Tag Archives: Hotel Reviews

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

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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.

Les Canaries, Espagne : La Gomera

Petit bijou de 392 km2

La Gomera, l’île à découvrir

Bonjour à tous! Je remets à la une du blog cet article. Un peu d'outdoor, de rêve et d'évasion pour ces longs mois d'automne et d'hiver... En espérant que ça puisse vous aider à organiser une visite à la Gomera! Bonne lecture! 

Nous accostons en début de soirée dans le petit port de San Sebastian, sur l’île de la Gomera, désignée par l’UNESCO comme réserve de biosphère. Un voyage rapide depuis Ténérife : 50 mn à scruter l’océan calme, dans la lumière ambrée d’un superbe coucher de soleil. Dans une voiture de location, nous nous dirigeons vers notre hôtel, l’historique Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera” qui surplombe la ville de San Sebastian (photos ci-dessous), offrant une vue magnifique sur l’océan Atlantique. Je ne m’en lasserai pas de tout le séjour.

Jour 2 : après avoir récupéré notre guide Andrea, nous traversons l’île d’est en ouest, pour nous rendre au port du village de la Valle Gran Rey, où nous embarquons sur un petit bateau, afin d’observer les baleines. Ce sera plutôt de joyeux bancs de dauphins et surtout de spectaculaires vues du littoral escarpée, composées roches stratifiées plongeant à pic dans une eau émeraude. Malheureusement je n’aurai pas le temps d’inclure une plongée bouteille. Puis déjeuner d’excellents poissons dans le village et reprise de la route vers la forêt Laurasilva (endémique aux Canaries, Madère et les Açores), dans le Parc de Garajonay.

Jour 3 : si les paysages sont impressionnants, la montagne est omniprésente, aussi vaut-il mieux savoir conduire en montagne, car par endroits, la conduite s’avère “sportive”. Tôt ce matin, guidés par Andréa, nous nous dirigeons vers le centre de l’île : le chemin de randonnée du Bosque del Cedro dans le Parc de Garajonay, pour une courte et revigorante promenade d’une heure et demie en forêt. Puis retour à la voiture et départ pour Agulo, au nord de l’île, avec avant, un arrêt à El Alto de Garajonay, le point culminant de la Gomera (1484 mètres). Sublime vue à 360°, incluant une vue imprenable du fameux volcan El Teide à Tenerife! J’ai aussi beaucoup aimé le paysage lunaire (terre rouge sans végétation) qui mène au Mirador de Abrante, dans la commune d’Agulo. 

Jour 4 : notre dernière matinée, la plus nonchalante. Mais déjà, nous devons prendre le ferry retour vers Ténérife, avec l’envie de rester à la Gomera et d’en découvrir plus sur cette île au passé tourmenté et d’une grande richesse naturelle. Après le rythme effréné de nos activités des précédents jours : farniente au Riu Buenavista de Ténérife, notre pause détente. L’hôtel, tout récemment rénové, offre un cadre aéré, où il est agréable de se promener et de profiter de beaux couchers de soleil. J’apprécie aussi beaucoup la nouvelle décoration très boutique hôtel et très actuelle. Dans notre chambre, je suis conquise par la vue XXL sur l’océan et la Gomera!! Sans oublier a qualité des buffets avec du très bon poisson.

                                Le voyage en images ci-dessous!

Jour 1 : l’hôtel Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera”

Jour 2 :

Jour 3 :

Jour 4 : Retour à Ténérife & le Riu Buenavista

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Office national espagnol du tourisme, La Gomera Travel, Hotel Riu Buenavista

Autres articles : Destinations

Un grand merci à l’office national espagnol du tourisme et à La Gomera Travel pour cette superbe invitation. Merci aussi au Riu Buenavista. Comme. toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

Three Weekends in Holland: Amsterdam & Limburg (Part 2)

Limbourg Chic & Nature

The Hotel : Winselerhof in Landgraaf

Surrounded by vineyards, this elegant hotel set in an old farmhouse is a haven of peace. We had lunch in the lovely interior courtyard bathed in sunshine (photo above, 5). Tasty refined cuisine with Mediterranean accents (3 & 4). The breakfast is also varied and plentiful.

We are happy to get in our spacious comfortable suite (1 & 2), after a long (sporty) walk in the nearby forest (6: no, it is not the silhouette of a real wolf, but a sculpture). When we left the Winselerhof, we felt very relaxed and invigorated.

What To Do

Visiting Valkenburg & Maastricht

Direction Valkenburg aan de Geul, a picturesque medieval village (photos 2, 3 & 4 above). What a surprise when we arrived, the village was crowed by tourists! It is really touristy. To avoid the bulk of the crowd, move away from the center of the village.

Another option: driving to Maastricht, a charming little town with countless cafes whose summer and winter I never tire of (1). In the evening, we dine in Herleen at the Brasserie Mijn Streek, located on the top floors of the SCHUNCK museum (5 & 6). A nice view, really good food and friendly team. 

Arty Amsterdam

The Hotel : Conservatorium Hotel

For this new weekend in Amsterdame, we focused about contemporary art. The Conservatorium Hotel, a former music conservatory, is located in the museum district of Amsterdam. I did not know this lovely neighborhood.

As soon as we enter the imposing lobby (photos below 4 & 5), we are projected into a large space mixing cutting-edge design, massive architecture and lots of art. The hotel has a number of works of art as well as renowned restaurants. The reception and restaurant teams are  friendly and professional.

But the best is our large Rooftop Suite with a sleek minimalist design (photo above and photos below 1 & 2). Superb bathroom (3). A cocoon of luxury and good taste. I forgot, the breakfast in the Brasserie and Lounge is simply delicious. 

What To Do

Amsterdam Art Weekend

There are a thousand ways to visit Amsterdam. We decided to go there, during the Amsterdam Art Weekend  (the next session is scheduled from April 15 to 17, 2021). s 2021). We started our art walk by visiting of the artists’ studios in residence at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten  (1).

Then we spent the rest of the day in different private art galleries. And in the evening, we were at an exhibition opening in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the huge museum of contemporary art (2). After the event, what a treat to quickly be able to walk back to our hotel! 

The next day: long stop at the PAN Amsterdam,, the most important art and antiques fair in the Netherlands. Where among a thousand discoveries (it’s a real Alibaba cave), I really liked the sculptures of Vladimir Zbynovsky at the Etienne Gallery (3). In the afternoon: we went to the Moco Museum where I really enjoyed the works of Daniel Arsham (4). 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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I Amsterdam

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many thanks to Visit Holland and I Amsterdam, for this beautiful invitation. Also many thanks to the Winselerhof Landgraaf and Conservatorium Hotel and the restaurants mentioned in the article. As always, theses are my opinions.