Tag Archives: Discovery

Croatia: Opatija,The French Riviera of Istria

Posted on March 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

Under a bright sun,

early in the morning we left by car the Esplanade Zagreb to the famous Opatija, a seaside town on the shores of the Mediterranean, in the Kvarner Bay. Halfway, we stopped at Lake Fuzine (picture 2), with emerald water. Beautiful landscape really green to walk and get some fresh air. The sky is blue, so blue. It is much cooler than in Zagreb and still impeccable, no paper, no butts lying around. A real pleasure!

We hit the road and soon we arrive in Opatija.

The houses architecture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century reminds me of Nice and the French Riviera, or Sintra in Portugal. Quick jump to the hotel (with a direct view on a small marina) to leave my bags. And I go with Ze who lives in Opatija for a long walk in the city. What a great discovery!

I have the impression of being in a book of Agatha Christie:

architecture, historical figures painted on the wall of fame wall (pictures 8 & 9), including Isadora Duncan (pictures 6, her house & 9). A kind of slow elegance (pictures 4 & 5: Villa Angiolina) … There are few people, it’s very nice: the best time to avoid the crowds is June or September. Photo 7: Park Angiolina. Photos 1,3 & 10: Lungomare is a sublime seaside promenade, to enjoy day and night, by far my favorite part of Opatija!

Informations

Opatija Tourist Board & www.visitcroatia.be

Follow my whole trip in the CROATIA section. ENJOY! I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and of course all my opinions are mine.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Croatia: Le Mandrac, The Gourmet Restaurant in Opatijia

Posted on March 12, 2015 | Leave a comment

After my long visit of Opatija

with Zé under a blazing sun, we follow Lungumare (a paved path along the sea with a beautiful view) to Le Mandrac, a gourmet restaurant. We are in a small cove with a backdrop worthy of the golden age of the Italian cinema. It feels like home… and also reminded me of the Marseille’s Calanques and a distant dinner at Chez Fonfon (a famous restaurant in Marseille).

I love the scenery, I’m blown away! The view from our table is just WOW (picture 1)! Impeccable service. The black bread looks like the one I tasted in South Tyrol (picture 4). Excellent starters (pictures 2 & 3), followed by a perfectly grilled fish with olive oil (pictures 6 & 7) and a chocolate cake, with in the middle some hot chocolate and garnished with a lemon sorbet … OMG and beleive me, I am not at all a dessert person (pictures 8 & 9). After the second starter, I wasn’t hungry!

The chef Denis Zembo

Honestly, I think it must be a nightmare to have lunch with me. Each dish is carefully photographed before and sometimes even after, as below, LOL! Here everything is so flavorful and tasty that between the main course and dessert, I improvise a quick meeting with the talented chef and owner of Le Mandrac, Denis Zembo (picture above):

– How would you describe your cooking? – Mediterranean cuisine with a twist. Unpredictable and surprising.

– What kind of ingredients inspire you? – Only some Mediterranean herbs and garlic found in the mountains. I like to use different techniques, such as caramelize. The presentation is half of the dish too.

– What traditional Croatian dish would you recommend to someone who comes for the first time in Croatia? – The risotto, all made pasta, scampi. My avant-garde interpretation of traditional fritaja (fritaya), with scrambled eggs and local ingredients: wild asparagus, truffles and mushrooms.

Thank you Denis Zembo.

Informations

Le Mandrac : Obala F. Supila 10, Volosko, 51410 Opatija – Tel +385 51 701 357. Opatija Tourist Board & www.visitcroatia.be

Follow my whole trip in the CROATIA section. ENJOY! I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and as usual all my opinions are mine.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS

Costa de Prata, Portugal: Cliffs and Pristine Beaches

Posted on October 12, 2014 | Leave a comment

The nature, sea and light of late afternoon.

We cross the garden of the romantic beautiful Areias do Seixo to have a walk in the cliffs of the Costa de Prata. An organic chicken coop, where “real” chicken run outdoors and are fed grain, near an organic kitchen garden (picture below). The promiscuity of dunes gives a surreal touch to the landscape. The air is crisp.

We head towards the dunes

following the crafted signs of the hotel (above, pictures 3 & 4). As we move forward, we discover a wild part of the magnificent Costa de Prata. What a setting! Dunes shaped by the wind, short vegetation, porous high cliffs and the incredible light and sunset!

Nature, the eternal provider of wellness…

until we completely destroy it. Our species is so good at destroying all that is beautiful and rare … But that’s another story. While the light changes, we find the stairs leading to the beach, like a pirate treasure!

Motionless shape of a single fisherman

with his long cane in front of the ocean. Waves that break on the rocks, we silently walk. We try to avoid the darkness on the way back to the hotel and get lost in a field. A dog barks and gets closer.

The race to find the hotel before dark night, crazy giggles arriving up to the chicken coop. On the terrace of the hotel, a fire waits for us. I go to my room to shower before dinner.

Informations

Areias do Seixo – Charme Hotel

Areias do Seixo: Awesome Eco-luxury Hotel in Portugal

Portugal: Comporta, Miles of Pristine Beaches

DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Tag Archives: Discovery

Croatia: Opatija,The French Riviera of Istria

Croatia: Le Mandrac, The Gourmet Restaurant in Opatijia

Costa de Prata, Portugal: Cliffs and Pristine Beaches

The nature, sea and light of late afternoon.

Nature, the eternal provider of wellness…

Informations

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