Tag Archives: greece

Top 10, Travel, Uncategorized

Travel-lusting: Oia, Santorini, Greece

Santorini, GreeceNHYM1

All Photos Copyright of NHYM 2015. 

2015 was Greece’s year, although not necessarily for good reasons. Greece has made the media spotlight for it’s shambolic economy that closed down ATMs and banks and froze money coming in and out of Greece. But let’s look at the positives coming from Greece: a travel-lusting destination. I know at least 6 couples that are currently in Greece: Mykonos for the party people, Santorini for couples or Sani Resort for families, there’s something for everyone.

For a romantic long weekend a deux, sans kids, Santorini is my top pick. Often chosen as a top honeymoon destination, Oia never fails to impress with those towering views over the underwater volcano. It is a quick, direct Easjyet flight and in a few hours you could be basking in the Greek sun.

In Oia, all the hotels share the same views, so you can’t go wrong. Here are some of the hotels I recommend:

  1. Pezoules Hotel: www.http://pezoules.gr
  2. Katikies Hotel: http://www.katikies.com
  3. Kirini Suites & Spa: http://www.kirini.com
  4. Perivolas: http://www.perivolas.gr
  5. Mystique: http://mystique.gr

And the restaurant not to miss is the Sunset Taverna in the fishing village down the other side of the mountain. Fresh Greek Seabream there is an absolute must when visiting Oia.

Don’t forget a boat ride around the island, also another must-do.

Here are some photos. Go on, lust away.

SantoriniGreeceNHYM2

TablesSantoriniGreece10NHYM

SantoriniGreece7NHYM

SantoriniGreece5NHYM

SantoriniGreece8NHYM

SunsetOiaSantoriniGreece10NHYM

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

@NHyummymummy

SantoriniGreece6NHYM

Standard
Top 10, Travel

Top 10 Best European Beaches

best-beaches-europe

Plage Notre Dame, Porquerolles, France. All photos in this post courtesy of the internet. NHYM 2015.

‘Where will you be this summer?’

New York may have the Hamptons, but London has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world just one or two hours away. Comparable to beaches in the Carribean or the Indian Ocean, they have stunning scenery, powdery sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Here I have compiled some of my favourite beaches as well as some that I think are unique in terms of scenery, location and beauty. Many of these are best visited low-mid season, during May, June and September to avoid the crowds, and are best visited by boat (and by that I mean your-own-private-boat rather than a cruise boat). I’m hoping to go to at least one or two this summer. Who’s coming?

Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe: 

1. Notre Dames, Porquerolles, France

iles-porquerolles-041296070690

Notre Dame Beach in Porquerolles, France has just been voted the Best European Beach 2015 by Best European Destinatons, so here it kicks off my Top 10 Best European Beaches. The best way to experience it is by sailboat, so for the boat lovers out there, this one is definitely worth checking out.

2. Playa Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

1341004091_850215_0000000000_sumario_normal

For the party goers, going from Ibiza to Formentera by powerboat is just about the best day trip you could ever dream of. Have lunch at Juan y Andrea, and then listen to Cafe del Mar blasting out of your Sunseeker as the Sun sets. Absolute bliss.

3. Egremni, Lefkada, Greece

Beautiful_summer_white_Egremni_beach_on_Ionian_Sea_Lefkada_Greece_.800x600

The Ionian islands have a plethora of beautiful beaches, including Egremni, but also Porto Katsiki nearby. Beware of boat cruises which will ruin the whole experience, so best to visit during the mid-low season when the tourists are still far away. Best done by private boat.

4. Cala Mariolu, Sardinia, Italy

B9ZCD00Z

Sardinia has so many beautiful beaches, it is difficult to choose one. Of course Cala Mariolu is famed to be one of its best. I also love the beaches of Southern Sardinia, which are reminiscent of the Seychelles with similar rock formations and clear waters.

5. Pinarello, Corsica, France

Pinarello_Beach_House_3

Corsica has a laid back, beach-chic attitude that I love, contrasting with the bling – bling of nearby Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda. Hotel Les Pecheurs has some of the most secluded and stunning beaches you could ask for, even the though the hotel itself could do with a refurbishment. Try to the Lobster Linguine there though, it is to die for.

6. Myrtos, Kefalonia, Greece

Myrtos-Beach

Here, it’s all about that view. Also in the Ionian islands, the Greeks do have some of the best beaches in Europe. Also recommended to visit off season.

7. Cala Maracellata, Menorca, Spain

Macarelleta-1

It may be a nudist beach, but these nudists have good taste. It’s a long hike to get there, so best to go by boat.

8. Plage Mala, Cap D’ail, France

eden-plage-mala

One of my all time favourite European beaches, you can only get there by foot down 179 steps or by boat. It has two beach clubs, my favourite being ‘La Reserve de La Mala,’ it combines dramatic cliffs, clear waters, and a fun atmosphere. You can’t beat a morning cappuccino on this beach.

