The traditional medieval dwelling that South Africa-based entrepreneur Demi Tsouroulis returns to each year is situated just below the ancient church of Agios Constantinos on the island of Serifos in Greece – on the ruins of a 16th-century Venetian castle. Accessed via a maze of cobbled streets, the whitewashed homes of Chora, the hilltop town, seem to cascade precariously down the rocky mountain peak on which it is built, offering up staggering 360-degree views of the inky Aegean sea that lies below. Demi bought the simple three-storey home (a collection of three traditional dwellings) in the mid ’90s as a place where she, and her two then teenage daughters could immerse themselves in their Greek roots.
‘I was born in Epirus on the mainland of northern Greece, but my late husband came from Serifos, so I knew the island well,’ explains Demi. ‘I chose Serifos because it is almost hidden in plain sight. Being just two hours by ferry from Athens, it has managed to retain an authenticity and a feeling of being off the beaten track that is becoming a rarity in Greece.’ Ever the pioneer, Demi’s own life story that took her from Epirus to Serifos is fascinating – not least because of her decision to stay on in South Africa when she was widowed at the age of 28 (with her daughters just toddlers). It was a decision that may have been wholly unorthodox for a ‘Greek girl’ at the time, but stay Demi did, going on to pioneer a hugely successful woman-owned industrial bakery business while making an incredible life for herself and her daughters in the cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg.
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At The Breakfast Table With Jonty Rhodes And Family
Recently renovated, the historic Cape Town home of Jonty and Melanie Rhodes is an adaptable base for an active, clean-eating clan of six
LUNCH IN THE GARDEN with siblings Bronwyn and Jonathan Cane
Alfresco gatherings are the order of the day at this updated century-old semi – the home of a design-centric sister and brother in Brixton, Joburg
IN THE KITCHEN with Karen Dudley and family
For Karen Dudley, food informs the family dynamic and her home is as multilayered and as delicious a delight as her colourful personality and cooking style
THE TRADITIONAL KITCHEN
The perfect piece to pull together a country-style kitchen is a beautiful wooden table that will age with time and hold its place in the memories made around it.
IN THE FRAME
'The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.’
DRINKS AT THE TABLE with David Cope and Donné Bullivant
A dream kitchen renovation meant wine lovers Dave Cope and Donné Bullivant could finally settle down in their wondrously moody City Bowl apartment
THE MODULAR KITCHEN
DECOR TIP Modular elements like these USM Haller systems are a great way to create interesting, non-permanent storage that can be customised to your needs.
SUPPER IN THE BARN with the Thatenhorst family
Munich-based interior designer Stephanie Thatenhorst transformed the barn at her parents’ farm in Bavaria into an eclectic family retreat
BREAKING BREAD
The pendulum has swung back for this nutritious, crusty staple of flour, yeast, water and time – the much-beloved artisanal loaf
SNACKS ON THE TERRACE with sisters Vicky Crease and Maira Koutsoudakis
The traditional Cycladic home of dynamic sisters Vicky Crease and Maira Koutsoudakis on the island of Serifos is a reminder of what it means to be a part of a close-knit family
Best of the world 2023
From epic landscapes and cultural reawakenings to conservation initiatives and family favourites, National Geographic Traveller's Best of the World list is back with 35 destinations that should be on your radar for 2023. Across five categories - adventure, culture, nature, family and community - our list highlights some of the most exciting and exceptional experiences on the planet. With 25 selected by the global editors of National Geographic Traveller, and an additional 10 from the UK edition
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TROUBLED Demi Lovato’s friends are worried sick after the pop superstar shockingly announced she is retiring from performing — at age 30!
FABULOUS AT 59!
THE AGELESS BEAUTY SHOWS OFF HER CURVES AND COMES TO GRIPS WITH A BIG BIRTHDAY THIS FALL.
On the Mountain of the Gods
After striking out on his first attempt, the author returns to Mt. Olympus determined to make the summit.
Living For the Morment
Mindful and focused on staying in the present, Demi Lovato is ready to rock once again
Bruce's Sad Goodbye
ROCKED BY A FRIGHTENING DIAGNOSIS, BRUCE WILLIS STEPS BACK FROM ACTING AND SURROUNDS HIMSELF WITH HIS SINGULAR FAMILY.
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Eagle-eyed film fans may have wondered why Bruce Willis wasn't part of the Pulp Fiction reunion at this year's Oscars.
The Fight of His Life
After years of secretly struggling, Bruce Willis says goodbye to acting and his legion of fans
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