Tag Archives: Mountain

Madeira: Nature, Road Trip and Dinner At The Vine

Madeira-Portugal-Pico do Areeiro-Mountain-Jeep Tour-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Pico do Areeiro

Madeira-Portugal-Pico do Areeiro-Mountain-Jeep Tour-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

9 a.m. Departure From Funchal In Jeep

to Pico do Areeiro (1818 m), the third highest peak of the Madeira island (above photo). Different landscapes on the road (photo 1). And the view is stunning when we come to Pico do Areeiro! I think to serenely enjoy (-to avoid tourists-), you need to be there really early in the morning.

We get into the Jeep to go to Ribeiro Frio, for an easy 45 minute walk that follows the Levada de Serra do Faial. The Levadas are canals built between 1461 and 1966, to carry water to irrigate cropland. We get into the Laurissilva Forest unchanged since Prehistoric times (photo montage below). Lovely panorama of the valley from the Ribeira da Metade point of vue (on the photo montage below: the penultimate picture)!

Madeira-Portugal-Pico do Areeiro-Ribeiro Frio-Laurisilva Forest-Jeep Tour-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Driving To Santana

Madeira-Portugal-Road To Santana-Jeep Tour-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Heading To The North Coast of Madeira

to visit SantanaThe road runs along the ocean! And I love Ocean! Steep coast, hills that plunge in water: bright green on the ultramarine blue with emerald hues. Happiness! We cross Faial, one of the first places to have been populated in the North coast.

Madeira-Portugal-Road To Santana-Jeep Tour-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Madeira-Portugal-Road To Santana-Jeep Tour-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Returning to Funchal

Madeira-Portugal-Ponta de Sao Lourenço-Natural Reserve-Jeep Tour-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Favorite Scenery!

I also love this part of the road leading to the most Eastern point of the island of Madeira. Where you can find the nature reserve Ponta de São Lourenço. Desert scenery and vegetation tormented by strong winds! I feel like in Sergio Leone movies… a palm tree here and there and this incredible light!

Madeira-Portugal-Ponta de Sao Lourenço-Natural Reserve-Jeep Tour-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Miradouro Ponta de São Lourenço

Madeira-Portugal-Ponta de Sao Lourenço-Natural Reserve-Jeep Tour-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K               Madeira-Portugal-Ponta de Sao Lourenço-Natural Reserve-Jeep Tour-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Madeira-Portugal-Ponta de Sao Lourenço-Natural Reserve-Jeep Tour-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KMadeira-Portugal-View From Ponta de Sao Lourenço-Natural Reserve-Jeep Tour-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Dinner @ The Vine

Madeira-Portugal-Funchal-The-Vine-Hotel-Rooftop-Terrace-Bar-Swimming-Pool-Dinner-@-UVA-Restaurant-And-Festival-do-Atlantico-Fireworks-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To Funchal In Late Afternoon

A quick stop at the Pestana Casino Park and now I’m ready to go dinner to UVA, the restaurant of The Vine hotel. I’m very excited to discover the decoration of the hotel designed by Nini Andrade Silva.

I could spend hours on the lovely terrace deck, bathed in a golden light and views over the rooftops of Funchal (photo below). At night it’s even more beautiful! Excellent fish and vegetables at the UVA restaurant (on the last photo montage. The restaurant pictured in the penultimate photo montage is not the UVA).

Then we enjoy the Festival do Atlantico‘s fireworks from the lazy terrace of The Vine (photo montage below). Followed by a glass (no poncha for me!) to the Venda Velha. Followed by a music vintage disco … LOL!

Madeira-Portugal-Funchal-The-Vine-Hotel-Rooftop-Terrace-Bar-Swimming-Pool-Dinner-@-UVA-Restaurant-And-Festival-do-Atlantico-Fireworks-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KMadeira-Portugal-Funchal-The-Vine-Hotel-Dinner-@-UVA-Restaurant-And-Festival-do-Atlantico-Fireworks-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Madeira-Portugal-Funchal-The-Vine-Hotel-Dinner-@-UVA-Restaurant-Food-Meals-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal & TAP 

Jeep safari tours : Mountain Expedition

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Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal and TAP. As always all my opinions are mine.

Fashion & Beauty For Skiing in Val Thorens, France

Mode & Beauté au Ski-Club-Med-Val Thorens-France-6-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

My Selection For Skiing

Mode & Beauté au Ski-Club-Med-Val Thorens-France-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Naively I thought with the fresh air

of the mountain, I wouldn’t have to use too much skincares. Very quickly I realized that on the contrary must be redoubled care, between the sun with the strong glare on the slopes and the very dry heating air.

Photo montage above: 1. The cleanser and toner. I’ve never cleaned my face as often: in the morning, then upon returning from skiing or/and before dinner and at last before sleeping. So I chose very mild products to not irritate my really sensitive skin: Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Toning Lotion/Refiner and Perfectly Clean Triple-Action Cleanser/Toner/Makeup Remover, Estée Lauder.        

2. The face masks. For optimal hydration, I apply the AquaPrécis Masque Express Hydratation Dynamique of Uriage. It’s like an after sun exposure dressing. I leave it all night as a night cream. The morning after cleansing the face, I prepare my skin to the cares with the Vitamin Rich Detox Mask of Bio Beauté by Nuxe. I am not a big fan of its near-sticky honey texture, but I really enjoy its healthy glow effect. The skin is cleansed, with  a bright complexion.

