Kalimera, Crete! This is the beautiful bay of the luxury hotel Daios Cove

My last Greece experience lies numerous years in the past and unfortunately it wasn’t a good one: While driving on the island of Lesbos I had a horrible car accident with a threefold rollover, fell into a coma just to awake in an adventurous hospital where I had to share a room with a snoring old lady who passed away in one of the following nights and my only thought was to escape. Maybe that’s the reason why I haven’t been to the land of gods and scholars lately.

Me sitting on the terrace while enjoing the 180-degree view over the turquoise sea

But a few month ago when an invitation arrived to get to know Greece’s most beautiful hotel I didn’t hesitate for a minute: Off to Crete – to soak in some valuable last sun in October!
After roughly four hours flight I’m heading from the airport Heraklion towards Agios Nikolaos with a rental car. Here, in the northeastern part of Greece’s largest island hidden and in absolute standalone location the hotel Daios Cove is situated. With a 180-degree view over the turquoise sea – spectacular!

Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas: In 2010 the luxury resort led by the Daios family consisting of 39 villas and 261 rooms opened – 165 come with their own private pool

Actually I am rather a fan of individual boutique hotels. Large concrete hotels aren’t for me. The ‚Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas‘ with 39 villas and 261 rooms and suites surely isn’t a small hotel. But thanks to the modern minimalistic architecture of Greek architect 3SK Styliandis it looks as if the luxury resort consisting of individual, interlaced houses has been sculpted into the hillside and is successfully integrated into the landscape. The complex build from grey-brown rocks stretches on lavishing 35 hectares; club cars, three cableways, and lifts are overcoming the resulting distances. Of course it’s also allowed to go up by foot … just kidding!

Surprise: Behind this door is my villa – you can spy my private pool already and the Mediterranean Sea behind

After I had to walk with crutches for the past few months due to a broken foot, I instantaneously had the best contact to the drivers of the club cars, which made the distance to my gorgeous ‘Private Villa’ insignificant. By the way villa is the right description here: On 115 square meters with an additional 50 square meters patio – spread across two stories, I indulged in a life of pure luxury: two bedrooms with large ensuite bathrooms and an outdoor shower, a living room – everything in contemporary and cozy brown-greige shades. Honestly I don’t know what I liked better: my own little ‘private pool’ or the sensational view across the sea and bay that I could enjoy every morning when I was waking up.

Tadaaa: My luxury two story villa with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room, and outdoor shower

… Ensuite bathroom with fine marble …

A big plus of the Daios Cove is it’s own private beach at the private bay – hotel guests only. From my daybed draped with countless towels I occasionally went into the Caribbean appearing sea (the colors!) and from time to time to the beach bar. Certainly I could have pretended to be action seeking and rent one of the catamarans, jet – or water ski’s. But with my broken foot as a convincing argument I rather stayed on the daybed – until further notice.

The guests of the Daios Cove mainly come from Germany and England

But Crete really has a lot to offer. So much that it’s also a popular place for alpinists (the Ida-mountains are as far as 2.456 meters high), hobby archaeologists, and old-hippies. Well equipped with tips from Christos Tassakos, the Director of Sales of the Daios-Group, I undertook one or the other amazing day trip. A detailed to-do list is coming soon on MyStylery. But I actually wasn’t too crazy about leaving the Daios Cove, after all I could get pampered in the 2500 square meter spa, dabble in the infinity pool, play tennis or go into the fitness room. The last two options weren’t for me – unfortunately … but as I had mentioned: the foot.

The terrace of the Taverna

Instead I soon became a regular at the hotel’s restaurants. As resident of one of the villas I could avail myself with the exclusive breakfast service at the Ocean-Restaurant. This was followed by a small lunch in the tavern. I have to admit: the Pangea-Restaurant was not for me. Too big, too impersonal, the minimalistic ambience appeared sterile to me and not very pleasant. I – as an interior pro – would like to produce more coziness here. I spent the evenings at the Ocean-Restaurant – with a view at the selfsame. Magnificent! And because I haven’t seen everything Crete has to offer yet, I will come back soon. αντίο για τώρα – see you soon! BvH

Each morning my view falls from the 2.10m bed onto the hotels’ own bay …

… the second eyes fall on my pool. Should I take a refreshing morning bath here …

… or better take an outdoor-shower?

