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Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K 1

Ice Driving

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Wow Wow!

My baptism of ice driving! I really wanted to do it! On a previous trip, I discovered the circuit de glace Alain Prost in Val Thorens (the highest ice-racing track in Europe) at the Trophée Andros race. I like motorsport, but I couldn’t test with a pilot last time.

So this time, when I was invited to this little session of controlled “steering, counter-steering, braking…” on ice, I was thrilled! The principle is simple. Christophe, a professional driver drives the race car explaining how to take turns (the most interesting for me).

Time to do few turns and the session is already over … Next step: the ice driving course… Photos below: I extend the experience of being a passanger in the classy Mini of the Val Thorens Tourist Office (you guys rock!).

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lunch

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Lunch in this famous alpine chalet located in between Val Thorens and Les Menuires. We have a little trouble finding the parking … The restaurant is accessible by ski or by car (you will have to walk and it climbs a bit, lol). 

What a great surprise! The place is clear and warm. And we followed the chef’s suggestion: chicken and pasta with truffles and cheese cake. A delight! Gargantuan portion (photo above). And as a light dessert, I chose a chocolate ice cream! LOL!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Or Try The Gastronomic Brasserie

Warning, Gourmets! The Vallée des Belleville is a breeding ground for the Michelin starred chefs! During a lunch in the resort at the Montana Restaurant, I had the chance to taste the bubbly and delicious cuisine of Chef Jérémy Gillon (photos below).

Ooops, I don’t remember the exact names of our different dishes, but the photos (below) speak for themselves! It’s beautiful, colorful (to the eye and palate) and delicious!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Le-Montana-Brasserie-Restaurant-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Jeremy-Gillon-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Nice Boutique Hotel

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

In The Center of The Resort,

facing the slopes, you can stay at Le Val Thorens hotel with cool friends. Lovely interior design with a few art works (picture 4 below), the style is a mix of contemporary mountain and minimalist Scandinavian design.

The architecture of the lobby is a bit surprising, but the furniture creates a warm atmosphere (photo 5 below). I loved the view and the cozy atmosphere of my room (too bad the bathroom is very narrow). I felt so good that I skipped the dinner to not leave my bed!

Well, I still made the final push to join some friends for a drink … The breakfast room is also very nice. Unfortunately I haven’t enough time to discover the pool and spa. I have to finish my suitcase for the next resort … 

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KHotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Val Tho Party

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.valthorens.comwww.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Val Thorens Tourist Office, for all of these stunning surprises, including the ice driving. As always, these opinions are my own.

Val Thorens, France: le retour (2)

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K 1

Conduite sur glace

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Wow wow!

Mon baptême de conduite sur glace! J’en avais très envie! Lors d’un précédent voyage, j’ai découvert le circuit de glace Alain Prost à Val Thorens (le plus haut d’Europe) lors du Trophé Andros. J’aime les sports mécaniques, mais je n’avais pas pu faire d’essai avec un pilote.

Aussi cette fois, lorsqu’on m’a invitée à cette petite session de dérapages contrôlés sur glace, j’étais enchantée! Le principe est simple. Christophe, le pilote professionnel conduit en m’expliquant comment prendre les virages (le plus intéressant).

Le temps de faire quelques tours du circuit et la séance est déjà terminée… Prochaine étape : le stage de pilotage sur glace, à suivre… Photos ci-dessous : je prolonge l’expérience en passagère de la superbe Mini de l’Office du tourisme de Val Tho (classieuse).

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Pause déjeuner

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Déjeuner dans ce fameux châlet d’alpage, situé dans entre Val Thorens et les Ménuires. Nous avons un peu de mal à trouver le parking… Le restaurant est accessible en ski ou en voiture (il faudra marcher, ça grimpe un peu, lol).

Le bonheur en arrivant, l’endroit est clair et chaleureux. Sans poser de questions, nous avons suivi la suggestion du chef : poulet et pâtes aux truffes, avec une galette au fromage. Un délice! Portion gargantuesque (photo ci-dessus). En dessert pour faire léger, j’ai choisi de la glace au chocolat! LOL!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

L’alternative gastro au Montana

Gourmets tremblez! La vallée des Belleville est un vivier à chefs étoilés! Lors d’un déjeuner dans la station, j’ai eu la chance de découvrir au restaurant Montana, la pétillante et succulente cuisine du chef Jérémy Gillon (photos ci-dessous).

Je ne me rappelle plus les noms exacts de nos différents plats (oups), mais les photos (ci-dessous) parlent d’elles-mêmes! C’est beau, coloré (à l’oeil et en bouche) et excellent! 

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Le-Montana-Brasserie-Restaurant-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Jeremy-Gillon-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Un boutique hôtel sympa

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Au centre de la station,

face aux pistes, on vient à l’hôtel Le Val Thorens entre amis cool. Déco simplissime, égrenée de quelques oeuvres d’art de-ci de-là (photo 4 ci-dessous), entre moderne classique montagnard et minimaliste design scandinave.

L’architecture du lobby est un peu surprenante, mais le mobilier crée une atmosphère conviviale (photo 5 ci-dessous). J’ai aimé la vue et le cadre douillet de ma chambre (dommage que la salle de bain soit très étroite). Je m’y suis sentie tellement bien que j’ai zappé le dîner pour ne pas quitter mon lit!

