Tag Archives: Gastronomy

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

Posted on January 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

Ice Driving

Wow Wow!

My baptism of ice driving! I really wanted to do it! On a previous trip, I discovered the circuit de glace Alain Prost in Val Thorens (the highest ice-racing track in Europe) at the Trophée Andros race. I like motorsport, but I couldn’t test with a pilot last time.

So this time, when I was invited to this little session of controlled “steering, counter-steering, braking…” on ice, I was thrilled! The principle is simple. Christophe, a professional driver drives the race car explaining how to take turns (the most interesting for me).

Time to do few turns and the session is already over … Next step: the ice driving course… Photos below: I extend the experience of being a passanger in the classy Mini of the Val Thorens Tourist Office (you guys rock!).

The Lunch

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Lunch in this famous alpine chalet located in between Val Thorens and Les Menuires. We have a little trouble finding the parking … The restaurant is accessible by ski or by car (you will have to walk and it climbs a bit, lol).

What a great surprise! The place is clear and warm. And we followed the chef’s suggestion: chicken and pasta with truffles and cheese cake. A delight! Gargantuan portion (photo above). And as a light dessert, I chose a chocolate ice cream! LOL!

Or Try The Gastronomic Brasserie

Warning, Gourmets! The Vallée des Belleville is a breeding ground for the Michelin starred chefs! During a lunch in the resort at the Montana Restaurant, I had the chance to taste the bubbly and delicious cuisine of Chef Jérémy Gillon (photos below).

Ooops, I don’t remember the exact names of our different dishes, but the photos (below) speak for themselves! It’s beautiful, colorful (to the eye and palate) and delicious!

A Nice Boutique Hotel

In The Center of The Resort,

facing the slopes, you can stay at Le Val Thorens hotel with cool friends. Lovely interior design with a few art works (picture 4 below), the style is a mix of contemporary mountain and minimalist Scandinavian design.

The architecture of the lobby is a bit surprising, but the furniture creates a warm atmosphere (photo 5 below). I loved the view and the cozy atmosphere of my room (too bad the bathroom is very narrow). I felt so good that I skipped the dinner to not leave my bed!

Well, I still made the final push to join some friends for a drink … The breakfast room is also very nice. Unfortunately I haven’t enough time to discover the pool and spa. I have to finish my suitcase for the next resort …

Val Tho Party

Informations

www.valthorens.com, www.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Val Thorens Tourist Office, for all of these stunning surprises, including the ice driving. As always, these opinions are my own.

Thessaloniki, Greece: Restaurants and Nightlife

Posted on June 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

Restaurants

B. Restaurant

If you’re a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, you will be delighted in Thessaloniki! Here are some restaurants I’ve tested and much loved during my (too) short stay. Let’s start with B. the restaurant of the Byzantine Museum that I have unfortunately not visited for lack of time.

As soon as I came, I really liked the decoration of the courtyard and the cosy atmosphere (above and below pictures). The dishes prepared by award-winning chef Sotiris Evangelou change with the seasons. Excellent Mediterranean cuisine enhanced by French and Italian elements: tasteful, lightweight and gourmet.

Daios Bar-Restaurant

Located in Nikis Avenue, this restaurant of the Daios hotel offers a very pleasant view to the blue Mediterranean sea. Close to the famous Proxenou Koromila street (shopping area), the place is chic and casual.

The beautifully presented dishes are delicious (below pictures), inspired by a combination of modern Greek cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine. Excellent! I took the opportunity to visit one of the suites on the top floor with stunning sea views (yes the sea, always the sea!).

Navona Restaurant

Interesting decor, I liked the circular bar and wall panels (above and below pictures). I had a very good dinner, we laughed a lot! The Navona is one of the Makedonia Palace restaurants, located on the waterfront.

Italian cuisine and friendliness: in my plate, a succulent grilled chicken with a very good pizza. Go there with friends or family. Unpretentious atmosphere.

Ouzou Melathron

The Ouzou Melathron is a classic in Thessaloniki, nestled in a quiet pedestrian street with empty bird cages hanging in the air. To discover traditional Greek cuisine in a Greek ambiance! The night I was there, Cretan customers danced the Sirtaki.

On the principle of meze, I’ve tasted many different dishes all very good (and a little greasy). Meatballs, salads with feta cheese and fresh vegetables, potatoes baked with lemon and olive oil … A treat!

