Tag Archives: Short Break

Canary Islands: La Gomera

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-5-1-1024x577.jpg

A Litte Gem of 392 km2

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-3-2-1024x577.jpg

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”

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Parador-de-La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Hotel-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-1-3-1024x577.jpg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Parador-de-La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Hotel-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-1024x1024.jpg

Day 2:

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-4-1024x577.jpg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-7-1024x1024.jpg

Day 3:

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-6-1-1024x577.jpg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is La-Gomera-Canary-Island-Spain-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-8-1024x1024.jpg

Day 4: Back To Tenerife & The Riu Buenavista

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Tenerife-Canary-Island-Spain-Hotel-Riu-Buenavista-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-3-1024x577.jpg
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Tenerife-Canary-Island-Spain-Hotel-Riu-Buenavista-Photo-©Mademoiselle-Le-K-1-1024x1024.jpg

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.

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.