Next week we are flying to Nice to spend a short week in the Principality of Monaco. Nestled between the sea and the mountains this unique country has so much to offer in its two square kilometres, from historic establishments and stunning coastline, to exceptional food and luxury shopping.
As one of the wealthiest countries in the world and home to many millionaires, I’m expecting to see glamorous residents cruising around in their super cars and hanging out on their mega yachts in the harbour.
I’m excited to explore the city on foot whilst browsing the shops and sipping cocktails at a chic harbour bar overlooking the French Riviera.
We don’t have a specific plan for our time in Monaco, however I’ve done some initial research to get recommendations on the top places to visit on https://www.visitmonaco.com/en
So stay tuned to hear all about our late summer holiday in my Monaco Diaries ❤
It’s Euros finals day and we’re about to order pizza before watching the big game on TV; come on England! Football aside, I’m super excited to be jetting off to the stunning Greek island of Santorini on Wednesday. Packing is well underway and I’ve spent today planning some cute outfits and making the tough decision on which bikinis to pack from my ever growing swimwear collection.
I’ve done my usual research on the area we are staying and put together an aesthetic Pinterest board for photo opportunity inspo. We will be staying at Crescent Luxury Suites located within the small town of Imerovigli, just in between Fira and Oia.
We have treated ourselves to a junior suite so we will have our own private plunge pool with a view, how magnificent! – https://cresantoluxurysuites.com
I was advised that booking a table for a view at sunset is a must, so I’ve lined up our dinner spots for the first three evenings. The night we arrive we have 8pm reservations at The Wine Bar in Imerovigli, only a 10 minute walk away from our hotel. Then I have booked Veranda Aperitivo Bar for sundown drinks in Oia on Thursday, and our Friday night dinner date at The Vine in Fira, a very highly rated restaurant and winery with breathtaking views.
Other activities we are keen to do during our time in Santorini is quad biking around the island, a boat day and visiting the black sand beaches.
Needless to say it’s going to be a beautiful week soaking up the scorching sun, indulging in the most delicious Greek food and wine, and enjoying picture perfect sunset views on Greece’s most romantic island of Santorini ❤
As we near the month of May, this gloomy English weather is not giving way for Spring which we can only hope means a hot summer coming our way. In the meantime, I needed another holiday to look forward to so I got researching into our options for a European get away in mid July.
After considering the South of France as well as other Greek Islands, we settled on the beautiful Island of Santorini. Whilst I’m aware it is a very popular holiday destination and won’t be cheap, Santorini is simply iconic with its white brick towns set against the vivid blue ocean, not to mention it’s incredibly romantic too.
We’ve treated ourselves to a deluxe suite with hot tub and sea views at Cresanto Luxury Suites, just outside of the capital Fira. I can’t wait for sunbathing in our own private paradise and sundowners in the hot tub with those breathtaking views.
It will be a week of pure bliss in stunning sunshine enjoying delicious Greek food and wine whilst soaking up endless sunsets; bring on Euro Summer 24 ❤
Whilst Balmy Beach Resort is a tropical paradise by day, it also comes alive at night with live music every evening and cocktails served until the early hours.
I love getting dressed up for evening dinners on holiday and having fun with cute outfits I wouldn’t get a chance to wear out at home.
With our first proper evening at the resort being a Friday night, weekend vibes were in the air from noon and by dusk the live DJ was getting the atmosphere buzzing at the beach bar.
I wore this Stradivarius skort paired with my favourite floral wrap frill blouse, these ASOS woven sliders and my new Dune white crochet handbag with gold chain which I brought in duty free at the airport.
When we were at the airport on our journey over to Turkey, I also decided to really splash out and treat myself to these magnificent MuiMui sunglasses.
I wanted to debut them for our special romantic dinner for two on Saturday evening at the Balmy a la carte restaurant.
First up though, it was sundowners at the beach bar where I enjoyed a glass of bubbly in this beautiful champagne flute looking so elegant next to by cute new bag.
