Tag Archives: Tourism

Canary Islands: La Gomera

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A Litte Gem of 392 km2

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La Gomera, The Island To Discover

Hi everyone! I post this article on the front page of the blog again. A bit of outdoors, dreams and escape for these long fall and winter months ... I hope this can help you organize a visit to the stunning La Gomera ! Enjoy ! 

In the early evening, we dock in the small port of San Sebastian de La Gomera, designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. A short trip from Tenerife: 50 minutes to contemplate the calm ocean in the amber light of a beautiful sunset. After collecting a rental car, we will drive to the historic Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera” which overlooks the city of San Sebastian (photos below), offering magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. I will never tire of my stay at this hotel.

Day 2: after picking up our great guide Andrea, we cross the island from east to west to reach the port of the Valle Gran Rey village, where we embark on a small boat in order to observe the whales. Rather, it will be happy dolphins and above all spectacular views of the rugged coastline made up of stratified rocks plunging steeply into the emerald water. Unfortunately I don’t have time for a scuba dive. Then a lunch of excellent fish in the village and back on the road to go to a Laurasilva forest (endemic to the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores), in the Park of Garajonay.

Day 3: the landscapes are impressive and it is also better to know how to drive in the mountains, because in places the driving is “sporty”. Early this morning, guided by Andrea, we head to the center of the island: the Bosque del Cedro hiking trail in Garajonay Park, for a short and invigorating 1.5 hour walk in the forest. Then return to the car and depart to Agulo, in the north of the island. Before, we stop at El Alto de Garajonay, the highest point of La Gomera (1484 meters). Incredible 360 ​​° view, including a breathtaking view of the famous El Teide volcano in Tenerife! I also really liked the lunar landscape (red earth without vegetation) which leads to the Mirador de Abrante, in the municipality of Agulo.

Day 4: our last morning and we have to take the ferry back to Tenerife, with the desire to stay in La Gomera and discover more about this island with a tragic past and a stunning nature. After the frantic pace of our activities of the previous days, we have a relaxing break at the Riu Buenavista in Tenerife. The recently renovated hotel offers an airy setting, where it is pleasant to stroll and enjoy the beautiful sunsets. I really appreciate the new decoration too, very boutique hotel. In our room, we have an amazing view of the ocean and La Gomera !! Without forgetting the quality of the buffets with very good fish.

                             Enjoy the travel's pictures below !

Day 1: Our Hotel, The Parador Nacional de Turismo “Conde de la Gomera”

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Day 2:

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Day 3:

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Day 4: Back To Tenerife & The Riu Buenavista

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Spainish Tourism, La Gomera Travel, Hotel Riu Buenavista

Related articles : Destinations

Many thanks to the Spanish Tourist Office / Oficina de Turismo de España and La Gomera Travel for this beautiful invitation. Many thanks to Riu Buenavista too. As always, these are my opinions.

France : Relaxing Weekend in Canet-en-Roussillon

Let’s Dream of Escape 

Hi everyone! I put this old article about Canet-en-Roussillon back on the front page, because I need and believe you too, we need to dream at this beginning of spring 2021! We need sunshine and be inspired by beautiful pictures. Direction the south south of France.

Welcome To Occitanie!

What to do during a 3-day weekend? First, disconnect, take the time, enjoy smiling people! As soon as we arrive, we lunch facing the beach and the Mediterranean at the spa restaurant of the Les Flamants Roses hôtel. The light is blinding, super blue sky; it is hot, very hot;. In the afternoon, we follow with a refreshing sailboat ride on “la mer qu’on voit danser / the sea that we see dancing” (Charles Trenet, for the next generations, lol!). Contemplative mood and mild euphoria. In the evening, dinner of Occitan specialties in a restaurant with a very nice plant setting (photomontage of Day 1 below).

Day 2 : the day before, I accepted the challenge of cycling for sixty kilometers from Canet-en-Rousssillon, escorted by a very athletic friend and two other experienced cyclists as guides. Needless to say, I’m the only one on an electric bike? Departure at dawn: we cross beautifull landscapes, including the pond of Canet-en-Roussillon and its picturesque fishermen’s huts, vineyards, a lake and a few villages. The day is also dedicated to the Occitan gastronomy with a lunch and dinner in two excellent restaurants: the Bouchon Catalan and the Vigatane. A delight! At the end of the afternoon, we join the guided tour on the theme of the history of the village of Canet-en-Rousssillon.

Day 3 : we spend a long time at the really cool beach club La Cala, where we have lunch under the canisses. Canisses are a kind of roof made by wicker, bamboo or reed stick together to protect you from the sun. They represent the south for me! The decor and the atmosphere are very nice. Around 2 p.m., we go to Perpignan for a two-hour express visit. I really liked the Hyacinthe Rigaud Art Museum in a beautiful mansion, with a beautiful collection of Catalan gothic art, but also baroque and modern art paintings, and Maillol sculptures in the shady small garden. At the end of the afternoon, return to the superb lake of Canet-en-Roussillon with a member of the coastal conservation team who made us aware of the bio-diversity of the site.

                                Enjoy the travel's pictures below !

Jour 1 : Breathing, Sun & Sea

Day 2 : Bike, Gastronomy & Culture

Day 3 : Beach, Nature & Art

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Office du tourisme de Canet en Roussillon

Autres articles : Destinations

Many thanks to the Canet-en-Roussillon Tourism Board for the beautiful invitation. As always, theses are my opinions.

Japan, 48 Hours in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari-taisha

  

Direction Fushimi

  

The Famous Shinto Sanctuary

For our first morning, we wake up at dawn. From Kyoto station, we take a local train to the south of Kyoto, Fushimi. This is my third visit to Kyoto and surprisingly, my first visit to the famous Shinto shrine Fushimi Inari-taisha dedicated to Inari Okami, the deity of rice crops, abundance and joy.

We arrive before 8 am, but the site is already full of many visitors: tourists and schoolchildren. Without thinking too much, we head to the hypnotic red and black Torii, the giant doors of Shinto shrines. The engraved inscriptions on Torii represent the names of the donors and the dates.

On a slope of the Inari mountain, segments of aligned Torii climb to the summit (233 meters), to go down by another side (see the map of the sanctuary on the last photo below). Naively, we thought the climb would be fast. In fact, it really climbs. There are several levels and some offer a panoramic view of Kyoto (photo below). 

As we get closer to the summit, there are fewer and fewer people. Till finally feeling a contemplative calm among these Torii surrounded by nature. I am cradled by an orange light on an intense green background. Yes I’m back to Japan! Kind of weird, the way back from the top to the bottom of the mountain seemed longer. Plan for the whole visit, an entire morning if you do not like to hurry (and have time to take your pictures alone).

  

Shop the style

    

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Fushimi Inari-taisha, JNTO

Planning your trip to Japan with Exclusif Voyages

Direct flights from Brussels and Paris to Japon with ANA

Related posts : DESTINATIONS