Destinations Archives - Page 4 of 8

Kandima Maldives- the new lifestyle resort

theblondeflamingo / October 30, 2019 / Leave a comment

Those of you who follow me on Instagram, know that last month visited one of my favourite destinations in the world – Maldives again. It was my third visit to this country as I absolutely love its vibe, people, culture and I love exploring the new islands. This year I have discovered the island which is completely different to the ones I have been to before- welcome to Kandima Maldives located on Dhaalu Atoll. To me, Kandima is more than just another resort island- it’s a lifestyle. It’s a huge (3.5 km long) and really chilled island with plenty of on-site activities to choose from. You definitely won’t be bored at Kandima! What’s more, it’s a perfect resort for everyone, whether you seek a romantic escape, a family holiday, a wellness and spa retreat, wedding destination, bachelorette, friends getaways or honeymooners.

HOW TO GET THERE

There are two options for you to reach Kandima from Male International Airport- either a domestic Air Transfer to a nearby airport and then a 20 min speed boat trip or a Sea Plane (more expensive option) transfer directly to Kandima. The views on the way are absolutely incredible!

Well, the moment you land is absolutely insane too. It’s my absolutely favourite thing about the Maldivies- oh, these endless blues….

ACCOMMODATION

Kandima caters for guests all ages on different budgets. It has a range of accommodation types options from affordable studios to luxury aqua villas. Personally I had a chance to stay at two completely different accommodation types. For the first two nights I have stayed at beautiful Sunset Beach Pool Jacuzzi Villa. I absolutely loved the modern, colourful decor, stylish pool and semi-outdoor bathroom with bathtub, rainfall shower and a day bed. Let’s talk about sunsets… one of the most incredible I have ever seen! And what’s better way to watch them than from a private pool with a little glass of wine in hand? Another thing I loved about staying at this villa is walking out barefoot straight after waking up and having the most beautiful white, sandy beach right in front of me. What a dream! Have a little peek! PS. You can also pre-order a floaty breakfast- I highly recommend it! What an experience!

After the most magical two nights at the beach villa I’ve moved to the Aqua Villa. Ah this must be my most favourite part when in Maldives! There’s no better experience than that in my opinion- a pure luxury. Aqua villa at Kandima features a private sun-deck with sun loungers and the most incredible huge bathroom with a bathtub overlooking the ocean- absolutely insane! My favourite thing to do after waking up was swapping my pyjama for a swimsuit and going for a morning dip in the lagoon. Best start of the day ever! The things you can see under the water are OUT OF THIS WORLD! (and you have it all to yourself, hihi!) Here’s some photos!

MOVING AROUND

As it’s a huge resort island, Kandima offers bikes rental at $5 per day. It’s such a fun and healthy way to move around. You can rent them anytime- no need to pre-book anything. We kept the bikes outside our villa. If you’re not a fan of cycling, buggy service is available too. Personally I preferred the bikes- didn’t need a gym these days, haha- bikes were less painful work-out!

DINING

Kandima offers lots dining options on the island. There’s 10 restaurants and bars in total. Four a la carte (full dining restaurants), two buffets and two beautiful beach clubs. You can check them all out here. I personally loved the beach club the most- guys it was ALL PINK! There’s nowhere else you could possibly find me, haha!

THINGS TO DO

As mentioned earlier- there’s NO WAY you’ll be bored at Kandima. There’s so much to do. There are cooking classes, art classes ( they have their own art gallery supporting the local artists), yoga classes, kickboxing classes and plenty of night activities. There’s even Forbidden Bar (adults only) accessible through a Kool psychedelic tunnel famous for the best parties! If you need to get some work done, there’s also Aroma Cafe overseeing the salty lake which is such a relaxing place to work or just have a cup of good coffee (yes, there’s a a salty lake on the island!) There’s also a beautiful esKape spa located in the middle of a tropical jungle. I highly recommend trying their famous coconut scrub! For sports lovers there’s a BURN gym, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court and a football court. Apart from all that you can also be jogging 3km on the most beautiful beaches with no palm trees blocking the way- this is very unique to Kandima!

For water sports lovers there’s also Aquaholics – water sport centre that offers all sports activities including, snorkelling around the most incredible reefs (Dhaalu atoll is one of the most pristine regions in the country), diving with sharks, parasailing and as well as boat trips and team sports. My favourite experience was something that has been on my bucket list forever- floating over fish and baby sharks in the glass-bottom kayak (wearing a flower crown of course, haha!)

