/ travel directory
This is a curated list of the businesses, attractions, sights, and activities I recommend to friends in cities across Europe, Africa, and Asia. I update it regularly, based on recent trips or my 15+ years of travel.
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Kavala Boats
Tucked away in a corner of Kavala's main beach, you'll find a grizzled, gruff Greek man I only know as the Admiral sat under an umbrella chain smoking and watching his boats. This is the Kavala Boats rental company. The small speed boats comfortably fit 6-7 adults. You rent them to self drive within a few kilometers north and south of the Admiral's port. Anyone with experience driving an automatic car can manage a boat. And the Admiral may give you an inflatable crocodile. The open water around Kavala is calm, clear, uncrowded, and in when we were there in August, perfect for swimming.
Nezas Fish House Port
Food so good, it stops conversations. I came here with 5 friends. The bread, alone, was enough to derail us mid-sentence as we paused to take in the delicious taste. This continued for the rest of the evening. Every dish – from the starters to the complimentary yoghurt desert – was prepared and cooked to perfection. You can order from the menu or choose your fish from the display inside the restaurant.
Zoo Lake
A large public park in Joburg's northern suburbs with an artificial lake in the middle. The footpath around the lake is my favourite place to run in Joburg. You can also rent paddle boats, use the BBQ areas, have a picnic somewhere on the expansive lawns, play some bowls, or join a pickup basketball game. There are a couple of cafes on the edge of the park and Johannesburg Zoo is just across the road. walking paths, community events & an adjacent zoo.
Bean There Coffee Company
Speciality coffee shop with an in-house roastery and focus on fair trade coffee from across Africa. The owners personally scout and source beans from various parts of the continent and roast them next door to the cafe. The aesthetic is typical of modern cafes: white-washed exposed brink, soft oak, and minimalist art. But the drinks and snacks are excellent and the large shared table is perfect for long work sessions.
Altruist - Urban Coffee Shop & Pastry
Coffee and Wine Lab by Prodanichin
Balkan Barber
718 Breakfast & Brunch
The Steps
Free to work in, so long as you buy a drink at the bar.
Hotel Rila Sofia
Unfussy rooms & suites, some with balconies, in a utilitarian lodging with dining & a lobby bar.
IBN Immigration Solutions
Golden Fish & Seafood
A local joint recommended to us by The Admiral at Kavala Boats. In the traditional Greek seafood restaurant tradition, you can order a wide range of delicious dishes from the menu, or choose for the fresh catches on display inside the restaurant. Everything we tried was delicious, including the marinated sardines, grilled aubergine, and octopus. The decor is simple, the staff are friendly, and you'll probably be the only tourists there.
CAF καφέ-ζαχαροπλαστείο
Simple, lively pick-up-and-go coffee shop and bakery. Perfectly located to stock up on coffee and snacks before a boat tour or beach day. The coffees are fantastic, but the greek yoghurt granola cups are the highlight.
Bertrand Café
Bansko Padel Courts
Possibly the worst padel courts in the world – but all we've got in our small mountain town. The courts aren't level; the astroturf is worn out; bumpy, and missing pieces; there's no cover, so you can't play in the rain, snow, or intense sunshine; and the booking app doesn't work, so you must book directly via the hotel that owns the courts. Still, we have a lively padel community with a dedicated WhatsApp group chat. Join the group to plan or book a place on regularly scheduled games most week day evenings and throughout the weekend.
Avalon Co-Living
Coliving Valentina Heights Bansko
Bistro 7
Modern American dishes & innovative cocktails featured in glitzy surrounds with an exposed ceiling.
Pivoteka Craft Beer Mountain Base
Alt Space Coworking: Montrose
Altspace Coworking Bansko - Central
Nestwork Premium Coworking Bansko
Black Honey Specialty Coffee Shop
Lembas Bakery and Specialty Coffee
Bridge Books
Dosa Hut
Simple storefront serving South Indian specialties, especially its namesake dish & uttapam.
SOHO - Sofia Holistic Coworking Company
Café Capitale
MOK COFFEE
Passa Porta Bookshop
Le Phare du Kanaal
White Rabbit Tattoos Sofia
Introvert Maria Luisa
Refined rooms & suites in a polished hotel featuring an old-world lobby bar & a refined restaurant.
Mastilnica tattoo
Swedent
High-end hotel offering modern lodging & an indoor pool, plus 8 polished restaurants & bars.