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Highlights of 2017

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As the year is coming to an end I thought it would be great to sum it up. First of all I would like to say how quick this year was! I can’t believe it’s almost over!

What a year it has been though…

Started with ticking Portugal off my bucket list. I had the most magical time in Lisbon and also made it to by dream palace in Sintra which was even more beautiful than I expected!

In February we travelled to another bucket list destination of mine- Zanzibar. It’s one of my top destinations I’ve visited this year. Apart from its endless blue oceans, stunning white sand beaches, delicious food and warm people it had also taught me a great lesson. It is truly a beautiful and luxury destination, but if you leave the resort everything changes and you see the real Africa. It’s so sad and overwhelming, however seeing the people so happy and grateful for what they have, seeing them loving the simple life with ‘hakuna matata’ problem free philosophy made me start being more grateful for things I haven’t appreciated before.

After this trip I was already getting ready for another adventure- my boyfriend treated me to the best birthday trip to beautiful Mykonos and Santorini! I’d love a gift like that every year, please!

While in Greece, I found out I am travelling to Morocco with my best friends 2 weeks after! Isn’t it crazy? It was the best birthday gift ever- travelling to my dream destination- Chefchaouen with people I love! This city will always have a special place in my heart.

After this trip I was selected a blogger of a month by SkinnyDip London. It was my first and very special interview that made me believe in my blogging career even more!

Few weeks later I was boarding to Italy- this year I have visited my dream Genova, Cinque Terre and Portofino and Napoli and Amalfi Coast after that. I had a chance to visit my favourite place in Europe- Positano for the third time and I fallen in love even more! 2018, could you please take me back there again?

In August this year was offered the Social Media job I was fighting for for months! What a big change that was! I am grateful to be growing and learning something new every single day and be surrounded by passionate, ambitious and creative people.

That month was also very special to me as my boyfriend and I treated each other to a magical weekend getaway to Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire to celebrate our 4th anniversary. We couldn’t have chosen a more unique place to celebrate!

Few weeks after that I treated my mum to the birthday escape to Mallorca. I have been planning our daughter and mother trip for months and couldn’t be happier we made it happen! She literally cried! Hopefully the New Year will bring us more trips like that! We had the best time ever.

At the end of September we flew to Barcelona to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday) I will never forget his magical birthday dinner at Soho House Barcelona rooftop restaurant.

Month later we were already packing for our dream trip to Seychelles!

We have finished this crazy intensive year with a peaceful Christmas in London, just two of us, loads of Italian food and Christmas movies. We both needed to recharge the batteries!

You may think I am crazy, but I am blogging from the plane now! Will spent NYE with my bestie Siobhan from They Wanderlust in the Maldives. Can’t wait to see her! I am so so so so so excited!

Thank you 2017! You’ve been one of the most intensive and stressful but also the most incredible and progressive year of my life. In 2017 TheBlondeFlamingo officially became a business and a job. I am finishing the year with amazing audience of 50 000 of you around the world   Thank you for believing in me, thank you for your love, support and to the people who’re by my side everyday- a very special thank you for your patience and kicking my bum everyday- I know I’ve been such a pain this year with all my travels, lack of time, constant stress and ups and downs. But we made it together! I would never be where I am without you and your help! Thank you for still being by my side!  I love you.

Bye 2017. Thank you for all your lessons. Bring on 2018! Can’t wait to see what you hold!

Seychelles- Paradise on Earth

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I have been dreaming of visiting the Seychelles since I can remember. It was my bucket destination for 2017 and I still can’t believe I have managed to tick this place off my list considering I have travelled to so many destinations this year already! Writing this post is taking me forever as I literally can’t find the words to describe this paradise! Hopefully my photos will help out!