Aroma Cafe

KIDS

If you’re travelling as a family, I promise you, there’s no better place to take your little ones than Kandima and its famous Kandiland– the largest kids club in the Maldives equipped with a pirate ship and large in-ground trampoline. When I saw it I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes! Kandiland offers a daily programme full of fun and informative activities and a baby sitting services so the parents can enjoy a little private time on the island too.

WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS

As you already know, Maldives is famous wedding and honeymoon destination. Kandima Maldives offers a tailor-made wedding planning services for your dream wedding. You can choose your dream wedding spot ( there’s few places on the island and on a local picnic island) according to their needs, budget as well as the number of guests. If you have any questions, please e-mail mykindofplace@kandima.com.

For honeymooners, Kandima has the most incredible Honeymoon Aqua Pool Villa, located at the tip of the Aqua Villa jetty, which is the best spot for romantic sunset sessions! I have experienced it myself and sunsets you witness from this villa are insane. Just look at it and imagine being here with your loved one!

Thank you the most incredible stay Kandima! I am sure I will return one day! If you’d like to find out more or book a stay there, click here.

Post in collaboration with Kandima Maldives

5 places you should not miss when visiting Portugal

theblondeflamingo / October 3, 2019 / 1 Comment

This summer myself and my best friend Marta decided to go on a road trip around Portugal. It was one of ours childhood dreams! As we’ve managed to discover so many incredible places in a very short time, I have decided to put a little guide together for you with my favourite 5 places that I am sure you’d absolutely love and should not miss when visiting Portugal. Our trip was seven days long and we’ve started off in Seville where we’ve rented the car from Hertz.

Algarve beaches

Looking for beautiful beaches and most magical sunrises and sunsets? Algarve has it all! It was the first stop of our road trip and we’ve spent 3 days visiting the most beautiful beaches on the coast. We’ve managed to visit Praia de Marinha, Praia do Vau, Praia do Camilo ( my personal favourite!), Praia de Ponta de Piedate and Largo de Praia. We’ve also made it to the famous Benagil Cave – thanks to Marta as she brought me there on a kayak, haha! And this place also got us absolutely speechless. I have never seen a place like this before! PS. Tip here is to get there as early as possible as it gets very crowded.

Carvoeiro

One of the most charming little towns on Algarve coast- personally my favourite! This place somehow reminded me of Cinque Terre and Mykonos at the same time. I think it’s a perfect place not just for a beach day but also for a little evening stroll. There’s a lot of cute shops and cafes. We’ve also dined at the little restaurant called Boneca. The location was absolutely gorgeous- hidden between the rocks and overlooking the ocean. To be honest the food wasn’t that good, however I still think the location is worth it! Maybe go there for a little snack or a glass of chilled Rosé wine!

Lisbon

How could you visit Portugal and skip beautiful capital? Impossible! It wasn’t my first time in Lisbon, however in the past I visited this city in the winter and the vibe wasn’t the same. Even though we’ve only spent a day there, I could really „feel” this city. Lisbon in the summer is just something else! It’s so warm, lively and vibrant. I absolutely loved all colours and beautiful tiles on every corner! We’ve started our day with a brunch at Heim Cafe– we LOVED it! It was so delicious and reasonably priced. After brunch we went for a stroll around the city. To be honest we didn’t really have this day planned properly. Myself and Marta have decided to be spontaneus and just get lost. We’ve walked around beautiful Alfama– the oldest area of Lisbon, Baixa– Lisbon’s historic heart, Bairro Alto – the bohemian area of Lisbon decorated with vivid street art. We’ve also stopped for a drink at famois El Miradour de Saint Lucia– such a stunning place, very crowded but still magical. The views from here are incredible.

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Exploring Cambodia and Laos with Avani Hotels

theblondeflamingo / September 13, 2019 / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

Those of you who follow me on Instagram already know that 2 weeks ago I was so lucky to be invited on a luxury press trip to Cambodia and Laos by Avani Hotels. As I have never been to these countries before I said YES straight away! I’ve also heard a lot of good things about Avani Hotels so thought that would be a perfect opportunity to experience the brand myself. Our trip was quite short – 3 days in each destination, but I am amazed by how much we’ve managed to see so I’ll put my favourite places and things to do in Cambodia and Laos in this blogpost too.

