Category Archives: “On the road again”

Azores: My Addresses In Ponta Delgada

24 Hours in Ponta Delgada

A Walk in The Historical Center

First day of my trip to the Azores, where I will discover two islands of this beautiful Atlantic Ocean archipelago, São Miguel and Santa Maria. I am super excited, cause I’ve wanted visiting the Azores for a long time!

Départ aux aurores de Bruxelles vers Ponta  Delgada (capitale des Açores sur l’île de São Miguel), via Lisbonne avec la TAP. Nous arrivons en milieu de journée. Le temps est changeant, couvert avec des éclaircies. Mais ça fait partie du charme de l’archipel, les 4 saisons en un jour. 

In the old city, time seems to be stopped, with imposing monuments (Portas da Cidade de Ponta Delgada, 1783) and churches (Igreja Matriz de São Miguel) dating from the sixteenth century. Cobbled streets, green squares, some brightly colored facades (photos below) … 

  

Where To Sip A Tea From The Azores

Louvre Michaelense

Take time to get lost in the city! Take time to get lost. That’s how I found my address: where to sip a tea from the Azores!  

Louvre Michaelense is both a shop (photo 3 above), a tea room (2) and a delicatessen (1). It offers a selection of rare objects and sought local products, with regressive packaging in an ancient framework. The concept reminded me of A Vida Portuguese (in Lisbon). A friendly trendy spot.

Where To Sleep

  

La Casa das Palmeiras

I first saw from a distance the roof of the house that contrasted with the local architecture. Built in 1901, La Casa das Palmeiras is more like one of these Art Nouveau villas on the French Riviera. Recently renovated, this small hotel with 10 rooms is a gem. Perfect for an elegant weekend.

Awesome adress, less is more!   

    

What’s up?

Discovering Street art

What a fantastic surprise! I am a creative (photographer, former art director). So imagine my happiness walking and seeing these amazing Street art works in Ponta Delgada! Oups, I really apology, I lost my notes with the titles of the art works and names of the artists.

 

Where To Drink & Dinner

The Panoramic Terrace of The Azor Hotel

It is always a great pleasure for me to stay or dinner in a hotel decorated by Nini Andrade Silva! I love her work and personality. She has this ability to dramatize space and create unique universes in which we feel good.

After a long time on the relaxing terrace of the Azor Hotel, we dine at the restaurant A Terra Fornaria. The food (promoting local ingredients) and service are great. Definitely my chic address from Ponta Delgada!

 

Photos & vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Visit AzoresVisit Portugal, TAPLouvre Michaelense, Street art with Walk & Talk AzoresCasa das Palmeiras – Charming House, Azor Hotel

Related articles : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many Thanks to Visit Azores, Visit Portugal and TAP for this beautiful invitation. As always these are my opinions.

Açores: mes adresses à Ponta Delagada

24h à Ponta Delgada

Promenade dans le centre historique

Premier jour de ce voyage aux Açores, où je découvrirai deux îles de ce superbe archipel de l’Océan Atlantique, São Miguel et Santa Maria. Je suis très excitée, ça faisait longtemps que je souhaitais visiter les Açores!

Departure at dawn from Brussels to Ponta Delgada (the capital of the Azores in São Miguel island), with a stopover in Lisbon with TAP airline. We arrive in midday with a changing weather, both cloudy rainy and from time to time sunny. It’s part of the charm of the archipelago, 4 seasons in one day. 

Dans la veille ville, le temps semble s’être arrêté, avec ses imposants monuments (Portas da Cidade de Ponta Delgada, 1783) et églises (Igreja Matriz de São Miguel) datant du XVIe siècle. Rues pavées, un square, des façades aux couleurs vives (photos ci-dessous)… 

  

Où siroter un thé des Açores

Louvre Michaelense

Prenez le temps de vous perdre. Ainsi je suis tombée sur l’adresse : où siroter un thé des Açores! 

Louvre Michaelense est à la fois, une boutique (photo 3 ci-dessus), un salon de thé (2) et une épicerie fine (1) qui propose une sélection d’objets et produits locaux recherchés, aux packaging régressifs dans un cadre désuet. Le concept m’a fait penser à A Vida Portuguese (à Lisbonne). Convivial et très actuel. 

Où dormir

  

La Casa das Palmeiras

J’ai d’abord vu de loin la toiture qui contrastait avec l’architecture locale. Construite en 1901, La Casa das Palmeiras ressemble plus à une de ces villas Art Nouveau de la Côte d’Azur. Récemment entièrement rénové, ce petit hôtel de 10 chambres est un petit bijoux. Idéal pour un élégant week-end.

Superbe adresse, less is more!   

    

Quoi de neuf?

