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Gran Canaria Autumn Bliss : Revealing a heartwarming escape from London’s chill

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As you scroll through my social media feeds, you may have caught glimpses of my recent adventure on the mesmerising island of Gran Canaria, all thanks to the Gran Canaria Tourism Board. This magic island holds a special place in my heart, having been my very first destination for an “adult” holiday. Returning to splendid Gran Canaria, after all these years, stirred up a wave of nostalgia, allowing me to discover places I hadn’t previously explored and revisit those that had captured my heart on my first visit.

Escape the London Winter Blues

Are you daydreaming of a getaway, especially as London succumbs to its characteristic grey winter cloak? Get ready to leave the city’s chill behind and swap your umbrella for sunglasses. Gran Canaria beckons you with the promise of an autumn escape, that will cast a sun-kissed spell on your skin, heart and soul.

A Sun-Kissed Journey Awaits!

Now, as you read on, you’ll discover a comprehensive guide to the must-see and must-experience treasures that Gran Canaria has to offer, along with tips for planning your perfect autumn adventure. Let’s dive into this sun-kissed journey that will banish the London winter blues and envelop you in the warmth and beauty of Gran Canaria.

Maspalomas Dunes: Nature’s Masterpiece

Prepare to fall head over heels in love with the enchanting Maspalomas Dunes. Among the most distinctive attractions on the island, this 400-hectare expanse is a Nature Reserve of special significance, boasting a pristine beach, a dynamic sand dune system, and a serene lagoon. Something just out of this world. Explorers will find 8 kilometers of well-marked trails to truly immerse themselves in the captivating world of Maspalomas’ sand dunes. I promise this place will blow you away!

Hacienda La Rekompensa: A Taste of Gran Canaria’s Heritage

A visit to the authentic Canarian Hacienda is like taking a captivating journey back in time. Immerse yourself in Gran Canaria’s rich history and culture. Explore the open-air banana museum, delving into the fascinating history of banana cultivation on the island, from humble beginnings to its vital role in Canarian agriculture. Stroll through the lush banana plantation to witness the dedication behind these iconic fruits. And, meanwhile, when you visit the hacienda, don’t miss the chance to savor local banana-flavored delicacies. The banana cream I tried there was extraordinary, and paired with Canarian cheese, it was just such a great combination. Absolutely delicious! You can buy some to take home in their local shop.

Las Canteras Beach: Where Beauty Meets Urban Charm

If you’re in search of a picturesque sandy beach and a delightful promenade for a leisurely stroll, Las Canteras Beach is not just an option. It’s a destination within itself. This beach, often referred to as one of the finest urban beaches in all of Spain, offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. It’s an ideal spot for enjoying a refreshing drink or tapas while basking in the warm Canarian sun.

Guayadeque Ravine: A Natural Wonder

Prepare to be awestruck by one of the Canary Islands’ longest ravines, stretching 15 kilometers and rising to an altitude of 1,200 meters. Explore this breathtaking landscape with magnificent cliffs, unique flora and fauna, and awe-inspiring vistas. This place truly reminds us of the world’s incredible beauty. I could not stop taking photographs. Additionally, when visiting, don’t miss the chance to dine in a cave restaurant nestled within the rocks. It was one of my favourite experiences!

Agüimes: Charming Historic Town

A delightful stroll through the charming, historic town of Agüimes, nestled in the southeast of Gran Canaria, is an absolute must. This picturesque town, adorned with narrow medieval cobbled streets, exudes the aroma of local cuisine, and its friendly locals will undoubtedly put a smile on your face. Get lost in the vibrant tapestry of yellow and orange streets and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Agüimes. It’s a place that promises to fill your heart with joy and leave you with cherished memories.

In conclusion, I hope this post and the photos ignited a spark of wanderlust within you. Gran Canaria’s enchanting landscapes, vibrant culture, and cozy autumn charm are alluring to say the least. Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on this unforgettable journey. The island’s breathtaking beauty, tranquil moments, and captivating experiences await you.

