Tag Archives: Holidays

Our Second Roadtrip in Andalusia, Spain: Cádiz

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 … 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Reviews

France: Wellness & Yoga Week-end in La Clusaz

  

Day 1

The Yoga

I had the pleasure of rediscovering the mountain in the summer, during the Satiam Yoga Festival in La Clusaz, in the French Alps. An epic arrival after a day between two flights, two airports! In the morning, I flew back to Belgium (first trip), then changed airport that turned into an odyssey via the train (lol). Followed by a big thunderstorm over the airport of Geneva that has us (a journalist friend and I) held an hour and a half in the air … Then transfer by car to La Clusaz. 

So the next morning at 8 AM, sitting on my yoga mat, I can’t wait to benefit from the first yoga and meditation “Master Class” with Robin Golt marking the opening of the festival. In the background, the mountains! Very good meditation session followed by workshops and activities around Yoga and well-being. In the photo above: SUP yoga (or Stand-up paddle yoga) at Lac de La Ferriaz, in a beautiful setting!

  

Sushi Time

Lunch break at Sushi Fumi: cool little restaurant with a slightly surfer atmosphere. Very nice sushi dishes with traditional sushi and others reinterpreted by the two cooks and patrons, with local ingredients and more Western flavors (photos above and left).

We ate so much sushi that we had trouble getting off the restaurant, where you can also have a drink in the afternoon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty Discovery : SNÖ Eternelle

The workshop that I really liked (you know I’m a beauty junky, lol): the meeting with the founder of luxury organic cosmetics and relaxation, Snö Eternelle and also former multiple World Champion in moguls skiing, Raphaëlle Monod.

The range of the brand includes sun protection (“Mon fluide protection”), a face skin care (Ma crème riche) and a body oil (“Mon huile S.O.S”) with 100% natural ingredients.

As soon as I have tested them, I will give you my thoughts. As they contain essential oils, I prefer to wait this fall or this winter, my skin being more reactive in spring and summer. Coached by the bubbly Raphaëlle to tone our face, we made a lot of grimaces (and laughed a lot). A kind of facial yoga (photo below). 

The Dinner

We go up to the Chalet du Lac, an altitude restaurant of Savoyard traditional cuisine based on local products. Awesome landscape! The cottage is in the Aravis nature reserve. Too bad that night falls quickly.

The dishes are delicious, with huge portions and the atmosphere really cosy thanks to the very friendly owner who made us taste many different Génépi. Photo below: a 5 kilo bread made especially for the restaurant.

  

Day 2

Finally in Nature!

As I didn’t want to try for the first time mountain biking, I took the Beauregard cable car and then walked for an hour through the pastures in altitude. 

Feeling of peace and euphoria sourrounded by the mountain tops and my friends, the cool cows (lol). Then again the cable car to join the group for lunch.

Bucolic Lunch

While part of the group arrived by mountain bike, we arrive on foot to the Chalet de Paccaly located at 1490 meters (photo above and photo on the right). The Aravis chain is spectacular! And the weather oscillates between threatening clouds and blinding sun.

The dishes are simple, but tasty based on flowers and cheeses (photos below). A pure moment of relaxation. 

  

The spa

And to finish in style this short weekend in La Clusaz: 2 hours Deep Nature Spa, one of the largest spa in the French Alps (with an area of 850 m²). The water course of 160 m² is designed by Serge Blanco (a French famous former rugbyman) and includes multiple hydromassage jets …

Exactly everything my body needs before the long drive to Geneva by car and then the plane! 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

La Clusaz

Related articles : DESTINATIONSBEAUTY

Many thanks to the Tourism Board of La Clusaz for this beautiful invitation. As always theses are my opnions.

Switzerland, Saas-Fee: The Fienart Resort & Spa

  

Ideally Located

Healthy Breakfasts

The Fienart Resort & Spa is located in the center of the village of Saas-Fee. Which is very nice to walk around early in the morning, before having breakfast served in the main restaurant. The space is clear with large windows that allow to enjoy a direct view of the mountains. 

I liked the variety and freshness of the different foods on offer at the buffet. The set makes for breakfast, a privileged break before attacking long days of skiing. This morning, as the weather is not good, it heavily snows with a lot of fog, I prefer to go to the spa of the hotel.

Back to my spacious room, in the wing of the hotel where the pool and spa are located. The newly renovated bathroom is open on the bed side (pictured below). The room is very comfortable and has a balcony with mountain views (the above first two pictures of the article are taken from this balcony). 

    

The Paradia Spa

Bathed in Light

The Paradia Spa, which covers more than 1200 m², includes steam baths, a jacuzzi (where I spent a long time), a relaxation area under a glass roof (where I fell asleep, above photo) etc …

Just like in Germany, part of the spa is (swimsuits) textile free (and children free too), so I only tested the pool, jacuzzi and deckchair. The pool is long enough to make real lengths (left photo below). 

  

The César Ritz

Un dîner gourmand

If the breakfasts are already very nice, the dinner is excellent! Again I really liked the quality of the products (mainly regional) and seasonal. 

The service and the presentation are well cared for: the plates are as beautiful as they are good. Lovely! Photo below: 1. scallops, 2. Caesar salads, 3. fish and 4. dessert! I only ate the delicious chocolate cake because everything was plentiful.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Fienart Resort, Saas-FeeValaisSwitzerland TourismSWISSSwiss Travel System (STS)

Autres articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Un grand merci aux offices du tourisme de Saas Fee, du Valais et Switzerland Tourism, SWISS, Swiss Travel System (STS) et Fienart Resort pour cette belle invitation. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.