Tag Archives: Short Break

Areias do Seixo: A Room With A Small Fireplace

Posted on December 6, 2013 | Leave a comment

Superb design hotel with a unique service and entirely nature oriented

I was invited by the Areias do Seixo to spend the weekend with a friend. This eco-luxury hotel is 1h drive from Lisbon! An unforgettable experience : I’m more and more sensitive to innovative initiatives that put the environment at the center of their concerns. The subject fascinates both owners Marta Fonseca and Gonçalvo Alves I had the opportunity to meet !

What a great surprise to discover our spacious room, bathed in natural light! Concrete walls and floor, a mini glass fire place with black metal, placed on a concrete table (picture 10). Excellent homemade crackers on a metal tray. Very few elements, two chaises (picture 4), hints of colors, beautiful handmade mirrors, wicker baskets, wooden lamp and input tagged with chalk (last photo) door. Two comfortable twin beds (picture 1) facing the bay window overlooking the garden, the vegetable garden and path leading to the dunes, miles of beaches and cliffs in the wild part of the Costa de Prata (pictures 2 & 7).

Plus an amazing giant bathroom extremely comfortable, length mirrors on pebble walls and a large shower in the center of the room (pictures 6 & 9). Unfortunately I didn’t have time to try the deep tub in concrete dug into the ground. Another great detail that I liked very much : no TV in the room. Falling asleep flipping Attitude, the excellent Portugese design magazine, or watching the fire to crackle!

Informations

Many thanks to the team of Areias do Seixo – Charme Hotel.

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HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Italy, Piemonte: The Time Stopped in Tappia

Posted on November 30, 2013 | Leave a comment

After enjoying a long pause of slow food in Anzuno,

we hit the road to other villages, starting with Tappia. No need to go to the other side of the world to feel a change of scenery: the ubiquitous mountains (picture 11), beautiful church with baroque details (pictures 1 & 7), abandoned houses worthy of a movie set … And yes, the time stopped in Tappia!

The verdant dense nature wins on the thick gray stone of the traditional architecture (picture 6, the oldest house in the village). Deserted village with the exception of one family that lives there year-round, producing wine. We hear water trickling, relaxing (pictures 2 & 3). And from Tappia, you can access various walking trails I won’t have the opportunity to discover (pictures 4 & 10)! Already time to leave … To be continued …

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Portugal: Comporta, Miles of Pristine Beaches

Posted on November 27, 2013 | Leave a comment

Comporta is 1h-1h30 drive south of Lisbon,

in the region of Alto Alentejo. I need a breath of fresh air and to discover new places. Amazing light at the end of November which gilds kilometers of wild beaches, bordering a nature reserve (picture above).

Long walk on one of the deserted beaches, with just two or three fishermen whose giant fishing canes are planted in the sand (pictures 4 & 5). We blend in with the scenery. From time to time some ominous clouds. The bottom of the air is really cold, almost freezing when we reach the teak terrace of the restaurant, Ilha do Arroz. But there are infinite Ocean view, I can spend hours contemplating the horizon, sunset …

And some Portuguese tapas consisted of pasteis de bacalhau (cod fritters) with pimentos padrone (small green peppers grilled) : simple and delicious ! And our surprise guest : Cacao, the irresistible young dog of the owners (picture 6). Clap end when night falls, I am freezing in my parka. We take the road back to Lisbon. A great idea of an awesome beach walk for all of those who hate Sundays cocooning (LOL) !