Why wait? It’s time to plan your autumn escape to this hidden gem and immerse yourself in the magic of Gran Canaria. Book your trip ASAP. Gran Canaria in autumn is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Yours, The Blonde Flamingo

Post in collaboration with Gran Canaria Tourism Board

Chill and Play at Niyama Private Islands Maldives

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As you already know- I absolutely love Maldives. It’s one of my favourite destinations in the world. It was the first place I dreamt of visiting post-pandemic and I am so happy to say- I did! In this blog post I would love to talk to you about the incredible Niyama Private Islands Maldives resort I got to experience after hearing SO much about it! Let’s start from the beginning…

The Blonde Flamingo in Niyama Private Islands Maldives

HOW TO GET THERE

Niyama Private Islands Maldives is located in the south-western atoll of Dhaalu. There are three ways to reach the resort – by shared seaplane transfer, by domestic transfer ,or by VIP private chartered flight. I chose the seaplane transfer with Manta Air. As you know it was not my first time on the seaplane but I just absolutely love this magical experience and I can’t get enough! Yes, I did have a happy tear in my eye again! I truly missed it!

  • Unforgettable flight with Manta Air
  • Are these blues even real?

ACOMMODATION

Niyama offers a great choice of accommodation. Their villas are incredible! You can choose to either stay in luxurious Water Pool Villas or in lush beach pool villas. You can check all villa types here.

I had a chance to stay in their gorgeous Water Pool Villa. We were escorted to our villa by our butler and were surprised with a personalized welcome message, the most beautiful bed set up made of tropical flowers and a bottle of perfectly chilled champagne. What a perfect way to start the vacations!

Our villa was a dream! We had our own private deck with sun loungers, private infinity pool ,and direct access to the most magical crystal clear lagoon. Our bathroom had both – a gorgeous bath tub overviewing the endless blues of the Indian Ocean and a partially open-air shower which I absolutely loved. The mini bar was great and very well-stocked. We even had our own popcorn machine. I mean, who needs a cinema when you have views like this right outside your window?

I also had a chance to check out and enjoy a floating breakfast at their stunning and super spacious Family Water Pool Villa. It was truly a spectacular experience! How massive is the pool? Of course I had to bring some of my pool floats for a little post breakfast pool party!

GETTING AROUND

Now my favourite part! Niyama Private Islands Maldives consists of 2 islands connected by a small bridge. The islands are called Chill and Play. The best way to get around is by bike. What’s special about Niyama – their bikes are personalised! I found it very unique as I haven’t experienced that in any resort before. Here we’re having some fun in the sun together with my travel companion Ieva.

RESTAURANTS

There is a great choice of restaurants in Niyama. Epicure serves International cuisine by a chic pool, the Nest offering Asian cuisines including Thai, Cantonese, Teppanyaki, Japanese, Indonesian, and more. Niyama is the only resort in the Maldives to have an Afro Latin restaurant – Tribal serving exotic African, Central and South American dishes.

Let’s not forget about mentioning Subsix – The world’s first underwater restaurant located 6m below sea level- you can also find it at Niyama! It’s mind-blowing!

For surf and chill lovers, there’s also a Surf Shack – offering some great snacks like ceviche, tacos, burgers and my absolutely favourite truffle fries. PS. Surf Shack is also the best spot to watch the sunsets!

Sunset cocktails at Surf Shack

      SURFING

      As I already mentioned the Surf Shack, I should also talk to you about Surfing. Niyama Private Islands is the first 5-star luxury resort in the Maldives that has its own onsite wave called Vodi. Yes, you heard that right! You can surf in the Maldives! For more information click here.

      DRIFT SPA

      Let’s talk about the Spa. Niyama owns a 24-hour Drift Spa. It’s a real paradise! There are six over water treatment rooms with lagoon view and two treatment sanctuaries with private gardens, outdoor bath, rain shower and daybed. There’s also a gorgeous relaxation area – lime tree garden with sauna, steam baths, plunge pools, Jacuzzis, and Vitality juice bar.

      Drift Spa offers a wide variety of treatments and rituals from around the world. We got to experience a signature one hour treatment. With your treatment you can pick a booster. Ieva chose the Anne Semonin Facial Mask booster to hydrate the skin and protect it from sun damage and I went for a Drift Aroma Hot Stone Massage. It was so relaxing! I highly recommend trying it!

      Image Source – Niyama.com

      KIDS CLUB

      Niyama Private Islands Maldives is perfect for families and owns Indian Ocean’s biggest kid’s club called Explorers, giving parents time to unwind and relax while their little ones can have the time of their life. The club is located in the heart of the tropical jungle letting the young VIPs connect with nature. There are some great activities for littles ones such as dolphin scouting, snorkeling safaris, coconut tree planting and many more.

