Tag Archives: Breathing

France, Arcs 2000: Hotel Taj-I Mah

A Room With A View

The Pleasure of Mountain

Long live the skiing season! Few years ago, I’d never imagined I could like the mountain and ski as much! I am back in the French Alps, for the inauguration of the Taj-I Mah, the first 5-star hotel of Les Arcs 2000 at the foot of the slopes.     

Blue sky, snowy peaks bathed in bright light. It’s pretty difficult to leave my terrace. The air is invigorating with hypnotic view. The comfortable room is well soundproofed, a cocoon with impeccable bedding. The interior design reminds me the rooms of the Koh-I Nor in more intimate version (the same owners).  

The bathroom with its deep large bath, opens onto the bedroom and mountain view (a large sliding glass door allows to separate the two spaces, picture left above). I like the separate toilet in the entrance of the room.

  

Lunch at L’Atelier d’Eric

Between Activities,

I sit down at one of the hotel’s outside terraces (great!). Picture above: the long terrace of the lounge, where I am rocked by the warm rays of the sun. It quickly becomes really complicated to leave (LOL)! Except for discovering the menu of L’Atelier d’Eric, one of the two restaurants of the Taj-I Mah, under the leadership of the Chef Eric Samson.

I had lunch there a few times (pictures below): tasty simple inventive cuisine nicely presented. Excellent tuna prepared with scallops. I love  the Valrhona chocolate with pear dessert (picture below), a treat!

A Massage at The Spa

The Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi

have a panoramic view to the slopes and the peaks! The last two days, I made a long stop at the Cinq Mondes and Carita spa: 400 m2 including a sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, salt wall, showers, relaxation area and treatment rooms. The icing on the cake is the Cinq Mondes facial massage (inspired by Shiatsu) that relaxed my tensions in the neck and shoulders.

Dinner at The Diamant Noir

Voluptuous Dessert

The second evening, I have a dinner with a journalist friend at the Diamant Noir, the gourmet restaurant of the twice starred Chef Eric Samson. We start with an apetizer of raw tuna with egg yolk and cream. 

I don’t take any first meal. While reading the menu, I recognize one of the Koh-I Nor’s first meal I really recommend you: Grilled foie gras acidulated with the passion fruits and Savoy wine, Mango and Litchi. A surprising extremely fine dish! So delicious!

I choose the Supreme of Farm Poultry filled with foie gras, Périgueux sauce and potatoes. Really good and not greasy. When the dessert The Chocolate Caraïbe at 66% in Different Textures arrives, I capsize! It looks like a haute couture piece and tastes fantastic! Gorgeous!

  

The Ski

Finally!

Energic wake-up to the aurora and meditation on the empty icy main terrace of the hotel. I am happy, I will ski from 9 am to 11. I haven’t had the opportunity to discover the Paradiski ski area (which includes Les Arcs) yet. The previous days, I visited as a pedestrian a bit of the Arcs 2000 (altitude 2100 meters) and 1800

I couldn’t leave without making at least a morning of skiing! After being equipped at the ski shop of the hotel (picture below), I follow the ski instructor on slopes. First, we head to Les Arcs 1950 and cross the village in ski. Then we take the chairlift to the Col de la Chal (altitude 2600 meters). From where we ski to the Arc 2000 surrounded in a beautiful panorama. To be continued…

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the team of the Taj-I Mah and the Tourist Office of Les Arcs for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions.

Nazaré, Portugal: The Biggest Wave in The World

Nazaré-Praia do Norte-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Onda da Nazaré, the biggest wave in the world ! 

And extreme surf ! Yes, Nazaré ! Do you remember in 2011 the feat of the Hawaiian Garrett McNamara who surfed a wave of 23.77 meters high ? The biggest wave ever surfed … Until he established a new world record in January 2013 and this time with a wave of more than 30 meters! Welcome to Nazaré, Portugal … 1h30 drive north of Lisbon.

Stunning panorama of Praia do Norte (North Beach) from the old lighthouse. The wind is cold, mild euphoria, I do not feel the cold, warmed up by this amazing winter sun. Azure sky, incredible brightness ! Surf waves break a few meters below. No wall of water today, from time to time some powerful waves, Atlantic Ocean. Whenever I discover a legendary surf spot is flat LOL! Two three surfers in the water, a photographer with his assistant and a tripod …

I can spend hours and hours looking at the ocean, endless beach. And we head to the beach. No real path, the descent is steep, very steep . Large sandbar that stretches out of sight . I’m deafened by the noise of the wind and waves. Also surprised that despite a strong wind, the sand doesn’t fly unlike Guincho, another famous surf spot in Portugal. Time flies, we must go back, I feel boosted. A last glance towards the beach (photo 9). To be continued …

Nazaré-Praia do Norte-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Nazaré-Praia do Norte-5A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Nazaré-Praia do Norte-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Portugal-Farol da Nazaré-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013Nazaré-Praia do Norte-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

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Costa Neo Romantica: Cruise in Mediterranean

Do you remember “The Love Boat”?

Well well, I tested for you… and guess what, I really enjoyed it, as crazy as it sounds! I would never (ever) have imagined a 5-day cruise in the Mediterranean on a boat with over a thousand people! You know, one of these floating-white-monsters-with-dozens-of-floors. 

The trip started early morning: flight to Milan, then bus to Navona (I didn’t see anything of the city) and I obediently board the Neo Costa Romantica ship of the Costa fleet. After nearly a day of transportation and a long time of mandatory safety (including all of us, crew and customers), I finally relax on the desert deck pools. Yes finally I realize I’m on the water, on the top of the boat and coasts away, exciting!

And here is the big egg in wicker (photo above) where far from everything and everyone, I could admire the postcard beautiful sunsets during all the cruise! Cia-cia-ciao bellissima Italia, domani sarà (tomorrow, it’s)… To be continued… 

www.costacruise.com  

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTELS REVIEWS

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.