THE S FILES – AUGUST EDITION

Life is all about celebrating the little things –  the first snow of the year, a day at the beach, a blossomed flower, a fun evening with friends, ice cream on a hot day, the smell of rain, discovering hidden corners in the city you’ve lived for years… Every month I’m sharing with you all those moments captured through my camera that made each day special. Follow my adventures on Instagram and share yours!

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August officially kicked off the summer holiday period for me, which involved very few posts but lots of travelling! After my lovely stay in Stockholm, I had to say goodbye to the beautiful Swedish capital and bring back home with me the most incredible memories! My all-time favourite Swedish spot was hands down the Rosendals Trädgård.

sfiles_august13_1After a brief stay in Brussels and a quick visit to the Royal Palace which was open to the public for a few days during August, it was time for sunny Greece. This year I got the chance to explore both the Ionian islands and the Cyclades by dividing my time between Lefkada and Mykonos.

sfiles_august13_2One of the reasons why I absolutely love Greece is that the landscape varies incredibly from one region to another even when it comes to islands. Lefkada is a very green island with some of the best beaches in the world according to travel magazine ratings, like Egkremni, Porto Katsiki and Kathisma to name a few. Long sandy beaches with exotic turquoise waters, picturesque villages, excellent food and the legacy of Aristotle Onassis make up for the ideal destination if you are looking for a place to relax with your family, friends or your significant other. Best part? The island has remained somehow off the tourist radar and is still unspoilt to a large extent.

sfiles_august13_3Apart from the amazing natural beauty of this place, Lefkada has a rich history and is the birthplace of some of the most renowned Greek poets. Did you know that, according to certain archeologists, Lefkada may actually be Homer’s Ithaca?

sfiles_august13_4Having enjoyed to the maximum my stay in Lefkada, I was a hop, skip and a boat ride away from Mykonos, one of the most famous Greek islands, well known for its crazy nightlife and endless summer jet set parties. Well, I can tell you from experience that Mykonos is not only about these things. In fact, you can enjoy a perfectly calm holiday if you make the right choices. And boy, there are countless options once in Mykonos!

sfiles_august13_5The Cyclades is an island group in the Aegean sea. The name refers to the fact that all the Cycladic islands form a circle around Delos (Δήλος), the sacred island of Ancient Greeks, which is still a sight not to be missed! According to Greek mythology, Poseidon, the God of sea, was so angry at the Cyclades nymphs that turned them into islands. The Cycladic landscape is dominated by bare hills, countless little white chapels, narrow stone streets, architecture in white and blue and the dazzling Greek light.

sfiles_august13_6When in Mykonos, my plan was to experience both its calm and party side. This meant opting for the most quiet beaches (Lia, Agios Sostis and Agrari being the best ones), enjoying long strolls around the narrow streets of Chora, the capital, discovering great restaurants off the beaten path and a bit of partying at night. In retrospect, I can honestly say that this has been one of the best holidays ever! Looking forward to tell you all about the great places I’ve been to! In the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram.

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Sandy (@smarksthespots)