      THINGS TO DO

      I believe at Niyama Private Islands Resort there’s something to do for everyone. There’s no way to get bored! There’s so much to do. Surf, swim in the ocean, snorkel in their beautiful house reef, exercise at their gym, relax at their SPA, enjoy all the incredible restaurants, or enjoy a destination dining. Have a rum cocktail, and enjoy reggae music in Surf Shack; party under the water in Subsix; watch the movie on the beach under the stars with your loved one. What would you pick?

      Thank you for having me Niyama Private Islands Maldives. I absolutely love my stay and I hope to visit you again in the future.

      For bookings head to https://www.niyama.com/en

      Post in collaboration with Niyama Private Islands Maldives

      5 best things to do in Germany for nature and relaxation seekers

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      As the New Year finally approached , I now feel closer than ever to travelling the world and I am slowly planning my future trips. It brings me so much joy and hope these days! My next desired destination is Germany, a country so close to where I come from ,that I’ve never had a chance to explore.

      Frankly, after not planning trips for so long, I struggled where to start! Thankfully I found out about German information skill capsule on Alexa from the German National Tourist Board! It’s a great source of travel inspiration and information. 

      When asking Alexa about Germany Travel tips, you’re being asked two questions : if you prefer nature or culture and action or relaxation. Based on your answers Alexa suggests the perfect travel programme for you. Normally when travelling, I like the mix of both – couple of days of pure relaxation in the nature followed by some exciting and fun outdoor activities. However after a stressful year, I go for relaxation this time. This travel guide is perfect for relaxation and nature fans. I hope it will make you put Germany on your 2021 bucket list!

      For those who seek the total relaxation and the beauty of the nature, Alexa will offer many incredible walks and hiking trails such as a walk along the magical Wilhelmshöhe hillside park in Kassel. It’s located only two hours drive from Frankfurt. You can also get there by train using the Hanover–Würzburg high-speed railway. It’s the largest hillside park in Europe, famous for its cascading waters. During the walk you can admire the incredible water features : fountains, waterfalls and get to them top of the hill to see the Hercules- the most famous landmark. It looks absolutely stunning! Would absolutely love to visit!

      Strolls in Wilhelmshöhe hillside park in Kassel
      Copyright notice ©GNTB /Florian Trynkowski

      Next recommendation I was given by Alexa is a visit to Tropical Islands Resort. Yes, you heard that right! There is a tropical paradise located only 50 kilometres away from Berlin! 100 000 square meters of rainforests, blue lagoons and lovely warm temperatures. Sounds like a dream? You can get there easily either by car or by train. You need to get off at Brand Tropical Islands train station. From there you will be collected by a free shuttle bus and taken directly to Tropical Islands. When arriving you’ll be blown away by how huge and amazing this place is! You can either head there for a day of relaxation in their incredible heated pools and spa or even book an overnight in the Tropical Islands dome, from tents in the rainforest camp to premium lodges. You can also choose to have your overnight-stay experience outside the dome in a gorgeous holiday apartment. Let’s add the
      most awesome news ( at least for me, haha!) Apparently you can even find
      flamingos inside! Say what? Count me in!

      Fun in the tropical paradise- The Tropical Islands Resort
      ©Tropical Islands Artist Bernhard Ludewig

      Another tailor-made tip was a Riverboat cruise on the Rhine– Germany’s Most Romantic River. Turns out the best way to see the castles in South-West Germany is by boat! Rüdesheim is one of the best departure ports for day-trip excursion riverboat cruises to see the Rhine Valley, castles and Loreley Rock. Imagine relaxing on the water with a glass of wine and admiring the most gorgeous views over astonishing castles, charming small towns and peaceful vineyards. A dream right now!

      A romantic riverboat cruise on the Rhine
      Copyright notice ©Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley, St.Goar/ Mahlow Media, Winningen

      Next activity suggested for nature and relaxation lovers is a visit to The
      Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park      , which is a part of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. I’ve seen so many magical photos of this place and it’s been on my bucket list ever since! It will make you fall in love at first sight with its sand dunes, sandbanks, beaches and incredibly rich flora and fauna. Just visualise yourself stepping on the sand, feeling the breeze in your hair and connecting with nature. You can either walk around or admire the views on the bike ride. You can also visit the small inhabited Halligen islands in the middle of the mudflats by boat. With a bit of luck (and a great guide) you can spot starfish, snails, mussels and lugworms. How wonderful is that? I would absolutely love to stay there overnight and spent a day relaxing on a beach! 

