Tag Archives: TAP

Casa da Cisterna, Portugal

Posted on May 4, 2016 | Leave a comment

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Heritage Village

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

It’s Time To Hit The Road Again, Miss!

Last March, I was invited in Switzerland, to a conference about a luxury travel (a post soon). The first topic was to define today luxury: we all agree to define it by experience and service. And Casa da Cisterna is a perfect mix of these two concepts!

During my trip to the Center of Portugal, I had a real crush on this little gem nestled in the castle of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval village overlooking a wide plain. Olympian calm and a view to die for! To open a book and curl up in a hammock.

Speaking of experience, Ana Berliner, the charming owner of Casa da Cisterna and her great team have prepared a surprise: a wilderness dinner atop a mountain overlooking Spain. Simple and elegant: one of the best memories of my stay in the Center!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Casa da Cisterna-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Room

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Intimate

The more I travel, fewer places where instantly, I feel really good! Beyond the decor, it is first a question of energy, space and light. Upon entering my room, I had this reassuring diffused sensation of clarity, sharpness and sweetness.

Each room is decorated differently. The facilities are new, with separate shower and toilet, and the bedding is impeccable. In a weekend, I removed 15 days of insomnia :)) Photo below: the golden morning light and breakfast on the terrace. I never tire of the view!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K             Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAP, A2Z Adventures, Historical Villages

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal and TAP. Many thanks to Ana Berliner and the lovely team of Casa Cisterna. As always these are my opinions.

Leave a comment

Posted in "On the road again", Fooding & Bars, Hotels

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Casa da Cisterna: un superbe accueil

Posted on May 3, 2016 | Leave a comment

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Village Historique

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

C’est le moment de reprendre la route Mademoiselle!

En Mars dernier, j’étais invitée en Suisse, à une conférence sur le voyage de luxe (bientôt un post). Une des problématiques était de définir le luxe aujourd’hui : nous étions tous d’accord pour parler d’expérience et de service. Et Casa da Cisterna représente à merveille ces deux concepts!

Lors de mon voyage au Centre du Portugal, j’ai eu un vrai coup de foudre pour ce petit bijou dans l’enceinte du château de Castelo Rodrigo, un village médiéval surplombant une large plaine. Calme olympien et vue à tomber! Ouvrir un bouquin et se lover dans un hamac.

En parlant d’expérience, Ana Berliner, la charmante propriétaire de Casa da Cisterna et sa superbe équipe nous ont préparé un dîner surprise en pleine nature au sommet d’une montagne avec vue sur l’Espagne. Simple et élégant : un des meilleurs souvenirs de mon séjour dans le Centre!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Casa da Cisterna-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Ma chambre

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Intimiste

Plus je voyage, moins il y a d’endroits où je me sens tout de suite vraiment bien! Au delà de la déco, c’est d’abord une question d’énergie, d’espace et de lumière. En entrant dans ma chambre, j’ai eu cette sensation diffuse et rassurante de clareté, netteté et douceur.

Chaque chambre a une décoration différente. Les installations sont neuves, avec douche et WC séparés, et la literie est impeccable. En un weeke-end, j’ai récupéré 15 jours d’insomnie : )) Photos ci-dessous : la lumière mordorée du matin et petit déjeuner en terrasse. Je ne me lasse pas de la vue!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K             Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Casa da Cisterna, Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAP, Historical Villages

Autres articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Un grand merci à Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal et TAP pour cette belle invitation. Et aussi à Ana Berliner et à toute l’équipe de Casa Cisterna. Comme toujours ce sont mes opinions, d’ailleurs de qui pourraient-elles être d’autre!

Leave a comment

Posted in "On the road again", Fooding & Bars, Hotels

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Centre of Portugal: Beautiful Hiking in Serra da Estrela

Posted on September 14, 2015 | Leave a comment

Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Central Plateau of Serra da Estrela

Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The road is pretty long,

two-hour drive from Casa da Cisterna to the natural park of Serra da Estrela, the largest protected area of Portugal: 101 000 hectares including a chain of mountains with a rare flora and fauna. And the highest top of Portugal that culminates at 1993 meters.

Today program: 19km (about 6 hours) of an easy mountain walk from the central plateau of the Estrela (classified as a biogenetic reserve) to Casa das Penhas Douras Hotel e Spa. 

Arriving at the car park, the set looks like a military base straight out of a movie about the Cold War (photo montage above). Very quickly we find ourselves on a trail and there I finally realize how much the view is absolutely stunning (photo below)! Let the adventure begin ; ))

Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-1A-Photo ©Joao Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Lagoons!

Even in the mountains, I need to see water, lol! Depending on the altitude, the landscape changes. At the beginning very steep, the landscape offers an impressive panorama on the glacial valleys (dating from 20,000 years), lagoons and granite rock formations. And further down, the scenery turns into green pastures. But water is everywhere, sometimes you can walk on a kind of waterlogged foam.

Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-14-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-10-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Carnivorous plants?

Photo above: a butterfly is trapped. I wouldn’t have seen, if an emeritus hiker had not showed us the “creatures” … Actually I expected larger plants. I am really not a naturalistic (lol), I love the space, silence and beauty of the landscape in the “big picture” …

A spectacular setting, by far my most beautiful and inspiring hiking of this short trip in the Center of Portugal, although I liked the natural reserve of Faia Brava too. Enjoy!  

Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-13-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-15-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-16-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-17-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-20-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-22-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Center-of-Portugal-Serra-da-Estrela-Mountain-Walk-in-the-Central-Plateau-23-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés – Thanks Joao for the picture 3.

Informations   

Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAP, A2Z Adventures, Historical Villages

Related posts: DESTINATIONS & HOW TO PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL  

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal et TAP. Thanks to our guide, Manuel Franco too. As always these are my opinions.

Leave a comment

Posted in "On the road again"

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,