Having got a golden glow from the first few days of sun, I decided to wear this white body con middy dress I got in Australia years ago paired with my pear detail sliders, a pair of oversized white shell earrings and my By Alona gold chain pearl necklace which I wore almost every night, the perfect holiday jewellery piece.
I was feeling very St Tropez in all white complete with those killer sunnies and sipping my champagne at that beautiful boho beach bar.
There’s nothing like dining al fresco on holiday with that salty sea air and mellow pink and blue sky as the sunsets and dusk draws in.
We had a wonderful evening together enjoying delicious food and being looked after so well by our lovely waiter; can you tell he was making me laugh here 😉
Sunday night I wore this tropical print maxi dress which is completely backless and features a flattering thigh split. Very little accessories needed with this number, the dress does all the talking.
That evening the live music was over at the garden bar, where we sat in the charming surroundings of the courtyard and could gaze up at the stars in the night sky.
Monday night I went a little more casual with these black crochet Zara shorts, my boho print bardot style croptop, those timeless ASOS plaited sliders and my usual gold jewellery to complete the look.
And once again we found ourselves down at the buzzing beach bar for post dinner drinks and another live band session.
For the final night we got dressed up and ready for dinner in time for golden hour down by the pool and beach bar.
I had to get out my favourite summer minidress from Abercrombie & Fitch, paired with this pastel pink shell detail ASOS clutch for a pop of colour, and of course my new MuiMui babies.
That golden hour glow was giving me all the fuzzy feels and I just wanted to bottle that magical moment forever.
Once the sun hid behind the mountains and the pastel pink sky set in, we went for pre-dinner cocktails at the beach bar.
We couldn’t have wished for a more exquisite setting for our final dinner at Balmy Beach.
Later in the evening the crescent moon came out to sit just above the mountains at dusk; how peaceful and spiritual this moment felt.
And so that marked the end of our stay at Balmy Beach Resort and we couldn’t be more grateful to the staff who were so kind and friendly in making our time there an absolute joy and pleasure.
Sunset views and moonlit hues; goodnight Balmy Beach ❤
Ahhh what I would give to be back in the paradise of Balmy Beach Resort Kemar. Following a week of sunshine, relaxing poolside, eating exquisite food and drinking all kinds of delicious cocktails, we returned from our wonderful week away in Turkey last Wednesday evening.
Set between the mountains and the beach on the coast of Kemar in Turkey, the views at Balmy Beach Resort make for the most picture perfect backdrop.
When you exit the reception, you are greeted with this spectacular walkway with the hotel rooms and palm trees framing that breathtaking view of the mountains.
We had a lovely spacious room overlooking the main walkway complete with a large balcony, a super comfy bed, double wardrobes, a large bathroom with walk in waterfall shower and complimentary mini bar stocked with all the flavoured sodas you could wish for.
The interiors and decor of Balmy Beach are very Grecian meets Bali vibes and I’m obsessed!
On Sunday I was having a pink moment in my Bond Eye Swim candy pink bikini and those cherry pink cocktails to match.
One of my favourite spots to sip my cocktail and read my book was at the beach bar where they had these cute egg chairs, which I now need to get at home for our garden too.
Alongside all the amazing cocktails, we ate like king and queen being on the all inclusive deal.
The buffet selection was always so fresh and superbly presented.
From whole grilled fish and chicken kebabs, to colourful salads with exotic dips and deliciously prepared vegetable dishes, there was something for everyone.
There was even a whole deli counter where you could plate yourself a cheese platter or charcuterie board, right up my street.
Our all inclusive deal even included dining at the a la carte restaurant.
We had dinner here on the Saturday night and were so impressed, we went again for dinner and a few lunches too.
Whilst the dinner was fine dining, the lunch menu included pastas, pizzas, burgers, salads and more traditional lunch options.
My boyfriend was obsessed with the chicken schnitzel and had it on two occasions, which being part German is saying something for sure!
There is even a Balmy Cafe with a wide selection of coffee options served hot or cold. Our daily afternoon poolside treat was an iced coffee with one of their sugar free syrups.
Of course we like to stay fit and active on holiday too, so we made an effort to use their excellent gym facilities as well as the tennis court for a few games.
