Tag Archives: Vacation

Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa in Madeira, Portugal

Posted on July 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

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.

Informations   

Saccharum Hotel – Resort & Spa, Visit 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.

Leave a comment

Posted in "On the road again", Decoration, Hotels

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

Thessaloniki, Greece: Restaurants and Nightlife

Posted on June 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

Restaurants

Thessaloniki-Greece-B-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

B. Restaurant

If you’re a fan of Mediterranean cuisine, you will be delighted in Thessaloniki! Here are some restaurants I’ve tested and much loved during my (too) short stay. Let’s start with B. the restaurant of the Byzantine Museum that I have unfortunately not visited for lack of time.

As soon as I came, I really liked the decoration of the courtyard and the cosy atmosphere (above and below pictures). The dishes prepared by award-winning chef Sotiris Evangelou change with the seasons. Excellent Mediterranean cuisine enhanced by French and Italian elements: tasteful, lightweight and gourmet.

Thessaloniki-Greece-B-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Daios Bar-Restaurant

Thessaloniki -Greece-Hotel-Daios-Luxury-Living-Gastronomic-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Located in Nikis Avenue, this restaurant of the Daios hotel offers a very pleasant view to the blue Mediterranean sea. Close to the famous Proxenou Koromila street (shopping area), the place is chic and casual.

The beautifully presented dishes are delicious (below pictures), inspired by a combination of modern Greek cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine. Excellent! I took the opportunity to visit one of the suites on the top floor with stunning sea views (yes the sea, always the sea!).

Thessaloniki -Greece-Hotel-Daios-Luxury-Living-Gastronomic-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Navona Restaurant

Thessaloniki-Greece-Navona-Restaurant-@Makedonia-Palace-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Interesting decor, I liked the circular bar and wall panels (above and below pictures). I had a very good dinner, we laughed a lot! The Navona is one of the Makedonia Palace restaurants, located on the waterfront.

Italian cuisine and friendliness: in my plate, a succulent grilled chicken with a very good pizza. Go there with friends or family. Unpretentious atmosphere. 

Thessaloniki-Greece-Navona-Restaurant-@Makedonia-Palace-Hotel-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Ouzou Melathron

Thessaloniki-Greece-Ouzou Melathron-Traditional-Food-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Ouzou Melathron is a classic in Thessaloniki, nestled in a quiet pedestrian street with empty bird cages hanging in the air. To discover traditional Greek cuisine in a Greek ambiance! The night I was there, Cretan customers danced the Sirtaki.

On the principle of meze, I’ve tasted many different dishes all very good (and a little greasy). Meatballs, salads with feta cheese and fresh vegetables, potatoes baked with lemon and olive oil … A treat!

Thessalonique by night

Thessaloniki-Greece-Bars-Nightlife-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Thessaloniki is a student city, full of bars and terraces where to go out at night. The best is yet to have a walk and choose a bar according to the inspiration of the moment. Go with the flow and enjoy!  

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.

Leave a comment

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

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

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

Posted on June 10, 2015 | 1 comment

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

Oporto via Lisbon

IMG_20150602_090550

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

Informations   

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

1 Comment

Posted in "On the road again"

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