CAMBODIA

First place we got to visit is Cambodia. I was lucky to stay at the newly renovated FCC Angkor Avani Hotel located only 20 mins drive from the airport. What I love about this property the most is the central location – only 10 mins drive from the UNESCO world heritage site of Angkor Wat and right across from the Royal Independence Gardens and Royal Residence. The hotel centres around the former ‘Mansion’ of the French colonial governor, which became the renowned Foreign Correspondence Club and a popular meeting place for local and international journalists, celebrities, and travellers from around the world.

I have fallen in love with the property from the moment I walked in – some places just GET me and FCC Angkor Avani Hotel clearly did! Look at this beautiful entrance! I felt like stepping into an acient fairytale.

The hotel offers 5 different room types ( 80 rooms in total) – deluxe room, deluxe courtyard room ( where I’ve had a chance to stay), premier room, junior suite and governor suite. I absolutely loved the colonial structures with designs inspired by Cambodia’s nature. This hotel had my favourite boho vibes with all the natural tones, wooden floors, rattan furnitures and wooden slippers that I ended up wearing everyday and also brought them with me to London, haha! Our room had a beautiful view over the stylish pool area. Have a peek!

*My beautiful room. Will never forget how comfortable this bed was!*

*A little retro touch- how adorable is this type writer on the desk? I’ve only seen it in the movies!*

I also need to mention the incredible restaurant and bar that FCC Angkor Avani Hotel has to offer. The main restaurant in the hotel is Mansion Restaurant– a beautiful colonial ( and to me bohemian) style restaurant with outdoor seatings, where you can experience the authentic Cambodian cuisine. I especially enjoyed the breakfasts! I have ordered Khmer noodles the morning we’ve arrived and ended up having it every single day together with a bowl of fresh fruits! Oh how much I miss it!

The hotel also has the beautiful outdoor bar called **Scribe**, where you can enjoy the most delicious cocktails and admire the nature. It was also my favourite working spot.

What to do in Cambodia?

1. Sunrise at Ankor Wat– absolutely magical, can’t find words to describe it! It’s just something else!

2. Get lost Ta Prohm temple– famous from movie Lara Croft. This place is honestly surreal! This place hold many secrets! You need to see with your eyes!

3. Jewellery workshop with Ammo Jewellery– a social enterprise with a mission to provide specialised design skills to help young and disadvantaged Cambodias unlock their creative potential. I absolutely loved this workshop and had so much fun designing!

LAOS

After an amazing stay in Cambodia we’ve headed to Laos. To be absolutely honest with you, I haven’t heard much about Laos before I was invited for this press trip, but that made me want to go even more. In Laos we’ve stayed at Avani+ Luang Prabang Laos. Another incredible property located in the heart of beautiful Luang Prabang, right opposite the night market and surrounded by dozens of heritage temples and magical Mekong River.

We arrived to Avani + Luang Prabang Hotel at night and even thought I couldn’t really see much, I could already feel how charming, peaceful and elegant this property is. Their 25- metre pool accompanied by sun loungers in a little light impressed me straight away. We’ve headed straight for dinner to their famous restaurant.

The Bistro Restaurant at Avani +Luang Prabang reflects our times, as well as our multi-cultural and multi-ethnic backgrounds. The inspiration comes from classic favourites, and the adaptation comes with local flavours and ingredients. What I loved about this restaurant is that they strive to use sustainably grown products from local farmers using traditional & organic farming & fishing techniques, as well as local artisanal produced sausage, cured meats, cheese & breads (We’ve had a chance to visit one of the farms- the Buffalo Dairy Farm and it was a very interesting experience). The first dinner was a sharing style feast where we’ve got to try many delicious dishes! After the dinner we’ve headed straight to sleep.

The rooms were gorgeous! Will never forget the smell of wood when I stepped in. The decor was minimalistic, natural and light. Avani + Luang Prabang offers 53 rooms in total, with three different room categories – deluxe room, deluxe pool view room and suites. Each room designed to be open-plan, simple and comfortable. Each room is en-suite with a shower and twin vanities- such a great idea when you’re sharing a room with somebody! I’ve stayed at Deluxe Pool View Room and absolutely loved the balcony overlooking the pool. I would normally start my day with a little read, cup of tea, admiring the lush green courtyard.