Découvrir du Street art

Quelle surprise! Je suis une créative, alors vous imaginez mon bonheur en découvrant ces oeuvres de Street art disséminées de parts et d’autres dans Ponta Delgada. Toutes mes excuses, j’ai perdu mes notes avec les titres des oeuvres et noms des artistes. Oups!

 

Où boire un verre et dîner

La terrasse de l’Azor Hotel

C’est toujours un grand plaisir pour moi de séjourner ou dîner dans un hôtel décoré par Nini Andrade Silva! J’aime beaucoup son travail et sa personnalité. Elle a cette capacité à dramatiser l’espace et à créer des univers uniques dans lesquels on se sent bien.

Après un long moment sur la superbe terrasse de l’Azor Hotel, nous dînons au restaurant A Terra Fornaria. La cuisine et service sont top. Résolument mon adresse chic et relaxe de Ponta Delgada! 

 

Photos & vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Visit AzoresVisit Portugal, TAPLouvre Michaelense, Street art avec Walk & Talk AzoresCasa das Palmeiras – Charming House, Azor Hotel

Autres articles : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Un grand merci à Visit Azores, à Visit Portugal et à la TAP pour cette superbe invitation. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

My Beauty Routine For The Tropics

The Beautiful Bottle

To feel beautiful. I love to spray this aerial subtle water of perfume. The Aqua Allegoria Flora Rosa by Guerlain is fresh as a flowery delicate haze. A cheerful elegant note of lightness that remind me the picture of a Japanese cherry tree. I recommend this scent if you are allergic to the now trend of the too sweet fragrances.

Daily Skin Care Regimen

The Cocoon Trio

Many plants and Ayurveda in the Aveda products for my dehydrated sensitive skin that overheats in the heat! On the picture: 1, my favorite, the Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist which moisturizes, refreshes, soothes and matifies my mixed skin (shining in humid warm climate), thanks to white oak, witch hazel and peppermint. Very pleasant to spray, I use it at any time (when I’m not in the sun). 

2, le sérum Tulasāra Firm Concentrate, dont le nom Tulasāra signifie «se déplacer vers l’équilibre» en sanskri, est composé à 97% de produits naturels (plantes ayurvédique). 3, j’utilise la Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Soft Creme, à la fois comme crème de jour et de nuit. Sa texture fine et onctueuse et très agréable à appliquer et hydrate bien ma peau.  2, the Tulasāra Firm Concentrate serum whose Tulasāra name means “moving towards balance” in Sanskri, is composed of 97% natural products (ayurvedic plants). 3, I use the Botanical Kinetics Intense Hydrating Soft Creme both as a day creme and a night creme. Its creamy fine texture is very pleasant to apply and moisturizes my skin well.

4, I like to have impeccable feet and the white varnish brings an improbable touch of chic.

Protection and Repair

After-Sun Skin Care Routine

I try to avoid our best frenemy (the sun), but I love swimming and moving on the beach too much … So I protect my skin (face and body) with my inseparable Anthélios XL indice 50+ by La Roche Posay (2). I’ve noticed over the years, the texture of sunscreens has significantly improved. Lighter and less tacky.

Evening routine = repair, with the Excellence Code by Yon-Ka (overall anti-aging composed of 92% natural products).  After cleansing, I put it on face and décolleté for an hour (or sometimes less). Then I remove the excess, before applying my serum and my cream.

For hydration of the body, I use the after-sun creme, Posthélios by La Roche Posay with Aloe Vera that I mix with a little organic olive oil (moisturizing and nourishing).

Lavage en douceur

The Softness Trio

I must be a Martian (lol). I find the salt of the ocean and the wind have a postive effect on my skin … Hence the need to clean my face with organic olive oil and my body with non-stripping mild products.

1, the discovery, my other favorite: the Thai Chamanard Glycerin Soap by Banyan Tree (1) with coconut oil, olive oil, vitamin E and Aloe Vera leaf. This soap is so sweet that I also use it to wash my face! 4. The very nice toiletry kits offered by the Banyan Tree.

2. Other very soft body product: Huile de douche Hydratante & Tonifiante by Bio Beauté by Nuxe (99.3% natural ingredients) with the invigorating scent of the Cedrat of Corsica! A pleasure to apply for a silky soft skin. 3. I remain faithful to the Vichy products especially in summer, although I am not a big fan of the texture and scent of the Douche Spa Gel-Huile (gel-oil shower).

Girly

Blue, White and Glitters

Kiko nail polish: a white one for the feet (4), blue ones for the hands (2) with L’Oréal and Essie glitters offered by my mother to illuminate my manicure!

On the other hand the application of the white nail polish (on natural nails), it’s an Odyssey! Several thin layers to have a white white finish – drying hours, while trying to avoid a plaster effect!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Related posts : BEAUTY & DESTINATIONS