3. The ski sunscreen. Cream + stick Very High protection, High altitude Photoderm Ski SPF 50 of Bioderma : very pleasant to apply with the boilerplate lightweight format that slips easily into a pocket of the jacket. By late afternoon, the Photoderm Après Soleil SOS (Intense Soothing mist) of Bioderma refreshes my skin. Lovely blue packaging.

Mode & Beauté au Ski-Club-Med-Val Thorens-France-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Glam on the slopes

Above: 1. The Yeti under jacket, my big crush! I didn’t know Yeti, a German brand based in Denmark and specialized in duvets. This under jacket is impeccably cut following the shape of body. I can stay warm without looking like a bag! It weighs nothing with an edgy look for skiing and town!   

2. Ultra glamour Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5 Color Palette, Estée Lauder. Beautiful colors and silky texture ranging from silver to purple (for intense smoky eyes). 3. I alternate the Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick, Estée Lauder with the 10 Cherry LushTom Ford 

4. On the ski gloves, my inseparable cream for the dry, chapped and damaged hands, High Nutrition Hands With Natural Cold Cream, Bio beauté by Nuxe. Very fluid, it penetrates quickly, leaving a slightly glossy finish on a nourished skin.

Mode & Beauté au Ski-Club-Med-Val Thorens-France-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

The Evening Glam 

Above : 1. The jacket for skiing, Poivre Blanc with a white and taupe sober look. It is extremely comfortable and warm in altitude. 2. My fragrance. Modern Muse, Estée Lauder. Discreet but present, feminine, elegant and lightly powdered, I like it a lot.

3. The body cares. Pleasant smooth creamy texture of the Magic TouchRituals. At first I was afraid it wouldn’t be nutritious enough for my very dry body skin. Actually not. Before applying, I mix the cream with the Contouring Concentrate of Caudalie for a toning and firming effect.

4. My other big crush, the wow ankle boots of Sam Edelman. Killer shoes! I wear them a lot at the moment! Well, on the picture, I suffered a bit, it was the first time I wore them (LOL!). Plus a vintage bag with a shiny parrot.

Mode & Beauté au Ski-Club-Med-Val Thorens-France-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Targeted Skincare Products

Do you know the excellent Radical Skincare? As soon as I started testing this American brand in late August, I found visible effects. My complexion had fewer imperfections and better skin texture. After a month, my skin was more toned and smooth.

Photo montage above: 1. The serum. Peptide Infused Antioxidant Serum, Radical Skincare, to apply before the cream morning and night. 2. The face cream. Anti-aging Restorative Moisture of Radical Skincare.

3. The body cares. In the embroidered pouch from Kazakstan offered by a friend, two new creams of l’Occitane :  the Whipped Body Cream for hands and the Whipped Body Cream for body, both with shea. A pleasure to use: what a pity the body cream finishes so fast! 4. A view of Val Thorens (France).

Photo montage below : 1. For the eyes. Choose carefully adapted sunglasses for altitude (mines make fog!). Also to protect the fragile eye zone, I use the efficient Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip CreamCaudalie. One of the few creams that doesn’t irritate my eyes.

As I’m not a seasoned skier, I didn’t know what outfits to bring with me! So I make it really simple: black comfortable warm boots easy to clean.(2). Wolly caps a bit ethnic and lined with fleece (3). And a nice Poivre Blanc ski pants (4)

Mode & Beauté au Ski-Club-Med-Val Thorens-France-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

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The photos were shot at Club Med Val Thorens Sensations  

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Italy, Viganella: Dinner at the Casa Vanni’s Restaurant, La Cucina

Italy-Viganella-Casa Vanni-Cucina-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

This post that may inspire you

if you miss idea for the dinner. I’ve never eaten as much as during this short stay in Piedmont! Fortunately there is hiking to compensate! Food is excellent.

And our dinner at La Cucina, cooked by the manager of the beautiful Casa Vanni, is just spectacular (photo above)! now I understand why the Slow Food is an Italian concept. Freshness of the ingredients of the valley, fine flavors and generosity.

We feel that our hostess wants to make us happy. The meal is orgiastic with a great presentation and eight dishes! Yes! Hence many giggles, because all three of us feel out just lunch (few hours before in Antrona!). Mamma mia!

Italy-Viganella-Casa Vanni-Cucina-1A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

For Gourmets, Here Is The Detailed Menu

1. Primosale alla piastra con melassa / Primosale to the plate with melass. 2. Tartina di segale con lardo di Antrona / Rye sandwich with the bacon of Antrona. 3. Fritelle di verdure con passatelli di ricotta Ossolona / Vegetable pancakes with Ossalona ricotta passatelli (not on the pictures).  4. Insalata di farro con ratatouille / Farro salad with ratatouille. 5. Crespelle con ricotta ed erbette di campo / Crepes with ricotta and herbs of the field. 6. Filetto di trota salmonata con peperoni friggitelli / Salmon trout fillet with friggitelli peppers. 7. Tagliere di formaggi nostrani / Platter of local cheeses (not on the pictures). 8. Tortino di cioccolato fondente con cuore morbido / Dark chocolate tart with soft heart. Last picture (below) : the amazing breakfast the next morning! But impossible for me to eat or drink more than a cup of tea (LOL!).

Italy-Viganella-Casa Vanni-Cucina-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2013

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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CASA VANNI  

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