Tour de l’Amour, Sofia de Moser Leitão checks into Pénde Natura Residences
Welcome to the Tour de l’Amour travel diaries, a voyage series in collaboration with Love Stories. Embark on a journey far or near home with our guides: inspiring women that know about style, room service, and adventure.
A peaceful summer retreat discovering hidden treasures of Serifos Island. One of the best kept secret of Serifos is Pénde Natura Residences: a unique mediterranean-refugee on top of a rocky hill overlooking the Kalo Ambeli fields. Sofia de Moser Leitão explores on a girls-only trip the beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the Greek coasts together with Love Stories Intimates.
HW – Please tell us about yourself. What is your background?
Hello, I am Sofia de Moser Leitão. I am portuguese, from Lisboa but I live in Paris. I work as a freelance fashion producer, I do ceramics and I also do collaborations with brands. I love the sea, books, going out with my friends, listening to music and spending time in my ceramics studio.
HW - Now tell us a bit about your fantastic voyage, where did you go? Who did you go with?
I went with Tati my best friend. We know each other for more than 13 years, and it’s our first time traveling together! We were both so excited about this trip! We went to Serifos, a beautiful island in Greece. None of us knew about this specific island, so it was an amazing surprise! So sauvage and still preserved! Pénde Natura residences it's an amazing place to stay, we felt like princesses!
HW - Where to wake up?
Waking up in Pénde Natura Residences is like a dream. You wake up with the sounds of nature, birds, the wind and a great breakfast waiting for you in a cute basket that the owner brings in the morning, with fresh and local products! Couldn’t be better.
HW- The thing you loved the most from the hotel?
The quiet atmosphere, taking a shower outside with an amazing view and the amazing hospitality of the owner Lucia.
HW- Something that surprised you?
The fact that this island is not very touristy and still very authentic!
HW- What’s the best way to explore the area?
We had to rent a car to explore the island. You really need to have a car to discover all the amazing parts of Serifos and all the paradise beaches.
HW – Where (and what) to eat? For a low key lunch? And for a romantic dinner?
We ate so so well in Serifos. Since we just stayed for two nights we didn’t had the chance to explore all the great restaurants. But I would say Nikoulias in Platis Gialos, a traditional tavern for lunch, and for a romantic diner Kalis in the port, for fish and greek food.
HW – What’s in your suitcase?
A few colorful and dreamy swimsuits from Love Stories, some comfy shorts that you can wear at home but also for the beach, a towel, some flip flops, a book and sunscreen. You don't need much to be in this paradise. The weather was just perfect.
HW – What’s the dress code for a weekend at Pénde?
Light colors, bikinis and swimsuits, sunglasses, flat sandals and eventually some sneakers for hiking. Definitely comfortable and cosy clothes.
HW – You can’t travel without…
A book, a bikini and some sun cream.
HW – What to bring home as a souvenir?
A ceramic piece from Kerameio, in Kato Hora.
HW – A place only locals know about?
Maybe Kalo Ambeli beach. You leave the car at the end of a "messy road" and walk down to the beach along a path, you will see the stairs through green reeds. It is a beautiful cove of fine sand, there is no phone signal, shade nor restaurants!
Another great thing to do is going to Chrysoloras winery to have some wine at the end of the day. Also, it is essential to visit Hora, such a cute village, it's the capital of Serifos! And Psili Ammos was one of our favorite beaches too, with very thin white sand. There is a tavern there where you also eat very well called Manolis.
HW – Any shops we can’t miss?
We didn't had time for shopping, we were too busy swimming and eating haha. But Lucia from Pénde Natura Residences told us about a few shops: Theta, Cucuca, Vous and Calle 31.
HW – A book to read while we’re there?
I was actually reading Lolita from Nabokov because I forgot my book at home in Paris and had to borrow a book from my friend's house where I was sleeping the night before coming to Greece. Not sure if it's was the right book for this trip haha.
