About

Recipes, Travel & Inspired Mediterranean Living

Welcome — I’m so glad you’re here.

The Tiny Book began years ago as a small travel diary, a place where I shared my love for Crete, Greece, and other hidden corners of the Mediterranean. Over time, it grew into a trusted resource for travelers searching for local insights, cultural depth, and meaningful experiences.

But life changes, seasons shift, and so did this space.

Today, The Tiny Book is still rooted in storytelling — but the stories have expanded.
You’ll now find recipes from my kitchen, inspiration from Greek homes, printable guides, seasonal ideas, and reflections from the beautiful (and messy) chapters of everyday life.

This blog is no longer just about where to go — it’s about how to live.

Why “The Tiny Book”?

The name has always held a special place in my heart.
It comes from the idea that life is made of many small stories — tiny pages, tiny chapters — that add up to something meaningful.

This blog is my tiny book, and now, in many ways, yours too.

If you’ve been here from the early travel days, thank you for walking this journey with me.
If you’re new, welcome — truly.

This space is growing, evolving, and alive — just like life.
And I’m grateful you’re here for it.

About Me

Hi, I’m Gabi Ancarola — writer, wanderer, relentless early riser, and the face behind this travel blog since 2014.

I was born in Buenos Aires, and for the past three decades I’ve been traveling, living abroad, raising a family, and building a life that revolves around stories, food, and the Mediterranean. I studied literature, completed a post‑degree in translation, and somehow managed to turn my love for travel, culture, and words into a full-time job.

I spent more than 15 years in Italy, where my two sons were born. Eventually, life carried me further east, and over ten years ago I settled on the island that stole my heart long before I ever imagined living here: Crete.

Today, I work in destination management during the summer and as a travel writer all year long. I run multiple online projects, including:

• This blog, my first online home, where I’ve share everything I’ve learned about Crete over the years.
  
• My Cretan Recipe, a food blog I write with my partner — a Chania-born amateur cook with a deep love for Cretan cuisine (and an uncanny ability to make everything taste better than I can describe).
  
• Crete Insider, the place where all my stories, guides, and insider tips about the island now live in one easy-to-navigate space.
  
• Greece Planner, a blog created to help families experience Greece in meaningful, simple, and joyful ways.

Over the years, I’ve written several books and guides while my work has appeared on The Culture Trip, Greek Reporter, Huffington Post, Greek TV, and many wonderful travel blogs including The Planet D, Goats on the Road, yTravel, Chasing the Donkey, and Sofia Adventures. I also occasionally contribute to local newspapers and international outlets that share my passion for this incredible island.

When I’m not writing or exploring, you’ll probably find me cooking pizza with my kids, sipping Cretan wine, watching the sun melt into the sea, or sharing iced coffee and long conversations with friends.

A few things you don’t need to know… but I’ll tell you anyway:

• I speak English, Spanish, and Italian fluently, and Greek… well, let’s just say it’s a work in progress. By “progress,” I mean I can confuse everyone in four languages at once. It’s a talent.

• I wake up around 6 a.m. and go to bed at 2 a.m. Somehow, I’m still upright. How? No idea. I suspect coffee and stubbornness.

• I have vertigo the size of Mount Ida, yet I insist on hiking gorges, climbing cliffs, and driving winding mountain roads. I scream, I whimper, I complain — and somehow still love every terrifying second.

• My kids and friends never let me live anything down, and honestly, I’m usually the loudest one laughing at myself.

If you’d like to collaborate, ask a question, or simply say hello, I’d love to hear from you.