Tag Archives: Garden

Weekend in The Hague: Shopping, Coffee & Tea Room

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Molenstraat-Shopping-Cake-du-Fortin-The-Makery-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Goedemorgen Den Haag!

After a quick and comfortable journey by Thalys to Rotterdam, I deposit my bluggage at the hotel in Hofkwartier, the Court Quarter, one of the oldest and central parts of the city.

In the Prinsestraat, the Minions make me crack for the pastry and tea room Cake du Fortin, specialized in big cakes for events (photos 1 and 2 on the above photo montage).  

In the Molenstraat, intrigued by miniature structures of wooden seats, I enter The Makery (photo 4). The owner of the workshop-boutique helps you to design your own creations. Example: on a small block of wood “with wheels”, you draw the car of your dreams that you will shape in the workshop (photo 3). Creative design …

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Noordeinde

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Art Gallery and Antique Stores

A short stop at the garden of the Parkhotel Den Haag to retrieve my umbrella (pictured above), then I continue in Noordeinde, famous for its art galleries and antique shops.

Photo montage below: 1. in a window shop, a modern wink to the famous Vermeer painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring you can see in the Mauritshuis Museum. 2. I still don’t understand the concept of mixing real shoes – fresh croissants and pasteis in the same window! Lol! 3. A very nice cafe where working with a laptop, the Coffee Company

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Molenstraat-Noordeinde-Shopping-Coffee-Company-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Denneweg

Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Relaxed Chic Neighbourhood,

close to the excellent Escher in Het Paleis Museum, it feels good. I  really enjoy strolling surrounded by beautiful shops and restaurants. 

It’s more the atmosphere than shopping (strictly speaking) that I like! By taking a small street, I discovered a canal and outdoor cafe. Too bad it rains …

Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Grote Markstraat et Spuistraat

Netherlands-The-Hague-Grote Markstraat-and-Spuistraat-De-Bijenkorf-Shopping-Parkhotel-Den-Haag-Garden-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

For Shopping Addicts

In these shopping areas, you can find Gucci accessories, 7 All Mankind jeans or the giant H & M, located in a kind of Haussmann building, the former Maison de Bonneterie (2).

Photo 1: Markstraat on Grote, the Dutch deparment store De Bijenkorf, near Chinatown, the Asian district. Photo 3, De Passage built between 1882 and 1885, inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. Photo 4, an overview of the Spuistraat.

Have a fantastic shopping!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com and Thalys (www.thalys.com/be/fr/)

To go to The Hague : take the Thalys to Rotterdam Central (1h10 from Brussels-Midi), then the Dutch metro RET to Den Haag Central (more and less 30 minutes).

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & SHOP MY SELECTIONS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com and Thalys. As always these opinions are my own.

Sungai Gold, Bali: A Luxury Villa in The Countryside

Sungai Gold-Bali-Cepaka-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-Tous droits réservés

The VIP Treatment       

organized by the Sungai Gold, started from my landing in Bali. Very quickly, I found myself sitting in a mini van just for me towards the villa.        

We are blocked by congestion in Kuta that I will  meticulously avoid throughout my stay! For my first time in the island of gods, I wanted a meeting with an intimate authentic Bali.      

It’s dark but I can see decorations on the side of the road. My driver told me that the island has recently celebrated an important Hindu celebration. I’m lucky to see these decorations which will be removed soon.

Sungai Gold-Bali-Cepaka-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-Tous droits réservés

Now we drive on a narrow road lined with paddy fields.      

First  we cross a sleepy village and another one equally quiet. Then the van bypasses a temple and stops. We arrived at Villa Sungai and Sungai Gold, two luxury villa rentals (picture 8: the input to the two properties).        

After a warm welcome, I go down a flight of stairs lined with lush vegetation and lit by torches leading to the Sungai Gold villa. Instant effect: the unreal feeling of being somewhere else, like teleported into a magical setting!   

Nothing compared to my surprise when I discovered the villa lighted by candle lamps around the pool. A chic and intimate villa! I entrust to Made, the manager who came up to me that the villa is even more beautiful in real life than in pictures (picture 2: the entrance of the villa).

Sungai Gold-Bali-Cepaka-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-Tous droits réservés

Above: the best place to chill out. Selfies facing the pool and the lush vegetation around the house and pool.

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Photos above: the wide Balinese bed became our headquarters, for my laptop and me (lol). Every detail is chosen with taste: beautiful traditional Balinese roof made ​​of dried herbs. Unfortunately it is no longer used in current constructions.

Sungai Gold-Bali-Cepaka-8-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-Tous droits réservés

Photo above: the very nice outdoor dining area, where I’ve never eaten! I prefer staying by the pool.

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The omnipresence of trees. The Black and white checkerboard fabric represents the colors of Bali. Surround a tree of this fabric allows to symbolically express one’s attachment to the tree and nature.

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Photo taken from my favorite angle. The glass door opens onto one of the two bedrooms (the one where I slept. You can see more in a coming up post).   

Last picture: the life of the villa. The big difference of the Sungai Gold is the incredible kindness and efficiency of its smiling staff.

Sungai Gold-Bali-Cepaka-9-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-Tous droits réservés

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Informations :

Sungai Gold & Villa Sungai      

Fly to Bali : Qatar airways  

Related posts :    

 

HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS  

I was invited at the Sungai Gold Bali where I had an amazing stay! As you know, being invited does not change my opinion. SUKSMA to the Sungai Gold team and Qatar Airways!  

Vila Vita Parc, Portugal: Stunning Gardens & Beaches

Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

A blessing to wake up with a such a beautifuf sun

and blue sky! We arrived the night before in a light rain at the Vila Vita Parc, fearing for the weather of this long weekend.

Fantastic brightness! What a great feeling! On my way to the Atlântico restaurant, for breakfast, I discover a multitude of trees, plants and flowers. As a symphony of colors where green predominates and nature is sublimated.

The art of farniente (doing nothing and enjoy), we immediately found this elevated hut as our “place” to chill out, close to the small hotel beach (photos below).

Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014 Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-6-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Around noon long visit of the stunning gardens, 

maintained by more than fifty gardeners. The sun is at its zenith and I am happy to be in the shade in the kart! Strong light reveals the different greens of vegetation.

We stop first at a small wrought iron gate to reach the second public beach near the resort. One of the best spots to watch the sunset! And check out here the first beach of the resort.

Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-7-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014 Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-8-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-11-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

We head to one of five luxurious villas

with buttler: photo above the roof of one of the vilas with a traditional fireplace of the Algarve.

Then we stop at Aladin Bar: my favorite ocean view terrace, inspired by Moorish and Arabic design. This is the place to enjoy a fruit cocktail in the evening (open from 6:30 p.m. till 1:30 a.m.)!

For the lazy ones, let the blazing sun and sunburns to athletes, LOL! And try these amazing Pool Bar‘s swing beds (last photo)! Trust the Queen of the “hammocking” (the art of hammock) ; )

Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-10-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Vila Vita Parc-Restaurants-Gardens-Beach-Bar-13-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Informations

www.vilavitaparc.com 

Related posts : 

 

DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE 

I was hosted with a friend by the Vila Vita Parc and as always these are my opinions. Many thanks to all the team at Vila Vita Parc.