Tag Archives: Lifestyle

Corse, France: de Corte à Ile Rousse (2)

La matinée à Corte

Vers la Citadelle

Petit récapitulatif : la veille, nous sommes arrivés à Bastia au petit matin, après un voyage combinant le train de Bruxelles à Marseille avec la SNCB International et le ferry depuis Marseille avec Corsica Linea.

Depuis hier soir, nous sommes à Corte, ville historique de la Corse, indissociable de Pascal Paoli, élu Général de la Nation Corse en 1755. Ce matin nous visitons la Citadelle datant du IXè siècle (photo ci-dessus et seconde photo ci-dessous : les remparts. Et première photo ci-dessous : le nid d’aigle). Superbe vue sur les montagnes avoisinantes. On accède à la Citadelle depuis le Musée de la Corse.

    

Le Musée de la Corse

Situé dans les remparts de la Citadelle de Corte et aménégé par l’architecte Andrea Bruno en 1991, le musée régional d’Anthropologie de la Corse permet de découvrir, par de nombreux objets ethnographiques, peintures, affiches, dessins, cartes géographiques, photographies, ouvrages anciens et une photothèque, la culture corse.

Photos ci-dessous : 1, dessin mural de chanteurs de polyphonie corse et 2, métier à tisser ancien. 

Courte promenade

 

Je vous recommande de vous promener dans les pittoresques petites rues près de la Citadelle. Malheureusement je n’ai pas eu le temps de m’asseoir à la terrasse d’un café et profiter du magnifique soleil automnale.

Tout se prête au farniente : le cadre est superbe et c’est très calme (basse saison touristique). Et déjà nous devons reprendre la route : aurevoir Corte!

En direction d’Ile Rousse

Spuntinu au Clos Venturi

Prochain arrêt à Ponte Leccia, où nous pic-niquerons (en corse : spuntinu, photos ci-dessus) dans le domaine Vico, où sont produits les vins Clos Venturi. Après la visite des chais, je goûte aux délicieuses spécialités corses, accompagnées des vins du vignoble. Adieu régime (lololol)!

  

Second arrêt sur la route

Le magnifique Parc de Saleccia

Mon coup de coeur! J’ai tout aimé dans ce parc : de l’accueil simple et chaleureux d’Isabelle Demoustier, la gérante, aux différents jardins dans le maquis corse, dont certains avec vue sur la Méditerranée!

Tout est superbe. La nature savamment organisé par l’homme : Bruno Demoustier, le père d’Isabelle, paysagiste de l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Horticulture de Versailles et créateur du parc de Saleccia. 

J’aurai pu y passer toute une journée. Mieux qu’un long discours, des image, mais c’est encore mieux en vrai! On se recharge le mental et le corps par un tree hugging! Un lieu qui par sa beauté vous booste en énergie! 

  

Enfin Ile Rousse!

Le Phare

Belle lumière de fin de journée qui donne un reflet doré à la roche orangée, d’où le nom d’Ile Rousse. Avant de nous rendre dans la petite ville d’Ile Rousse, nous nous arrêtons au phare qui surplombe la presqu’île.

Décor de cinéma. Je médite un long moment face à ma chère Méditerranée (photo ci-dessus et premier photo montage en début de cet article). A suivre… 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Pour se rendre en Corse par Ferry : www.corsicalinea.com, Bureau de vente à Bruxelles : Tel. 02/620 06 76, [email protected]

Pour rejoindre Marseille en train : www.sncb-international.com. 2 ou 3 liaisons par jour en TGV Bruxelles-France (trajet en 5h10). Si achat en ligne des billets TGV, il est possible de les imprimer chez soi, ou de les télécharger via l’application mobile SNCB International.

CCI de Bastia et de la Haute-Corse : www.ccihc.fr

Autres articles : Destinations & Lifestyle

Un grand merci à Corsica Linea, à la SNCB International et au CCI de Bastia et de la Haute-Corse, pour cette belle invitation. Comme toujours ce sont mes opinions.

Corsica, France: From Bastia To Corte (1)

An Original Way of Traveling

A Mix of TGV & Ferry

When I was offered to travel to Corsica with a TGV with SNCB International and ferry of Corsica Linea, I was very curious to experience this way of traveling! Departure from Brussels from Gare du Midi around 10 a.m. In the comfort of the first class, I quietly watch the landscape scroll.

Arrived in Marseille at 3:50 p.m. The subway is direct (2 or 3 stations) to the ferries of Corsica Linea which is located in a renovated area, with large modern shopping malls in old warehouses. How to wait before boarding the Pascal Paoli ferry at 6 p.m. for Bastia? Do some shopping : I took the opportunity to buy Detox Kusmi Tea (a soulful memory of the Paris fashion weeks years ago, lololol!).

