SAMI, KEFALONIA | A PHOTO DIARY

Hey everyone! 

Greece is one of my favourite places to visit. There are so many islands to explore. This time round I visited the beautiful island of Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea. 

We stayed in Sami, a port in the east of the island. It's a great location with lots of nearby things to do. The main attractions being the beautiful Antisamos Beach, where Captain Corellis Mandolin was filmed. Melissani Cave, and the Island of Ithaca are also a short journey away. 

We stayed in Hotel Pericles, about ten minutes out of Sami. It was a very simple hotel, but had everything we needed, including a free breakfast. Below is a picture of the view we had.

Most restaurants in Sami are at the harbours edge, Adonis being our favourite. The vegetarian moussaka and the baked eggplants where the best food we ate all holiday. 

We decided to do a day tour to the nearby island of Ithaca, travelling with Sami Star II. This included two swim stops in secluded bays, only accessible by boat, and also a visit to Vathi for a walk around and Kioni for lunch. Both of these villages where beautiful. 

The buildings in Vathi are beautifully coloured, all bright or pastel. 

After visiting Melissani Cave, we decided to walk back to Sami, through Karavamylos. We stopped for lunch by the lake, which is made up of water from the nearby cave. 

Antisamos Beach is in a horseshoe bay, with tavernas and water activities. A long twisting road around the mountains is the only way to access this glorious beach. It is covered in white stones that glisten under the water, and a small array of fish swim close to shore. It is a great place to snorkel. There are tavernas that offer free sun beds, drinks and snacks. 

I would recommend Sami as a great spot for a holiday, and also recommend hiring a car to get around as this would give you more freedom during your stay. I was only there a week, so it wasn't a complete necessary for me and my travel companion. 

Everyone is very friendly in Sami, and the food is amazing. I couldn't get enough of the traditional Greek cuisine. 

Thanks for reading, xo

*As with all pictures featured on my blog, they are all taken by me unless otherwise noted. I use a Canon 700d, Canon S120 and iPhone 6S.

GUNNERS BARRACKS

I love the idea of going for Afternoon Tea, especially when the sun is shining and you're surrounded by great company. Whilst in Sydney over Christmas i got to visit Gunners Barracks in Mosman, which offers spectacular views of the harbour, and amazing afternoon tea.

We originally had vouchers for the Champagne Afternoon Tea, but opted to upgrade to the Cocktail Afternoon Tea for $10 extra, bringing the total cost to $60 (around £30, but it's worth it). 

First of all we picked our cocktails. I went for the 'Toblerone' which consists of amaretto, kahlua and frangelico shaken over cream with a shot of caffeine. It tasted like a chocolate milkshake, and went down far too easy!

Then we were served our finger sandwiches and cakes, presented on a three tiered stand, followed by warm scones and savory pastries. Along with a pot full of tea for each individual, served in beautiful china with flowers to match the scenery.

Everything was delicious, and surprisingly very filling. But why should you come all the way to the other side of the harbour, just for the afternoon tea? Good question. This is why: 

The views from the veranda are what makes this place stand out from the rest, especially when there's not a cloud in the sky! There is a small garden at the rear which gives uninterrupted views, and which is great for photo shoots.

There are a few attractions around as well, so you can make a day of it. Taronga Zoo just up the road on one side and Balmoral Beach on the other. Or if you want to take a nice stroll then the actual restaurant is situated within Sydney Harbour National Park.

Be sure to let me know some great places around the world for Afternoon Tea, as i'm always on the hunt for restaurants/cafe's to add to my never ending 'To Visit' list.

Thanks for reading,
xo