There’s also a beautiful spa at the hotel with therapies and treatments inspired by Laotian and traditional Asian techniques. I was lucky to have a chance to experience it. I have chosen a full body massage. It was so needed after few intense days! It was lovely!

After the massage we’ve had a couple of hours off so I’ve headed straight to their beautiful pool and enjoyed a little swim followed by a watermelon juice served at the pool bar. They had a great variety of fresh juices and smoothies. Look how beautiful this place was!

Wearing **Mavele Swimwear**. I absolutely love the print and the colour combination! This model is called **Tribal Toucan**. You can purchase it **here**.

What to do in Laos?

1. Visit Kuang Si Waterfall- is a three levelled waterfall. Honestly one of the most beautiful waterfalls my eyes ever seen!

During this trip I was wearing another Mavele bikini! Perfect for a little swim! This model is called Sunshine Fox. You already know how much I love this London based brand. If you’re looking for a new bikini you can have a look at their designs here.

2. Sunset cruise with Mekong Kingdoms – explore the beauty of the Mekong’s powerful waters, admire the incredible views of tropical jungles, mountain peaks, impressive rock formations and authentic villages. Try Laos testing tapas, sip cocktails and watch the sun going down!

3. Dine at Manda de Laos features Laotian Family Cuisine specialties from all regions of Laos. This restaurant is a perfect option for either romantic candle light dinner under the stars, relaxing lunch or magical spot for the cocktail and a sunset watch. It was my favourite dinner during this trip!

4. Experience Alms giving ceremony at sunrise- Luang Prabang’s alms giving Ceremony is a longstanding tradition in Laos Buddhist culture since the 14th century. It takes place daily as the sun rises, beginning on the main street of Luang Prabang. Such an incredible experience!

*Here with Bonnie and Chloe waiting for the ceremony to start!*

5. Visit Phra Bang temple- there was quite a few temples around but I found this one especially charming.

Thank you Avani Hotels for having me on this wonderful press trip and giving me a chance to experience the culture and the beauty of Cambodia and Laos!

Post in collaboration with Avani Hotels

These jewellery pieces will make your outfit- Muru Jewellery

theblondeflamingo / August 3, 2019 / 1 Comment

Those of you who follow me for some time already know how much I love jewellery, however in the summer it plays more important role than ever as what I am wearing most of the time are bikinis and kimonos, haha. This year I discovered a beautiful London based jewellery brand – Muru. The brand was born out of love of travel and creating memories so I felt like it matches my style perfectly. I absolutely love their gorgeous talismans and they’ve been accompanying my outfits all summer. Each piece have a meaning and it’s designed to promote positivity and wellbeing in different aspects of life.

I personally went for a Protection Gold Durga Coin talisman that illustrates Durga- the cherished Hindu goodness. She is a symbol of protection. She is often pictured with many arms and riding a lion and teaches us to protect those we care about.

I also chose my Zodiac Necklace- Taurus from their “My Constellation” collection. I think this necklace could be a lovely and thoughtful gift.

Last piece- the newest in my Muru collection is Gold Affinity Necklace from my blogger friend’s – Belle & Bunty collection. This necklace celebrates sisterhood and the importance of these supportive relationships in our lives.

I love wearing these necklace either separately or layered up. Either way they look beautiful and elegant and compliment every outfit. You can choose different length of the chain to customise your look and wear them your own unique way. Each necklace comes with a luxury gift packaging and a beautiful lilac ribbon – to me a perfect little feminine touch.

Whether you’re looking for something for yourself or for a gift, make sure to check our Muru’s Jewellery beautiful pieces.

Shop The Blonde Flamingo outfits

Post in collaboration with Muru Jewellery

10 top things to do in Positano

theblondeflamingo / July 20, 2019 / Leave a comment

“Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”

As some of you already know, I’ve been coming back to Positano every single year. When I came here for the first time 6 years ago, I fallen in love at first sight. It’s such a magical destination. I love absolutely everything about it- the vibe, the stylish restaurants, luxurious boutiques, beautiful cafes, incredible sunsets, the most delicious food, the outstanding service. Positano is very special. It’s definitely not a budget destination but to me- worth every penny. It’s the life experience you’d never ever forget and I am sure- you’d want to come back over and over again. I have decided to put all my favourite places together for you to make your visit easier when coming to Positano for the first time.