I could take a swim in the infinity-pool …

… or go directly to the beach

I opt for a breakfast in the Ocean Restaurant overlooking the selfsame and the pool

The watersports center …

… where one can book a catamaran- or jet ski tour

For lunch I go to the beach bar. Sea-air makes you hungry

A pool and another pool and then the sea – hard to decide, too many options!

The lounge- and bar area

The 2500 square meter spa with the indoor pool

My freshly pedicured feet and I

Finally a hotel boutique which offers attractive labels – like Missoni Mare – and stylish clothes

The modern executed lobby with designer furniture by Varaschin. Also the lamps by Castellani & Smith are chic. In the background the cableway with which you can get onto the other levels and to the beach with

On the way to my villa passing beds of cacti and bougainvillea. By the way: a standard room consists of luxurious 43 square meters

Who needs the Caribbean? The fine sand strand of the Daios Coves’ private beach in front of the turquoise sea and soft surf. Ideal for families with children

The Taverna

Tavern host Dimitri shows me the freshly caught seabass …

… which he is going to prepare for me now. Yummy!

Sea of lights at Daios Cove

On the 22nd April Dios Cove starts into the new season after the winter break

Tip I:

Namasté on Crete: Yoga-Fans – like me – get their moneys worth as well, for example with a one week Jivamukti-Yoga-Seminar at the end of September for 399,- Euro (plus Hotel). More infos: www.daioscove.com

Daios Cove Director of Sales Christos Tassakos and me

Tip II:

Exclusively for MyStylery Christos Tassakos recommends the most beautiful beaches on Crete

1. Not even five minutes by car the small town of Vathi is located with the bay of Voulisma: Greece has a lot more to offer than crisis, mismanagement and middle fingers á la Varoufakis

2. Crete is known for its countless, antique dig sites. When you’re on the way to Kolpos Malion you should take a detour to the long sand beach east of the town of Malia. Avoid the town itself, it is ultra touristic

3. In the south of Crete you can witness the most beautiful sunsets. For example on the beach of Tertsa – close to the little city of Mirtos – you’ll have to pass an adventures gravel road but its amazingly beautiful, not just for old hippies

4. Also located in the south close to Agia Folia a cul-de-sac winds down the hill. The bumpy road is worth it; a pebble stone beach in a romantic bay awaits the arriving visitor

Me and a last glass of wine on the beach of Tertsa. Αντιο – Bye Crete, see you soon!

Contact:

www.daioscove.com

The post Daios Cove: A chic luxury hotel on Crete appeared first on My Stylery.

The Christkindlmarkt am Rathaus and the sparkling sea of lights

I just came back from Vienna and I can only say: what a wonderful and beautiful city. Especially now during the Christmas season it seems like a magical atmosphere you cannot get rid of. Strolling over the Christmas markets in front of historical backdrops like the town hall or castle Schönbrunn, warming oneself up at café Central or café Landtmann whilst drinking a hot chocolate (of course with cream!), marvelling at the festively decorated streets Herrengasse or Graben … Vienna offers a lot more than that. I will tell you my favourite tips.

The ‚Motto am Fluss’ in the ship station of the Donau river with restaurant and café

For breakfast go to the Donau. The café ‚Motto am Fluss‘ is perfect for every late riser – you can have breakfast until 4 pm and meanwhile enjoy the view on the water of the river. The foundation for my upcoming day: scrambled eggs with homemade bread and yummy-guacamole.

Scrambled eggs with homemade bread and yummy-guacamole

From there I start my shopping tour: I’m heading towards the big streets like Tuchlauben and small side streets around the Stephansplatz. It’s a must see, also because of the impressive lightening. Tip: have a look at boutique ‘Inked’ with labels like Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone, Vince or Vanessa Bruno.

Inked Boutique in the center of Vienna

At Albertina you can see the Edvard Munch exhibition until the 24th of January 2016 (later more). Even the Habsburger Prunkräume (the Habsburg’s rooms) can be compared with an opulent orgy and are a great alternative to the Sissi apartments in the Hofburg, where you’ll always find long queues.

