The Dubai-based, Lebanese jewellery designer behind Bil Arabi, Nadine Kanso, has been visiting the Greek island of Mykonos for 12 years, here's her definitive guide to what to wear, what to eat and where to be seen.
How did your love affair with Mykonos start? We decided to go one summer and we loved it. We kept on going because it’s a place with a really, really specific energy. You drink, you have fun at night and wake up the next morning with no headaches, nothing. Your energy is back as if nothing happened – which is a good thing! The weather is nice, it's beautiful, and the water is fresh.
What does an average day in Mykonos look like for you? Over the years, our interests have changed so now we go for extended dinners and less partying. We are on the beach between 11am-12pm, followed by lunch around 3pm-4pm, depending on what we are doing at night. If we are going for a big dinner then we have shorter lunches. Early evening we go to the house or hotel, shower, have a chilled drink on the terrace and then at 10:30pm go out again for the evening. In Mykonos you don’t feel tired, it is magic!
Which restaurant must we try? Sea Satin is a fun place to go. It is very traditional: you smash plates, you eat well. After dinner the whole restaurant becomes a party with everyone dancing at the tables. It's not fancy or pretentious and you don’t have to go dressed up. That's what is beautiful about Mykonos – whatever you put on, as long as you are tanned, you are going to look great. Also, JackieO' is great. You have the beach, the restaurant and the pool – the party pool – it's great.
The best place for a sunset drink? Anywhere with a nice view of the sea, of course. There is a beautiful place called 180 sunset bar, it is quite high up in Mykonos castle – you can see a bit of the bay and down to where the boats are.
SHOP NADINE'S SUITCASE:
