I’m currently enjoying my vacation in Gois Valley, Portugal, and probably cooling off in my tankini in the river next to our stone cottage as you read this. It’s a good thing I can create these memories now because I do not have such pleasant childhood swimsuit memories due to having a bad rash as a kid. Even now l don’t feel that comfortable in any swimwear–although there is photographic evidence of me in a string bikini in my past, oh my… 😀 As a small kid I used to just swim in my birthday suit all day long at the privacy of our lakeside summerhouse in northern Finland. These days when I wear swimwear in public, I always wear a tankini.

This Free by Gottex Athens tankini is my absolute favorite and is the one I’m wearing here in Portugal, too. These photos are from a beach holiday on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea.

Free by Gottex Athens tankini 32H.
Free by Gottex Athens tankini 32H.
Mediterranean Sea, the Island of Crete.
Mediterranean Sea, the Island of Crete.
Used the tankini as a top on the way home.
Used the tankini as a top on the way home.

Unfortunately I don’t tan, I just burn . . . so pareos are a summer essential for me! This is my favorite beach accessory.

Sunburned but relaxed.
Sunburned but relaxed.

I’m not taking a beach holiday this summer, but I’m sure I will relax riding horses on my eco holiday–and I should be able to have a beach day by the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday! I hope the summer is treating everyone well.