But let’s start with where the Seychelles are located and how did we get there. So, the Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. We flew there from London, with a quick stop in Ethiopia and landed on Mahé Island where we’ve spent first few days. We stayed at Bliss Hotel located on the northern shores of the island, in a sheltered cove, set between white sandy beaches and lush tropical vegetation. This hotel was so beautiful, minimalistic, chic and had a bohemian feel I absolutely adore.

After couple of days in Mahe we took a Cat Cocos ferry to Praslin. It took us a little bit over an hour to get there. In Praslin we have decided to rent a car and go a on a little road trip around the island. What a dream! Talcum-powder sands, turquoise waters, lush hills, granite rocks all over,tropical flowers, colourful birds. Absolutely unbelievable! Wish I could teleport back right now!

After couple of days we took a ferry to another bucket list island- La Digue. The journey was only 15 minutes and we were in completely different world. No cars, no noice, just pure nature and the ocean. The best way to move around the island is to rent a bike. I am not gonna lie it took me ages and still didn’t manage to find the pink one ( haha, what a drama!) but got a pretty blue one so I was happy at the end! The roads and views around the islands were absolutely breathtaking.

We have also ticked the famous Anse Source D’Argent off my bucket list and I have to admit it was the most beautiful beach I’ve seen in my life so far. Believe me, the photos do not justify the beauty of this place!

We have finished off our incredible stay on La Digue Island with a romantic, sunset dinner at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie hotel. What a magical setting! Will never ever forget this beautiful evening!

After visiting Praslin and La Digue we went back to the main island- Mahé and spent our last two days at Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa- I fallen in love at first sight! It was one of the most charming hotel I’ve stayed at. Located in the North of Mahé , only 30 mins away from Victoria airport, nestled into the hillside with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by white-sand beaches, lush tropical gardens and turquoise waters- ahhh, a true escape from everyday life. It’s also an adult only hotel which makes it a perfect romantic getaway or a honeymoon destination.

Our villa was just perfect. Very private, spacious, with a king size beautifully- decorated bed and all wooden interior. I loved the woody scents all over the place. We also had the dreamiest walk-in shower and a whirlpool bath. Yup, I’ve spent most of my time in there!

My second favourite place at the resort was the pool area. It was just a perfect place to relax and forget about the world. We’ve been also lucky to witness one of the most incredible sunset ever!

When talking about Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa you definitely can’t forget mentioning how incredible and private the beach is! I felt like I had it all to myself. Look at these endless blues! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I will also never forget this place as it’s was the first time I tried paddle-boarding! Omg, so much fun! (especially when you feel like you’re the only person in the ocean!)

It was so hard to leave this beautiful hotel! Wish we could stay longer! PS. My flamingo loved it too! We will miss you, Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa!

All these experiences, incredible views, magical sunsets and lovely people we’ve met during our trip- especially Judith from Hilton’s Social Media Team but also a very talented Fashion and Travel Journalist and the cutest travel couple- Stuart and Helianna  made me love the Seychelles. Due to some health issues we experienced during the trip and also crushed drone ( Thank you Stuart for letting me use your photo!) we were not able to see and shoot as much as we planned but still tried our best to do as much as possible during our stay and showcase our favourite places around these magical islands. What I know is- we have to come back as soon as we can and explore more!

Seychelles, we love you!

 

The most magical Christmas spots in London

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As some of you already know- this year I am spending Christmas in my favourite city- London (before heading on the next and very special trip soon, but will share it with you later! It’s still a little secret!) I’ve been here for 5 years and this city never fails to amaze me- especially during the festive season. I just can’t get enough of the decorations and lights all around the city. I love strolling around my favourite places with hot chocolate in hand. Today I decided to share my favourite Christmassy spots with you!

Peggy Porshen I think I don’t have to introduce this perfect pink coffee shop with the prettiest looking coffees, cupcakes and the most magical displays. This place is actually my tradition every season of the year and I think it can’t be missed during your visit in London! The closest tube station is Sloane Square.

