Tag Archives: Exclusive Pictures

Ireland: Galway & The Aran Islands

On Our Way To Galway

Our Long Weekend Begins With…

the Galway Food Tour! As soon as we arrive in the city (approximately 2 hours by car from Dublin), we join the small group of international customers of the food tour organized by our friendly guide, Sheena. What a great insight into the culture of a country! A first discovery of this vibrant city, from tasting to tasting: from the Tigh Neachtain’s pub to the Éan restaurant (photos 1 & 2 ci-dessus); from Little Lane Coffee Company to the Truffle pastry shop, to end with a few Irish whiskeys in the McCambridge’s delicatessen and café (photos 1, 2 & 3 below).

The next morning, we take the ferry to Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands with an area of 12 km long by 3 km wide. After a pleasant crossing, thanks to the sunny weather, we meet our great guide and quickly collect our e-bikes, because there are crowds. We head towards the famous limestone cliffs. When we arrive in Dún Aonghasa, we are alone in this breathtaking setting, where part of the ocean is turquoise (photos below: A day in Inis Mór). The history is rich and we still visit a few other sites. I would have liked to spend a night on the island, but the last ferry leaves at 3:30 p.m.

The same evening, we dine at Ard Bia at Nimmos. I recommend you to book in advance. This restaurant is very popular and often full. The starter and the main course were just delicious, a real treat (photo-montage below: Where to dine, photos 3,4,5 & 6)! Slow food philosophy with local products. The service is welcoming and accommodating and the atmosphere is relaxed and a bit chic. We also really enjoyed the setting and the very festive atmosphere of the Jekyll restaurant (at the Hyde Hotel) and the very good service and lovely mocktails (photo-montage below: Where to dine, photos 1 & 2).

Throughout the weekend we e-biked around central Galway and on the Salthill promenade along the coast. White sandy beaches with the Aran Islands in the distance (photos below: Cycling in Sathill). We were very lucky with the weather (which quickly changes). And when the weather is nice, the sun is really strong. Our coffee break with feet in the sand at the Jungle Beach Break, is a real pleasure! But the real wealth of Galway: its inhabitants with a certain communicative nonchalance and cheerfulness. I’ll be back.

The Daytrip In Inis Mór (The Aran Islands)

Where Dining

Biking On Salthill Promenade

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Irland

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

Belgium: Liege by Bike

It’s Spring, Let’s Go Out!

We decided to discover the city center of Liege by bike with a guide! How to plan a visit with a bicycle guide: contact Liege city tourist office, where you can also book bicycles. Ours weren’t electric: if you’re not used to cycling, prefer electric bikes because the distances are long and sometimes your guide can be in a hurry (lol!). What a fantastic breath of fresh air! Starting with the historic center, then its canals and parks: mixing history and nature! After the guided bike ride, we choose to continue alone “on a bicycle”.

We stopped for a long time at the museum of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Fascinating: galleries with large mammals! Then we went to two exhibitions in different areas of the city, including one at La Bouverie, the modern and contemporary art museum. And if you want to extend your long day in Liège, with a short romantic weekend: here is a very very charming boutique hotel, the Hotel Neuvice. Beautiful modern decoration in a historic residence, with an efficient and very friendly team.

                                  Pictures Below : Liege by Bike

Exhibitions

Where To Sleep

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Visitez Liège

Two Hotels in Dubai: Al Seef Heritage Hotel & Hotel Riu Dubai

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Al Seef Heritage Hotel

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Change of Scenery Guaranteed

This hotel has that “je ne sais quoi” that I really liked! The constructions of the Al Seef district are recent constructions inspired by the historic pearl fishing port at the origin of the Dubai Creek. The Al Seef Heritage Hotel extends over a dozen traditional Arab houses (bayts), with all modern comforts. A small walk from the reception desk to access the bayt in which our room is located. During the day, the souk is quite touristy, but not crowed. And in the evening it is even more pleasant.

Our room is large with character without being stuffy or maximalist. I really liked the heavy wooden doors. From our balcony we have a wonderful view of the river’s banks. The bed is very comfortable and the bathroom very practical with a drying rack. Like the feeling of being in a setting of 19th century writers, poets and travelers, or even orientalist painters. Here and there, antique objects.

We took our breakfasts and almost all our dinners at the hotel, because we often come home late. The restaurant closes at 11 p.m.: very very pleasant to be alone, sit down and enjoy the coolness on one of the terraces (photo below). Eat meze and a chicken or beef shawarma. Then stroll through the narrow streets that are less and less crowded as time goes on. Some merchants leave their products outside overnight, apparently there is no problem with theft.

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Hotel Riu Dubai

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To swim in the waters of the Persian Gulf

Different neighborhood, different atmosphere. For the end of our Dubai getaway, we just wanted to swim in the emerald waters of the Persian Gulf and stay in a beach hotel in a “desert “area. The Hotel Riu Dubai shares this long wide strip of beach with a single neighboring hotel. And from the balcony of our suite, I could spend hours and hours contemplating the sea, if the wind wasn’t blowing.

Cold at first, the sea water is very salty and there is current. The perfect conditions to encourage you to swim in sport mode. The swimming area is delimited by buoys and under the supervision of a lifeguard. After the effort, the comfort with the very good lunch and dinner buffets. A festival of flavors we enjoy on the terrace of the main restaurant, overlooking the swimming pools and gardens.

For a short weekend, we felt like we were on vacation, after rushing around Dubai. Although the hotel has 750 rooms, we managed to find islands of calm and tranquility, where to read a good book, daydream in the shade of a palm tree during the hottest hours and above all swim! In the suite, I really appreciated having space: a comfortable dressing room, spacious bathroom and good bedding.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Al Seef Heritage Hotel & Hotel Riu Dubai

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Al Seef Heritage Hotel and Hotel Riu Dubai for these beautiful invitations. As always, these are my opinions.