Portugal has some of the best surfing beaches in Europe. With endless coastlines, breathtaking waves and a laid-back surf culture, the country has become one of the most popular destinations for surfers from all over the world. It is not only the...

Located on the beautiful island of Ortigia in Sicily, Italy, Syracuse, known as Siracusa in Italian, prides itself on a rich history that dates back over two millennia, making it one of the most captivating destinations in the world. Syracuse is a...

I was sitting on the plane with my hiking boots laced up, ready to explore the first jewel of the small Atlantic island straight from the airport. The clock showed 8:25 as the plane rumbled onto the runway in the warm, red light of sunrise and the...

Schönbrunn Palace, St Stephen's Cathedral, the Opera, the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Danube Canal... Vienna is full of sights and unique places to discover. When exploring the many attractions of the Austrian capital, you will quickly find yours...

In Lisbon, you immerse yourself in narrow cobbled streets, enveloped by cool river breezes and under vibrant blue skies. Fusing the timeless with the multicultural, this city weaves a blend of nostalgia and passion that makes it an irresistible te...

The Canary Islands: A Paradise for Sun Worshipers and Nature Lovers. If you're dreaming of an unforgettable vacation in a destination that combines natural beauty with a warm, sunny climate, look no further than the Canary Islands. Nestled in the...

The school holidays are just around the corner, soon kindergarten is going into its annual break and you are now faced with the challenge of balancing everyone's needs. While the little ones would love to spend the whole day exploring the world, a...

Are you ready to embark on an alpine adventure like no other? Welcome to South Tyrol, where nature's wonders and cultural treasures await at every turn. Located in the heart of the Italian Alps, South Tyrol is a destination that combines natural...

Portugal is a true paradise for surfers. With endless coastlines, breathtaking waves and a laid-back surf culture, the country has become one of the most popular destinations for surfers from all over the world. If you're planning an unforgettable...

Picture yourself strolling through the cobblestone streets of the south of Italy, where the gentle sea-breeze carries tales of ancient history and the aroma of freshly baked focaccia and homemade pasta. Welcome to Puglia, a real hidden gem, locate...

Roundtrip Peloponnese Part 3: Gythio, Skoutari and the Deep Mani   Gythio und Skoutari When driving down from Athens, Nafplio or Monemvasia to the Deep Mani, we recommend the route via Gythio or the Lower Mani. The main reason is that Gyt...

Roundtrip Peloponnese Part 2: Kythira island   After a great lunch at the Taverna Neraida in the village of Agios Nikolaos we drove down to Neapoli to catch the ferry to Kythira island. The ferry to Kythira takes a bit more than an hour an...

Roundtrip Peloponnese Part 1: Athens, Nafplio, Sparti and Monemvasia When planning your tour of the Peloponnese and Kythira Island, the decision to stay in Athens beforehand largely depends on your arrival time and whether you've already explore...

Secretplaces has been in search for special, beautiful, outstanding and authentic places to stay for more than 22 years.  In our second article about the best and most beautiful places to stay in the Algarve we will present you a list of our...

Do you think mass tourism has conquered even the last remaining paradises of Europe? Not really. Those landscapes that make us look in awe at what nature can accomplish still exist. The area between the Sado estuary and the port city of Sines...

Secretplaces has been in search of especially beautiful and authentic places to stay in the Algarve for more than 22 years.  The Algarve is blessed with a mild climate, a beautiful coastline where orange coloured cliffs surrounding small bea...

We, the Secretplaces team, are based in Lisbon. As a guide to some of the most beautiful and authentic places to stay, we thought it is about time to share our local knowledge and favourite spots in Lisbon with you. True secret places that have no...

Lefkada is still somewhat of a secret island, having been spared the mass tourism of the other, more famous, Greek islands. It is also the only Greek island that can be reached by car as it is connected to the region of Epirus via a bridge. Bri...

Do you feel like shortening the long winter with an invigorating trip. We have put together some inspirations for cozy ‘hygge’ destinations to consider for a colourful autumn getaway, a Christmas weekend trip to get into the spirit or...

The national park Peneda-Gerês in the north of Portugal, close to the Spanish border is still a hidden gem in the popular travel destination Portugal. While the Algarve and Lisbon’s Coast are packed with tourists, Gerês still rem...

Situated on the ‘heel of the boot’ of Italy, Puglia’s charms are becoming more known to those who are open to venturing somewhere a little different in Europe. For decades, it has been a popular summer location for northern Itali...

Our pets are part of our family & we want to take them with us on vacation - because they deserve it too! But it’s not always easy to find hotels and accommodations that allow you to take your dog or cat. This guide is here to help you t...

The stunning Amalfi Coast is on most travellers' bucket list for a reason. The views over the small Italian villages built into the cliffs with the crystal clear turquoise sea rolling onto the beaches or crashing onto the coast are like no other....

Working remotely brings the pleasure of being able to work from anywhere in the world. Office Meetings while sipping an iced coffee in your Co-working space in Berlin? Or watching the boats pass by from your balcony while working in the Algarve? O...

We have collected the most breathtaking wedding venues to celebrate love. 12 wedding locations, one more beautiful than the other – from a romantic Tuscan wedding villa, to an old brick estate in Ireland, a Spanish casa to a chateau in Franc...

