Mediterranean – Camera & Carry On

Interview with a Local: Theo from Cyprus

Shannon — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:47:00 +0000

On our travels, we were fortunate to find a wonderful place to stay with Theo. He was our kind and generous host, renting out a beautiful, ground floor apartment to us for our two week stopover (which we thoroughly enjoyed). He's been kind enough to indulge us in a little Q&A, and share an insider's look the island nation of Cyprus. Hi! Can you tell us a little about yourself? I'm Theodoros and I am a music teacher in a public secondary school in Limassol, Cyprus, and a professional flute performer. I consider myself an outgoing person, who enjoys meeting new people and discovering new places. I'm happy when travelers from abroad come to discover Cyprus, as I believe traveling brings people together, leads to better communication and ultimately, this will build a better world for tomorrow. I enjoy the arts and culture, music among them, which is also the best way humans can communicate! I enjoy relaxing by the beach and chilling with friends and loved ones. Why Limassol? How long have you lived there? Limassol is my home town, I've lived here all my life. I am part of Limassol and Limassol is part of me. We're interconnected. It's not just a city, it's my home... As they say, home is where your heart is. Well, my heart is in Limassol. I love the fact the city embraces the sea, this openness to the blue, this forever changing view that looks like a live canvas. The marine colour with splashes of white in fall and spring, the dark ocean blue in winter when it's difficult to see where the sea ends and the sky begins, the bright blue in summer when the sea mirrors the bright sun... all this with the coming and going of ships and boats... Is it easy to get around on foot, or do you recommend a bike, car, public transportation, etc? Walking in Limassol is easy, and it's an ideal way to take in the beautiful seafront with the promenade. Biking is highly recommended as there is already infrastructure with cycle lanes and a bike sharing system, and improvements keep being implemented to make cycling an even better experience. Renting a car is still the best way to discover the island though, as many of the picturesque places are not easily accessible by public transportation. How many days do you recommend visitors spend in Limassol? In Cyprus? An ideal stay in Cyprus should be around 10 days. Even though Cyprus is a small island, there are beautiful spots and hidden gems all over the island. The most idyllic places are not easily accessible and deserve a full day excursion. Visiting all the island's cities is also a must, as each has a distinct character, something quite amazing for such a small island. Limassol is an ideal starting base for discovering the island as it is situated in between other cities and close to the Troodos mountain range, the "green heart" of Cyprus. Are there any "must see" things visitors can’t leave Cyprus without seeing? There are many "must see" things, but the most important are "Petra tou Romiou", Aphrodite's birth place according to Greek mythology, and Ancient Kourion, an amazing archaeological site overseeing the sea. What is your favorite restaurant right now? Favourite restaurant is Forsos Tavern in Moutayiaka, a traditional tavern, serving Cypriot meze as they should be: local products, plentiful and tasty! Are there any "locals only" secrets you can let us in on? Agios Epiktitos Tavern in Amenochori for an amazing view over Limassol and Millomeris Waterfalls for an "oasis" of freshness in the mountains, even during the summer months! Do you enjoy travel? Where have you been? Where would you like to go? I love travelling. Seeing new places, living differently, interacting with other people with different cultures and histories, is an amazing thing. Travelling is to me a life-enriching experience. I've been to many European countries, both in Western and Eastern Europe, but I would love to have the opportunity to go back to the USA to see more of it, and to discover Thailand, Brazil and Australia! Thanks so much again to Theo for answering our questions, giving us helpful insight, and for being such an amazing host during our travels. If you plan on visiting Cyprus and are looking for a great place to stay, check out his airbnb listing.

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10 Reasons Why I’d Live in Santorini

Shannon — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 21:11:08 +0000

People ask me where I've enjoyed visiting the most, but I always have a tough time answering. The thing about the world is, it's a big place and each destination is unique; you know, apples and oranges. Now, if the question is, "Where would you consider moving?" that narrows my options a bit. I'd be stocking up on humble homes around the globe if money was no object: a tiny chalet in the Swiss Alps, beach bungalow in Thailand, studio flat in London, lakeside charmer in Lake Como... you get the idea. Of my dream locations, Santorini has secured a spot on my small, but thoughtfully cultivated list. It's got a lot going for it, and here are 10 reasons why I could see myself living there:

The view. Have you seen photos of Santorini? I won't bother you with 10,000 adjectives about its beauty, but I can assure you it's gorgeous from every angle.
Space. While the towns are established and compact, between them you'll find very little. Having heard Santorini is a big tourist destination, it surprised me to find how rural it was. There's much more to the island than smooth, white buildings and blue fences; space, and lots of it.

The great outdoors. I like think of myself as a city girl. But now and again, I get away and realize how much I love the peace and beauty of the contrary. Sweeping seascapes, craggy, cliffside trails, and white, puffy clouds across the sky: these are things that make my soul happy.
The people. Everyone was very friendly, even if there was a bit of a language barrier with some of the older locals. A wave and a smile speak volumes.

Desserts with honey. It's a wonder what can be done with filo, honey, cinnamon, and nuts. Baklava, kataifi, loukoumades -- you name it, I love it.
Gyros. These filling and delicious pita sandwiches made with fresh ingredients only set us back 2€ a pop. In the words of craft-mogul Martha, "It's a good thing."

Sunsets. Some of the most vibrant, brilliant sunsets I've ever seen have been here and Oia is the ultimate place to take it in.
A steady breeze. Nothing can suck the life out of a person quite like stale heat. I love the sunshine, but that breeze made sure we had comfortable afternoon walks and could enjoy sitting outside without melting to plastic, bistro chairs.

Real estate. While I'm no expert on Greek real estate, I know enough to realize that properties are for sale and that the economic climate in Greece is favorable for buyers. There were a number of properties with jaw-dropping ocean views, in serious disrepair, and in need of a good renovation (so... cheap-ish?). I like a good deal and I'm cool with getting dirty.
Proximity to mainland Europe. We like to travel. There, I said it. With an airport on the island, reasonably priced airfare, and hundreds of destinations within a few hours' flight, that makes for pleasant journeys.

Bonus: It's on the sea. I grew up in a coastal town in Florida and have always loved the ocean. Being on a large body of water is comforting and makes me feel at home.

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Snapshot: French Riviera

Shannon — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 03:00:54 +0000

Yes, it’s true… the pastries ARE amazing. Believe me; I had more than a few. Situated on the Mediterranean, Nice is a lovely city with charming architecture and equally picturesque views of the sea. In terms of the people… I don’t mean to snuff the French as a whole, but the jury is out. My interaction with the locals was a bit mixed, from a lady getting very angry at me for showing interest in her fruit at the market (I’m smiling and I’ve got money in my pocket, but go figure…) to a friendly bartender making good chit chat with us one night at dinner. Alas, taking the land and setting for what it is, the area is a truly beautiful one. When not in Nice, we ventured to Cannes for a day – nice picnic lunch on a boardwalk, jaunt through the old town, and views of jaw-dropping yachts. On another, we made our way to Monaco and took a few photos by the famed Monte Carlo Casino. The real standout, however, was the journey on foot back toward Nice, along the water. Two mile long, and accessible only by foot, the Cap d’Ail/Mala Beach coastal path leads you along the edge of the cliffs that plunge into the deep, rich blue of the Mediterranean. At the end, a hidden beach, but you could really stop off anywhere along the way and sun yourself along the boulders emerging from the water. It’s a gorgeous place, where the rich and famous come to splurge and relax. But for two not-so-fat-cats, we managed just fine. [See image gallery at www.cameraandcarryon.com]

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