Tag Archives: Tourism

Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa in Madeira, Portugal

Saccharum-Hotel-Resort-&-Spa-Calheta-Madeira-Portugal-Seaview-From-My-Room-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Good Morning Madeira!

What a view from my deck! It’s been a while since I haven’t been excited by a new hotel! The Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa is opened for few months. As I’m not jaded, just a little demanding, it’s always nice to discover a new place I really enjoy!

The room is spacious and minimalist as I like: impeccable bedding, well thought out large shower and separate toilet spaces, with sliding panels. Mix of gross concrete, tinted glass and wood. And the view! Yes I am a girl “of the sea”, I grew up on a beautiful island! So nothing will ever equal the pleasure of watching the sea or ocean!

Saccharum-Hotel-Resort-&-Spa-Calheta-Madeira-Portugal-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Terraces and Swimming Pools

Saccharum-Hotel-Resort-&-Spa-Calheta-Madeira-Portugal-6A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Here are my preferred spots to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and the small marina! The hotel is located in Calheta on the southwest coast of Madeira. Not forgetting the beautiful infinity pool on the fifth floor, surrounded by hills! Then difficult to take off to visit Madeira. Lazy Mademoiselle Le K, LOL! Believe or not, I didn’t have time to go to the spa!

The Saccharum By Night

Saccharum-Hotel-Resort-&-Spa-Calheta-Madeira-Portugal-7A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A monumental entrance, “the diva way“! The interior design of the Saccharum is signed by Nini Andrade Silva that I had the luck to interview during my trip! I like her way of dramatizing the space with few elements, gigantic photos and playing with chiaroscuro lighting (I hate places with strong lights!). 

Creativity, simplicity and elegance. And most important is you feel good and welcome!

Saccharum-Hotel-Resort-&-Spa-Calheta-Madeira-Portugal-2B-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Saccharum-Hotel-Resort-&-Spa-Calheta-Madeira-Portugal-3A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Saccharum Hotel – Resort & SpaVisit Madeira, Visit Portugal & TAP

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal and TAP. As always all my opinions are my own.

The Center of Portugal: Viseu, Faia Brava & Castelo Rodrigo

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Oporto via Lisbon

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The Journey

Our flight to Oporto is not direct. During the stopover in Lisbon, we walk from the airport to Expo for a coffee facing the Tagus. Euphoric blue sky! The LIGHT, brightness of Portugal … Picture above: the Oriente Station of the Spanish famous architect Santiago Calatrava.

Arriving in Oporto, we met Manuel, the guide of our next walks in the mountains. After the flight, the highway towards Viseu, the city with the best quality of life in Portugal. 

Viseu

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Viseu-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Petiscos For Lunch,

the Portuguese tapas, in the covered terrace of the cozy Maria Xica restaurant (photos above). The atmosphere is cool, young customers and good electro music and superb view of the historic center of Viseu.

While new dishes are following, I take a short time to take some pictures of the impressive Viseu Cathedral Sé and lazy terraces (photos below). Under a blazing sun, we leave the beautiful Viseu, for the Natural Reserve of Faia Brava, it’s already 4 p.m.  

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Viseu-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Center of Portugal-Viseu-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Faia Brava

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Our First Walk 

Golden light of late afternoon. A landscape that recalls more the Mediterranean than the Atlantic. The Reserva Natural da Faia Brava is well known for bird watching, especially the various species of vultures.

Manuel guides us to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking several hills (first photo and pictures below). No vulture, just wild horses: gorgeous shiny coat and totally indifferent to our presence. Nobody cares little men, what perspective …

We walk on hilly trails lined with bushes. I don’t want to leave, it is already more than 7 p.m. and we hit the road. Road movie!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Reserva da Faia Brava-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Castelo Rodrigo

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Sleek Casa da Cisterna 

is nestled in the castle of Castelo Rodrigo, the medieval beautiful village on a hilltop. You can feel out of time and in a new world. And I sorely lack time to take pictures of the village. I need to check in. 

Upon our arrival, Anna, the owner of Casa da Cisterna and her team, do their best to please us. I go to my room and what a pleasant surprise! Simplicity, comfort and attention to detail (more in a coming post)! Each object is arranged with taste. 

To be perfectly honest, I’ve never been disappointed by the Portuguese hospitality. We have dinner on the terrace with a XXL view of the village and countryside (photos below). A feeling of fullness. Recharging the batteries before our next nature walk tomorrow. To be continued …

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Casa da Cisterna-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Casa da Cisterna-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Visit PortugalTCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAPA2Z AdventuresHistorical Villages

Related posts: DESTINATIONS & COMMENT PREPARER SON VOYAGE  

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal et TAP. Thanks to Manuel Franco and the team of Casa Cisterna too. As always these are my opinions.