1.Stay at Buca di Bacco Hotel

It’s my new discovery and I must recommend you this place as it’s so gorgeous. The decor is sooo beautiful. I fallen in love straight away when walked in to the reception. Buca di Bacco has the cutest balconies and the most magical terrace- to me, the most beautiful view over Positano. If you’re not planning to stay there and still would love to experience this place, they also have a restaurant open to public.

2. Shop at Theodora Positano

Shopping in Positano is just something else. I absolutely love all the gorgeous boutiques, I could be strolling for hours. My favourite spot where I stop every single year is Theodora Positano. If you’re looking for a quality, handmade and unique pieces this is the place for you. I am especially obsessed with all their stunning white dresses! I call them “ Positano dress” haha. You definitely need one! To me- best souvenir from Positano together with their famous handmade sandals.

3. Admire the views from Le Sirenuse terrace

As much as I would love to stay there ( hopefully one day) this hotel is crazy pricey. However it didn’t stop me from visiting. Le Sirenuse has a beautiful restaurant open to non hotel guests. It is also pricey but the service, the decor and the views are incredible. Alternatively you can walk in, admire the views from their terrace and take a quick snap however do ask them if that’s ok first. I have been there many times and it’s getting more and more strict due to people walking in with cameras without asking for permission. This year I kindly asked if I can take photo on their terrace and the manager said it’s ok as I have asked. So do keep that in mind when visiting.

4. Aperitivo at II San Pietro or Ville Tre Ville

My absolutely two favourite places in Positano for aperitivo. I honestly can’t decide which place I like more as they are both super special and I recommend you visiting both. These places are so luxurious and peaceful compare to busy restaurants and bars at Positano’s center ( note that this year I’ve visited during high season- July). I’ve never make a reservation but asked at the reception if it’s ok to come in for a drink. There was a minimum spent in Ville Tre Ville– it’s way more pricey than II San Pietro. In Ville Tre Ville for 4 Aperol Spritz we’ve paid €200. Also it’s harder to get there as many times they are fully booked for weddings. II San Pietro hotel seemed more relaxing and more affordable to me- the cocktails cost between €18-€25

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Terrace at San Pietro Hotel Positano

5. Soak up the sun at Spiagga Grande

The Instagram famous Spagga Grande- famous for it’s colourful sunbeds and umbrellas is the main beach in Positano accessible by walk from Positano’s center. The sun-bed cost €22.75 per person per day. Please note the prices may change due to the seasons.

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6. Dine at the beach at Chez Black Restaurant

I absolutely love this restaurant. It’s located downstairs on the beach. Firstly it got me because of the stunning location, decor and the plates- if you go, you’ll understand what I mean haha. But when we’ve ordered the food we’ve realised is not JUST that. The food is absolutely delicious! I highly recommend it if you’re a seafood lover as myself. I absolutely loved the octopus salad ( Insalata di Polpo) and seafood risotto ( Risotto con Frutti di Mare). I went there for lunch but I am sure it must be magical at night too!

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7. Try the famous lemon sorbet at Collina Bakery

It’s such a shame to admit, but I have been in Positano probably 8 times and never tried the famous lemon sorbet served in a real lemon until this year, haha. Well now I came to Positano prepared and I’ve headed straight to Collina Bakery where you can get it take away at €5. It’s soo refreshing and delicious on a hot summer day! I highly recommend you to try it!

8. Try the best panini at Vini & Panini

I have discovered Vini & Panini probably 3 years ago and I am always going back since then. They do the best panini- huge, fresh and delicious at just €6! (This is the cheapest for Positano I think) My favourite panino is with Provola- smoked mozzarella & mortadella. They only do takeaways- there’s no place to sit down but I normally get a panini, sit on the stairs and smile to people passing haha. Such an Italian thing to do!

9. Sunset cruise with Bluestar Positano

I have done it last year and to me it’s the most magical and romantic thing to do in Positano. I highly recommend it for couples! The sunset views in Positano are absolutely gorgeous. It’s such an unforgettable experience worth every penny. Head to their website for information and bookings.

10. Sunset cocktails at Franco’s bar

Franco’s bar is located right next to Le Sirenuse Hotel. It’s personally my favourite bar in Positano for a sunset watch. It’s so stylish, beautiful and also quite affordable. The views from this bar are absolutely insane! I never make reservations but trying to be there before they open the bar to find the best spot to sit.

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