Mecca of art: The Albertina

After so much art I need a snack. No, I’m NOT going to opposite Café Mozart or in the neighbouring Café Sacher: I choose the Tirolerhof, a true insider tip and one of the last institutions under the coffee houses, in which one will meet true Viennese people. Including grumpy waiters.

A Viennese coffee house legend: The Tirolerhof

Apropos: my Viennese friend Yella recommends the tiny restaurant ‚Zum Johann‘ at Lerchenfelderstraße, the demarcation line between seventh and eighth district. There, ex-advertiser and passionate man-in-the-kitchen Gregor Panis serves delicious small dishes, including small talk and meetings with the regular guests. And of course everyone is from Vienna. Tip: call and order in advance.

‘Zum Johann‘: fine cuisine at only 20 square meters. Since one year Gregor Panis serves Austrian specialities – prior from the ‘Bucklige Welt’ and selected wines. Every Wednesday is mother’s day. Then Gregors mother cooks, for example stuffed peppers

‘Gemüsepfanne’ with zucchini, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, parsnips, tomatoes, squash and freshly picked rosemary. Served with yogurt sour cream: Delicious!

My trip continues by walking into the seventh district, the home of the youngsters and those young at heart in chic old buildings. Here you’ll find trendy cafés and restaurants, nice little shops and a harmonic Christmas market at Spittelberg that goes around Stift- and Gutenberggasse. I stroll through the Burggasse and discover Eva-Maria Thalhammers pop up-store at Gutenberggasse, who presents antiques and beautiful things in shabby-chic atmosphere until the end of December.

The purest treasure trove: Eva-Maria Thalhammer in her Pop Up-Store

At Westbahnstraße I find the Epicerie ‘Un Jour en France’ and the boutique ‘Comerc’ and so I end up in another café – yes, this is how it works when you’re in Vienna – the ‘Toma tu Tiempo’ with a Spanish menu and a small, cosy oven.

The Café ‘Toma tu Tiempo‘ in the Zieglergasse in the seventh district

The day ends like it started. Nearly. Because then I go to ‘Motto’ again. But this time I go to the newly renovated restaurant-dependence in the fifth district. Dining in ultra-chic ambient, drinking and dancing (later in the evening), elegant, hip people. The food (for example the curry with vegetables and bio-chicken or the three falafels) is simply delicious, although the service could be better. It was still a wonderful evening in a marvellous city. BvH

Behind an inconspicuous door you’ll find the legend of a restaurant: Motto. 2015 it was completely new designed and is now super trendy. Photo: Motto

The Motto, a place for night owls, who like to come for the legendary beef tatar or the baked ham pasta

Shabby chic, raw charm of industry and bare walls meet comfortable benches in a rich tone of green. Photo: Motto

A little bit of Spain in the seventh district …

… in the ‘Toma tu Tiempo‘

Having the honor

France is just around the corner on the Westbahnstraße: The Epicerie ‘Un jour en France‘

Rip, rip with the credit card at the ‘Comerc‘ Store

Eldorado for nostalgics in the antique shop on the Westbahnstraße

Pop Up-Store in the Gutenberggasse …

… with lovingly selected ancient artefacts and rarities

Vienna, only you …

There are lots of traditional Viennese Coffee Houses in the centre of the city, but only a few that aren’t tourist traps:

… exposed but somehow still hidden: the Café Tirolerhof. Not a really big name, no attraction, nearly an insider tip

The Habsburg’s rooms at the ‘Albertina‘. In addition, the Albertina contains one of the most important graphic collections in the world

Me and the tree: When Archduchess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg, wife of Archduke Karl, was planning the first Christmas in the audience hall of her palatial residential palace, today the Albertina, she decided to continue with the Protestant custom of a “Grass Tree” in Vienna because of her six children

Hall of the Muses at Albertina

Since 2007, the Habsburg’s rooms radiate after renovation in new splendor

The ‘Spanish apartment’ was created in 1895 as a permanent residence of the Spanish royal family, who lodged here until 1918 during her frequent stays in Vienna

… Shall be the city of my dreams

One of the most stylish interior shops in Vienna: Eva-Maria Thonet in the first district

The Hofburg with the apartments of Empress Sissi

Impressive Christmas lights in the Inner City. Here: Graben …

… and the Herrengasse

Popular – and therefore well attended – the Christmas market in front of a historic backdrop: Schloss Schönbrunn. Tip: Avoid weekends and go during the week!

