Tag Archives: Countryside

Spain, Ibiza: Can Lluc Hotel Rural

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Ibiza Confidential

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The Countryside With Style And Simplicity

To go to Can Lluc Hotel Rural, we took a taxi. Honestly, it’s the simplest way: the road ends with a track of red earth. What a pleasure to discover the property of 11 bedrooms, 14 one-bedroom villas and 2 large villas! Lovely welcome, lush gardens, beautiful swimming pool with a panoramic view of hills and orchards. The old and modern architecture discreetly blends into the decor. Far from the noise and traffic jams of Evissa.

Chic and intimate countryside to enjoy Ibiza differently. Our room has a small shaded terrace, near the swimming pool. Inside the room, the rustic decoration is in the Mediterranean style with floor tiles, wood and thick stone walls : simple, practical and comfortable, without unnecessary objects. There are a small fireplace for the winter season, air conditioning, mini bar and television. The large bathroom is bright and the bedding of good quality. A little cocoon. This summer, two new villas with very contemporary decoration have been added.

We had planned a thousand things to do: a trip to the north of the island, a dinner at Aubergine… But from the moment we arrived, we didn’t want to move. The swimming pool deserted during daytime by the customers who visited the island, has become our swimming pool. Swimming, enjoying the view, swimming,. And why not a mini trek in the surroundings, or cycling… Farniente (idleness). The excellent breakfast is presented and served with taste. And the dinner cooked by the chef is delicious too. We sit down on the large terrace, surrounded by vegetation. Dreamily, I watch the night fall slowly. This is the South… beautiful South!

                              The pictures Of The Hotel Below
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The Bedroom And Swimming Pool

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Delicious Breakfast And Restaurant

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In The Middle of Nature

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Can Lluc Hotel Rural

Related articles : Hotel ReviewsDestinations

Many thanks to the owners and team of the Can Lluc Hotel Rural for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Czech Republic: Short Road Trip In Bohemia And Prague

  


Disclosure: this article was first published in late 2019, 
following a trip made a few months earlier. 

Before this trip, for me, the Czech Republic and especially Prague were exclusively linked to Milan Kundera and Kafka, two of my favorite writers. I am happy to have discovered a bit of Bohemia: the extremely green landscapes, forests and castles. And of course Prague, the architecture, rhythm, small and large streets.

Our short road trip begins with the Brussels Airlines flight which lands in Prague at 11 a.m. Then we collect the rental and take the road to Pilsen and its surroundings.


Text and images below of our exciting itinerary.

Day 1: Pilsen And Surroundings

On Our Way To Pivovarsky Dvur Plzen (Near Pilsen)

Where I experience my very first beer spa at the Purkmistr Beer Spa   (photo above 1). In fact, I’m immersed in a warm beer. Nice! We continue to Pilsen, where we join the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour, in order to discover the huge Pilsner Urquell brewery (photo below 3). The tour is interesting, but a bit long if like me, you don’t drink beer (2).    

On the road again, we cross beautiful super green landscapes and arrive in the early evening at Kašperské Hory (4), a picturesque village. We dine at the restaurant of Nebespan, Boutique Hotel, whose chef is French. I really enjoy the cool setting, atmosphere, food and team. 

Day 2: Kašperské Hory & Sušice

On The Program: Castles And Bikes

We spend the day with our very friendly guide, Veronika who takes us to the emblematic Kašperk castle (photo above 1 and the two first photos of the article) built in the 14th century on the Ždánov mountain. Near the castle, hiking trails in the Bohemian forest allow you to have different panoramas of the castle.

In the afternoon, from Sušice we take a superb (and sporty) 46 km bike ride in the countryside. Thanks to Veronika, we visit small villages and a romantic castle transformed into a luxury hotel, the Zámek Hrádek (photo above), where we stop for a drink.

Day 3: From Dobříš To Prague

Dobříš & Slapy

We leave Kašperské Hory, where we slept the first two nights. After 1 hour 40 minutes, we arrive in Dobříš, to visit the Dobříš chateau dating from the 18th century (1 & 2). We have lunch on the terrace at Zámecká restaurace Dobříš, the castle restaurant. Then back on the road, we head to the Slapy Water Reservoir on the Vltava, in the Prague-West district, a famous resort for Prague people. 

Lively and colorful surroundings: many small sailing boats come and go (3). While the shores are filled with people in bikini sunbathing on grass. Family and summer atmosphere. We do a nice ride on the water which allows us to better enjoy the landscape sourrounded the lake. And then, we are off to Prague. We leave our luggage at Mama Shelter Prague (6). I cool off and we go to the historic center.