Bon, j’ai quand même fait ensuite l’effort ultime de rejoindre des potes pour un verre… La salle du petit déjeuner est aussi très agréable. Malheureusement je n’ai pas le temps de découvrir la piscine, ni le spa : je dois finir ma valise. Prochain arrêt à…

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KHotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Val Tho festif

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.valthorens.comwww.les3vallees.com

Autres articles : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Un grand merci aux 3 Vallées et à l’Office du tourisme de Val Thorens pour ces très jolies surprises, dont l’Ice Driving. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

Weekend in The Hague: Restaurants, Museums & Gardens

Netherlands-The-Hague-Dutch-Parliament-Staten-Generaal-Binnenhof-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Two Awesome Museums

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The Mauritshuis Museum

First nice surprise, I take the stairs to go towards the main entrance very modern and clear which is at the under ground (photo 2). The Mauritshuis is located in a beautiful building of the 17th century (photo 3), near the Binnenhof (first photo of the post) and Hofvijver. 

The “human scale” museum allows me to take my time to look at the permanent collections of the Golden Age of Dutch painting. Many famous masters, Rembrandt, Van Dyck and of course the hypnotic painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer (photo 1). I also really like the portrait of Elizabeth Bellinghausen by Bartholomäus Bruyn I (photo 4).

Netherlands-The-Hague-Mauritshuis-Museum-Exhibition-Dutch-Self-Portraits-Of-The-Golden-Age-Selfies-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Exhibition: Duch Self-Portraits

Selfies of the Golden Age (on the photo montage above, photo 3). Do not miss this exhibition, until January 3, 2016 at the Mauritshuis! This exciting exhibition will speak to all bloggers (yes!), Instagrammers and other followers of personal branding (photo 2, lol!). 

Here is a great example that reminds us that digital marketing has invented nothing really new : : photos 1 & 4, as the painter Samuel van Hoogstraten (1627-1678), 

“Various artists allowed their self-portraits to be transformed into prints, thereby increasing the number of copies available for sale or as gifts. These prints enhanced the artist’s reputation, particularly if they were were used as illustrations in successful books(source: Mauritshuis museum).

Netherlands-The-Hague-Escher-in-Het-Paleis-Museum-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Escher in Het Paleis Museum

5 minutes walk from the Mauritshuis Museum, my darling museum Escher in Het Paleis Museum to be discovered (above photo montage)! M.C. Escher is a visionary artist with a prolific imagination that plays with perspective. 

We enter into a world of an extreme wealth and complexity! Fantastic! On the photo above montage: last picture, an artwork of Escher, Bonifacio (big up to Corsica!). 

On the photo montage below, a few other artworks of Escher which I liked very much (there are so many that this selection was hard): 1. Depth (1955), 2. Path of Life I (1958), 3. Fish and Scales (1959) and 4. Curl-up (1951).

Netherlands-The-Hague-Escher-in-Het-Paleis-Museum-Escher-Art-Works-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Two Restaurants And A Snack

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Little V

Lunch of Vietnamese cuisine in China Town, the Asian district of The Hague (photo 1 above). Located opposite the Nieuwe Kerk, the Little V restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and nice service. 

The decoration is quite original (4) and the food is good: I chose vegetables with tofu (2), chicken with noodles (3) and a fresh orange juice. But I can’t finish the dishes, too hearty!

Netherlands-The-Hague-Catch-By-Simonis-Restaurant-Mauritshuis-Museum-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Catch by Simonis  

This famous restaurant is located on the harbour of Tweede Binnenhaven where I got lost for nearly half an hour before finding the restaurant (picture above 4)! I had an appointment with a writer friend who came by bike … and got lost too, no comment! 

Excellent dinner: for the first meal, we shared the Catch Combination (huge dish), composed of “Scottish salmon from our own smokehouse, Stellendam shrimp and Usselmeer eel fillet” (2). For the main course, I chose the Zeebaars: “Seabass pan-fried on the skin served with beetroot, potato mousseline and olives with a shallot sauce” (3). 

In the photo 1, a painting seen in the Mauritshuis: Still Life with Roemer and Timepiece (1629) by Willem Claesz Heda.

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofvijver-Dutch-Parliament-Staten-Generaal-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Famous Herring 

Do you know this Dutch specialty? Yes, het haring (herring) caught in the North Sea, eaten raw by the tail, with on onions (for 2 euros on average!). 

Photo above 4: considered as one of the best places to eat this specialty, Haringkraam Buitenhof is located close to the Hofvijver (3) and the seat of the Dutch parliament (2). The address: Buitenhof 2513 AG The Hague.

Don’t forget to bring a lemon for the hands and breath ; )

Photo 1: very arty doors of a ministry near the Mauritshuis. Photos below: skyscrapers of the new part of The Hague.

Netherlands-The-Hague-Modern-City-Center-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Secret Gardens

Netherlands-The-Hague-Walk-Secret-Gardens-The-Palace-Gardens-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Stroll, walk!

Like most European cities, you will discover The Hague by walking. By an open door, I see a beautiful courtyard, with a calm lush garden (photo above 1). 

By following a narrow street, I admire some cottages built in the 18th century (2). Elsewhere, a small red door leads us into a green space (4). Photo 5: brief stop by the Paleistuin (Palace Garden). Photo 3: on Lange Voorhout, the smallest building in The Hague (the one with vertical four windows).

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com and Thalys (www.thalys.com/be/fr/)

To go to The Hague : take the Thalys to Rotterdam Central (1h10 from Brussels-Midi), then the Dutch metro RET to Den Haag Central (more and less 30 minutes).

Related posts to The Hague: DESTINATIONS & SHOP MY SELECTIONS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com, Thalys and to the guide, Remco Dörr. As always these opinions are my own.