Tag Archives: Exclusive Pictures

Centre of Portugal: Beautiful Hiking in Serra da Estrela

Posted on September 14, 2015 | Leave a comment

Central Plateau of Serra da Estrela

The road is pretty long,

two-hour drive from Casa da Cisterna to the natural park of Serra da Estrela, the largest protected area of Portugal: 101 000 hectares including a chain of mountains with a rare flora and fauna. And the highest top of Portugal that culminates at 1993 meters.

Today program: 19km (about 6 hours) of an easy mountain walk from the central plateau of the Estrela (classified as a biogenetic reserve) to Casa das Penhas Douras Hotel e Spa.

Arriving at the car park, the set looks like a military base straight out of a movie about the Cold War (photo montage above). Very quickly we find ourselves on a trail and there I finally realize how much the view is absolutely stunning (photo below)! Let the adventure begin ; ))

Lagoons!

Even in the mountains, I need to see water, lol! Depending on the altitude, the landscape changes. At the beginning very steep, the landscape offers an impressive panorama on the glacial valleys (dating from 20,000 years), lagoons and granite rock formations. And further down, the scenery turns into green pastures. But water is everywhere, sometimes you can walk on a kind of waterlogged foam.

Carnivorous plants?

Photo above: a butterfly is trapped. I wouldn’t have seen, if an emeritus hiker had not showed us the “creatures” … Actually I expected larger plants. I am really not a naturalistic (lol), I love the space, silence and beauty of the landscape in the “big picture” …

A spectacular setting, by far my most beautiful and inspiring hiking of this short trip in the Center of Portugal, although I liked the natural reserve of Faia Brava too. Enjoy!

Informations

Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAP, A2Z Adventures, Historical Villages

Related posts: DESTINATIONS & HOW TO PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal et TAP. Thanks to our guide, Manuel Franco too. As always these are my opinions.

Fashion For Runners With Asics & Skechers

Posted on September 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

Let’s Move!

The runners will like this Asics hybrid jacket and Leg Balance tights! To be honest, I am an occasional runner. I spend long periods procrastinating and have to struggle to be more disciplined in sports! And when I commit myself, I suffer (LOL!).

The hybrid jacket is awesome! I used it in early spring and winter at the mountains. Sweating becomes a real pleasure: no unpleasant odor, nor sensation of clothing that sticks during exercise.

The hybrid jacket absorbs much of perspiration and offers great freedom of movement while running. It’s only once stopped, I noticed I was soaked. The jacket is also reflective and provides 360 degree visibility in low light.

These Tights And Trainers Are Incredibly Comfortable!

Without being an activewear fan, I’ve worn my super soft Asics tights for running, but also yoga and the gym for one year … My advice: try them before buying. I think these tights prune large. Normally, it takes mild muscle compression.

I tried to do as very organized people, sneakers for running, some for the city etc … It doesn’t work for me! And when I travel, I simplify the equation to one or exceptionally two pairs of sneakers! Less is more.

If the look is as important as comfort, maintenance must be easy and fast! Already a happy user of the Memory Foam insole (for walking and running like on a cushion), I really like these colourful Skechers Equalizer trainers. Great design! So how do you find them?

Asics & Sketchers

Madeira: Nature, Road Trip and Dinner At The Vine

Posted on August 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

Pico do Areeiro

9 a.m. Departure From Funchal In Jeep

to Pico do Areeiro (1818 m), the third highest peak of the Madeira island (above photo). Different landscapes on the road (photo 1). And the view is stunning when we come to Pico do Areeiro! I think to serenely enjoy (-to avoid tourists-), you need to be there really early in the morning.

We get into the Jeep to go to Ribeiro Frio, for an easy 45 minute walk that follows the Levada de Serra do Faial. The Levadas are canals built between 1461 and 1966, to carry water to irrigate cropland. We get into the Laurissilva Forest unchanged since Prehistoric times (photo montage below). Lovely panorama of the valley from the Ribeira da Metade point of vue (on the photo montage below: the penultimate picture)!

Driving To Santana

Heading To The North Coast of Madeira

to visit Santana. The road runs along the ocean! And I love Ocean! Steep coast, hills that plunge in water: bright green on the ultramarine blue with emerald hues. Happiness! We cross Faial, one of the first places to have been populated in the North coast.

Returning to Funchal

My Favorite Scenery!

I also love this part of the road leading to the most Eastern point of the island of Madeira. Where you can find the nature reserve Ponta de São Lourenço. Desert scenery and vegetation tormented by strong winds! I feel like in Sergio Leone movies… a palm tree here and there and this incredible light!

Miradouro Ponta de São Lourenço

Dinner @ The Vine

Back To Funchal In Late Afternoon

A quick stop at the Pestana Casino Park and now I’m ready to go dinner to UVA, the restaurant of The Vine hotel. I’m very excited to discover the decoration of the hotel designed by Nini Andrade Silva.

I could spend hours on the lovely terrace deck, bathed in a golden light and views over the rooftops of Funchal (photo below). At night it’s even more beautiful! Excellent fish and vegetables at the UVA restaurant (on the last photo montage. The restaurant pictured in the penultimate photo montage is not the UVA).

Then we enjoy the Festival do Atlantico‘s fireworks from the lazy terrace of The Vine (photo montage below). Followed by a glass (no poncha for me!) to the Venda Velha. Followed by a music vintage disco … LOL!