Tag: Islands

A Self-Guided Bus Tour to Naxos’ 5 Most Beautiful Mountain Villages

Posted onAuthorRenata9 Comments

Yes, there are those paradisiac beaches lining the island of Naxos. But the true travel connoisseur makes sure to explore also Naxos’ hinterland for at least one day. Don’t wanna drive up those crazy serpentines yourself? No problem since Naxos’ 5 most beautiful mountain villages can be conveniently visited on a self-guided tour by public bus. All you need is an elaborate timetable which I put together for you in this post.

Alley in Chalkio, one of the Mountain Villages on Naxos
The village of Chalkio- where in some corners the time seems to stand still.

This way, not only do you save a lot of money. Travelling by bus also spares you driving the crazy serpentines and searching for a secure parking spot. Hence, let the driver do the job while you enjoy the scenery to the fullest.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

The Best and Most Beautiful Beaches of Naxos

Posted onAuthorRenata10 Comments

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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NAXOS – Five Best Things in Five Days

Posted onAuthorRenata13 Comments

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.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

The Island of IOS During Off-Season

Posted onAuthorRenata12 Comments

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.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

SANTORINI – a self-guided island tour by bus

Posted onAuthorRenata13 Comments

Picturesque villages of white-washed houses with blue windows and doors, overgrown by blazing red bougainvillea. White church domes against the bluest skies and at dusk, the iconic sunset over the southern Aegean Sea – who doesn’t dream of Santorini? In this guide, I’m showing you how you can tour the island and explore the most enchanting places in Santorini self-guided by a local bus.

View of the village of Oia, visited on a self-guided tour by public bus during three days on Santorini
It simply doesn’t get old: The iconic view of the village of Oia.

I spent three days on the island and got to see the most iconic places at a relaxed pace. If you want to add some hiking – which I didn’t since it was simply too hot – or spend some time on the beach – which is a bit pointless since Santorini’s beaches just aren’t that good – you might want to spend up to one week. However, I’d argue that less than two entire days on the island are definitely too short.

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As Easy As ABC: Island Hopping Between ARUBA, BONAIRE, and CURACAO

Posted onAuthorRenata17 Comments

Turquoise waters and tropical fishes, swaying palm trees, and pink flamingos – this is what you would expect on a Caribbean island. But where do the Flemish gable houses come from? And why are locals speaking Dutch on tropical islands just north of Venezuela?
Well, the history and fusion of different cultures are surely one of a kind on the so-called ABC islands. Hence, put on some sunscreen, grab your snorkel gear, and join me in my island hopping between Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

Couple on a jetty in Kralendijk in Bonaire, illustrating the post on Island Hopping between Aruba Bonaire, and Curacao.
Beauty in alphabetic order.
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EL MEDANO – where not only the wind will blow you away

Posted onAuthorRenata23 Comments

Since after almost an entire week in Tenerife, I hadn’t been to the beach, I urgently needed to add some lazy hours of sweet nothing. After having explored the island’s northern hinterland, I really didn’t feel like letting the tourist ghettos on the south coast put an ugly stain on the positive’n’pure impression Tenerife had made. Fortunately, the wind blew me to a small surfer town on the east coast, and although I’m not a surfer, El Medano with its beautiful coastline, laid-back atmosphere, and great fish restaurants actually did blow my mind.

El Medano in Tenerife
Not only windsurfers enjoy El Médano’s wild waters.
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MOUNT TEIDE – the Highlight of Tenerife

Posted onAuthorRenata10 Comments

Whether you get to the top hiking or if you opt for a ride on the cable car: Mount Teide is definitely a highlight of every visit to Tenerife. In this post, I’m introducing various ways how to visit this majestic mountain.

Majestic Mount Teide and the amazing stone formation below.
Majestic Mount Teide and the amazing stone formation below.
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GARACHICO – ICOD DE LOS VINOS – MASCA – Touring Tenerife’s Delightful Northcoast

Posted onAuthorRenata6 Comments

I know, I know, it’s hot, Tenerife’s beaches are beautiful and the waters turquoise’n’tempting. Yet, spending all your time lazing on a beach would be a big mistake since idyllic townlets like Garachico, Icod de Los Vinos, and Masca are awaiting visitors on the island’s cooler yet very delightful Northcoast.

Village of Masca
Masca, the forecourt to paradise.
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