Just a perfect day!

Restaurant ‘Motto am Fluss‘ with outdoor deck …

… and Café …

In this furnace, the mega-delicious Marianne-bread is baked! Sooooo good!

And because MyStylery loves the ‘motto’ so much, here again is another view!

Bye bye ‘Motto’, see you soon Vienna!

Contacts:

Café Motto am Fluss
Franz Josefs Kai 2
1010 Wien
(Between Marienbrücke and Schwedenbrücke)
www. mottoamfluss.at

Motto
Schönbrunner Straße 30
1050 Wien
www.motto.at

Boutique Inked
Bauernmarkt 15 & 16
1010 Wien
www.inked.at

Albertina
Albertinaplatz 1
1010 Wien
www.albertina.at

Tirolerhof
Führichgasse 8
1010 Wien

Zum Johann
Lerchenfelderstraße 104
1080 Wien
www.zumjohann.at

Toma tu Tiempo
Zieglergasse 44
1070 Wien
www.tomatutiempo.at

The post A perfect day in Vienna appeared first on My Stylery.

The Blue Mosque, a dog and me: Hello Istanbul

The pulsing life, the movement, Istanbul fascinated me from the first moments. First of all there is the incredible location of the 14 million-inhabitant metropolis on two continents that impresses. 3000 years of history left their mark on the Bosphorus town. There is so much to discover- but where to go first? Of course there is the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque that come to my mind. But Istanbul has a lot more to offer.

Shop ’til you drop: The ‘Grand Bazaar’ has more than 4.000 shops

A boat tour along the Istanbul strait is for the daughter of a ship captain like me a clear MUST, to Asia and back to the Golden Horn please. For shopping victims like me it is obligatory to stroll through the oriental market ‘Grand Bazaar’. You absolutely need to schedule some time for this, as there are more than 4.000 shops on 30.000 square miles to visit. I am curious how the sultans in the Topkapi Palace resided and want to get enchanted by the grandest mosque the Sülemaniye. Conveniently those monuments of the old town on the historic peninsula lay in the district of Fatih, so it’s easy to combine these legs of my tour.

Streetlife in the Beyoğlu district, the hottest hood in Istanbul

The facing district Beyoğlu is the hottest borough of the moment, where the member club Soho House just opened its newest hotel (see “Soho House Istanbul: An oriental fairy tale palace“ on MyStylery). Here in Pera – that’s how the old European borough originally was called – a new art scene established with the ‘Istanbul Modern’ and ‘Pera- Museum’. There are many small cafes, galleries and shops, and not to forget the famous shopping street on which the historic tram drives.

Look at: https://mystylery.com/blog/2015/08/16/soho-house-istanbul-ein-palast-aus-1001-nacht/

You can find the most delicious breakfast with croissants that taste like in France at ‘Gram’. Everything is freshly prepared and the menu offers changing dishes. Chef and successful cookbook author Didem Şenol conjures fantastic Turkish- European crossover dishes from regional ingredients for instance warm goats cheese on eggplant and lentils – a truly culinary delight! I would like to highly recommend her branch at the Karaköy- District the ‘Lokanta Maya’ at this point. Culinary art at a high standard in a beautiful ambience.

Lunch- and breakfast spot: Gram, Mesrutiyet Caddesi, 107d in Pera, www.grampera.com

Help, I can’t decide with all the delicacies at the ‘Gram’!

The right address for Turkish Mocha or a Caffe Latte is the ‘Noir Pit’. Next to a tremendous selection of coffee specialties they also offer a variety of small snacks.

Have a coffee at the ‘Noir Pit’, Mesrutiyet Caddesi, 109a in Pera, www.noirpit.com

I love the small Cukurma-district, the antiques quarter offside the hectic ‘Istiklal Caddesi’ in Beyoğlu. It’s a pleasure strolling through the little alleys, past welcoming cafes and partially fallow buildings and then again the already refurbished objects in between like the small Boutique-Hotel ‘Corinne’ with a magnificent restaurant, and art gallery offer a nice surprise.

