Posts Tagged ‘travel’

Puglia

Puglia
Puglia
 

 Puglia: read my Top Tips for a great vacation

Puglia
Puglia
 

At the end of September, I had the chance to cross another dream destination off my bucket list: Puglia, Italy. With summer coming to an end, I’ll admit my spirits were a bit down as I prepared for the dark and cold Viennese autumn and winter to come.

But this trip perked me up and gave me a final taste of summery warmth and sunshine to look forward to.

Puglia
Puglia
 
Puglia
Puglia
 
Puglia: A Trip to Italy’s Untouched Region

I had never been to Puglia before. So this trip was to be a chance to explore somewhere entirely new while speaking Italian all day long.

Plus — who doesn’t get excited about the food in Italy? Pizza, pasta, gelato, it’s an overwhelming feast for the senses and taste-buds.

Puglia
Puglia
 
A Trip to Puglia: How to Eat, Drink, and Explore Your Way Through Italy’s Heel

And now, I hope you will come with me! As I reflect on my time in Puglia, I want to share my Top Tips and all the hot spots to visit. Plus some of my favourite photos of the trip. Perhaps they’ll inspire you to plan your next journey to Italy — and follow a similar itinerary to mine.

Puglia

1st stop: Polignano a mare

Oh, is there anything more exhilarating than arriving after a long trip at the gorgeous Italian coast? Polignano al mare, perched on the shore of the Adriatic, opens its watery gates to all those who travel from far and wide to stay here. And trust me — they do!

The tiny town was jammed on the Sunday afternoon when we arrived, with tourists shopping, dining al fresco at cafés, and gazing out at the turquoise waves.

For much of the afternoon, we wandered. But at points I had to stop and remember how lucky I felt just to be here in this heavenly spot.

Extra tip: Next to our hotel we found a place that was making yummy sandwiches with octopus and burrata. Yum!

Hotel: Giovì Relais

Restaurant: Grotta Ardito

Puglia
Puglia
 
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Puglia

Puglia

2nd stop: Monopoli

It was difficult to pull ourselves away from the intoxicating views of Polignano al mare, but the next phase of our excursion beckoned. Pauline and I packed up the car and drove to Monopoli. It’s a short drive — only twenty minutes or so — but still, for such a brief distance away, we encountered our fair share of wacky moments.

For instance, a man I’d never met before started singing a song for me featuring my name. “Viva Silia, welcome to Monopoli!” he called the improvised tune. A greengrocer share a few slices of fresh fruit with us, out in the fresh air on the street. A former craftsman brought us to the tiny shop where he used to repair shoes years ago. And we had a brush with fame — we saw a group of people filming a movie right on the beach. It was as close as we came to Hollywood this trip.

If you would care to spend a night or two in the charming town of Monopoli, check out this beautiful hotel, the Don Ferrante!

Puglia
Puglia
 

 

3rd stop: Ostuni, also known as the White City

Like a castle on a hill, Ostuni is an enclave on a cliff overlooking more of that crystalline, sapphire water I treasure so much. The city itself is almost all white and there’s something very striking about that, as well as its wild cacti protruding from every crevice.

Check out Taverna Della Gelosia for a delicious meal!

Hotel: Masseria Grieco

Restaurant: Tito Schipa

Book your stay in Puglia with Booking.com

 

Book your stay in Puglia with Booking.com

4th stop: Alberobello, famous for its Trulli houses

At our final stop in Puglia — Alberobello — we met Valerio, the vivacious owner of our hotel. We fell in love with the Trattoria Terra Madre’s spectacular cuisine, and overall had a wonderful time.

The press trip concluded with a short visit to Locorotondo, where we had dinner at the restaurant Bina ristorante di Puglia.

Hotel: Palazzo Scotto

Restaurant: Trattoria Terra Madre

Book your stay in Puglia with Booking.com

 
Puglia: A hidden gem in Italy

I came away from this adventure fully appreciating just how unique Puglia is — it’s an Italian treasure that will make an indelible impact on you. I would like to thank ENIT Italia, which in collaboration with the Region of Puglia and Losurdo Viaggi, organized this individual press trip for us.

 

And of course, big thanks to our new friend Pasquale, our amazing driver who kept us company as we roamed Puglia and took us in its stunning sites.

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Disclaimer: Press trip with ENIT Italia, Region of Puglia and Losurdo Viaggi. This blog post contains affiliate links. I get a commission if you make a purchase through the links which comes at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for using my links.

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

On the 2nd of June, a group of journalists and I flew from Vienna to Aktion National Airport in Preveza on a press trip organized by the Greek Tourism board and My Austrian holidays.

That was the beginning of a great adventure. We were set to explore 4 islands in the Ionian sea: Lefkada Kefalonia, Meganisi, and Ithaka.

Four Greek islands that I have never been before. I was excited to see these new places and capture their natural beauty with my camera.

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

Once we landed in Preveza, we were transferred to Lefkada island where we spent the first 3 days of our press trip. At this point, I would like to thank our travel guide Mr. Spiros Zampelis for spending everyday with us during our stay, and showing us around the beauty of Lefkada.

