The adventures of N: Alaçati

Once upon a time in a place far away from Turkey's most famous cities there was a place that was meant to be the most boem village in the turkish riviera. Alacati is overmatching Bodrum for the title of the most stylish aegean resort but it still keeps its beauty and authenticity.

The secret of the turkish riviera:

For New Yorkers its Hamptons and for Italians bon viveurs its Portofino and Santa Margherita. For the turkish elite of Istanbul its Alacati, an old Greek village built in the peninsula of Izmir and a well kept secret. Full of small alleys, little shops, where you can buy colourful summer dresses and leather sandals, and unique rock houses you get Mykonos lifestyle vibes and the colours of Santorini. Only one hour away from Izmir and 30 minutes by boat from Chios its the most prized region for romantic and glamorous lifestyle holidays.

The village used to be famous for its vineyards and wine but after the population exchange the production was lost and Alacati remained silver in time. Not until 1990 when the first wind surfers had arrived and the first boutique hotels were built, did the village started to develop with high quality standards. The city council banned plastic chairs and tablecloths in restaurants and cafes and in 2006 Alacati was declared as protected region.

Its easy on the eyes to walk in cobbled streets full of naiveté. The scene is magical and the white - red houses and doors classy as it can be. Inside the houses there are aquamarine pools and spacious green gardens where you can swim and drink traditional turkish tea and coffee. The good thing about Alacati is that its not a flamboyant lifestyle spot. It keeps its tranquility and it is shelter for people that don't have the need to show their wealth, but at the same time need high-end vacation. The view from the windmills its breathtaking and it makes you feel like deep summer as you walk down the street and you meet hip people.

What and where to eat:

Barbun:   Traditional turkish cuisine with local fresh products.

Asma Yapragi:   A family restaurant where you can enjoy unique portions

Mancar:   Turkish gourmet cuisine.

Tabla:   Istanbul's famous street food restaurant opened its gates in Alacati.

Must eat: Mussel dolma.

Must drink: Urla winery.

Where to stay:

• BeyEvi:   A quiet hotel near the beach.
• Manastir Alacati Hotel:   Built of stone hotel located at the heart of Alacati.
• Apaz Butik Hotel:   A few steps away from Pazaryeri.

                                   xoxo, Nephele.

Info taken from athinorama.gr and Alacati official site.
Images by aclusterofstars.gr and instagram.
All rights preserved to aclusterofstars.gr

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The Aventures of N: Wroclaw

According to Plato memories are imprinted between us like impressions on wax tablet, and I dare to say that I am a firm believer of the ancient philospher's theory. Sometimes memories can be forgotten and that's why photographs are here to bring them back. Wroclaw for me was a city worth to capture, not only for the sightseeings but also for the new friendships that were established there, making the moments more memorable than ever.

One day was enough for everything. When you visit Wroclaw at 25 February it's so cold that you can't feel your hands without gloves. Although we didn't bend and took a walk through the whole city that is one of biggest in Poland build up in many little islands.

The first thing that we saw was Rinek square with many colourful buildings around it and a big variety of restaurants ( at least 4 were greek ) and shops to choose. The scenery was picturesque and the place was full of people something that I wasn't expecting.

If you ever visit Wroclaw you have to be in the mood for a "dwarf hunt". Since 2015 there are over 350 little statues spread all over the city that represent many actions. You can find some in Rynek square or in the university.

Do not leave if you don't visit the university and if you have the change take a look inside. There are two big halls with baroque elements, painted ceilings and beautiful sculptures. Also if you want to admire the view from the top you can go up for only 14zloti.

The university is near the little islands that I mention before. So the next thing that you should do is to cross the little bridges and wander between the waters and the green parks. In a turn you will see the next landmark in Wroclaw, the Cathedral.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a Gothic church with neo-gothic additions that was completed in 1272 with a height of 98m. The cathedral holds the largest pipe organ in Poland built in 1913, and  was renovated and rebuilt after 1951.

More pictures of Wroclaw:

Behind the Cathedral.

Little Park on our way to the hotel.

Anna, Valentina and Chiara.

I would like to apologize due to the lack of quality of the images.

My camera was back in Greece.

All images are taken by the blog A Cluster of Stars with all rights preserved.

If you would like to repost the images message us for permition.

                                                             xoxo, Nephele.

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The Adventures of N: Swidnica

While I was still in Poland I went through many amazing cities. Some of them famous, some other quite unknown for the world but for the people living there their own unique and cold reality. Swidnica was one of them and it really changed my mind about small places in the middle of nowhere.

