Mark Nicholls hikes across western Crete with a group of solo travellers from the Mistral Hotel. Guest feature by Mark Nicholls Across the mountainous landscape of western Crete, diverse paths plot a course through some of the Mediterranean’s finest walking terrain. They edge along cliff sides, open onto broad beaches, descend into shaded woodland, […]
Athens Food Walking Tour
Gastronomy in Athens, Greece – a Walking Tour I was in Greece as the guest of Gastronomos magazine, the foodie magazine published by the respected Kathimerini daily newspaper. I was there to cover their Food Producer Awards which were in their 9th year and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gastronomos with an ‘Athens Foodie Walking Tour’. I travel to […]
Day Trips from Chania, Crete
Three Not to be Missed Experiences in and around Chania, Crete. Visiting Crete? If you are based in or around Chania, as I was last year when I stayed at the Mistral Hotel, Maleme, you have a great opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside and coastline. Of course, you’ll need to spend time in Chania […]
Cruising the Mediterranean with Sun Fun You
A Turkish Gulet Sailing Trip with Sun Fun You – Health and Fitness on the Mediterranean: It’s ‘goolet’ not ‘gullet’ said Ali, our guide for a week-long health and fitness cruise around the Mediterranean. However, it should be pronounced, cruising in a traditional Turkish sailing vessel seemed like a particularly appealing way to spend the first […]
Mistral Crete – A Home for the Independent Traveller
Mistral Singles Hotel, Maleme, Crete: Solo travelling has plenty of plus points. There’s never a need to agree on plans. You can spend as much time by the pool, on the beach, at the museum or hiking to the top of the mountain as you like. The downsides? Well, who do you share those experiences […]
From Athens to Venice with Seabourn Odyssey – a First Time Cruise Diary #extraordinaryworlds
Day One – The Neophyte Arrives in Athens: I am, truth be told, a little apprehensive. On paper, the idea of travelling in a floating hotel by night, reaching a new destination each morning, sounds fabulous. But, unlike conventional travel, if I don’t like where I’m staying I won’t be in a position to change […]
Athletes and Barbarians – Seabourn Extraordinary Worlds
Olympia with Seabourn: Up early, with breakfast in my suite at 7.00am, I can make the stretch class before I need to leave for Olympia at 8.15. Who said there was anything lazy about cruising? I guess it is very much about what you choose to do. This trip with Seabourn is my first proper […]
A Day of Rest – Nydri, Nisos Lefkada, Greece with Seabourn #ExtraordinaryWorlds
First Time Cruise Marina Sports, Spa and Beach in Nydri, Lefkada: Trying a cruise for the first time, I was keen to make the most of the shore excursions. After two days of substantial trips though, it was time to step back a bit, especially as I had a facial booked at the spa on […]
Varoulko Seaside – The Finest Seafood in Greece
Varoulko at Mikromlano, Greece: Mikrolimano is a beautifully situated Marina nestling in a bay next to Athens’ bustling port of Piraeus. I was last here about five years ago coming to eat fresh fish at one of the restaurants that overlooked the water. Since then there has been more development including Varoulko Seaside, a flagship […]
Monemvasia and More – Seabourn #ExtraordinaryWorlds
Day Two – Monemvasia with Seabourn Odyssey: My cunning plan to order breakfast in my suite before the stretch class backfires a tad. I wake and shower – then wrap myself in towels to hear the chime of the doorbell. Without thinking, I go to the door to find a waiter with breakfast to set […]