Your guide to the best hotels with authentic Italian charm, bed & breakfast hotels designed to make you feel comfortable and well taken care of, and self-catering accommodation that will fit all your individual needs. We have collected 10 diff...

Are you dreaming of vacation off the beaten path? Discover these hidden gems in Europe, while escaping the hustle and bustle of your daily lives to fully enjoy the calmness and solitude of these 5 secret places we collected for you. Destinations o...

Just a few kilometres west of the world-famous town of Sintra with its crowds of tourists spending a sightseeing day away from Lisbon, you will find a beautiful and authentic landscape with picturesque villages, stunning beaches and magic rain for...

Anyone who lives in a noisy, congested big city knows that feeling for sure: On holiday, what we look for most is relaxation in untouched nature. We hike through green-covered mountains and valleys, observe native plant and animal species that we...

Let's be honest: we all dreamed of having our own tree house as a child, as a retreat for fantastic adventures out of sight of our parents, and as a private playground for our beloved hobbies. Climbing around in the treetops, watching over the who...

Anyone can go camping - but have you ever tried glamping? Currently, "glamping" (a combination of glamour and camping) is the ultimate trend for rural holidays: Guests enjoy direct contact with nature without having to forego the comfort of a luxu...

What makes a hotel a true Secret Place? A location in an unspoilt setting? A family atmosphere? A unique interior and decoration? Definitely. But last but not least, a special background story. One of our favourite hotels in Italy is the Bed &...

San Giovanni d'Asso, the white truffle secret. Following up on our last post about the truffle season in Northern Italy, we wouldn’t be Secretplaces if we would not have another secret spot up our sleeves: Truffles in Tuscany. Tusca...

Alba Truffles. A destination. A lifestyle. For some even a currency. But for all of them a heavenly experience. The most wanted mushroom in the world has its prime time once again. Every year when fall turns into winter, masses of self-proclaimed...

Have you ever tried some delicious percebes? If you have traveled to the western European Atlantic coast, you might have noticed them on the menu in some cute little restaurant right by the coast. However, this seafood is still one of the best-...

This is the fourth of a series of 4 posts about the little paradises we found during our recent trip along the coast of Southern Bahia in Brazil. The other three are Trancoso, the only one that is a bit more known, at least in Brazil, Caraí...

This is the third of a series of 4 posts about the little paradises we found during our recent trip along the coast of Southern Bahia in Brazil. The other three are Trancoso, the only one that is a bit more known (at least in Brazil), Caraí...

This is the second of a series of 4 posts about the little paradises we found during our recent trip along the coast of Southern Bahia in Brazil. Caraíva is one of our favourites. The other three are Trancoso, the only one that is a bit mor...

This is the first of a series of 4 posts about 4 little paradises we found during our recent trip along the coast of Southern Bahia in Brazil. Trancoso is the only one that is a bit more known, at least in Brazil. The other three (Caraíva,...

  We adore Austria, and especially its capital. Vienna is a nonconformist aristocrat. It cherishes its glorious historical patrimony without repressing its constant desire for new horizons.This beautiful city is perfect for a visit any t...

The today's world is constantly changing and evolving. Every day, hour, minute and even every second an infinite number of things are happening. Adventures are being experienced, memories are being created and new concepts are being developed. The...

Taking care of our mind as well as our body has never been as important as now. There has been a change in attitude toward re-discovering nature, reconnecting with ourselves, and realizing the mental health benefits of exposure to the great outdoo...

  Part 2: From Lisbon to the Algarve Although being on the same western coast, the ocean south of Lisbon is quite different to the one in the north. Big waves can be found here as well, but the water starts getting warmer and the waves...

Portugal’s best beaches: from Caminha (Minho) down to Lisbon When beautiful landscapes turn into golden sand just before they meet the waves of the Atlantic Ocean you are probably in Portugal. Long stretches of the 667 km of Portug...

Porto You should definitely spend two days in Porto at the beginning or at the end of the round trip through Northern Portugal. This beautiful city, previously forgotten by visitors, has become one of the most popular travel destinations in Portu...

You know how it is being taken to an Italian restaurant in some far away country wondering why you are not in a restaurant serving local food? Well, sometimes it is worth waiting before judging too soon. The good thing about food is that there are...

Green, greener, green hotels. Lately a special type of hotels has appeared in searches more and more often, but a lot of people don’t really know what this eco-friendly holiday option is all about. What is special about a green hotel, what i...

  We all love luxury. Being the pleasure of driving a nice and fancy car or the delight of enjoying a Ladurée macaron on the Champs Élysées, we all like and deserve to treat ourselves sometimes. Well, we thought abou...

  When the crowds of tourists start leaving the beaches and coastal areas and the weather become more mellow, it starts the best time to relax and enjoy the view across the water from your bedroom or hotel terrace. We have put together a...

At Secretplaces we are always seeking to add new, exciting and stylish accommodation options. Last year we were able to begin working with some very exciting new partners all over Portugal. In this blog post we present you the best portuguese vill...

Wanderlust can be quite persistent. I learned this the hard way at home on my couch. I was totally hungry after my Vietnam-trip this year and so I was longing for spring rolls. Authentic, Vietnamese spring rolls with a good filling. So I pulle...

Up until a few years ago, you would be forgiven for not knowing much or anything at all about the Azores, a Paradisaical archipelago situated 800 miles from mainland Europe.  Fast forward and these luscious green islands in the middle of the...