Just one hour away from Wroclaw ( a post will be up soon ) the city of 60.000 population has not much to see but there are some spots that are going to surprise you!

We arrived there by train and the station was just 5 minutes away from the city center. The buildings were colorful, with colors like pink, red and yellow on the first sight. Between them, flower beds full of tulips. In the main square is the town hall. This beautiful and majestic building is there since the 16th century and it combines gothic, renaissance and baroque architectural elements.In the centre of the city hall is the tower where you can admire the view of the whole city. I believe that the best hour to go up is when the sun goes down.

The Evangelical Churche of Piece is located 5 minutes from there and it belongs to UNESCO Heritage sites. It was built from 1656-7 and it was named after the piece of Westphallia of 1648. It is builted from wood, loam and straw without steepless and church bells. Personally I believe that is the most magnificent place in the city.

The gothic Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and St. Wenceslaus has the highest tower in Silesia, standing 103 meters tall and it hosts the image of  "Our Lady Health of the Sick" and it was given in a ceremony of 100th years of the Virgin of Fatima. In the ceremony Pope Francis was envoyed.

More pictures of the town :

Food location: Rynek 43 restaurant or Piwnica Ratuszowa.

Coffee location: Baroc cafe.

Goodbye for now!

xoxo, Nephele.

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The Adventures of N 3: Postcards from Paris.

“Paris is the city in which one loves to live. Sometimes I think this is because it is the only city in the world where you can step out of a railway station—the Gare D'Orsay—and see, simultaneously, the chief enchantments: the Seine with its bridges and bookstalls, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Tuileries Gardens, the Place de la Concorde, the beginning of the Champs Elysees—nearly everything except the Luxembourg Gardens and the Palais Royal. But what other city offers as much as you leave a train?” ― Margaret Anderson

November 2017 

Photos edited with: Adobe Photoshop and Afterlight.

                                                  Copyright: Nephele Theofanopoulou 2017-2018

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The Adventures of N 2: Bordeaux

Bordeaux is located in southwestern France and is a port city next to Garonne river, and the world's major wine industry capital as well. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage thanks to its very intact 18 century city architecture. After Paris, Bordeaux has the highest number of preserved historical buildings of any city in France.

Top things to see in Bordeaux:

Place de la Bourse is one of the most well known sights of the city. It was built from 1730 to 1775 and its architect was Ange - Jacques Gabriel, one of the most prominent French architect of his generation. The location was chosen so that foreigners would be impressed by the first sight of the city but unfortunately the monument that gave a focal point to the square has been lost; the statue of King Louis XV was destroyed during the French Revolution. The statue of " Three Graces "was installed in the same location in 1869, to fill the space. There are currently 17 rooms available, from 30 to 1,500 m², offering thoroughly modern facilities in a historic environment. Palais de la Bourse is an up-to-date event venue, equipped with the latest technology, in a superb, historic setting, which gives it a unique cachet. 

Grand Theatre de Bordeaux was first inaugurated on 17 April 1780. Designed by the architect  Victor Louis it was that theatre that Marius Petipa staged his first ballets. It has 12 Corinthian style colossal columns which support an entablature on which stand 12 statues that represent the nine Muses and the three goddesses Juno, Venus and Minerva. The theatre has it's original colors of blue and gold inside and it is one of the oldest wooden frame opera houses in Europe not to have burned or required rebuilding. The building is now home of Opera National de Bordeaux as well as the Ballet National de Bordeaux.

Place des Quinconces and Monument aux Girondins, one the largest city squares in Europe with the column by Dumilatre and Rich and a statue on the top of it that represents the spirit of liberty, and suffering figures around. The momument was erected in memory of Girondists who fell victim of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. The place has become the most important public transport hub of the area and also offers hospitality to an antique bazaar.

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew, the cathedral of the city is a Roman - Catholic church dedicated to Saint Andrew. It was built in 1096 by Pope Urban II and the Royal Gate is from the early13th. The church is now a national monument of France and is home of the Marcade collection with illuminations that was little studied so far.

Porte Cailhau, is one of the gates that leads to the old town. Despite its age it remains practically unchanged. The Port Cailhau, thirty-five metres tall, was integrated into the city walls. In 1864, it was rented by a public letter writer and a person whose job was to weigh salt. They were both evicted in order to renovate the monument.There is a magnificent view of the oldest bridge in Bordeaux, the Pont de Pierre, from here.

                                                 

More pictures of Bordeaux:

Information were taken from Bordeaux tourism site.