‘Corinne Hotel’, Kuloğlu Mh., Turnacıbaşı Cad Ayhan Işık 41, www.corinnehotel.com

Here you can also sit outside nicely: Boutique-Hotel ‚Corinne‘

Moving on past the Galata-tower into the direction of Karakoy, the quarter that just awakes from it’s deep slumber. Directly next to the jetties for big cruise ship emerges an interesting scene with chic restaurants for the hip audience. I initially wander trough ‘Fransiz Sokağı‘- the French street of the former Algerian quarter, which was renovated with the help of the French cultural institute, past little shops and cafes.

Popular to tourists and locals: ‚Fransiz Sokağı‘, the French street

Welcoming: Coffeeshop at the ‚Fransiz Sokağı‘

Giant boat infront of a small house: Jetty in the Karakoy district

I decide to have a relaxing lunch at the near, very popular ‘Karakoy Lokantasi’ which was recently furnished by the Turkish design company ‘Autoban’ with very cool tiles in turquoise. I order Turkish starters, so-called ‘Meze’: Hummus with flatbread, eggplant puree, shrimps marinated in coriander and garlic-yoghurt-cream. One should also taste the bulgur balls and the obligatory stuffed vine leaves. The only thing I could have forgone was the dowdy, bad service. But even that can damp my excitement for Istanbul in no way.  BvH

Unmotivated waiters in the otherwise beautiful ‘Karakoy Lokantasi’, Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mh., Kemankeş Cd 37a, www.karakoylokantasi.com

A MUST: Turkish starters, so-called ‘Meze’. Yummy!

Old Byzantium and Ottoman Empire

Ruin in Pera

A cat-city: Istanbul

A boat tour along the Istanbul strait: From Kadikoy to Eminons and back

Between Orient and Occident

Quite windy here! As it is, I have to hold my hat, so it doesn’t end up in the Golden Horn or Bosphorus

In Istanbul the religions live peacefully together. Here the Catholic Church St. Anthony …

… there is the ‘Neve Salom’-Synagogue. Both in the former European quarter Pera

There are a lot of inviting cafes in Pera

Not for calorie counters: Turkish delights like here on the ‚Istiklal Caddesi‘

There are many carpet dealers at the ‘Grand Bazaar’. The most talented (!) seller I met at ‘Rug & Rug’

I bought spices at the ‘Grand Bazaar’. Cooking at home – sounds like a plan

In the mood for a new hairstyle? Kuaför in the Pera district

Good to know:

English is not a matter of course:
A business card of your hotel can help to show the taxi driver where you want to go.

Worth seeing: the Topkapi Palace

By the way following tip saves time and nerves: at the Topkapi Palace I actually hired one of the guides who work there: Mustafa sneaked me past the sheer endless queue and explained – in perfect German – the whole palace including harem and armory to me. Since then I know that the word kiosk has its roots in the Turkish language. The length of the tour is negotiable and was absolutely worth its 50 €.

‘Lokanta Maya’, Kemankes Caddesi 35a, www.lokantamaya.com …

… there is great European-Turkish crossover cuisine

The post Istanbul, so cool! appeared first on My Stylery.

Dirndl expert Gerhard Gössl presents his most famous spots surrounding Salzburg

The whole city of Salzburg is in a state of emergency these days: the world famous Salzburger Festspiele (classical music festivals) are dominating life in this Austrian city. Anyone who wants to escape the cultural hype for a little while rents a car and gets out of the city into the Salzkammergut (“salt chamber“), the countryside surrounding Salzburg. But where to go? Exclusively for MyStylery Salzburgs traditional costume and Dirndl expert Gerhard Gössl presents his most famous spots – a jaunt with lots of insider tipps.

Off we go: boat launch by the hotel Schloss (castle) Fuschl at lake Fuschl

76 lakes shape the landscape of the Salzkammergut, which is surrounded by the impressing mountain tops of Dachstein („Stone Roof“), Totes Gebirge („Dead Mountains“), Osterhorngruppe („Eastern horn group“) Traunstein and Höllengebirge („Hell Mountain“). It once was an independent state. A long time ago though the meaning of producing salt was overcome by tourism thanks to Kaiser (Emperor) Franz Josef I., who had his summer residence in Bad Ischl and therewith turned the region into a heaven for visitors.

