Tag Archives: Europe

Roadtrip en Espagne : second arrêt, Madrid

Un kaléidoscope d’images, d’impressions

Un jour et demie pour découvrir la ville, c’est bien trop peu! D’autant que ça faisait une éternité que j’étais venue à Madrid. La ville est superbe, immense et imposante. Nous sommes arrivés en train de Barcelone, en fin d’après-midi, à l’heure. Le trajet s’est passé tranquillement. Direction maintenant, l’hôtel Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid (photos “Jour 1” ci-dessous), situé sur le long Paseo de la Castellana, près du quartier financier et des musées Thyssen-Bornemisza et Prado.

D’ailleurs ce seront les seuls musées que nous aurons le temps de visiter longuement, mon préféré : le musée Thyssen-Bornemisza que je connaissais déjà (photo “Jour 2”). Au Prado, il y a beaucoup, trop à voir tant et si bien qu’après un long moment, j’ai eu un malaise et nous allés prendre l’air au parc du Retiro. La petite pépite de cette escale à Madrid : la dégustation privée de bonbons et chocolats, organisée par l’hôtel, dans la plus vieille maison de bonbons de Madrid, la Bombonería Pajarita (photos “Jour 2”).

Les deux soirs, nous sommes restés dîner dans notre confortable hôtel, tant nous nous y sommes sentis bien! La cuisine était délicieuse et le service, professionnel et sympathique. Le business lounge aussi proposait des produits de qualité : dans cet agréable espace réservé aux clients premium, il est possible boire et manger léger, en journée comme en soirée. Ce service est gratuit et très utile lorsque l’on rentre épuisé le soir et qu’il est trop tard pour dîner au restaurant. Ensuite quel plaisir de regagner ma chambre et de plonger dans mon lit!

Prochaine escale : Murcia. À suivre

                            Madrid en images

Jour 1 : l’hôtel

Jour 2 : dégustation privée, parc du Retiro et musée Thyssen-Bornemisza

Jour 3 : musée du Prado et départ en train pour Murcia

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

Office du tourisme espagnol, Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid

Un grand merci au  Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid et à l’Office du tourisme espagnol. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

Roadtrip In Spain: First Stop, Barcelona

A Rediscovery of Barcelona

For my second visit to Barcelona, ​​the city still seems so huge! But this time, I also explored it by bike which makes a big difference! In two days, we also walked a L-O-T, especially in less touristy neighborhoods like the very pleasant Gracia (photo montage below “Day 1”). It’s hard not to be attracted and caught up in the rhythm of Barcelona, ​​the first stop on our rail roadtrip in Spain.

Is it still necessary to mention the genius of Antoni Gaudi, the super famous Catalan architect? During my previous visit (of a few hours) to Barcelona, ​​I had only seen his magnificent masterpieces from the outside. So, this time, we visited the emblematic ones at length: La Pedrera – Casa Milà and at night, Casa Batlló. Two absolut wonders (pictures below in “Day 2” and “Day 3” sections)! We were less lucky with Park Güell (we arrived at closing time) and the Sagrada Familia (my advice, buy your ticket well in advance).

I appreciated that the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower was not in the center of Barcelona, ​​which allowed us to avoid the crowds, pickpockets and traffic jam of this touristic area. The hotel is close to a metro line that reaches the city center in about twenty minutes max. What a lovely surprise when entering our duplex suite! The view, space, welcome gifts (like the assortment of homemade cakes), kindness of the staff, quality of the bedding and delicious Sunday brunch!

Next stop: Madrid! To be continued

                            The visit in Pictures

The Hotel

Day 1: From Gracia To The Sagrada Familia

Day 2 : Bike & Visiting The Casa Batlló

Day 3 : La Pedrera – Casa Milà and The Palau de la Música Catalana 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

Spanish Tourism Board, Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower

Many thanks to the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and the Spanish Tourism Board. As always, these are my opinions.

Croatia : My Second Cruise In The Islands

A Cruise On a Nice Yacht

It’s always a pleasure to go to Croatia! After two flights with a change in Zagreb, I arrive in Dubrovnik where I join the yacht privatized by the French tour operator Rivages du Monde for about twenty clients. The boat is large and well maintained; its crew is young and dynamic. The next day, after a short morning in Dubrovnik (still as superb): I visit with a friend Cavtat, a charming seaside town and its surroundings with beautiful vineyards, 20 km south of Dubrovnik. This little getaway is not included in the cruise program.

The cruise starts the next day, heading for the small island of Korcula that I already know. I am also very excited to see Split again, even if the weather will not be great all week: torrential rain, turbulence and even a storm that will prevent us from going to Hvar. It happens. Fortunately for my seasickness, our cabin is comfortable. We will also have some beautiful clearings that will allow me to discover Trogir, Sibenik and Zadar. And to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes, at sea as on land. Photo above, the impeccable upper deck, my favorite place on the entire yacht, to appreciate the grandiose landscapes.

The week goes by quickly, full of discoveries and if you are independent and a gourmet by nature: take advantage of each stopover to follow your own program, at your own pace, by choosing your activities and restaurants. Rivages du Monde also offers excursions. In any case, I recommend that you prepare your cruise in advance, in order to make the most of it. And if you can, leave off-season. Don’t waste time doing your research on site. As the return flight is from Zagreb, we leave the yacht in Krk early in the morning and spend the day in Zagreb. I particularly like the historic city centre, with the funicular (on Tomić Street), its museums, terraces and gardens. It is a vibrant young city, with many students.

                            The cruise in pictures 

1. Dubrovnik & Cavtat

2. Korcula & Split

3. Split, Trogir & Sibenik

4. Zadar & Krk

5. Zagreb

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

Rivages du Monde, Croatia

Many thanks to Rivages du Monde and the Croatian National Tourist Board for this beautiful invitation. As always these are my opinions.