Tag Archives: Holidays

Spain : Stunning Formentera

Leaving Ibiza

A Well-kept Secret : Formentera

Ibiza has a well-kept secret, the island of Formentera. As much as Ibiza symbolizes flamboyant partying, Formentera is discreet and calm, with magnificent beaches of turquoise water. At the end of the day, we take the shuttle boat from the port of Ibiza to Formentera, under the golden light of an amazing sunset (photos above 1 & 2). The crossing lasts barely 30 minutes and here we are immersed in another universe on the small, more intimate island, with an area of 83.2 km2 (photo-montage below).

I advise you to rent a car, more comfortable than a scooter, especially to access certain beaches. Please note: it is very hot in the summer. We drive to Playa Migjorn, in the south of the island. Where is our hotel on a human scale: the very pleasant Riu La Mola facing one of the most beautiful beaches in Formentera, Es Cupinar beach. The atmosphere is family and friendly and the hotel team is very welcoming. Not to mention, the comfortable room with a superb view of the sea, sometimes emerald and ultramarine blue, sometimes turquoise, a pleasure that I never tire of (photos below in part: “4. Where to sleep”)!

No way to stay in Formentera without discovering its different stunning beaches! I think that’s the main activity! Don’t ask me which one I prefer, I will have a hard time answering you. Because each of them corresponds to a different atmosphere and panorama. Es Pujols, which extends over 690 m, is the best known and therefore the most touristic. Very nice for brunch. In the southwest of the island, Cala Saona with its fishing boats, is where I like to have a drink during the hottest hours. Other beaches are wilder like the iconic Ses Illetes. My advice: take a map and visit all the beaches!  

The island has its own nonchalent pace. And rather than giving you a list of places to go, I have collected in images a kaleidoscope of impressions, of rare and simple moments that a stay in Formentera evokes for me. The photos are below. I hope it will make you want to discover this wonder of the Mediterranean. Party people, go your way! Lol!

1. Discover All The Beaches

2. Lunch Facing The Sea

3. Go Around The Island And Visit Sant Francesc Xavier, The Capital 

4. Where To Sleep : The Riu La Mola

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

FormenteraRiu La Mola

Related posts : Hotel Reviews & Destinations

Many thanks to the Tourism Board of Formentera and Riu La Mola for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Canary Islands: La Gomera

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A Litte Gem of 392 km2

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La Gomera, The Island To Discover

Hi everyone! I post this article on the front page of the blog again. A bit of outdoors, dreams and escape for these long fall and winter months ... I hope this can help you organize a visit to the stunning La Gomera ! Enjoy ! 

In the early evening, we dock in the small port of San Sebastian de La Gomera, designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. A short trip from Tenerife: 50 minutes to contemplate the calm ocean in the amber light of a beautiful sunset. After collecting a rental car, we will drive to the historic Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera” which overlooks the city of San Sebastian (photos below), offering magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. I will never tire of my stay at this hotel.

Day 2: after picking up our great guide Andrea, we cross the island from east to west to reach the port of the Valle Gran Rey village, where we embark on a small boat in order to observe the whales. Rather, it will be happy dolphins and above all spectacular views of the rugged coastline made up of stratified rocks plunging steeply into the emerald water. Unfortunately I don’t have time for a scuba dive. Then a lunch of excellent fish in the village and back on the road to go to a Laurasilva forest (endemic to the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores), in the Park of Garajonay.

Day 3: the landscapes are impressive and it is also better to know how to drive in the mountains, because in places the driving is “sporty”. Early this morning, guided by Andrea, we head to the center of the island: the Bosque del Cedro hiking trail in Garajonay Park, for a short and invigorating 1.5 hour walk in the forest. Then return to the car and depart to Agulo, in the north of the island. Before, we stop at El Alto de Garajonay, the highest point of La Gomera (1484 meters). Incredible 360 ​​° view, including a breathtaking view of the famous El Teide volcano in Tenerife! I also really liked the lunar landscape (red earth without vegetation) which leads to the Mirador de Abrante, in the municipality of Agulo.

Day 4: our last morning and we have to take the ferry back to Tenerife, with the desire to stay in La Gomera and discover more about this island with a tragic past and a stunning nature. After the frantic pace of our activities of the previous days, we have a relaxing break at the Riu Buenavista in Tenerife. The recently renovated hotel offers an airy setting, where it is pleasant to stroll and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. I really appreciate the new decoration too, very boutique hotel. In our room, we have an amazing view of the ocean and La Gomera !! Without forgetting the quality of the buffets with very good fish.

                             Enjoy the travel's pictures below !

Day 1: Our Hotel, The Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera”

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Day 2:

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Day 3:

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Day 4: Back To Tenerife & The Riu Buenavista

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Spainish Tourism, La Gomera Travel, Hotel Riu Buenavista

Related articles : Destinations

Many thanks to the Spanish Tourist Office / Oficina de Turismo de España and La Gomera Travel for this beautiful invitation. Many thanks to Riu Buenavista too. As always, these are my opinions.

France: Active Weekend in Argelès-sur-Mer

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Beautiful South of France

Hi everyone! I am posting this old article of Argelès-sur-Mer on the front page. An explosion of vitamin D with a blazing sun and temperatures that rise to 39 °. Let's go for a breath of fresh air in the South-South of France!

We landed in Barcelona and we are on our way to Argelès-sur-Mer in a rental with 36°, cause the air conditioning doesn’t, lol! Fortunately the very charming hotel Le Cottage, has a superb swimming pool! I really like this elegant little hotel with a lovely service, in a very pleasant French chic setting. Direction Racou beach (meaning “the corner” in Catalan), where we have lunch at Menje Aqui: really cool atmosphere. This area is preserved from mass tourism. From Now it’s 39 °: back to the hotel, where we cool down in the spa pool. At the beginning of the evening, we have a drink and dine at La Table de Valmy, the Château Valmy wine restaurant. A cosy terrace with stunning view of the vineyards and very good tapas of local products.

Day 2: early in the morning departure for a short hike on the coastal path of the Vermeille coast, accompanied by a very friendly naturalist guide. We discover an ancient buttresses and secret cove and very beautiful panoramas of the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees and the famous peak of Canigou. Later in the morning, we stop at a small producer of olive oil and proud defender of Catalan culture. Beautiful encounter. Its olive trees grows in front of the sea! In the afternoon, we do a little sea kayaking in another beach, the water temperature is almost perfect. But my love at first sight is the Racou, where we dine at Menje E Caille with enchanting decoration, delicious food and the best fake gin and tonic on earth! Then we walk through the narrow streets of the old village of Argelès-sur-Mer, far from the hustle and bustle.

Day 3: around 8 am-8:30am, we start a long electric bike tour, in order to avoid the heat. The route which passes through the domain of Valmy, includes a few sections on small picturesque roads in the countryside. Small stalls sell fresh peaches, the star fruit of the region. We end the tour at the Argelès-sur-Mer marina. From there in the afternoon, we take a boat for a 2-3 hour ride along the coast. One our stops is the port of Collioure (which reminds me of a Game of Thrones setting). Unfortunately we don’t have enough time to visit. Time flies quickly. Soon you will have to go back and get ready to dine in a beach club in Argelès-sur-Mer. Our last evening, a table facing my dear Mediterranean …

                                             Enjoy the travel's pictures below !

Day 1 :

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Hôtel Le Cottage

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Day 2 :

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Where To Dine : Menji E Caille

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Day 3 :

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations

Argelès-sur-Mer Tourism Board

Related articles : Destinations

Many thanks to the Tourism Board of Argelès-sur-Mer for this beautiful invitation. As always, these opinions are my own.