I am super excited: Prague! I’ve been wanting to see Prague for so long! In the historic center, there are too many tourists! We step on each other and lots of drunk young tourists (from 7 p.m.). The monuments are superb, but we decide to return to the Mama Shelter’s area with a quiet hype neighborhood. We dine in the very trendy Cobra Bar (4). I liked everything, the cool atmosphere, music, my hamburger with coconut sauce (5) and the proximity to the Mama Shelter: I said, e-ve-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! 

Day 4: Prague

The Last Day Of Our Breakaway

And my real first day in Prague! We walked for a long time in the center much quieter and more pleasant than the day before. Finally, I enjoy the beauty of the city. Long dreamy break in a terrace bar overlooking the Vltava. I would love to explore more and visit the museums, but we must return to the hotel to collect the car and go to the airport, our return flight is at 6 p.m.

Prague, I will come back!

Where To Sleep? The Mama Shelter Prague

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Czech Tourism 

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many thanks to Czech Tourism for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions. 

Rafting in Alentejo, Portugal

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-Glamping-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Alentejo, Here We Are!

Portugal-Alentejo-Mora-Solar-Dos-Lilases-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

On The Way To Mora

First day of this trip in Alentejo, with a superb brightness, fantastic sun and white walls lined with yellow or blue paint! I joined the team in Lisbon and we left in the morning. 

We stop at Mora in Evora district to have lunch at the excellent restaurant Solar dos Lilases (photo below). The day promises to be exciting: I will have my first experience rafting!

Portugal-Alentejo-Mora-Solar-Dos-Lilases-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My First Experience Rafting

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-20-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

And The Boat?

When I do things for the first time, I have no a priori. If someone had told me that I will use my body (instead of a pneumatic or kayak) to drift on a freezing cold river: not sure that I would have been as naively enthusiastic (lol)! 

We are in pristine nature (of course!). At the entrance of the huge property of Azenhas da Seda, a jeep leads us to the camp. Everything is very well organized and the modern facilities blend into the landscape. 

The multi-layers equipment is an absolute nightmare for the good taste: swimsuit under shorty wetsuit, gloves and booties, life jacket, helmet and training shoes. After taking a really cold shower (to acclimate the body to the river temperature!), a small briefing in the shade of trees. Cozy … 

Time to mentally record the advices and I am on the back drifting in a water more than icy … and using my hands and arms as rudder, to avoid the river banks (photo below). The feeling is WOW!

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-19-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

New Quick Briefing

about what’s next in the program. We progressively discover and are more and more motivated (with some giggles, lol!). Short hike through fields in a dream setting. And as we begin to dry our wet shorty wetsuit, surprise-surprise …

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-18-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Bush

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K
Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-13-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This Is Where It Gets Tricky

We sink into a narrow path. As long as the water remains at the ankles, it’s okay! By cons when my waist is immersed, less fun (lol)! Very quickly you can find yourself shoulders immersed.

As I’m not a big fan of the appearance of water, the chief monitor let me lead the way. Adventure, my dear! In fact, the water is clear, our movements make it murky and muddy. 

Suffice to say that I don’t know where I walk in the water! The interest of this “training” isn’t to ask questions, but anticipate and avoid holes etc… (LOL)! In places, it really shrinks and we must climb slippery big rocks (photo below). 

Seriously, I liked this challenging route. An intense cardio session surrounded by a superb pristine nature. That strengthens the team spirit (we were already a great team before!). And I forgot, the water is still frozen. The outdoors, baby!

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-12A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To The Camp

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-15-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

#sorrynotsorry

Last step before returning to the camp : jump into the river! Fortunately, not next to falls (on the above photo), but in a quiet location with a slight current (below photos).

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-16-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-17-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Glamping Break

Comfortable tent furnished with a real bed, dressing table and mini zen garden (composed of rocks), on top of a small cliff with a view overlooking the river and nature. Nice warm sunshine …  

Hardly time to get dressed and we leave the Azenhas da Seda to go to Avis. Happy busy day with my first experience rafting! I lightly doze watching the countryside …

Portugal-Alentejo-Rafting-Azenhas-da-Seda-Glamping-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Sleeping In The Vineyards

Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Sun Is Still Strong

when we arrive at the Herdade da Cortesia. I snap few pictures of the room before the dinner. I like the cinemascope view in the bathroom! Awesome! Like an elegant ranch at the end of the world, pampa … 

Nice decoration with a soft lighting: I do not have the strength to raise the mechanical blind facing the bed. If I sit down, I fall asleep: courage, Mademoiselle! The last two pictures of the post (below): the restaurant and the large table for dinner. See you tomorrow…

Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Avis-Herdade-da-Cortesia-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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Visit PortugalVisit Alentejo, Solar dos Lilases, Azenhas da SedaHerdade da Cortesia

Related posts : DESTINATIONSLIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal for this amazing invitation. Thanks to the cool team of Azenhas da Seda too. As always these are my opinions.