      Visiting The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park
      Copyright notice ©GNTB/ Francesco Carovillano


      Alexa also told me about the famous Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz located in Saxony-Anhalt, between the city of Dessau and the town of Wörlitz in Central Germany. What makes this place so special? It is one of the first and largest English landscape garden in Germany and continental Europe, constructed between 1769 and 1773. It became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000. It’s perfect for cycle tours, walks, horse-riding as well as boat trips. The main attractions to visit are : Georgium Palace, the Luisium Palace, Wörlitz park and many more. The space is huge- about 140km2.  You can spend days exploring yourself or book a special tour. Just looking at the photos of this place makes me feel so relaxed and inspired. I would love to visit it in spring when the garden is at its full bloom! That must be magical!

      Tours around the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz
      Copyright notice ©Kulturstiftung Dessau-Wörlitz

      I hope you enjoyed my Germany Travel Guide with a help of the new “Germany Travel Tips” Alexa Skill from the German National Tourist Board. I had a lot of fun planning my future trip and chatting about the ideas with Alexa! I am amazed how much Germany has to offer and I hope to make this bucket list trip happen as soon as possible! Have you been to Germany before?

      Post in collaboration with German National Tourist Office 

      2019 recap and The Blonde Flamingo New Year’s resolutions

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      2019- oh wow, what a year… First of all- I cannot believe this year is coming to an end. Sadly, the last news of the year was the death of my grandma. It was honestly heartbreaking, after the most magical Christmas I have had in years. I have spend the last 2 days being quiet, but today I woke up thinking I do not want to spend the last day of the year being sad. I will forever miss her and I feel guilty as I haven’t seen her for a very long time, but I know she wouldn’t like me to be sad. She always knew my craziness and love for the world, for people, for animals and for life in general. So I will celebrate the last days of 2019. It will be more quiet ending of the year for sure, but I have a lot of reasons to celebrate and be happy and grateful for this year.

      What I feel the most grateful this year?

      For people. For people who stayed in my life and for people I have met this year. I feel like in 2019 I was more brave than the previous years. I went on many trips on my own ( last year I couldn’t imagine that at all), I connected with many inspiring and wonderful people who made my heart beat again, who made me believe in myself more than ever, who inspired me, pushed me forward. I can honestly say I have met soulmates this year and felt magic in the air again. I felt alive. I cried from happiness. I shared my sadness and struggles. I was crazy myself again. I was real. I am grateful 2019 brought these people into my life as they opened my eyes and my heart.

      I am also grateful for health– more than ever. This year my mum experienced a lot of health issues- I have been flying back home a lot to look after her. I understood that no matter what you have- family and health is what matters the most. I am SO GRATEFUL we went through this together and that I could see her happy and healthy in my house this Christmas ( I wasn’t sure she would make it until the very end and I was so stressed!) Thankfully she was well and she was glowing and more beautiful than ever!

      I also struggled with my health this year-both physical and mental- due to constant travelling and some events from the past, but this year taught me that it’s ok to take a break. I have had a break in April and October. I have also been on the most wonderful health retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand where I have been doing lots of yoga and meditation which seriously helped me to get through the tough times this year. I have also gone on a detox weekend at Glass House Retreat in Essex ( blogpost about this experience will be live soon, so stay tuned!) where I have learnt new healthy habits that I am now trying to introduce into my daily life.

      2019 was a year of realising what matters in life the most- nope, it’s not about likes and followers on Instagram but about myself, my well-being, my home life, family and closest friends. It’s about creating a truly beautiful and real life, not only perfectly edited Instagram images. I am grateful I have realised that.

      Where did The Blonde Flamingo travel this year?

      I literally don’t know where to start. This year I have travelled more than I did in my entire life! I have never ever expected that! Of course I had my bucket list for 2019 but I could never wish for the travels, press trips and projects I was invited to experience this year!

      I have started 2019 with a trip to Amsterdam ( it was my last year’s Christmas gift). After that I have headed to Koh Samui, Thailand with my friend Bonnie Rakhit, for the most wonderful and super needed health retreat ( this trip made us even closer than last year!).

