead of throwing them away.

I just can’t imagine how other people do it! That’s right, they declare themselves as “the least religious country in the world”, they drink the pain away and say bye-bye to life (Estonia stands out for the high number of alcohol-related deaths: 21.4 percent of all casualties.) They change the people who can’t fix their problems for them (Estonia made it on top 10 most divorced nations.)

Welcome to Estonia, where the strong-minded live!