Pictures by Nephele Theofanopoulou.

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The Adventures of N 1: Chios

 Γνωστή για την μαστίχα, τα γραφικά της χωριά, τους Χιώτες που βιάζονται σε έναν τόπο τόσο μικρό και την ιστορία της, η Χίος αποτελεί έναν κρυμμένο προορισμό, παραμερισμένο θα έλεγε κανείς τα τελευταία χρόνια, για της καλοκαιρινές μας διακοπές. Όλα αυτά επιβεβαιώνονται από την συνεχή παράθεση όψεων και αντιθέσεων από γωνιά σε γωνιά. Βρέθηκα εκεί, γνώρισα ένα νησί πολύ διαφορετικό από εκείνο που παρουσιάζεταί και μιας (κατά έναν τρόπο) είναι το δεύτερο μου σπίτι, because home is where your mom is η ίδεα για την έναρξη της καινούργιας στήλης του Cluster Of Stars γεννήθηκε.

 Έτσι λοιπόν το ταξίδι ξεκινά περίπου 8 ώρες μακριά από το λιμάνι του Πειραιά, στο Ανατολικό Αιγαίο και απέναντι ακριβώς απο τα παράλια της Μικράς Ασιας και το Τσεσμε.

 Στην πόλη τίποτα δεν θυμίζει το παραδοσιακό στιλ μπλε - άσπρο πέρα μερικών εξαιρέσεων. Τα περισσότερα σπίτια και ειδικότερα εκείνα που βρίσκονται μέσα στο κάστρο της πόλης έχουν χαρακτήρα που σε τραβάει πίσω στο 1920.

                                            Λιμάνι και παραλιακός δρόμος γίνονται ένα.

Μοναδικές εικόνες, μοναδική αρχιτεκτονική που ξεχωρίζει με τον πλούτο της αλλα και την ποικιλία σε κάθε άκρη του νησιού. Έτσι, μεταφέρομαι στο Πυργί το μεγαλύτερο χωριό του νησιού που αποτελεί ζωντανό λαογραφικό μουσείο. Τα ασπρόμαυρα γεωμετρικά του σχήματα τα "ξυστά" που σε ζαλίζουν βρίσκονται χαραγμένα σε κάθε σπίτι. Μεταξύ τους άλλα ενώνονται με αψίδες κάνοντας τους δρόμους γραφικότατους.

 

Παίρνω τον δρόμο προς τα Μεστά και σε λίγα λεπτά βρίσκομαι στο μεσσαιωνικό χωριό. Κατα μήκος του δρόμου για εκεί, τα χαρακτηριστικά δεντράκια με τον άσπρο πάτο δακρύζουν. Αρώματα και χρώματα.. αλάτι και λιβάνι, κίτρο και δενδρολίβανο, μανταρίνι και νεράτζι, μυροβόλος Χίος.

Τα Μεστά είναι το πιο καλοδιατηρημένο μαστιχοχώρι του νησιού. Χτίσμενο στα Βυζαντινά χρόνια και με ανανεωμένη οχύρωση απο τους Γενοβέζους παρατηρώ την παραδοσιακή θυμιανούσικη πέτρα στα αρχοντικά του, βοτσαλωτές αυλές, κρηνες στέρνες και περιβόλια με εστεριδοειδή, την βυζαντινή εκκλησία με το ψηλό καμπαναριό. Ένα ζωντανό χωριό του χθές με πυκνή δόμηση.

     Κοντά βρίσκω την παραλία της Αγίας Δύναμης με τα καταγάλανα νερά, την παραλία της Κώμης με τον κοσμοπολίτικο αέρα και την χρυσή άμμο. Πρώτη θέση όμως έχουν τα Μαύρα Βόλια με τα ξεχωριστά μαύρα βότσαλα από προιστορική έκρηξη του υφαιστίου Ψάρωνας. Τα νερά είναι παγωμένα και κρυστάλλινα και ο βυθός εντυπωσιακά μαύρος,

 
Και τελειώνω εδώ χωρίς πολλά πήγαινε - έλα. Ύπαρχουν πολλά ακόμα να ανακαλύψει κανείς          γι'αυτό άφησα τα υπόλοιπα για την επόμενη φορά. Το μέρος με την βαριά ιστορία του και με την μοίρα που το χτυπά ανά καιρούς αλλά και με το προιόν του, πολυζήτητο μέχρι την άλλη άκρη της γης, την μαστίχα. Με μια μεγάλη ανάσα αυτή είναι η Χίος.


xoxo

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