Gingerbred - My symbol of Christmas

Christmas time is one of the moments that everyone love. Family at one table, presents, gifts and lots of food!! When I was a kid I remember that I was waiting for christmas not becouse of the presents but I waited for the  smell of goodies coming out of my grandmother's kitchen. The smell of fried carp, dumplings with dried mushrooms, poppy seed cakes, cheesecakes, and of course sweet gingerbread - I love it.  I gathered with my mother, grandmother and sister in the kitchen to cook all the delicious food, to chat and laugh while working together. 

Of course the biggest fun was while decorating the gingerbreds. We always wanted cover them with lots of chocolate, frosting and colorful toppings. Of course some of them disappeared very quickly from the plate and my grandmother had to hide some for the christmas eve.

Now, I try to finde some free time before christmas and prepare some gingerbreds. I use an old Polish recipe for gingerbread therefore, I began to prepare the cake a month before Christmas.

During maturation the cake gets a deep aroma and distinc taste. The final result You can see in the pictures.

And what are Christmas for You? Is it a time when you just get some time off ?? or a time that You want to celebrate with your loved ones?

Olives, Wine and shipwrecks

Wherever You look - emerald sea and the blue of the sky - all cut with a sharp outline off-white rocks. Between them a small piece of whitening distant beach, and its wreck. 

Welcom in Zakinthos! 

 Next to Cephalonie there is a small and inconspicuous island - Zakinthos. This Island is more popular and better known as Cephalonia and that is why it's more commercial. The nature - without a doubt -  is one of the greatest strengths of this island . Carpets of blooming flowers, greenery which colors each, even the smallest corner, and deeply memorable views are some of the many details accompanying tourists during the exploration of the island.

 Zakynthos can not boast of too many monuments. Most were destroyed during the earthquake that struck the island in 1953. However the deficiencies of architectural and historical landmarks, compensates island's natural richness in various forms. Zakynthos impresses even from the windows of the plane, when welcoms you with green hills, torn in many places by the white rock, sloping towards the blue water.

Here is located one of the most famous views in the world - The Wrack Bay - the most photographed place in Zakinthosie, as well as one of the most famous beaches in the world. Every day thousands of tourists admire it from two viewpoints. The legendary bay attracts romantics with it's beauty, colors and water, as well as the cliffs which cut the flat surface of the sea. It is absolutely a must to visit the Wrack Bay while visting Zakynthos. Personally, I confirm that this is an outstanding place.

It would be a sin not to mention the most precious treasure of the island, which symbols you can see from the very beginning. The symbol of the island is Caretta Caretta turtle whose likeness we meet first at the airport. Then, the sympathetic pet accompanies us during the whole stay on Zakinthos. We encounter them on posters, billboards, T-shirts or roadside bazaars in the form of soft toys lounging lazily in the sun.

  
Another symbols of Greece are of course olives and olive oil . I felt in love with the taste of true and fresh olive oil. Belive me the taste of this olive is completly different from those which we can buy in our supermarkets. All you need is this amazing olive oil, freshly baked bread and a glass of wine and the feast is ready. And as for the wine, it is very specific for Zakinthos. On Zakyntosie wine are very dry and strong in flavor, but one type of wine I really enjoyed. It was naturally sweetened red wine: Avgoustiatis

Zakinthos offers not only wonderful views, excellent olive oil, wine and food. It is also a great place for those who are looking for fun and busy nightlife. Loud music, a whole row of bars and taverns along the beach and crowds  of people looking for good fun - all this you will find in Laganas. Laganas is the most famous place on the island for those who are seeking entertainment - surely you will not get bored here.

Zakinthos is a magic island. Despite its small size it has to offer a huge range of sensations. Whatever is your preferred way of recreation the island will reveal a whole range of possibilities.

Cephalonia - The Queen of Ionian Islands

Beautiful, unexplored, uncommon and not known very well among polish tourists. Cephalonia is the Island were I would like to run away - just for a while -  to forget about the rest of the world.

Today I would like to introduce to you - Cephalonia one of the most beautiful and greenest islands on the Ionian See. I didn't know what to expect from Cephalonia when I found out that I'm going to visit this Island in the end of september. In the guiedbook you can find lots of information about the island. You will read that it will enchants you with it's wild nature, charming beaches, romantic bays and remarkalbe calm. Well that's all true and anything can describe the amiazing views, green mountainsides and clean like a tear water.

Cephalonia is the best place when you want to slow down, to get some peace and rest, to enjoy every sip of excelent wine withou rush. Time slows down there the sun rays fill you with positive energy and the stunning view enjoy your eyes. This place is not very popular yet, what makes it unique. You can see the everyday life of ordinary Greek and meet the traditions of greek culture. The mass tourism has not distroyed this place so it has kept it's true face.

All photos which You see on my blog are made by me. I didn't have to put much effort to take a beautiful picture because the views there are astonishing. Cephalonia enchanted me with it's beauty
and tranquility. It is a place worth visiting.