Gerhard Gössl is mooring the boat

“The ‘Lateiner’ (Latin) is a 5 meter long rowing and sailing boat made of local oak, spruce and larch wood,” explains Gössl, who regularly organizes regattas on the Mattsee with the traditional boats

Our tour starts in the Salzburger part of the Salzkammergut at Lake Fuschl, where Gerhard Gössl lives and where he picks me up with his electric boat for a little ride across the turquoise colored water at the extravagant Hotel Schloss Fuschl, a historic castle from the 15th century.

View from the car to the beautiful Mondsee

We continue our trip by car along the Mondsee („Lake Moon“) and Wolfgangsee to the Attersee („Lake Atter“). „With a length of 19 kilometers the Attersee is not only Austrias largest lake, it is also different because of its color, due to the many inflows“, Gössl explains the rather grey-blue water of the Attersee with its many fish.

The Wolfgangsee glows in turquoise colors. Who would have thought that Austria is a sailing paradise?

„Did you know that – despite its many lakes – is a paradise for sailing“, Gössl asks me. No, I didn’t know that, being a captain’s daughter I expected sailing only by the coast. Before I can get deeper into that we reach Gmunden town, located by the beautiful lake Traunsee.

„The late Hildegard Knef (a famous german actress) once owned an old mill at lake Traunsee, where I once visited her“, Gerhard Gössl says

Gmunden is known for its ceramics manufacture. Today it’s Dirndl flying day and the whole town is
absolutely excited about this event. Flying Dirndl? Yes, for four years Gössl organizes at various locations these „Flying days“, where brave men and women dressed in Dirndls throw themselves off a three and half meters high springboard into the lake. More than 40 contestants will jump today, carefully supervised by a jury and thousands of onlookers cheering them on. The best performers win, first prize is – of course – a beautiful Dirndl de luxe.

Flying Dirndl – Gössl had the idea when an corpulent friend complained about her weight and went swimming fully dressed in her Dirndl (the traditional garps). A genius marketing trick!

After this we urgently need some refreshments. On the terrace of castle Schloss Orth – known by tv viewers from the series „Schlosshotel Orth“ – chef Johann Parzer pampers us with a local delicacy called „Steckerl vom Riedling“, a sweetwater fish that exists only in lake Traunsee.

The ‘Ort’ castle

The three angled inner courtyard of the castle with its fabulous hallways and the outer steps deeply impressed me

„The Riedling fish is caught in a depth of 60 meters and absolutely rare“, Gössl explains. And it’s delicious!

After this short break we take the motorboat to the other side of lake Traunsee, and visit Mariä Krönung (Mary’s Coronation), a baroque church in the small town of Traunkirchen. Beautiful and really impressing! My personal recommendation: if you love meat have a steak at a restaurant called „Klosterstube“ (Convent Room), which serves only the best from the region. I loved it!

The Traunsee lake – amazing!

Gerhard Gössl and I: Crossing lake Traunsee on board a ‘Fauscher’ motor yacht …

… an Austrian factory that builds boats like the famous Italian Riva

Across the street we have a little drink at the „Traunkirchner Greisslerei“, a cute little shop with a small bar. Here you can find anything from cashmere jackets, scented candles, and fashion jewelry to culinary specialties from the region. And with a drink in your hand shopping is so much easier, isn’t it..? BvH

Church Mariä Krönung (Mary’s coronation) from the 17th century – a must see for every fan of the baroque

Impressive, not just because of the view: the small cemetery by the church ‘Mariä Krönung’

Address and Contacts:

www.goessl.com

Orther Stub’n:
www.schlossorth.com

Klosterstube:
www.klosterstube-traunkirchen.at

Die Greisslerei:
www.greisslerei.com

My favorite shopping-address at the lake Traunsee: The ‘Traunkirchner Greisslerei’

More Tips:
Restaurant ‚Haus am Hang‘ in St. Gilgen, Wolfgangsee
www.haus-am-hang.at

For a view over Salzburg:
Hotel-Restaurant ‚Schöne Aussicht‘
www.salzburgpanorama.at

The post Jaunt through the Salzkammergut appeared first on My Stylery.