9. Zlatni Rat, Brac, Croatia

Golden_Cape

This beach wins for its unique, changing shape with the winds and its incredibly clear waters due to the channel currents. It’s not particularly safe to swim and is a pebble beach, so loses some points. But it wins some back for the party goers, who will head back to Hvar for its great party vibe and infamous Carpe Diem Club.

Portuguese_beach_Algarve

10. Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal

With unique and memorable rock outcroppings, this beach deserves a place in my T0p 10. Absolutely stunning.

Have a great summer!

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

@NHyummymummy

Standard
Photos, Top 10, Travel

Top 10: Best Mediterranean-Sea-View Boutique Hotels

Looking for something to do this summer? For a little Pre-Summer Travel-Lust, check out these lesser known Top 10 Best Mediterranean-Sea-View Boutique Hotels.

(All Photos of the Hotels Courtesy of the Internet)

cap-estel-1

1. Cap Estel, Cote d’Azur, France. http://www.capestel.com/uk/index.php. In an absolutely gorgeous setting, this feels more like visiting someone’s private villa, except with Theo Walcott and his WAG lounging next to you. Kids Allowed.

U-Capu-Biancu-piscine

2. U Capu Biancu, Bonifacio, Corsica. http://www.ucapubiancu.com/uk/hotel-4-etoiles-bonifacio-corse-site-officiel.php This lovely Boutique Hotel is in a wonderful location at the tip of Corsica with amazing views and has loads of charm. It is surprisingly kid friendly, with well behaved children swimming in the pool, playing with the house donkeys, and dining next to you without feeling the need to iPad them (lending the kids an iPad to shut them up during an ‘adults dinner.)’

italy_amalfi_coast_santa_caterina_7

3. Santa Caterina, Amalfi Coast, Italy. http://www.hotelsantacaterina.it/en/index. With the freshest, most deliciously prepared pasta made at the downstairs restaurant and the cliff-top sea views, Santa Caterina won our hearts ten times over. Close call choosing this one vs. the Sirenuse at Positano, another firm favourite.

il-pellicani-l1863

4. Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole, Italy.http://www.pellicanohotel.com/en/ Just an hour away from Rome exists a legendary Italian hotel, with its swimming pool famously captured by Slim Aarons, Juergen Teller and John Swope. (Il Pellicano was just mentioned in this weekend’s FT How To Spend It). Amazingly delicious 2* star Michelin restaurant makes the stay all the better.

03_hotel_spa_des_pecheurs_hotel

5. Hotel des Pecheurs, Cavallo, Corsica. http://www.hoteldespecheurs.com There is only one hotel on this island so the hotel can afford not to have the grandest for what you pay, but the location, location, location is spectacular. Italy meets France on this island, where the Italians have become French and the French have become Italian, and for once it is a happy marriage.

Gecko-Beach-Club-Formentera-Photo-El-Club-29

6. Gecko Club, Formentera. http://www.geckobeachclub.com/#/home-es Another top spot for location. Formentera makes you feel like you are in the Carribean waters and the Gecko is the only Boutique hotel on it. Let’s not forget the easy access to Juan y Andrea restaurant where you will see half of London during the August Bank Holiday and won’t need to fight for a yacht parking space.

Luxury_Hotel

7. Bill & Coo, Mykonos, Greece. http://www.bill-coo-hotel.com This one is for the foodies. The restaurant at Bill & Coo has already received endless accolades, so much so, that their Head Chef successfully brought Modern Greek food to Notting Hill’s MAZI, one of NYHM local hangouts. Kids Allowed.

mystique-santorini

8. Mystique Oia Santorini, Greece. http://mystique.gr. This one is for your 5th anniversary of ‘Life with Kids.’ Find anyone to look after your children while you pretend to be on your first trip away together and re-enact the scene in Girls when Hannah pretends to meet Adam for the first time in Series 3 (except that everything goes smoothly during your re-enactment).

hotel-la-casitta4

9. La Casitta, Santa Maria, Sardegna. http://www.lacasitta.com. This private island doesn’t have any hotels, so this isn’t so much a hotel rather than a luxury guest house, but it is in a stunning location for those wanting complete privacy and who can’t stand the glitzy bling of the Costa Smeralda. Let the sun do the shining here.

plage1

10. Tahiti Beach, St. Tropez, France. http://www.tahiti-beach.com/en.php. For those who have never had the St. Tropez Beach Experience and want to get a taste of what it’s really like. This one has it’s own beach club right on Pampelonne beach where you can lunch among the St. Tropez set.

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

(The below photos of Cap Estel were taken by NHYM, therefore belong to NHYM. Copyright 2014).

P1000384 cap estel Notting Hill yummy mummy cap estelnottinghillyummymummycapestelhotelnottinghillyummymummycapestelnottinghillyummymummy2capestelsunsetnottinghillyummymummy

Standard