The Amazing Murals of the Hotel Ruins of Alyko

The secluded cape of Alyko in the southwest of Naxos island is surrounded by the most beautiful coves and beaches. But Alyko is not only famous for its idyllic secluded bays. It has actually a real landmark. Pretty much in the center of the peninsula is a long-abandoned and uncompleted resort. Today, these hotel ruins of Alyko are decorated with murals by street artists from all over the world. 

Mural at the Ghost Hotel in Alyko Beach in Naxos
This mural that basically bursts through walls was created by Indonesian street artist Wild Drawing – or in short WD. It is definitely the most famous and most photographed of the works at Alyko’s open-air gallery.
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GUADELOUPE: Complete Guide And Perfect Itineraries (also for travels by public bus)

Its unique shape of a delicate butterfly makes Guadeloupe one of the most beautiful and outstanding islands in the Caribbean. But the fact that Guadeloupe consists of two separate wings is not only charming. These two parts, which are only separated by a narrow strait, are also geologically very different.
In this post, I put together itineraries including all the information and tips that will help you plan your own trip to Guadeloupe. Especially if you prefer to explore this tropical paradise by public bus.

Parade in Sainte Anne in Guadeloupe
They certainly know how to throw a grand parade in Guadeloupe.

On the one hand, there is the eastern part of Grande Terre, which is best known for its flat and pleasing terrain. To the west lies Basse Terre, the larger of the two wings. Its center is characterized by untamed and mountainous wilderness.

Oh yes, Guadeloupe has many sides’n’sites worth discovering, and I’m taking pleasure in introducing them all in my posts.

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Guadeloupe: What Not to Miss on a Visit to the Island of Marie Galante

Apart from the main double-winged island, Guadeloupe actually consists also of four smaller isles that are absolutely worth at least a day trip. The most famous of those gems scattered around the main, butterfly-shaped island is certainly Marie Galante, and in this post, I’m telling you what you should not miss on your visit – even if you’re going there only for a day.

What Not to Miss on a Visit to the Island of Marie Galante: City beach Grand Bourg
Marie Galante’s Plage du Bourg.
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The Best and Most Beautiful Beaches of Naxos

There is this grand history. There are those picturesque mountain villages. You can hike for hours alongside those Mediterranean olive groves and climb mountains from where you’ll have majestic views of the Aegean sea. All this is fine and dandy. But Naxos’ strongest suits are undeniably the beautiful long golden beaches hemming turquoise crystal clear waters. In this guide, I show you how to get to the best beaches of Naxos comfortably by public bus.

Agios Prokopios Beach in Naxos
Please, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the view of Agios Prokopios Beach.
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Guide to the Island of FEHMARN – Where Plan B is the Best Plan

Beaches, Breezes, Birds, and endless fields of Brassica Napus – I don’t really have to explain why on the Baltic island of Fehmarn Plan B is the Best Plan, do I?

Renata Green riding a bike on the island of Fehmarn
Cycling along rapeseed fields – the basic activity of our stay on Fehmarn. (Photo: Mimi Green)

Therefore, I’ve had a soft spot for the Northgerman Island of Fehmarn for the longest time.

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Best Places to Visit in Basse Terre, the Western Wing of GUADELOUPE (also by public bus)

Its unique shape of a butterfly makes Guadeloupe one of the most beautiful and outstanding islands in the Caribbean. The fact that it consists of two wings is not only captivating. These two parts, which are only separated by a narrow strait, are also geologically very different. After having introduced the rather laid-back part of Grand Terre in my last post, it’s time to see the best places in Basse Terre, the western wing of Guadeloupe, that you can just as easily visit even by public bus.

Deshaies, one of the Best Places in Basse Terre you can easily visit by Public Bus.
Basse Terre, the lush western wing of Guadeloupe.
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NAXOS – Five Best Things in Five Days

Exceptional beaches, picturesque mountain villages, hikes between sheep and olive trees, antique temples, and a mysterious hotel ruin: Here are the five best things not to miss on Naxos.

Chora of Naxos - One of the Five Best Things to do on the island
The Chora of Naxos seen through the eyes Gate of Apollo.

So pack your swimsuit as well as your hiking boots and follow me to Greece’s largest and arguably most amazing island.

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Best Places to Visit in Grand Terre, the Eastern Wing of GUADELOUPE (also by public bus)

The main islands of the Guadeloupe archipelago spread their wings in the Caribbean Sea like a beautiful butterfly. These two parts are so different that it is hard to believe that they are in fact the same piece of land. While the western part that goes by the name of Basse Terre is mountainous, overgrown, and rough, the eastern wing called Grand Terre attracts visitors with gently rolling hills, settlements steeped in history, colonial architecture, and, above all, countless dreamy bays lined with sea grape and coconut palms.
So come on, let me introduce you to the best places in Grand Terre that you can even explore comfortably by public bus.

Two of the Best Places in Grand Terre to visit by Public Bus: Le Moule and the adjacent Plage de l'Autre Bord.
View of the town of Le Moule from the adjacent Plage de l’Autre Bord.
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The Island of IOS During Off-Season

Right from the start, let’s put two things straight: Firstly, Ios is not a mobile operating system but one of the Cycladic Islands. And secondly, during the off-season, the island of Ios does not live up to its reputation as a notorious teenage rampage party destination. As soon as all those juvenile disco queens and kings return to their original realms, Ios becomes a very laid-back, even serene island full of natural beauty and tranquility.

The Chora of Ios from above.
The Chora of Ios from above.

To be honest, I don’t even remember exactly what made me come to Ios in the first place. I actually think that it was primarily the island’s convenient location halfway between Santorini and Naxos. So why not squeeze in a couple of days on yet another of the Cyclades? And I certainly didn’t regret it.

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SITGES – a Posh Seaside Resort South of Barcelona

Small but excellent – Sitges, a fancy seaside resort less than an hour south of Barcelona, has enchanted visitors for decades. While bourgeois families spent their summer retreat on the town’s fine sand beaches, artists and intellectuals gathered to share inspiration, but also local delicacies and drinks, obviously.

Església de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla in Sitges.
Already because of the prominent spot right on top of the crashing waves, the Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla church remains Sitges’ most iconic landmark.

Today, Sitges is still a popular summer escape from Barcelona’s hustle and bustle.

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