We had dinner in the ferry restaurant. Everything was really fine: the crew was super pro and the night route allows you to reach your destination early. My only con, some travelers: as a woman, I did not feel comfortable crossing the corridors, alone. 

The spectacle of the sunrise when approaching the port of Bastia is absolutely gorgeous! 

From Bastia To Corte

The Old Port of Bastia

At 7 a.m., we land at Bastia. Early fall, the trees start to slightly become orange under a shy sun. After a long break in an outside cafe, we walk in empty picturesque streets leading to the Old Port. The city wakes up slowly. I like the South, its rhythm.

  

Lunch in Folelli

I fruletti

In the late morning, we leave Bastia for the village of Folleli, where we have lunch at the restaurant I Fulett. Our long table is on a pleasant terrace with enough sun to believe summer is not over. The Mediterranean cuisine with Corsican and Italian influences is delicious. I even took a dessert (my dishes pictured above and below)! 

The Parc Galéa

We take the road towards Taglio Isolaccio to visit the Parc Galéa, where I had a big crush for the cactus gardens (photos above and below). This park allows to discover the natural and cultural heritage of Corsica.Visitors can attend lectures on various topics, or have guided tours and educational workshops. 

  

Corsican Whisky

Domaine Mavela

Surprise: Corsican whiskey! The Mavela distillery produces spirits and has partnered with the Pietra brewery to produce quality Corsican whiskeys under the name P & M. I do not drink alcohol, but I am always curious about terroirs and know-how. After a tour of the distillery, we tasted different liqueurs (like those of Cédrat Natura and Clémentine Natura) and some whiskeys.

Then we leave for Corte, where we sleep tonight. To be continued…

    

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

To go to Corsica by Ferry : www.corsicalinea.com, Sales office in Brussels : T. 02/620 06 76, [email protected]

To go to Marseille by train : www.sncb-international.com. 2 or 3 connections a day by TGV Brussels-France (duration: 5h10). If you buy your TGV tickects online, you can print them at your home, or download them with the SNCB International mobile appli.

CCI de Bastia et de la Haute-Corse : www.ccihc.fr

Related articles : Destinations & Lifestyle

Many thanks to the Corsica Linea, SNCB International and CCI de Bastia et de la Haute-Corse, for this beautiful invitation. As always these are opinions.

Japan: The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

A View To Fuji San

Our Second Stop in Hakone

We arrive at the very exclusive Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, near Hakone, in the middle of the day, after many adventures on the road (we lost ourselves several times! Lol). This small establishment of 11 gestrooms with a modern architecture, is a real art museum.

In a refine decoration with many elements from Italy, I discover paintings, draws and serigraphs numbered of Japanese and Western masters (Kataoka Tamako, Chagal, Buffet, Miro …). The owner of Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts, a fine art collector wanted this hotel to be dedicated to gastronomy and farniente.

Here, no long list of activities: our private onsen with water from either Ubako spring or Owakudani spring (both having beneficial effects on the skin) is in the center of our large bathroom / terrace overlooking Fuji San. Early morning, the view is stunning (photo above taken from our room). A feeling of euphoria floats in the air …

  

Beauty is Everywhere

The elegant suite-sized room is a haven of “luxury, calm and pleasure” (Beaudelaire). For a better soundproofing, in front of each room, a private glass corridor and carpet insulate noise (7th picture below).

And if like us, you are fond of beauty and space, this bathroom is a dream! I don’t leave my onsen anymore, staring at the top of the trees, Fuji San and the horizon (photo above). 

I also liked the sliding panels that allow you to modulate the space and hide things like TV. The wide and leather sofa design is a monster of comfort. I don’t even talk about bedding! Everything, every detail is perfect!

     

The Gourmet Restaurant

  

The Dinner

On the two photos above: the view from our room of the garden at night and in the background, the silhouette of Fuji San. Picture below: the stretch of water seen from the main hall of the restaurant. The cuisine of chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi is as captivating to see as to taste. 

At dinner, the plates looks like paintings. The pleasure of sight associated with that of taste, with an exciting experience of flavors and textures, colors and shapes. Rarely, I have seen such beautiful and good dishes. For example: on the second and third picture photo below, the “Spaghetti puttanesca with marinated abalone“. In fact, the chef specialized in Italian cuisine, recommends mixing spaghetti with the whipped white sauce. It’s divine, so inexpected, top!

I will be able to list all dishes served, with my lean culinary vocabulary (I am not a food critic). But I just want to add that Chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi’s cooking is art. His cuisine is hedonistic, generous and cheerful. 

Like the chef, his cuisine excels without pretension. As just as all the people who work in this hotel. The service is amazing and very warm. Domo arigato gosaimasu to all the (last picture)!

    

The Breakfast

  

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and all the team of The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, for this beautiful and warm invitation. As always theses are my opnions.