Handstand practice with this backdrop was a dream, wish I could workout in front of the mountains everyday.
These massive beanbag chairs out on the pontoon were super comfy and another picturesque spot to relax and soak up the hot Turkish sun.
Being out by the sea is my favourite place to be and so peaceful just listening to the waves lapping by the shore.
I’m such a water baby and had to take a dip in the ocean whilst we were out on the pontoon.
Sunset was a little earlier given the sun dipped behind the mountains by about 7pm every evening.
So sundown poolside when most people had left to get ready for dinner was the best way to make the most of my favourite time of day; tranquil bliss for golden hour.
Now these are my kinda Monday blues sitting poolside after a long lunch, sipping an iced coffee and reading my book.
We even treated ourselves to a much needed couples massage at their stunning spa with the most tranquil setting overlooking this pebbled pool and luscious palm trees.
I loved every minute of our time at the beautiful Balmy Beach Beach Resort and left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, not to mention wanting to redecorate our own house balmy beach style.
We’re almost halfway through the year and I’ve only taken one day of annual leave off work, so a holiday is well overdue and needed at this point. With that in mind, last week me and my boyfriend booked a summer holiday to Turkey which we’ll be jetting off to on Thursday and I can’t wait!
We usually like to get a holiday in earlier in the year to escape the long winter here in England, but with my work schedule having been very busy, we haven’t had the opportunity to get away properly until now.
We’ve booked an all inclusive stay at Balmy Beach Resort Kemar, located right on the Turkish coastline of the Mediterranean sea with the mountains just behind.
This is a brand new hotel having only opened this summer, so I’ve got high hopes for this adult only luxury resort.
The interiors and decor of the resort are giving Bali/Greek vibes and I’m obsessed. I can see myself spending a lot of time relaxing in those hammocks reading my book before cooling off in the pool, absolute bliss.
The grounds of the resort look stunning and they have everything to offer from a fully equipped gym, a beautiful spa, water sports on the beach and evening entertainment. I’m keen to try out paddle boarding on this holiday as it would be the perfect sunset activity.
The food on offer at the resort looks incredible with six different outlets to choose from including an a la carte restaurant, the barmy beach bar and a chef’s table fine dining experience which we might have to try for ourselves.
Of course I have my eye on the fabulous selection of cocktails too which I’ll have served poolside or by the beach bar at sundown.
I’m very much looking forward to a break at this gorgeous luxury resort soaking up the sunshine, relaxing with my boyfriend, eating delicious food and experiencing life the Turkish way. Balmy Beach Resort awaits… ❤
Last week we finally got away on our late summer holiday to Spain. Visiting the stunning island of Mallorca, we stayed in the Southern town of Cala D’or which literally translates to the coast of gold, and you can see why…
Our adult only hotel Alua Soul Mallorca Resort located in the cove of Cala Egos, had it’s very own little beach meaning dreamy ocean dips on the daily.
We explored the local town of Cala D’or by day and of course did a spot of shopping in the boutique shops lining those gorgeous Spanish streets.
Everyday we were treated to the incredible all inclusive buffet at our hotel including all the veggies and salad you could imagine, as well as live cooking stations and plenty of fresh fruits and desserts; we really were spoilt for choice!
Not to mention the numerous cocktails we had on repeat all day long, because that’s what holidays all about right?
My boyfriend took a liking to a Tequila Sunrise and needless to say, the Spanish measures certainly are generous.
We also experienced the local nightlife on Friday evening and visited some awesome spots I’d found using the location on Instagram. My favourite was this fun bar called Lola giving major Bali island life vibes, I’m obsessed.
On Saturday we were feeling a little delicate following a night on the town til the early hours, so we grabbed a floaty and snorkel and just spent the day soaking up the sun in that blue blue ocean.
That evening, we went for a quiet stroll around the picturesque streets with those pretty pink flower vine walls and typical Spanish style villas; dream holiday home goals right there.
A golden hour twilight twinkle, palms and a sick Jeep, I was in heaven.
