Lefkada in Alessandra
It's no secret that our family loves heading to Greece for the European summer…
It is a place where we all feel very at home and where you can really relax. The weather is always perfect, and the food is absolutely the best. We discovered the beautiful island of Lefkada about six years ago and loved its simplicity and the fact that it is very much a destination for Greeks because it's a four-hour drive from Athens. Lefkada is a varied and exciting island, hemmed by beautiful beaches and villages and with an interior of olive-covered mountains. The island could be more glitzy, glamorous, and attractive to the jet set. Still, I have absolutely fallen in love with its slower pace of life, the availability of the most delicious food, and, of course, the island's beautiful beaches. Bruce loves cooking, mainly when we have time; there is nothing he loves more than exploring the local markets to discover what's available. We eat late, we sleep late, and we go to bed late. The Mediterranean lifestyle really is the best…
For our holiday this year, we really wanted to stay in just one place and live like a local. Our villa was small and compact but had the most beautiful view of the ocean; it's incredible how many hours I spent just gazing out and thinking about so much while looking at those beautiful tones of blue. Like everything, it's important to pack well for a holiday like this, and my friends at Alessandra spoiled me with a collection of new resort wear coming out just in time for our summer. I absolutely love versatile pieces that can be dressed up, dressed down, or broken into many different outfits, and Alessandra’s resort wear really delivered.
Whenever I travel to a hot country, I love wearing a bright, bold pattern, and Alessandra knows precisely how to do this—from fun beach hats with a matching dress to an orange and green floral dress. I just love the versatility of everything… I do not like wearing shorts, but the beautiful blue and white embroidered fabric is honestly made for one of my favourite outfits!
A few of my favourite places to eat…
The best restaurant in the town of Lefkada is THYMARI. It is run by Eleni and her chef husband Pandelis, although it is not all Greek food, but a Mediterranean and European menu. You can sit in a gorgeous courtyard in the quaint old town and soak it in!
The clothes shop I love in Lefkada Town is called LAND. It sells all Greek brands and supports many Greek designers. All over Greece, chemist shops remain a treasure trove! I love the Greek skincare range by Korres, and although it is now available in Australia, thanks to Mecca, it is a fraction of the cost in Greece and is available from all chemists. The range includes makeup, too. It is organic and based on natural Greek ingredients. Apivita is another fabulous Greek skincare range worth trying. Also, antibiotics are available over the counter in pharmacies – a little-known fact (not that I am hoping anyone gets sick!)
The yummiest place for lunch on the main street (where LAND is) is called GOGOS. The sign is hard to read as it is in Greek in a strange, curly font, but look at the old church, which has pale sage green chairs outside.
If you like cooking, the seafood market in Lefkada is excellent. The prawns are amazing—so sweet! The market has an adjoining little basic restaurant. I really like it—you would be the only tourist there! One of the many things I love about Greece is the beautiful produce… From the freshest honey to the most delicious tomatoes and an abundance of fresh basil, everything tastes so good… Being an island, there is plenty of seafood, and my all-time favourite is gyros.
A charming taverna in Agios Nikitas—I have always liked TAVERNA NIKITAS (it has no view, so it isn't the obvious choice), but it serves the most delicious meals. In fact, there are lots of exciting tavernas in mountain villages—I love LEFKATAS in Athani and T'ALONI in Chortata.
If you come down to Vasiliki (and pop into one of my favourite shops, Melina's Little Store!), I recommend you eat at OCEANS and PATIO. Patio is run by a lovely young man, Dimitri, who did his primary school years in Australia. His Greek-Australian mother is in the kitchen—if she comes out for a chat, you will smile at her broad Aussie accent. We were greeted with "Gday—how youse going?"
One that's off the beaten track is in a little village called Xaradiatika, just past Nidri. It's a meat place called PAVLOS. You won't be disappointed.
Fun things to do on Lefkada…
Drive to Porto Katsiki. The beach of Porto Katsisi has been labelled "the most beautiful beach in all of Europe"—once there, it's hard to disagree! I found it best in the afternoon when the sun hits the white cliffs, but it is also busier. There is an excellent restaurant up the top before you descend called OASIS. Sit outside under the umbrellas, watching the world go by - bliss!
For an authentic Lefkadian and mountain experience, drive to KARIA for lunch. This small village used to be the island's capital. Local embroidery is done there and is just amazing. You can even drive down the west coast for some dramatic scenery. Stop and buy local honey from the beekeepers who have roadside stalls.
Hire a boat and explore the east coast. There is a cave on Meganisi. Then, go past Scorpios Island and to Vathi, the port on Meganisi, for lunch. In the mornings, the sea should be smooth, with no wind. As the wind picks up at about 2 p.m., a bit more rock and roll is coming back. If you don't like that, then time the day to go early and plan to come back about 1 p.m.
For excellent people-watching, I love the Beach Club at Kathisma on the West Coast called COPLA. There are also good restaurants for lunch.
Are you after a little boat-hopping day trip? Hire a boat with a captain and explore amazing beaches in Ithaca and Kefalonia, which you can only get to by boat. Have lunch in Kefalonia.
Vasiliki is lovely to stroll around at night, especially if you end the night by eating at PATIO
On the West Coast, there is a spectacular restaurant called AMENTE. It offers good food and incredible views, as does RACHI. Go for dinner and watch the fantastic sunset.
Social media is always fantastic for connecting with people, and what I love when I travel is getting feedback from people who have been to some of the places I am at. There is so much to do on this beautiful island, and it's essential to have a car to get around… Conde Naste wrote a massive story about this beautiful island, so maybe it's not so secret anymore. Still, it's definitely a place I highly recommend for people to explore.