It was so nice to have a great guide, such as Mr. Zampelis. It made our whole travel experience in a new place so much more interesting and meaningful.

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

Travel tips for Lefkada

Hotels: Ionion Blue hotel, Galini hotel
Beaches: Pefkoulia beach, Porto Katsiki beach, Kathisma beach
Best Coctail bar/restaurant in Lefkada: Fly Me
Taverna : Burano

LEFKADA KEFALONIA
LEFKADA KEFALONIA
 
LEFKADA KEFALONIA
LEFKADA KEFALONIA
 

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

SUPPORT MY WORK!

If you enjoy my content and you’d like to support this channel, so that I will be able to continue offering you that kind of content, please consider using the below AFFILIATE LINKS (Booking & Amazon).

If you make a booking with BOOKING.COM with my link or a purchase on AMAZON.COM with my link, I earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you.

Click here for Booking.com

Click here for Amazon.com

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for using my affiliate links! Helps a lot!

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

MEGANISI 

During one of those days in Lefkada, we visited Meganisi, a hidden gem in the Ionion sea. That was my absolute favorite part of the whole trip. In Meganisi we also had a great host.

Mr. George Vasileiou-Mourkoyannis organized a very thoughtful daily program for us in order to make the most of the one day we had to spent on the island.

Once you arrive in a place for the very first time, you need to know the right persons, right? ; )

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

Meganissi is for those who are into slow living, privacy and tranquility.

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

Take the ferry from Lefkada to Meganisi for a one day trip. But in my opinion, the best way to enjoy Meganisi to the fullest is to rent a yacht and a villa…and stay longer than just one day. For lunch go to the TOP sea food Tavern Errikos.

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

From Lefkada, you can easily get access to Kefalonia by ferry.

Travel tips for Kefalonia

The most picture perfect villages: Fiskardo and Asos!

Beaches: Myrtos beach, Xi beach, Makrys Gialos, Platis Gialos, Fteri beach, Skala, Pessada beach, Antisamos beach

Hotel recommendation: White Rocks

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

If you prefer to stay in Argostoli, please check out this amazing boutique hotel: Kefalonia Grand hotel. 

Argostoli has amazing pastries shops! Check “Glikon Esti”!

Taverna : Apolafsi

Fancy wine tasting? Go to Foivos

Points of Interest: The Cave Lake of Melissani

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

Book your stay in Kefalonia with Booking.com

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

Travel tips for Ithaka

Cafe Margarita in Stavros village

Lunch at ODYSSEAS (Raftopoulos- Tzanetos) in Frikes seaside village

LEFKADA KEFALONIA

Many thanks to the Greek Tourism Board, My Austrian holidays and the Regions of Lefkada Kefalonia for the opportunity to visit Lefkada Kefalonia, Meganisi and Ithaka! 

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*Disclaimer: The trip to Lefkada and Kefalonia was a press trip. However, all words, comments and thoughts in this post are my own. This blog post contains affiliate links. I get a commission if you make a purchase through the links which comes at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for using my links.

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
 
Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
 
As you may have already noticed on Instagram, last June I embarked on a great adventure.

I went island hopping in Greece. During my Greek island adventure, I stayed in 8 hotels in total. One of those was the Blue Sand, a charming Boutique Hotel that has views to Agali Bay in Folegandros.

I have done this in other destinations and I did it once again at Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites. I spent the first four days in the hotel and didn’t leave Agali Bay. Even though it was my first visit to Folegandros and we were curious to explore the whole island, my friend Pauline and I decided to hang around the hotel instead. Tell me if I’m wrong…

We simply wanted to soak in all the beauty of the landscape, breathe in and out, relax in our hotel room, and take as many photos as possible. And we couldn’t have found a better place to do just that.

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
Folegandros tips, where to stay!
 
Folegandros tips, where to stay!
Folegandros tips, where to stay!
 
Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
 

Agali Beach and Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites had us covered in every way. We were within close proximity to everything our soul and mind needed: the beach, a choice of tavernas, a traditional cafe and wifi…

Plus, we were told that if we took the coastal path to the right of the hotel, we would discover three other secluded and unspoiled beaches. We did just that! Pauline and I love walking, so we didn’t miss the chance to go for a walk.

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites
 

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites


Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites

A beachfront picnic

On one of those balmy summer evenings during our stay in Folegandros, our boutique hotel set up a beachfront picnic for us.

The team at the Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites created the perfect atmoshpere using stylish rugs, boho-chic pillows, and lanterns. They spoiled us with with cheese plates and champagne. We were lucky to have someone who knew how to do all this right.

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites

I have always found it hard to find the right words to describe amazing places and unforgettable experiences. I prefer to let the photos above do the talking. All I know is that we were lucky and privileged to have spent a few days at the Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites in Folegandros. We feel forever mesmerized by the entire experience and we wish to come back.

Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites

Thank you Katerina, Spiros, Vasilis and Panagiotis.

The Viennese Girl visited Folegandros island in partnership with the Greek Tourism board.

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*Disclaimer: My stay at Blue Sand Boutique Hotel & Suites was hosted. All words, comments and thoughts in this post are my own. This post may also contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you make a purchase through the links which comes at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for using my links.

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