Tag Archives: Storytelling

Egypt : 7 Activities I Did in El Gouna

1. Diving in The Red Sea

Like all scuba diving lovers, I could not ignore a dive in the Red Sea!

During my short stay in El Gouna, I had a nice dive with the Colona Diving Club. I did not dive deep, within 20 meters, but with a good visibility. Perfect as a refresher, after more than a year without diving! The whole team is very professional.

Leaving early in the morning by boat, we returned in the middle of the afternoon. After my first (and unfortunately unique) dive, I had a seasickness because there were a lot of big waves. But the landscape and the color of the water were stunning.

2. Discovering By Bike El Gouna

What is better than a bike ride?

Created 25 years ago north of Hurgada, this small seaside town, facing the Red Sea, is covered with countless lagoons. We ride a bicycle in a gradient of blue and turquoise. Pure happiness for the eyes!

There is a lot of wind and small bridges. We often ride on wooden bridges, while discovering points of view that are difficult to access otherwise. It’s a real pleasure! To experience early in the morning or at the end of the day, to avoid a strong sun.

3. Riding A Quad In The Desert

El Gouna is at the gateway to the desert

So we tested two types of activity to visit “the desert”: the jeep safari and the quad with Alex Safari. Both have strengths. But, I preferred the quad, because the tour is more active and spectacular.

It feels like entering the decor where the dust is master. We drove fast enough, with a first stop in the camp of a Bedouin family.

All along the trail, there are some small stops to “explore” geological curiosities, such as caves (photos above). The highlight of the excursion: the sunset facing the Dry Canyon, a landscape from a western!

5. Relaxing In A Beach Club

Yes, Lazing In The Sun!

We did not look far. Ideally located opposite our hotel, the Three Corners Ocean View, we had lunch and spent the afternoon at the Moods Restaurant & Beach Club.

The view is lovely and the atmosphere young and cool. I felt asleep while scanning the horizon and the sea, listenning some lounge music! Like everywhere in El Gouna, there is a lot of wind (which can be cold).

6. Jeep Safari In The Desert

Back To The Desert!

This time in a jeep! Nice tour (with a stop in the same camp of a Bedouin family) as when we were on quad. Same view for the sunset on the Dry Canyon.

Only the rhythm changes (longer stops along the trail). So I might recommend the jeep if you don’t like the quad, or go with your parents (and they don’t like or drive a quad, lol!). 

7. Dining In The Marina

El Gouna By Night

The two hotels where we stayed are very comfortable. So we had most of our dinners there. That’s why I would not be able to do a review of the restaurants in the marina of El Gouna.

We only dined in a restaurant in the marina : a delicious and delightful experience. And as we strolled along the pontoons cluttered of yachts, I saw several restaurants with beautiful terraces. The atmosphere is very nice and laid back.

I also spotted some shops, like Malaika which offers linens (with Egyptian cotton? Photos below).

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Sunweb.com, diving : www.colona.com, quad & jeep safari :  wwwalexsafarielgouna.com, Moods Restaurant & Beach Club

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many Thanks to Sunweb for this beautiful invitation. And many thanks to Colona, Alex Safari and Moods. 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.