Palm trees. Ocean breeze.
Black and gold. Explore the world.
Trendy swimwear. Salty air. Sunkissed hair.
Endless summer. Take me there.
Women’Secret swimwear
photo: Aida Šabić
Palm trees. Ocean breeze.
Black and gold. Explore the world.
Trendy swimwear. Salty air. Sunkissed hair.
Endless summer. Take me there.
Women’Secret swimwear
photo: Aida Šabić
Mykonos is known for its clear turquoise sea and sandy beaches. Most of them are organized, many famed for crazy parties. All across the island, there are many beaches worth visiting. Staying at Sofia’s Bungalows Mykonos, villa manager Esmeralda shared with us some insider tips and gave us her own beach recommendations. She recommended going to one of the southern beaches when it is too windy (they are better protected from the strong wind) and shared some of her personal favourites. For all of you who are planning to visit Mykonos, the following beach guide might help you plan your days soaking up the sun and swimming in the sea. If you are looking for a wild party experience go for Paradise, Paraga or Super Paradise beach. You can enjoy the sun and sea at one of many organized beaches (like Agios Ioannis, Psarou or Kalo Livadi) or visit one of my 4 recommendations:
Elia beach
Elia beach is the largest of all beaches in the south. It’s a golden sandy organized beach (25€ for two beds and umbrella), you’ve got some nice restaurants and bars there. It has a cosmopolitan vibe, it’s not loud and it’s a good choice for when the wind is strong.
Agios Sostis beach
Agios Sostis is one of the most remote beaches on the island. In my eyes probably one of the most beautiful as well. It is not organized (you don’t need to rent any sunbeds, you can bring your own umbrella or sunbath – Esmeralda said it’s easy to get a super dark tan there), it’s tranquil and not that touristy. A short walk from the beach is the locally famous Kiki’s tavern, which used to be a true hidden gem of Mykonos. It has now become a hip place where reservations are not available, customers sit and wait for hours to get a table (we waited for over 45 minutes!). However, the waiting is always fun as they serve free wine and the crowd gets chatty. It’s a place to meet new interesting people and enjoy the goods of the grill (we enjoyed our sea bass). Check it out if you get the chance!
Ornos beach
Ornos beach was probably the nearest organized beach from where we stayed. It’s located on the southwest part of Mykonos, only 2km away from Chora (Mykonos town). It’s large and well organized, you can find everything from umbrellas and sunbeds for rent and many restaurant, bars and cafes. It’s easily accessible and family friendly. On the opposite site of Ornos town there’s a famous kitesurfing spot, a beach called Korfos.
Kapari beach
A true hidden gem, small sandy beach near Agios Ioannis, which has a rocky west shore. It’s somehow not that popular (you need a car to get there, I would say), there really weren’t a lot of people there when we visited it. And that’s probably it’s beauty. It’s secluded and tranquil, perfect for days when you want some peace and relaxation in the clear and refreshing green-blue sea.
wearing: Women’Secret swimwear and dress
photo: Aida Šabić & me
Mykonos offered amazing clear vivid green-blue waters and sandy beaches. Swimming in the sea was invigorating and fun, while the private swimming pool at Sofia’s Bungalows was equally relaxing and refreshing. Picking out summer swimwear this year was particularly fun for me. Aida went shopping with me, gave me some well-appreciated advice (only a true lady friend can give you). The goal of finding a suit that flatters and flaunts the assets we love is so much easier if you’re shopping with someone who has great sense of style, knows you well and is not afraid to be critical. So, this year I decided to say goodbye to the basic bikini and go for something more interesting and fun.
The palm print one-piece swimsuit caught my eye!
To be completely honest, I haven’t been the biggest fan of one-piece swimsuits. I always thought they were more of a “grandma style” and I probably haven’t tried any that would suit me nicely. There came the palm print one-piece from Women’Secret, which totally changed my mind. Halter neck swimsuit in bold tropical print with open back and beading at the neck turned out to be extremely useful – it is not appropriate only for swimming, but looks fab as a bodysuit (wearing it with a pair of short jeans and a white shirt).
photo: Aida Šabić
Straight after my last exam I flew to an island for a much needed break. For the instant summer kick I chose one of the popular Greek islands, the sizzling Mykonos. It is known for the crazy parties, where even celebs go crazy (it’s the place to be seen and photographed by the paparazzi). However, if you read my upcoming posts, you’ll see that it has much more to offer than just a wild nightlife.
Perfect location
To fully enjoy my short vacation I knew choosing the right location of my hotel was crucial. I wanted to stay close enough to the town of Mykonos (Chora) to be able to stroll down the beautiful white streets, and at the same time wanted to sleep in without being interrupted by the constant noise of the busy atmosphere. I was lucky to find Sofia’s Bungalows Mykonos as it is located in Kanalia, which is only 5 min away from the Chora but still offers plenty of privacy for daytime pool lounging and romantic sunset views over the Syros island.
Attention to detail
What blew me away at Sofia’s Bungalows Mykonos was the owner’s attention to detail; every design idea is well-thought-out with the guests’ comfort in mind. Every studio and villa has its own spacious terrace where you can enjoy your breakfast and reply to all the emails (as the WiFi is purposely set to be working best outside). In the evenings I recommend sipping the Greek wine at the pool area, which is subtly lit so you can still see the stars.
Customized experience
The hospitality is beyond amazing! Upon our arrival we were greeted by Esmeralda, who is the most wonderful person, she knows the island in and out and is full of insider’s tips on which beaches to visit, where to eat, go clubbing or anything else you wish to explore. Don’t be surprised if she visits you in the morning with a surprise complimentary basket full of Greek specialities. The customised experience for every guest is the thing that makes all the difference and assures me I’ll be returning to this amazing place.
Running mistake #1: wearing wrong running shoes
Many (especially newbies) runners think it is not important what kind of running shoes they wear. They are very wrong. As a matter of fact, you should avoid wearing old running shoes and try to find the right type for your foot and running style in order to avoid injuries. Find a helpful professional who will help you determine whether your feet are pronated or supinated (or neutral) and advise you which running shoe to pick.
Running mistake #2: wearing inappropriate clothing
Wearing wrong clothes while running can be uncomfortable and weaken performance, it can even lead to hyper- or hypothermia. Picking the right fabric is essential (technical fabric is the best way to go since it pulls sweat and moisture away from the skin). The rule I always follow is “quality over quantity”, I try to find clothes that fit me well and will last me a while.
Running mistake #3: not hydrating enough
Sometimes it’s hard to determine how much fluid you actually need and how much you’ve lost during the workout. Many forget to hydrate and some don’t like drinking too much (because obviously, you would need to visit the toilet more often). That can lead to dehydration and have negative health consequences. Pay attention to drink enough before, during and after a workout session. Don’t go for beverages with caffeine and avoid over-sugared drinks. Water and most importantly isotonic drinks are my recommendation.
Running mistake #4: too much, too fast
Especially when starting with running training, many get overexcited and start too fast, run longer distances and do it too frequently. No matter how enthusiastic you are, you should always take time to rest and recover your body. If you’re starting from zero, gradually build up the length, duration and frequency of your weekly runs. You will definitely not lose interest by progressing gradually and you will have less chance of picking up an injury.
Running mistake #5: no warming up & cooling down
I’ve already made an individual blog post regarding the importance of warming up and cooling down. I suggest you check it out by clicking here.
photo: Katarina Veselič
running clothes: Adidas