 Winter Wonderland – I have been visiting this place every single year for the past 5 years and I can’t get enough! Makes me feel like a little child! Love running around with pink cotton candy, riding carousels, sipping mulled wine and watching London from above on a Giant Wheel. There’s no better place in London to get into the Christmas spirit!

 

 

New Bond Street– definitely my favourite street to stroll around during the festive season. Every shop display is just incredible and so photo-worthy.  I promise the memory card in your camera will get completely full!

 

Ice skating at National History Museum– London has quite a few ice rinks but this one is the most enchanting. This year my visit to this ice rink was even more especial than last year as it was snowing! Couldn’t get more magical!

 

 

Harrods – the world’s most famous department store located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. It’s a must see tourist attraction all year long, but during the festive season is just something else! You need to see it with your own eyes!

 

 

Shop my festive looks

Chefchaouen, Morocco

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I am so excited to share with you one of the most incredible trips I’ve done this year with my best travel crew– Chefchaouen!

Those who were following me on Instagram for a while can probably remember my trip to Marrakesh last year and the struggles and problems I’ve been facing on that trip. The most important one – I didn’t feel safe there. Maybe because it was my first trip out of Europe and I was a naive tourist rather than experienced traveler, but still, after the trip to Marrakesh I was sure I won’t be coming back to Morocco. However after I got back I started to read more about this country and the culture and I became fascinated with it and wanted to explore more.  My top bucket list place in Morocco was Chefchaouen- the Blue city. Imagine how happy I was when I found out on my birthday(!) that we’re going there all together with my closest friends two weeks after!

We’ve started our trip in Rabat where we spent our first day. There was few ways to get to Chefchaouen- trains and buses but as we only went there for a weekend, to save the time we decided to rent a car and just drive there. The journey was around 3.5 hours long .We had few issues with police stopping us on our way and we had to pay a few fines haha I am not really sure for what, as nobody could speak English so it was a bit stressful, but when we finally got there we all forgotten about it and fallen in love at first sight.

It was so magical, felt like a completely different world. So beautiful and  peaceful compare to overcrowded and noisy Marrakesh.

There was not much to do there, but it was just perfect place for a relaxing weekend trip. I loved strolling around all these charming, blue streets, shopping at the local boutiques, sipping traditional mint tea and admiring the magical views. Also- I think I have never taken so many photographs! It’s the most photogenic town I’ve ever seen! You should definitely add it to your bucket list!

 

 

 

Mykonos & Santorini with Rocabella Hotels

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Have you ever been dreaming of visiting a place for years but never actually managed to do so? This is my story with Mykonos & Santorini- two islands I’ve always wanted to tick off my bucket list but there was always something blocking me. I even had flights to Santorini booked once and didn’t make it. All that made me crave visiting these destinations even more!

This year I’ve finally made it- what’s more- it was a birthday gift from my boyfriend! Isn’t the most incredible surprise ever?

First island we visited was Mykonos. And I have fallen in love at first sight. Literally… I’ve never seen any place that was SO PERFECT before. All the colours, flowers, boutique restaurants, bars, hotels. I was obsessed with every little street, every cute cafe and every single shop. Just look at it. My memory card became full real quick!

Shirt dress – Dancing Leopard

Jumpsuit – Mister Zimi

Skirt – Mango

Bag- MANANA Jewels

But my birthday getaway wouldn’t be the same without incredible stay at Rocabella Mykonos. I can truly say it was the most beautiful, boutique hotel I’ve ever stay at! It was perfect at every little detail. I loved its minimal chic design and bohemian feel- after I got back I started to redecorate my place, I swear! I highly recommend to stop there even for couple of nights- it’s a real fairytale and escape from everyday life.

After few amazing days in Mykonos we moved to Santorini. The connection between these to islands is actually great! We used Sea Jets ferry and in less than two hours we were already wandering around magical Santorini. We stayed at Rocabella Santorini– what a dream! I couldn’t have imagined a better place to celebrate my birthday!