Tag Archives: Bar

Portugal, Évora: Ecorkhotel

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Californian Vibe

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Suite

After a long day drive, we finally arrived at the Ecorkhotel Suites & Spa on the outskirts of Évora. The concept of this new 56 suite hotel, is based on the optimum use of cork as insulation.       

What a joy discovering my 70 square-meter suite in an independent bungalow with a small terrace – patio. The architecture is awesome. And I don’t know why it makes me think of L.A. ( first photo of this post)!      

The decoration is very simple and nice! Few elements almost rudimentary. Perfect. Not overlooked with other bungalows. And trees, centenary olive trees, cork oaks and nature everywhere!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Dinner

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I’m late

for the dinner at Cardo, the hotel restaurant where our large table is already full! Oops, I lingered by the pool with a real Californian twist (photo below). Unfortunately it was too late to test the spa.      

The dishes are very good: a mixture of Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine. Then, with two friends we stay a while at the bar. Very cool, we are the only ones (lol). And I discovered a new Portuguese artisanal gin named FriendsWhat a coincidence!     

The next day: I am in hurry, I didn’t hear the alarm clock. A fruit as a quick breakfast in the large patio covered with white sails (above photo). At 9 a.m. sun is strong and my dream team is already on the bikes. Wow!    

We start our little tour through the countryside towards the Évora historic center (in sweat and fun …). But that’s another story (bicycle and I, we are not exactly friends) LOL!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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EcorkhotelVisit Alentejo & Visit Portugal

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal for this amazing invitation. As always these are my opinions.

Portugal, Alentejo: Ecorkhotel

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Une impression de Californie

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

La suite

Après une longue journée de route, nous arrivons enfin à l’Ecorkhotel Suites & Spa, en périphérie d’Évora. Le concept de ce nouvel hôtel de 56 suites, est basé sur l’utilisation optimum du liège comme isolant.

Quel bonheur en découvrant ma suite de 70 mètres carrés, dans un bungalow indépendant, avec une petite terrasse – patio! L’architecture est top ; je ne sais pas pourquoi, elle me fait penser à L.A. (première photo de ce post)!

Décoration simplissime, très agréable. Peu d’éléments, limite rudimentaire. Parfait. Pas de vis à vis avec les autres bungalows. Et des arbres : des oliviers centenaires, des chênes-lièges, de la nature partout!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Le Dîner

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

J’arrive en retard

pour le dîner au Cardo, le restaurant de l’hôtel, où notre grande tablée est déjà au complet! Oups, me suis attardée à la piscine qui a vraiment une touche californiènne (photo ci-dessous). Malheureusement pas eu le temps de tester le spa.

Les plats sont très bons : mélange de cuisine portugaise et méditerranéenne. Ensuite, avec deux amis, nous nous attardons un long moment au bar. Très cool, nous sommes les seuls (lol). Je découvre un gin artisanal portugais au nom choisi de Friends!

Le lendemain : gros speed, je n’ai pas entendu le réveil et un fruit en guise de petit déjeuner express, dans le large patio couvert de graphiques voiles (photo ci-dessus). Le soleil est déjà fort à 9h du matin et la dream team sur les vélos.

Nous attaquons notre petit tour à travers la campagne jusqu’au centre historique d’Évora (dans la sueur et l’allégresse… ). Mais ça, c’est une autre histoire (le vélo et moi, on est pas vraiment potes), LOL!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

EcorkhotelVisit Alentejo & Visit Portugal

Autres articles : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

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

Weekend in Val Thorens: Activities

Val-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-2GF1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Snowmobile

Going up the ski slopes by snowmobile, making our way among the skiers and snowboarders: awesome! Too bad the way to the famous mountain bar La Folie Douce, was pretty short!

I really like this first snowmobile experience! I even thought I was on the set of Ms Jamie Bond (LOL)! As in skiing, the downhill is better. 

Val-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Segway 

Val-Thorens-France-Segway-Cross-View-To-Val-Thorens-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Visit of The Ski Resort

in segway : very nice with friends! Gabriel Delenclos that monitors the activity, convinced me to join the outing. First the prospect of an on iced snow ballad didn’t excite me!

I started tense, but very quickly I mastered better my segway and I had fun! I discovered the ski resort from a new angle. Very nice stroll at the end of day! 

Val-Thorens-France-Segway-Cross-View-To-Val-Thorens-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Snowshoeing Without Yoga

Val-Thorens-France-Snowshoeing-Outdoor-Activties-Ski-Resort-Mountain-1AA-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Zen

Since last spring, I like hiking – again (LOL!). That why I really wanted to try snowshoeing. And guess what, it’s physical (cardio training) mostly when you leave the tracks to walk in the powder snow (great sensation). 

I follow Brigitte Ruff, the passionate zen founder of Nature Raquette. We go down, then go up in the endless white panorama … From time to time she explains me how to recognize some animal tracks. I have a feeling of being one with the scenery! Invigorating! 

Val-Thorens-France-Snowshoeing-Landscape-Detail-Frozen-River-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Ski Therapy

Val-Thorens-France-Ski-Lesson-Ski-Carpet-Lift-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Me & Skiing

A love-hate relationship! Let me explain, when I ski properly, happiness! But at the top of a blue slope, surrounded by some crazy ski racers, I’m in panic mode. And as I don’t ski enough, my beginner level is not improving!

I took a ski lesson tailored to women, provided by Marion Levasseur (super cheerful and patient). She’s a great instructor of the Sky-cool ski & swonboard school. We took over the bases with work on breathing and concentration, to regain the pleasure of skiing. Photos above and below: ski carpet and my skis. 

Val-Thorens-France-Ski-Lesson-Equipement-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Ski-Lesson-Ski-Carpet-Lift-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Apres Ski @ La Folie Douce

Val-Thorens-France-La-Folie-Douce-Après-Ski-Spot-Party-Clubbing-Bar-Restaurant-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Ready for clubbing?

Have you ever tried an “apres ski” on the slopes? Under a blinding sun, I arrive with a friend by snowmobile (sorry not sorry), to La Folie Douce that fills slowly but surely.

4 p.m.: the party really starts with a good House music and Electro, Piper champagne and the view, the view, the view … the sound! People dance, good vibes!

Val-Thorens-France-La-Folie-Douce-Après-Ski-Spot-Party-Clubbing-Bar-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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www.valthorens.com

I wear :  a Wed’ze First Heat ski jacket and Wed’ze First Heat ski trousers with Quechua Forclaz 500 hiking shoes (Decathlon). Plus an Yeti under jacket and a Sun Valley bunny. 

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Val Thorens Tourist Office to have organized these awesome activities, and to the providers for these lovely experiences! As always these opinions are my own.