5 secret addresses in Europe
Someone once told me: ‘Try Europe first before you travel the planet.’ And only then did I see that that Japan-New Zealand-Seychelles list was of course enormously my own wide world, but that I hadn’t sniffed out all the secret addresses in Europe yet. The point with a secret is that it is a secret. You have to extract it from a source and then share it. I did that for you.
The five tips from August & July to recharge in the summer, without Bep at the corner bakery ranting in Dutch and your German neighbor filling your towel with sand.
1. Gare du Nord, Ibiza
Ibiza is always a good idea. Those who are afraid that the island is a bit overrun with young English people or wannabe hippies are mistaken. There are still many hidden gems to be found: Gare du Nord in the bohemian village of Sant Joan de Labritja is one such place. This small B&B has beds where you want to lie all day, but going out is what you want. Walking through the pine groves, taking a yoga class, or visiting the cozy restaurants and shops in the village, for example. Also recommended: rent a car and explore the most beautiful sandy beaches of Ibiza from Gare du Nord.
2. Tiny house ‘Stilleven’ in Barchem
In the Gelderland Barchem you will find tiny house ‘Stilleven’, a special place to retreat at the foot of the Lochemse Berg. Owner Mera is an interior stylist and you can see that reflected in this mini house where everything is just right. You don’t go to Barchem to strut around, but to retreat into nature and enjoy all the goodies from the local vegetable garden.
3. Canto de Luz in Porto
When you think of Portugal, you don’t immediately think of delicious French pastries. Yet that is exactly what you get for breakfast at the fantastic B&B Canto de Luz. Apart from the fact that it is located in one of the nicest streets of Porto, this place is also a favorite because of the architecture of the building. After your breakfast (we stayed for 1.5 hours because it was so good) you can walk straight into the city with countless cute shops, trendy spots, or a chill moment in a park.
4. DonnaCarmela, Sicily
Think of large tables with Italian food and the best wines, in the middle of a botanical garden with thousands of plants and flowers that you can smell all the way to your room or lodge. Does that sound good to you? Then Donna Carmela welcomes you. You can relax here with a book by the nice pool or in nature. Want to do something? Visit the cozy capital Palermo and definitely don’t miss the largest opera house in Italy, Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele. Those looking for Instagram-worthy pictures really have to ‘just’ climb Mount Etna. In addition, steep cliffs, calm waters, and flower-filled mountain meadows give you the most beautiful images. So, camera at the ready!
5. Olá Onda Guesthouse, near Lisbon
Let’s dance by the ocean, surf, enjoy beautiful beaches, pastries, wine, and Portuguese culture. This typical Portuguese villa is located in the only surf reserve in Europe in the town of Ericeira, near Lisbon. From the pool, you look out over the hills and the Atlantic Ocean, and yoga is offered in the garden for those who want. Of course, surf lessons are also provided. Do we need to say more?
See London like you’ve never seen it before, book a cabin in the heath, eat tapas among the Spaniards; the writers of August & July extract the best tips and addresses for you. It remains non-stop summer. Just take a look for yourself.