      After Thailand I have then headed to Dubai– it was one of my bucket list destinations and I am so happy I managed to tick it off! I LOVED DUBAI!

      After Dubai I went to Marbella and I felt like I found my dream place to live! I am still looking at properties there. I just loved the vibe and it’s only 2 hours flight from London! After that I have celebrated my friend’s hen do in Venice– oh, Bella Italia! It was such a fun trip! Can you imagine I didn’t take a single pic? Haha!

      As season kicked off I had the most intense 5 months- I was flying from one place to another every single week. I have started with celebrating my birthday in my dream Tulum, Mexico and the hotel I have been dreaming to visit forever- Azulik. I have also managed to visit Las Coloradas where I cried from happiness as I have seen thousands of pink flamingos!

      From Mexico I returned to London ready for new projects. I have then travelled to Fuerteventura, Seville with my bestie- from there we have started our Portugal road trip with Hertz, Tel Aviv with Havaianas, Cappadocia ( BEST TRIP OF 2019!), Amalfi Coast ( my every year’s must), Ibiza ( my favouriteeee vibe!), Cambodia and Laos with Avani Hotels, Maldives ( the third time- I just cannot get enough!), Cornwall with Laurent Perrier, Corfu and Paxos (Greece, you always get me!), Saudi Arabia (it was such an insane trip with the most inspiring people in the industry). Honestly – INSANE YEAR. I am so grateful for all the opportunities!

      Photo by Kyrenian

      Talking about opportunities…

      2019 was the year of the growth I can not even put into words. After years of hard work on my brand I have noticed insane results in 2019. Brands that I have forever loved started to work with me. It was a huge dream coming true. I have signed many contracts and worked with some of my favourite and honestly huge brands- Yamamay, Havaianas, Batiste, Laurent Perrier, Elizabeth Arden, Herbal Essences, Britney Spears Fragrances, Vodafone, Fujifilm, Booking, Hertz, Hotel Tonight, Foreo, Kelloggs and many more. I have also been on many incredible press trips, had a chance to stay at magical resorts and created content at all these incredible destinations. I have also focused on growing other platforms. While I was still very active on my Instagram, I have put more time into my website, Pinterest – I was shortlisted for the Pinterest UK Awards 2019 in the Best Styled Outfits 2019 category and Tik Tok where I have just reached 186 000 worldwide followers. WOW! I feel seriously proud of myself. I worked very hard and I feel like it paid off this year.

      Biggest dream that came true 2019?

      Honestly – so many dreams came true this year. But if I have to think of one moment it’s definitely a hot air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia that I have been dreaming of visiting forever. Here I’d like to thank Altug @kyrenian for making this dream come true!

      The end of the year…

      I have spent this entire month at home, in London working and preparing for hosting the first Christmas in my apartment. It was honestly the most beautiful (and delicious) end of 2019. I really missed having a family Christmas. To be honest, I haven’t had one like that for years so I truly appreciated it. Even though I was a bit sick and I was also dealing with a loss in our family , I was happy and grateful for having people I love next to me. It was a Christmas full of love, craziness and washing plates, lol. Dear Santa- if I have to do this again, could I please get a dish washer as a gift? Haha.

      What are my goals and dreams for 2020?

      Honestly, I didn’t make a long list as I normally do. After everything I have been through, all I really wish for is to be healthy, happy tipsy at sunsets (haha) and surrounded by people who SEE me and love me for who I am. My goal is to spent less time on Social Media and more time being with people and the nature. I just want to LIVE. Watch more sunsets, more sunrises and be more present. I also want to stress less, as I have achieved a lot this year but I didn’t feel like I truly enjoyed the success. I’ve been feeling stressed out and overwhelmed! I hope 2020 will bring more love and more peace into my life ( and my head). Skills wise- I would love to learn how to surf!

      What’s on my bucket list for 2020?

      My list is honestly never-ending, but I hope to visit Hawaii, California, Peru, South Africa, Japan, Bali, new Caribbean islands and Australia! I also hope to return to my favourite Maldives, Greece, Italy ( Tuscany and Puglia, please!) and Ibiza! But honestly what I have learnt this year is that “Sometimes it’s not about the destination, but the road we take and people we meet”.

      What are your New Year’s resolutions?

      Love,

      The Blonde Flamingo

      5 places you should not miss when visiting Portugal

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      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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