Tag Archives: Exclusive

Germany: Arty Weekend in Düsseldorf

Posted on December 14, 2017 | Leave a comment

Day 1 : Gallery & Street Art Tour

After Berlin, Cologne and the Black Forest, I’m on my way to Düsseldorf! As always, I’m not fully awake. And I forgot to download the app of b-europe to check in real time my train schedule. I find my buddies in the Brussels-Düsseldorf Thalys! 2h15 of laughter with cool mates (yes, it happens especially when I’m tired, lol!). And here we are at Düsseldorf station, ready to discover the city!

As soon as you arrive, I recommend you to buy the DüsseldorfCard for free public transport and discounts in museums and attractions.

After a late lunch, we have an appointment with Klaus Rosskothen, the owner of the Pretty Portal Gallery specialized in street art artists. Photos above: on the left, a painting by the Irish artist FinDAC. And on the right, a painting by Kurnachzehn. Guided by Klaus, we discover many Street art works in the district where his gallery is located. End of the tour around 16h30-17h. Awesome overview of a less touristy Düsseldorf!

Polar temperature! Of course Brussels is not the Caribbean either, but all the team had a big shock with the cold here, lol! I go to the hotel to warm up (with a good hot shower) and get ready for dinner, we have an appointment at 18:30.

Dusseldorf By Night

Dinner at Küzert

At night everything is more beautiful, starting with this huge wheel (photo above). The team gathered again, I discovered the very lively cool atmosphere of the crowded streets of Altstadt, the old town. At Kurze Straße 18-20 is the Brauerei Kürzer, a traditional brewery on the Rhine, where we will have dinner tonight.

Outside, standing people drink glasses of beer. Ditto indoors where we sit down to eat (photos below). I like the contemporary setting, the mix of generations and genres with hipster waiters and a soundtrack for picky clubbers (with fine and demanding hearing, lol!).

Difficult for us to leave as the place was really cool! About the tasting of the beer produced by this brewery? Er, how can I tell you, I do not drink any beer, oops! But very good I enjoyed the chicken wraps.

Back To The Hotel

After a long walk, we finally got back to the Hotel Friends Dusseldorf, with an awesome (Instagram) bohemian interior design of the common areas (left picture above and pictures of the photo montage below). It feels like being in Portlandia (the series) …

The + : The photogenic hotel where to have a drink, with music live and DJs sets. Located near the central station of Dusseldorf, 5 to 10 minutes walk or a bit less in tram. Very good breakfast. It feels good and friendly.

The – : the neighborhood is not reassuring at night. I didn’t like the interior design of my room (except the small modern clean bathroom). I think the common areas are the best.

Jour 2: Archi & Contemporary Art

Another Day, Another Weather

We take the new metro to the commercial complex, Kö-Bogen designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind, facing the Hofgarten Park. Great mix of modernity, heritage and nature! I’d have liked to have more time to look at all the details of the building facades and stroll in the park.

And viisiting the Gerhy buildings… We head by foot to Altstadt, the old town.

A Small Museum

A Concept

As the small group walks towards the Rheinturm, I stop at the small museum of contemporary art, opened in 2007. I liked the architecture and exhibition spaces of the KIT – Kunst im Tunnel.

Photo above: in the foreground, a composition of Rosa Sarholz. Photo below: the further you go towards the black wall of the bottom, the more the floor tends to reach the ceiling. If we want to continue to move towards the “black board” of Marcel Stahn, we must stoop more and more. I stopped when my head touched the ceiling.

On the photo montage above: photos on the left, the main exhibition hall. Photo on the right (top): a flat screen – table, where hands are exchanging photos and flipping through magazines. An art work of Fabian Ruzicka.

Then we will have a late brunch in Frida, the warm tapas bar with Mexico colors on walls. Cosy atmosphere, nice interior design and impressive salad size!

Have a Nice Weekend Everyone !

Informations

To make a train reservation: the website of b-europe , or the b-europe appli.

Düsseldorf Tourist Board

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to b-europe & the Düsseldorf Tourist Board for this lovely invitation. As always, these are

An Elegant Suite At The Sublime Comporta

Posted on June 16, 2016 | Leave a comment

After A Beach Day

Today, The Water Is Chilled And Stirred In Comporta

After some swimming in powerful waves and rolls, we chill out in comfortable chairs. Wrapped in sweet fleece blankets (yep, freezing cold wind), silent I look at the ocean and beautiful beach.

Twenty minutes later (by car), we arrive at the Sublime Comporta: a n exclusive hotel with 14 rooms and suites in an posh country house with a Mediterranean influence. This retreat is nestled in the center of a vast pine forest (17 acre-estate). The architecture tastefully blends into the setting.

By discovering our suite (the Owner’s suite), I am nicely surprised! Refined furnishing chosen with taste, a mixture of handcrafted items and famous designers pieces, the attention to detail, intimate spacious airy volume with lots of light and a peaceful view overlooking part of the property.

A View To The Pine Trees And Swimming Pool

Time Froze

A short stop at the spa and already 8 p.m. something … Back to the suite, warm soft light of an endless late afternoon. In the garden, a wooden hut for yoga and meditation. I have to prepare myself for dinner, but I slouch.

Extra zen, I like to hang out and the concept of having nothing else to do: the Mediterranean part of my mix. Just the pleasure of being, observing and disconnecting.

There is also a jacuzzi in the other terrace of the suite, which overlooks the shower and large bathroom. Okay, I have to hurry up, our table is reserved for 9 pm, well let’s say 9.30 p.m. (lol). Tomorrow I will test the glamorous pool before the beach.