THE SISTERHOOD OF WORLD BLOGGERS
One of the most unexpected benefits of blogging for me was the opportunity to build relationships with readers and fellow bloggers (or blogaholics as we refer to ourselves!) that have even turned into strong friendships in some cases. So when the lovely Jaime of Angloyankophile invited me to be part of the “Siterhood of World Bloggers” chain, I was happy to keep the ball rolling! So here we go…
What’s your all-time favourite destination?
My love for Greece has been well documented on this blog, so I bet my answer doesn’t come as a surprise! Most people consider Greece as a summer holiday destination but there are great places to visit during the winter too – remember the post on Ioannina I shared a while ago? Greece is very diverse in terms of landscape, has amazing food, a rich history, lovely weather and people are kind and hospitable even during these troubled times. Athens is a very lively capital and a much bigger city compared to Brussels, so there are tons of new spots to discover every time I visit. But what really sets apart Greece is its islands. When people ask me for tips, the very first question I ask them is “What are you looking for?”. You’ll be surprised of how many different options you have regardless if you’re looking for a quiet place to spend quality time with your family, romance or crazy partying with your friends. There are still many islands that I haven’t visited yet but Kythira, Lefkada, Mykonos and Crete are amongst my favourite ones.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party, alive or dead?
Gustav Klimt (my favourite painter), Socrates, Hellen Keller, Odysseas Elytis (my favourite poet), Depeche Mode (my favourite band), Coco Chanel, Malala Yousafzai, Frida Kahlo and Leornardo Da Vinci. Not sure how well they would get along but it’s an exciting crowd, right? Too bad I can only dream about it!
Which post are you most proud of?
It may sound cheesy but I put all my heart in each and every post that I share. The blog has been a major creative outlet for me all along the way but if I had to pick, I would choose my very first blog post. It took me such a long time to put it together and figure out all these new settings back then that I felt extremely proud of myself when I hit the “publish” button. Little did I know that it would be the beginning of a great adventure and that 2 years later I would still keep going with the same enthusiasm! My nomination for Best Travel & City blog at the Weekend Blog Awards was pretty special too. It’s the best feeling in the world when hard work pays off!
Do you have a favorite travel app?
Instagram is my main source of wanderlust. My travel bucket list keeps growing every time I browse through pictures and it’s like taking a trip around the world in just a few minutes. It’s also a great way to document snippets from my trips and the city I live in and revive great memories. You can follow me here by the way: @smarksthespots.
What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about blogging?
My most favourite thing about blogging is the feeling of creativity. I was always keen on discovering new places, different flavours and mastering new skills and blogging has opened up a whole new exciting world. Having said that, the blogsphere is not always strewn with rose petals, just like every day life. I really don’t like it when people use my pictures without asking permission or giving credit (it has happened more than once – hence the watermark in the images) or get all competitive in a really bad way. Not cool, people!
Is there anything in particular that you like to do when you visit somewhere new?
Before arriving to a new destination, I always plan well in advance the places I want to visit. These include important sights, gardens / parks, markets (the most authentic way to get a real feel of a place in my opinion) and a few of the best restaurants / bars in the area. What has also become somewhat of a tradition during the last years is to rent a bike and cycle around for a couple of hours – a really fun way to explore a new place!
Which destination have you visited that has surprised you the most?
My trip to Tulum in Mexico last year really exceeded my expectations! What was so special about it you may ask? The stunning Mayan ruins, long stretches of beautiful white sand beaches set against a backdrop of palm trees and forests, the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea and magical cenotes were more than enough to make me fall in love with this place since the minute I arrived. If you plan to visit Mexico, have a look at my Tulum travel guide where I have included all my tips!
What’s your pet peeve?
I get really annoyed by arrogant people. Just work hard, be modest and let your qualities shine.
What’s your most treasured possession?
I bet you can all guess the answer, right? Well, it’s my camera. I love photography and my Olympus DSLR is my digital canvas where I can paint the world through my eyes. Shortly after starting the blog I realized my long-standing dream of taking a photography course and ever since, my camera and I are inseparable. No wonder why my partner in crime surprised me with this cake on my birthday!
That’s all folks! Thanks so much for nominating me, Jaime – now time for Maxine, Jess and Anna to join!
