Tag Archives: Historical Center

Our Second Roadtrip in Andalusia, Spain: Cádiz

Posted on December 8, 2018 | Leave a comment

Stunning Architecture

A Walk In The Old Town

Finally in Cádiz on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia! We left the surroundings of Malaga around 10 a.m. this morning. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful deserted beach in Tarifa. Then on the road, we allso stopped at another beautiful beach in a natural reserve lost in the middle of nowhere. In short, we arrive in the historic center of Cadiz in the middle of the afternoon. Better late than never!

Big crush for the city: the seaside reminds me Havana! The old buildings are superb. The pace is indolent in the oldest city of the West founded by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago. A movie set in a soft light, without tourists at this time of the year. The old town is small, we quickly made the tour: I take pleasure in losing myself in its streets and take the same route several times.

Castillo de San Sebastián

While we are looking for a café overlooking the ocean, we come across an entrance to this fortress surrounded by water (left photo below): the Castillo de San Sebastián. A very pleasant walk where we can see another point of view of Cádiz (first photo of the article).

The Outdoor Café

Very cool, close to the cathedral of Cádiz and facing the ocean: the dream! On the left, when you are facing the Cathedral (back to the ocean). Relaxed atmosphere and great panoramic view! Excellent green olives with our drinks, I don’t want to return to Malaga (our base for this second roadtrip in Andalusia).

And if we stayed in Cadiz, darling? “The beauty of Cadiz has velvet eyes, Chi-ca! Chi-ca! Chic! Ay! Ay! Ay!“, translation: “The beauty of Cadiz has velvet eyes, Chi-ca! Chi-ca! Chic! Ay! Ay! Ay! ” (by Luis Mariano). Sorry (not sorry), I couldn’t help myself! Lol! A little vintage operetta. To be continued beautiful readers …

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Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Reviews

Portugal, Madeira: 24 Hours in Funchal

Posted on October 20, 2016 | Leave a comment

Funchal Express

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?

Breakfast at the Meliá

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

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!

The Walk in the Historical Center

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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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.

Portugal: Weekend in Évora – Day 2

Posted on July 23, 2016 | Leave a comment

Between Art And History

Fórum Fundação Eugénio de Almeida

After a brunch at the rooftop pool of the Vitória Stone Hotel roof, I head (this time without bike) to the historic center of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Facing the Roman Temple, the Fórum of the Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, where I visit the exhibition, “All Heritage is Poetry“.

And then, surprise, surprise upon entering the first room: an art piece of Ai Weiwei, Stone Pilar (above right). In the first photo of this post: at the entrance of the exhibition, one can read on a table, “O e a amanha Questão” (“Tomorrow is the question“), a reflection on what are heritage and its conservation. The visit of the Forum and the exhibition was exciting.

The left picture below: a ceiling dating back to the terrible Portuguese Inquisition, which lasted nearly three centuries (from the 15th to the 18th century). Part of the premises of the Foundation Eugénio de Almeida is located in the former Palace of the Inquisition (exterior view of the building on the fourth picture below).

Strolling And Looking Up

Taking Time

I like to walk when people have lunch at the terrace of restaurants. The streets and sights are deserted. I can focus on my photos, see and discover. And when we travel two, I prefer to be photographed when there is none.

On the above left photo: I dream having the same terrace. Photos below: Páteo de São Miguel, one of the properties of the Fundação Eugénio de Almeida. In the courtyard, a contemporary art work and a bench covered with ancient tiles, Azulero.

A Small Museum

A l’entrée du Páteo de São Miguel, se trouve le musée des calèches (Coleção de Carruagens). En plus des calèches, on découvre dans un court métrage l’histoire de la famille Eugénio de Almeida. At the entrance of Páteo de São Miguel, you can visit the Museum of Carriages Coleção de Carruagens). Besides the carriages, you can discover in a short film of the Eugénio de Almeida family’s story.

A travel through time: a tailcoat suit in giant trunk and toiletry and hat bags …

Late in The Afternoon

Walking Through A Maze Of Narrow Streets

with buildings lined with yellow or blue paint. Meeting with above-away rare passersby. I end my long walk (begun in late morning) at the terrace of Páteo.

See you soon in Comporta for a surf session with my happy team (of the rafting and bike)! To be continued…

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Visit Alentejo & Visit Portugal

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE& HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal to this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Tag Archives: Historical Center

Our Second Roadtrip in Andalusia, Spain: Cádiz

Stunning Architecture

A Walk In The Old Town

Castillo de San Sebastián

The Outdoor Café

Informations

Portugal, Madeira: 24 Hours in Funchal

Funchal Express

Dinner at the Design Center Nini Andrade Silva

Breakfast at the Meliá

Oops, It’s Public Holiday!

Lunch at the Uva Restaurant

The Return

The Walk in the Historical Center

More and Less Two Hours

Informations

Portugal: Weekend in Évora – Day 2

Between Art And History

Fórum Fundação Eugénio de Almeida

Strolling And Looking Up

Taking Time

A Small Museum

Late in The Afternoon

Walking Through A Maze Of Narrow Streets

Informations

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