Thessaloniki, Greece: Shopping, Creative Tour and Outdoor Cafes

Shopping & Creative Tour

Thessaloniki-Greece-Fashion & Beauty Shopping-Outdor coffe-Marina Konstantinou-Lou-Nail Bar-Hotel Daios-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Glam shopping in Proxenou Koromila Street

and its surroundings. To help, the street behind the Daios hotel (located in the waterfront). A mixture of a myriad of trendy cafes and posh shops. There you find international brands (like Vuitton, Tod’s, Dolce & Gabbana …) and multi-brand shops and local designers. Above picture : necklace of Marina Konstantinou. Hippie chic Tunic in the showcase of Lou. And the famous Lefas hairdresser (hair salon with a L.A. vibe).

Thessaloniki-Greece-Koupni Coffe & Crafts-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Drink An Iced Coffee While Making Your Souvenir Bag

DIY! Yes, I did it (above picture): the painted and sequined designs represent the iconic monuments of Thessaloniki! In the old town, opposite the ruins of the Greek agora and the Roman forum, Koumpi Coffe & Crafts is a cafe with a creative workshop. You can have different iced coffees (a Greek specialty), while choosing a creative kit. Really fun: my buddies and I had big laughs and even the boys made jewelery! And the result is far nicer than those cheap souvenirs made in China! 

Thessaloniki-Greece-reative Tour & Shopping-by Hand Peak- Art Gallery-Now by Yorgos Maraziotis @Nitra Gallery-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Discover the creative Thessaloniki

If you have little time and want to discover another side of the city (insider spots), do not hesitate to book a tour with Handpeak. After the Koumpi Coffe & Crafts: the visit of a new contemporary art gallery, the Nitra Gallery. Photo above (courtesy of the Nitra Gallery): an installation of Yorgos Maraziotis (Neon, 150×40 cm). Then we continue through several workshops shops.

My favourite :  Object2Repair, a deco vintage shop that also repairs furniture and lighting (below picture of the lighting). Margaritarenies, a small shop of jewelry made by two designers with the same first name Margarita (below picture of the hand). And if your boyfriend and you are a kind of wannabe rockstars, have a look at the guitar repair and manufacturing shop: Alfa Handcrafted Guitars. And you may come back from Thessaloniki with your guitar (lol)!

Thessaloniki-Greece-Creative Tour & Shopping-by Hand Peak- Art Gallery-Nitra Gallery-Margaritarenies Jewels-Object2Repair-Vintage-1C-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Outdoor Cafes

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Navona Ristorante-@Makedonia Palace-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Culture of Outdoor Cafes

Outdoors cafes are absolutely everywhere! Often full. Morning by the seniors and then by everyone. Thessaloniki is a student city, with lively and busy streets until late at night. Above pictured: the terrace of Navona Restaurantopen from 9:30 am to 2 am, where I relaxed much of the afternoon facing the sea, with an excellent fresh orange juice ; ) 

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-To Palio Hamam-Cafe-Bar-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Lovely View of The Bei Hamam’s Rooftops

This outdoor café and bar offers a unique view on the roofs of the old Turkish baths, built by Sultan Murad II in 1444 (above pictures). Unfortunately you can not visit this historic monument, but you can admire the roofs with a drink at the To Palio Hamam Cafe-Bar. Too bad I didn’t have time to return at night (I was too busy, too much to see!)!

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Near The Seafront-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Going to the statue of Alexander the Great, 

I discovered Dentrospito (Tree House): this bar under the trees, has a very nice atmosphere. Really cool spot, with a seaview (above photo montage)! As it was full, we walked on Nikis Avenue, munching Greek traditional pastry (forget diet baby!)..

The other place I’d have liked to taste some veggie sushi, is the Roots. The only vegetarian restaurant in Thessaloniki that also serves cocktails in the evening (below pictures)!

And you, what are your favorite outdoor cafes, shopping and activities in Thessaloniki? 

Thessaloniki-Greece-Outdoor Cafe-Roots-Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant-Bar-Cocktails-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association & Ryanair

From Ryanair flies to Thessaloniki and ten other destinations in Greece including Athens and Santorini.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOW TO PREPARE YOUR TRAVEL  

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Greece, Thessaloniki Hotels Association and Ryanair. As always these are my opinions.