Tag Archives: Terrace

Our Second Roadtrip in Andalusia, Spain: Cádiz

Stunning Architecture

A Walk In The Old Town

Finally in Cádiz on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia! We left the surroundings of Malaga around 10 a.m. this morning. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful deserted beach in Tarifa. Then on the road, we allso stopped at another beautiful beach in a natural reserve lost in the middle of nowhere. In short, we arrive in the historic center of Cadiz in the middle of the afternoon. Better late than never! 

Big crush for the city: the seaside reminds me Havana! The old buildings are superb. The pace is indolent in the oldest city of the West founded by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago. A movie set in a soft light, without tourists at this time of the year. The old town is small, we quickly made the tour: I take pleasure in losing myself in its streets and take the same route several times.

        

Castillo de San Sebastián

While we are looking for a café overlooking the ocean, we come across an entrance to this fortress surrounded by water (left photo below): the Castillo de San Sebastián. A very pleasant walk where we can see another point of view of Cádiz (first photo of the article). 

  

The Outdoor Café

  

Very cool, close to the cathedral of Cádiz and facing the ocean: the dream! On the left, when you are facing the Cathedral (back to the ocean). Relaxed atmosphere and great panoramic view! Excellent green olives with our drinks, I don’t want to return to Malaga (our base for this second roadtrip in Andalusia).

And if we stayed in Cadiz, darling? “The beauty of Cadiz has velvet eyes, Chi-ca! Chi-ca! Chic! Ay! Ay! Ay!“, translation: “The beauty of Cadiz has velvet eyes, Chi-ca! Chi-ca! Chic! Ay! Ay! Ay! ” (by Luis Mariano). Sorry (not sorry), I couldn’t help myself! Lol! A little vintage operetta. To be continued beautiful readers … 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Portugal, Cascais: The Oitavos Hotel

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50 Shades of Blue

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Weekend with Friends

I like going by car to Cascais on the Marginal road (20-30 minutes from Lisbon) to see the seaside. The brightness reminds California. Weekend “staycation” with my BFF at The Oitavos located in the middle of a beautiful pine trees. We take the opportunity to go visiting friends and the “Point of View” exhibition in Sintra.

Surprise while arriving: the super modern hotel is huge! And it largely fills my insatiable need for space, outside/inside, lobby, lounge, bar, restaurant, terraces, pool (photos below), corridors and the room! Bikini break, my HQ: the infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and pines tilted by the wind! “Comment vous dire, tout est bleu” (: “How can I describe you, everything is blue”) … even the glasses of my fly sunglasses! 

Photos above: 1. Tadam: flies sunglasses! A mini trails that lead to the pool for those who like to complicate life (LOL) because there are more direct access! 2 and 3. The intimate breakfast terrace as printing a picnic in the countryside. 4. Gosto muito minhas Havaianas offered by my BFF who just came back from Brazil.

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The Spa

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Open to Nature

Early in the morning, when the water in the outdoor pool is freezing, I go to the warmer seawater pool in the Spa (photo above). Then I switch between jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath whose windows offer amazing views of the landscape. I would have tried a treatment, but it was closed. 

Photos below: 1. The pool! 2. My favorite sandals on the blue floor of the room terrassse. 3. My “cowgirl from the beach” silhouette (whith straw hat and beach bag and Balinese sarong) to go to the spa. 4. Really cool at the end of the day: I enjoyed having a drink and big laughs with friends under this parasol of the Atlântico Pool Bar. 5. My postcard ; ))

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The Lounge

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The Ipsylon Restaurant

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Gourmet Dinner

I like the minimalistic design and volumes. For the cuisine, it is the same. I should be able to find the flavor of each ingredient. I am not a gourmet, but I am curious. What a pleasure to discover at the Epsylon restaurant, the delicate blend of traditional Portuguese cuisine and French cuisine, elaborated by the French chef Cyril Devilliers!

Photos above: 1. Epsylon Restaurant & Bar. 2. The delicious first meal consists of a crayfish with asparagus after excellent appetizers and the traditional bread accompanied by olive oil. 3. The delicious fish with vegetables. 4. The Friday and Saturday nights, the bar turns into the Japanese Bar where you can eat estra fresh sushi and sashimi prepared in front of customers.

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A Room with a View

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Bathed in Light

The first day while entering in the room, I was immediately sensitive to the view! And of course the 40 square meters space and bathroom (photos below)! Open volumes, a gradient blue and white shades, nomadic furniture (on wheels), the bay window … I breathe!

Spotless bed: I fell asleep like a baby watching a Brazilian telenovela! I never watch TV, so you can imagine a telenovela! No comment please!  

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That’s the kind of bathroom overlooking the terrace I would like to have at home! With Japanese WC (photo below)! Light and space (I repeat myself)! The originality: the blue!

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Many thanks to The Oitavos for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Le Pashmina in Val Thorens, France

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The Hotel

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New Concept & Hotel

While our driver takes a road along Lake Annecy (stunning panorama), the path seems long, but I didn’t sleep the night before. The Pashmina is the new 5 star luxury Small Hotels of the World, Val Thorens.

It’s always very exciting to be invited to the opening of a new hotel, new concept … Upon entering the main hall, very bright with a modern and friendly fireplace: the atmosphere is relaxed with welcoming smiles.

On the above photo montage: at the same floor, the ski room and Ski Shop by Goitschel, where you can order customized ski shoes or slippers. The shop Le Colporteur has a nice selection of teas. No time to stay more, I barely have time to discover my room before lunch.

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The Bar & Lounge

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Cosi Before & Après Ski Spot

A place to chill and have a drink with friends (pictured above) … I wish I wedge myself in one of the large deep chairs with a good book, lulled by the gentle ambient light … but I have thousand activities that await me!

What a pity there is too much wind on the terrace with direct views of the slopes to bask in the sun (first photo of the post and photo below to view)! It will be for the Folie Douce (LOL)!

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The Spa

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We relax at the spa. The jacuzzi (1), massage room (2, L’Occitane products used), sauna (3) and swimming pool (4) have panoramic views of the slopes and the mountain. Awesome!

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Le Refuge Restaurant

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A Little Hungry?

The menu was developed by Romuald Fassenet, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and Chef of the Mont Joly castle (in Sampans, France) and Josselin Jeanblanc. On the black and white picture: from left to right, Josselin Jeanblanc, Romuald Fassenet and the pastry chef, Sébastien Deléglise.

A thousand words, I leave you devouring gaze these pictures, enjoy! ; )) See you on the slopes (next post) …

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Many thanks to the team of the Pashmina hotel for the great time. I was invited by the Pashmina hotel and as always my opinions are my own.