Tag Archives: Foodies

Portugal, Madeira: 24 Hours in Funchal

Posted on October 20, 2016 | Leave a comment

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Funchal Express 

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Dinner at the Design Center Nini Andrade Silva  

Arrival in Funchal: just down from the Ferry (from Porto Santo), I am facing the entrance of the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, located at the end of the dock (photo 1 of the photo-montage above). I’d visited the building with the interior designer Nini Andrade Silva, during the work. What a surprise to now discover the different spaces with her iconic design furnitures and items! Awesome!

I really like the outdoor café (first photo of the post and photo below) and the black and white graphic restaurant with a 360 degree view, of the ocean and Funchal (photo-montage above). The atmosphere is really nice with a tasty cuisine and friendly team. My only downside: I look like a scarecrow after my long outdoors day in Porto Santo, plus the ferry over for more than two hours (lol)!

And my camera has no more battery, bad! Fortunately I Bob (Marley) saved me! There is live music in one of the spaces (videos below) and I feel more relaxed. An island without Bob is no longer an island, right?

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Breakfast at the Meliá

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Oops, It’s Public Holiday!

Slow wake-up and breakfast at the Meliá Madeira Mare. I planned checking out cool shops of local designers for you (and me!). But everything is closed. So I comfortably lay near the swimming pool facing the ocean. Then I will have a lunch at The Vine and a guided tour of the historical center of Funchal.

Lunch at the Uva Restaurant

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The Return

I go to The Vine, another hotel designed by Nini Andrade Silva. I’ll end up to know all of them at least in Portugal (lol)! During the Festival do Atlantico, I had dinner at the excellent Uva Restaurant & Wine Bar (with a French chef) and then we watched the beautiful fireworks on the terrace.

Once more, the restaurant kept its promises. Great lunch! The food looks like paintings! Everything is delicious and the service is impeccable. I really enjoy the soothing views of the city and harbor. It feels good. The Vine and the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, are my two favorite places in Funchal!

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The Walk in the Historical Center

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More and Less Two Hours

before leaving the city to the Cristiano Ronaldo airport. So I joined one of the guides of History Tellers (an initiative of the University of Madeira Students’ Union (AAUMa). They offer “circuits through the history of Madeira”. In addition to learn about Madeira, you will help students struggling financially.

I’ve already visited the historical center. But I have fun to rediscover it with a “documented eye”. Last time, I didn’t notice some doors and facades cafés in (or near) Santa Maria street, like the ones below. Pictured right: the famous Rainha do Fado,Amália Rodrigues. To read my previous articles on Funchal and Madeira, click HERE. 

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Photos: © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations 

Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal, Design Centre Nini Andrade, The Vine, Meliá Madeira Mare & History Tellers 

Related posts: HOTEL REVIEWS  &  DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to Visit Madeira and Visit Portugal for this beautiful invitation. Thanks also to the teams of the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, The Vine Hotel and Meliá Madeira Mare. As always these are my opinions.

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The Koh-I Nor in Val Thorens, France

Posted on December 28, 2015 | 1 comment

Val-Thorens-France-Koh-I-Nor-Ski-Hotel-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Room

During this long weekend in Val Thorens, I was really happy to discover the Koh-I Nor. The 5-star hotel overlooks the station. And in the morning I looked at the fog from my room balcony (photo 4 on the photo montage above). I was about to cancel my ski lesson, thinking there was no visibility on the slopes. While I equip myself, (obviously) fog disappeared!

The day before I went out until late. And as it was snowing, I couldn’t recognize the way back to the hotel (epic)! Fortunately, thanks to the impeccable bedding, I slept like a baby a few hours. The well-damped room is very comfortable. 

I also liked the woodwork, the view (beautiful late afternoon light on the mountains) and the Cinq Mondes amenities. Photos: 1. the hotel logo, 2. bedroom and 3. in the corridor, the carpet “surfs” between rooms. Fun!

The Spa

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A Customized Massage

I arrived tired and tense at my spa appointment, without any idea of I wanted. I finally chose a facial massage and let my therapist, Manon decided what kind of treatment.

She mixed some: “ko bi do (the ancient technic of Japanese beauty), Chinese medicines and dermapuncture (acupuncture where needles are replaced with thumbs) technics” and a massage to relax the nervous system, with the Cinq Monde cosmetics. 

Fantastic! I felt asleep! Upon awakening, my face and neck are super relaxed. And my traits are deeply subsided, all tension is gone. This excellent massage is incredibly relaxing, thank you Manon!

Dinner @ Le Diamand Noir

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Divine cuisine

For dinner, I joined a friend at Le Diamand Noir, one of the restaurants of the Koh-I Nor. Without being the finest gourmet, I appreciate novelty and originality: what about that dinner? Delicious!

What a pleasure to discover the cuisine of the Michelin starred Chef Eric Samson mixing different fine flavors with aromatic mountain herbs. The dishes are beautiful to look at and the service and decor are really good.  

As a starter, I took the seared foie gras with a lychee sorbet, the combination of the two is to die for! For the main course, fish with carrots and potimaron (photo 1 on the above assembly). And dessert, a beautifully presented chocolate-lychee ice cream (photo 4).

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés. Photo 2 du premier montage photo, et photo 2 @ Koh-I Nor.

Informations  

Koh-I Nor, www.valthorens.com

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the Koh-I Nor and Val Thorens Tourist Office for this very nice stay! As always these opinions are my own.

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Le Pashmina in Val Thorens, France

Posted on December 19, 2015 | Leave a comment

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Terracce-Sits-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Hotel

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New Concept & Hotel

While our driver takes a road along Lake Annecy (stunning panorama), the path seems long, but I didn’t sleep the night before. The Pashmina is the new 5 star luxury Small Hotels of the World, Val Thorens.

It’s always very exciting to be invited to the opening of a new hotel, new concept … Upon entering the main hall, very bright with a modern and friendly fireplace: the atmosphere is relaxed with welcoming smiles.

On the above photo montage: at the same floor, the ski room and Ski Shop by Goitschel, where you can order customized ski shoes or slippers. The shop Le Colporteur has a nice selection of teas. No time to stay more, I barely have time to discover my room before lunch.

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The Bar & Lounge

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Cosi Before & Après Ski Spot

A place to chill and have a drink with friends (pictured above) … I wish I wedge myself in one of the large deep chairs with a good book, lulled by the gentle ambient light … but I have thousand activities that await me!

What a pity there is too much wind on the terrace with direct views of the slopes to bask in the sun (first photo of the post and photo below to view)! It will be for the Folie Douce (LOL)!

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-View-to-Ski-Slopes-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

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We relax at the spa. The jacuzzi (1), massage room (2, L’Occitane products used), sauna (3) and swimming pool (4) have panoramic views of the slopes and the mountain. Awesome!

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Le Refuge Restaurant

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A Little Hungry?

The menu was developed by Romuald Fassenet, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and Chef of the Mont Joly castle (in Sampans, France) and Josselin Jeanblanc. On the black and white picture: from left to right, Josselin Jeanblanc, Romuald Fassenet and the pastry chef, Sébastien Deléglise.

A thousand words, I leave you devouring gaze these pictures, enjoy! ; )) See you on the slopes (next post) …

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Restaurants-Gastronomy-Chefs-Cocktail-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Pashmina Le Refuge

Related posts : for the hotel room, click HERE

HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the team of the Pashmina hotel for the great time. I was invited by the Pashmina hotel and as always my opinions are my own.

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