Tag Archives: Beauty

Vidago Palace: A Futuristic Spa

I take you to the Vidago Palace, a superb Belle Epoque palace in the amazingly beautiful Douro valley (picture 3), in the North of Portugal. Calm amind the lush green, the spa is located in the futuristic new wing of Alvaro Siza Vieira (one of my favourite architects). Wow!  Seduced, I cross the long corridor from the main building to the 2500 meters squares spa. The retina dazzled by the spectrum of the light, I enter in a minimalist spacious hall  in white marble : the reception of the spa. The responsible of beauty treatments diagnosed : it will be a face treatment, including the new generation mesotherapy and a hand massage. Divine. He starts with a soft skin cleansing and the meso without injection (picture 2). I feel like quite being in a high tech laboratory… with an edonist vibe.

The atmosphere changes, by candlelight and bed heating (picture 1), I fall in sleep during the massage. When I wake up, my skin looks brighter and  my face relaxer. Then I go to the chill-out room, like a sas before going back down to earth. I could stay for ages, just drinking green tea. Unfortunately, I can’t give you the name of this made-to-measure facial treatment, I lost my prescription… oops! Good news,  in this refine spa, I’ve discovered an excellent Brit skin line with essential oils, Aromatherapie Associates. To be continued in a coming-up post…

Info : Vidago Palace Spa, Phone (+351) 276 990 970.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & BEAUTY

 

Thai massage in Bangkok

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For hedonistic Robinson Crusoe only. After the overstatement of towers and malls and flashy gigantism and tacky luxury and endless kilometers. Finally the matt sparkle of a sober style, with green plants and teck. Simple rustic refinement, I feel comfortable in the terrasse of the therapeutic traditional massages center, Ruen Nuad. It’s like being in another world, without any rush, stress and noise. And before the massage, the masseuse meticulously wash your feet. Then you walk in bamboo flip flop and large Thai trousers.

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First trying on a southern Kho (island), where the masseuse, after stretched me in a very strong way, walked on my back. Ouch! And I don’t remember if I felt a sense of well-being, probably not. Wise, years later, I’ve tryed again in Bangkok. Since I’ve been addicted. Below, the ascetic zen cabin: entrance made up of a net and subdued daylight and good airing. During, it isn’t really nice. Mostly when the masseuse is strong. Just after, my body is like a chewing-gum and I can feel some “forgotten” muscules, beginnings of aches. And the following day, I feel an incredible sense of well-being and lightness. Fantasctic!

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The feet massage is a m-u-s-t! Nothing to do with the Chinese one, really effective but a bit too strong. Here feet and calfs are wrapped in warm towels, the massage is executed by gentle pressures. And I fall asleep. Stoppage time! After you dont walk, you fly… above the traffic jam!

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Ruen Nuad: 42 Convent Rd / BTS Saladaeng – Tel: 02-632 2663
 
Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS 
 
 

Bangkok, Thailand: Siam Paragon & Siam Center

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In the subway, the friendly screen reminds you where to spend your money. Maybe at the gigantic legandary Siam Paragon with the famous aquarium. Malls culture! I was really impressed by the food department with the hugh incredible delicatessen for gourmets, where you can find e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Of course for fashion, there are the same serie of international luxury brands (you can finally find everywhere), but here in colossal shops, missing privacy feeling for buying. Nothing new to discover and I get bored. Facing the Siam paragon, crossing a big plaza: the Siam Center. A great decoration with beautiful graphic designs! Very trendy. About fashion, nothing particular in the streetwear selection for teens and “young adults”.

Dans le métro, l’écran, ce nouvel ami, vous rappelle où dépenser votre argent. Pourquoi pas au légendaire et gigantesque Siam Paragon avec son aquarium géant. Ze centre commercial! Vrai que l’étage gourmet est assez impressionnant, avec cette immense épicerie fine, où l’on peut trouver absolument de tout. Côté mode, on retrouve les mêmes marques internationales de luxe (que partout, folle originalité), mais dans des boutiques aux dimensions pharaoniques manquant totalement de cette intimité qui incite à l’achat. Rien de nouveau, je m‘ennuie. En face, le Siam Center où la décoration très urbaine est simplement top! Ca tranche avec l’uniformité pauvre des autres malls. Concernant la sélection mode: un streetwear pour ados et “jeunes adultes” sans surprise.

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Related posts : Destinations