Discovering Dubrovnik All Over Again

Visiting this Medieval gem again only confirmed

my deep love for this city on the Dalmation coast.

  Dubrovnik is a one-of-a-kind beauty with its

white-stone buildings which are enclosed by the

ancient fortress walls that jet out of the shimmering

sapphire waters of the Adriatic sea.

Walk atop the centuries-old walls to encompass

the beautiful views of this ancient Croatian city

with its forts, cliff-side bars and cliffs that jet

out over the sea.  In the Venetian-style Old

 Town you'll be enamored with the secret piazzas, 

   the medieval churches, the limestone streets, and

  all of the shops and cafes tucked into the vast alleys. 

                                                                                        

Dubrovnik never ceases to amaze and surprise me.

 If I were lucky enough to travel here 100 more times,

I imagine I would find something new and intriguing

  that I previously never discovered.  I came upon
this chair at a cafe in Dubrovnik and it reminds
me that I'll never be able to say "goodbye" to
this majestic city.  

TRAVEL M GIRL

Drinking Up The Good Life In Venice

Ahh, Venice!  One of the most romantic and spectacular 

cities in the world.  There are so many reasons to

love Venice and I discovered one more reason...

You can't go to Venice and not end up somewhere 

close to Piazzo San Marco...

Just around the corner from the Basilica

de San Marco and it's bell tower you will find 

a spot to sit and relax with a great cup of coffee. 

And what could be better than enjoying a cup

 of coffee in Italy?  It's called Caffe Florian

where romance fills the air much like

the smell of the freshly brewed coffee.

However, Caffe Florian is not just a coffee shop serving aromatic

  coffees, hot chocolate and tea with light snacks and 

sandwiches.  It's anything but a coffee shop.  Especially

 when you consider it the oldest cafe in Italy and its setting under the 

arcades of the Procuratie Nuove is architecturally breathtaking.

Caffe Florian was established in 1720.  It is full of

rich history and has been luring everyone from 

politicians to entertainers since it opened its doors.  

It even housed the wounded during the uprising 

in the fight for the Republic of Venice in 1848.  

It's not necessarily the aroma of freshly perked coffee that

will grab your attention but rather the beautiful sound of 

music echoing throughout the Piazza.

Have a seat outside for the ambience of the Piazza...

while your senses soak in everything around you.

The people-watching isn't so bad either.

Step inside Caffe Florian and you will find rooms

 decorated from the works of artists, sculptors and

 cartoonists from the time.  Many of the Florian's 

own private art collection are loaned to museums 

around the world. 

You will be hard-pressed to find a

 more opulent presentation from 

the bow-tie waiter to the silver tray.

You will not only feel royal, but you 

will pay royally for that cup of coffee, 

tea sandwich and, yes, even the music!

But, sit back and enjoy...this is Venice after all!

This is one coffee you won't soon forget.

You'll carry the memories of that moment

for a lifetime.  It's worth every penny.

Bere la bella vita!

TRAVEL M GIRL

Checking Out In Corfu, Greece

It's easy to check out from the rest of the world in Corfu.  Corfu

is located on the second largest island of the Ionian Islands. The

south coastal areas offer sandy beaches while the beaches along the

 north-eastern coast allow you to swim and snorkel in small

 caves and take in some magnificent scenery.  It's no wonder

Fodor's Travel just named Corfu as one of the "15 Best Beaches

for 2014".  And, when you manage to get out of the water you 

will find the town of Corfu to be beautifully accented with

narrow, shop-lined streets, outdoor cafes and coffee shops.

Add to that the wonderful Greek food and wine that are

 in abundance in this beautiful town and you will see why

 it's easy here to escape from the realities of every day life.

 To truly appreciate the natural beauty of this island, you

must explore the coastal areas by boat since there are several 

enchanting beaches that are only boat accessible.  We 

contacted Nautilus Cruises Corfu and hired a private boat.

We spent seven unforgettable hours going along the 

coastline, taking dips in the water, snorkeling, and feasting
on a traditional Greek meal by our captain with whole 

fresh fish, king prawns, chicken, Greek salad, Tzatsiki,

 grilled feta on top of fresh homemade bread and wine from
grapes harvested at the captain's family estate.  Was it
the best Greek meal we've ever tasted together with the
most delicious wine we've ever had?  Or was it simply
that we were sitting in such a breathtaking place that
made our meal and wine taste so good?  Well, either way,
 I plan on going back to finish that debate for once
and for all...

-

Once you tear yourself away from the magical waters, check into these places:

Akrotiri Beach Hotel

Built on a peninsula offering sweeping views of

the sea from every main room in the hotel, including 

the outside terraces, pool and individual hotel rooms

www.akrotiri-beach.com

Corfu Palace Hotel

Luxury hotel nestled in a hillside yet close to Corfu town.
Most of the first floor rooms in this hotel have
 private gardens while the higher floors offer beautiful
 views of Garitsa Bay

www. corfupalace.com

Villa Iriti

Chic secluded hillside villa with a private pool

and terraces that overlook the Ionian Sea is 

just a 15 minute drive to Corfu's best beaches

www.sjvillas.co.uk

Siorra Vittoria Boutique Hotel

For an in-town experience you won't soon

forget, go to this Venetian-style-9-room mansion

 built in 1823 that once belonged to Aristocrats.  

www.siorravittoria.com

Bella Venezia Hotel

This understated and former Neoclassical mansion 

is located in the heart of Corfu town

www.bellaveneziahotel.com

Venetian Well 

Greek and continental dishes served in a romatic

atmosphere around a 17th-century well on 

the most beautiful square in Corfu town.

www.venetianwell.gr

Sapori e Vini
Seasonal Mediterranean ingredients served at this
romantic setting built inside of a turn-of-the-century
old Corfoit residence
www.saporievini.com

Bellisimo
Family run casual restaurant serving traditional
Greek food on a quiet square in the middle of town
2661/041112

Toula's Taverna

Greek classics with an inventive twist

2663/091350

Rex

A favorite spot for nearly 100 years, this

restaurant has been serving classic Greek dishes

in its 19th-century townhouse with outside

tables that offer great people watching

26610/39649

To Fanari
Handful of tables in this charming little tavern
serving of delicious home-cooked Greek fare
with nightly Greek music
2661/102083

And last, but not least, check out this private
boat service for a day you'll never forget
Nautilus Cruises Corfu
nautiluscruisescorfu@gmail.com

Susan Sontag's quote could not be truer for me...
"I HAVEN'T BEEN EVERYWHERE BUT
IT'S ON MY LIST"

TRAVEL M GIRL