Thessalonique by night

Thessaloniki is a student city, full of bars and terraces where to go out at night. The best is yet to have a walk and choose a bar according to the inspiration of the moment. Go with the flow and enjoy!

Informations

Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association & Ryanair

From Ryanair flies to Thessaloniki and ten other destinations in Greece including Athens and Santorini.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOW TO PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association and Ryanair. As always these are my opinions.

The Center of Portugal: Viseu, Faia Brava & Castelo Rodrigo

Posted on June 10, 2015 | 1 comment

Oporto via Lisbon

The Journey

Our flight to Oporto is not direct. During the stopover in Lisbon, we walk from the airport to Expo for a coffee facing the Tagus. Euphoric blue sky! The LIGHT, brightness of Portugal … Picture above: the Oriente Station of the Spanish famous architect Santiago Calatrava.

Arriving in Oporto, we met Manuel, the guide of our next walks in the mountains. After the flight, the highway towards Viseu, the city with the best quality of life in Portugal.

Viseu

Petiscos For Lunch,

the Portuguese tapas, in the covered terrace of the cozy Maria Xica restaurant (photos above). The atmosphere is cool, young customers and good electro music and superb view of the historic center of Viseu.

While new dishes are following, I take a short time to take some pictures of the impressive Viseu Cathedral Sé and lazy terraces (photos below). Under a blazing sun, we leave the beautiful Viseu, for the Natural Reserve of Faia Brava, it’s already 4 p.m.

Faia Brava

Our First Walk

Golden light of late afternoon. A landscape that recalls more the Mediterranean than the Atlantic. The Reserva Natural da Faia Brava is well known for bird watching, especially the various species of vultures.

Manuel guides us to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking several hills (first photo and pictures below). No vulture, just wild horses: gorgeous shiny coat and totally indifferent to our presence. Nobody cares little men, what perspective …

We walk on hilly trails lined with bushes. I don’t want to leave, it is already more than 7 p.m. and we hit the road. Road movie!

Castelo Rodrigo

The Sleek Casa da Cisterna

is nestled in the castle of Castelo Rodrigo, the medieval beautiful village on a hilltop. You can feel out of time and in a new world. And I sorely lack time to take pictures of the village. I need to check in.

Upon our arrival, Anna, the owner of Casa da Cisterna and her team, do their best to please us. I go to my room and what a pleasant surprise! Simplicity, comfort and attention to detail (more in a coming post)! Each object is arranged with taste.

To be perfectly honest, I’ve never been disappointed by the Portuguese hospitality. We have dinner on the terrace with a XXL view of the village and countryside (photos below). A feeling of fullness. Recharging the batteries before our next nature walk tomorrow. To be continued …

Informations

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

Related posts: DESTINATIONS & COMMENT PREPARER SON VOYAGE

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal et TAP. Thanks to Manuel Franco and the team of Casa Cisterna too. As always these are my opinions.

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Tagged A2Z Adventures, Architect, Architecture, Beauty Landscapes, Casa da Cisterna, Castelo Rodrigo, Côa Valley, Discovery, Douro Valley, Exclusive Photos, Exclusive Pictures, Expo, Gare Oriente, Gastronomy, Holiday, Hospitality, Lifestyle, Lisbon, Long Weekend, Luxury Guest House, Medieval Village, Natural Reserve of Faia Brava, Nature, Oporto, Petiscos, Portuguese Cuisine, Portuguese Tapas, Reserva Natural da Faia Brava, Restaurant, Review, Road Trip, Santiago Calatrava, Short Break, TAP, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, Terraces, The Centre of Portugal, Tourism, Trails, Travel, Vacation, Village Historic, Viseu, Viseu Cathedral Sé, Visit Portugal, Walk in Nature, Xica Maria

Tag Archives: Gastronomy

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

Ice Driving

Wow Wow!

The Lunch

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Or Try The Gastronomic Brasserie

A Nice Boutique Hotel

In The Center of The Resort,

Val Tho Party

Informations

Thessaloniki, Greece: Restaurants and Nightlife

Restaurants

B. Restaurant

Daios Bar-Restaurant

Navona Restaurant

Ouzou Melathron

Thessalonique by night

Informations

The Center of Portugal: Viseu, Faia Brava & Castelo Rodrigo

Oporto via Lisbon

The Journey

Viseu

Petiscos For Lunch,

Faia Brava

Our First Walk

Castelo Rodrigo

The Sleek Casa da Cisterna

Informations

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