Brekky with a view everyday and I was in my element with all of the fresh fruits and different yoghurt flavours the hotel had to offer. Equally my boyfriend was pleased with the full english breakfast options.
The weather in early September is still scorching in Mallorca, so there was plenty of salty beach bum days basking in that balmy Spanish sun.
On Sunday we booked a boat trip for only £25 each which turned out to be fantastic value for 4 hours out on the water.
Getting picked up from the bay of our hotel, we visited another town along the coast (where I proceeded to jump a 10 meter cliff!), stopped off in the middle of the ocean for a swim and slides off the boat, and got dropped back to our hotel by sundown. A top day out at sea!
Sunday evening we treated ourselves to dinner out at the Marina where we had a wonderful meal complete with a scenic view of the bay too.
I had a delicious traditional seafood Paella which has to be done when in Spain, whilst my boyfriend enjoyed an exquisite cut of fillet steak.
I really do love island life, I’m thinking my next tattoo might just have to be a palm tree or a wave.
Our final day we spent making the most of the beach and hotel pools.
Not forgetting a final few cocktails of course…
And savouring our last meals from that tremendous array of food for our all inclusive package.
Freshly cooked fish, beautifully presented charcuterie boards at lunch, and a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit every night were my personal highlights from the buffet.
And just like that, it was sundown over our final day in Mallorca.
We had the most fabulous holiday together experiencing the best of Cala D’or and the lovely hospitality of Alua Soul Mallorca Resort.
These are our magical moments made in Mallorca, love from the golden coast xx
Happy Sunday babes! I can’t believe it’s September already but we’re still enjoying those late summer days here in the UK. With the bank holiday last weekend, me and my boyfriend went on a picturesque countryside walk and shot some outfit pics along the way too.
As we transition into Autumn, the weather remains warm enough to continue wearing cute summer dresses but with boots and a jacket for the cooler evenings.
I’m obsessed with my Stradivarius cowboy boots, they were definitely my favourite purchase this summer and the best thing is, I’ll be able to wear them into the winter season too!
I channelled my inner country girl roots by pairing this daisy print tea dress from H&M with my cowboy boots and Lack of Colour Rancher hat. We even found some horses to complete that countryside chic aesthetic.
Throughout the month of September we will begin to see signs of Autumn looming and those endless summer days getting shorter. However my summer isn’t over yet as me and my boyfriend finally jet off to Mallorca this week for our late summer holiday. I can’t wait to jump in the ocean and top up my golden glow whilst sipping cocktails by the pool – summer isn’t over yet!
There are so many options when it comes to a summer holiday over in Europe and whilst I’m lucky enough to have visited many of them before, there are still plenty of destinations I am yet to discover. This September we will be taking a late summer break to the beautiful island of Mallorca, Spain.
I went to Mallorca about 5 years ago on a family holiday and stayed in the gorgeous town of Pollenca located in the north. This time we are going south of the island to visit Cala D’or which translated to English literally means ‘Golden Bay’.
The crystal blue water really is breathtaking on that southern coastline and from our hotel we will have direct access to a secluded beach cove with undisrupted views out to the ocean.
We chose to treat ourselves to an all inclusive deal at the highly acclaimed Alua Soul adults only resort hotel. I can’t wait to be sat by the pool bar with an ice-cold colourful cocktail in hand, soaking up that scorching Spanish sun.
With Cala D’or and the marina just a short walk from our hotel, I’ll be keen to take a wonder around and explore the local town. I’ve already got my eye on a few fun looking bars and clubs around the area, one of which is this awesome spot called Lola with its aesthetic decor giving me Bali meets Morocco vibes.
Whilst I always do my research before travelling somewhere new, I find the best way to discover local gems is by strolling around or even asking a local, they’ll always have a good recommendation.
We might have a day in Palma at the end of our stay, but most of all we are looking for this holiday to be time to relax, bathe in the sun, swim in the ocean, indulge in delicious food and drink and just have fun together. We are in need of a chill holiday after all the action packed adventures we’ve had abroad so far this year.
Bring on those salty skin sandy beach bum days on the golden coast of Mallorca with my love ❤
Dani Aneka 