Tag Archives: Vacations

Club Med Peisey-Vallandry, France: Ski, Activities & Heritage

The Daft Punk Mode

Maybe because of the goggles. It is the first time I wear a mask on my helmet! I am more glasses than mask, well I thought … I arrived yesterday for the press conference of the Skiing Into Spring event. And this morning, I join Gary my ESF ski instructor to discover a bit of the ski area of Peisey-Vallandry.

Then we swing by Les Arcs, at the Arc 1800. In one of my previous posts, I reviewed you the Lodge at Mille8 (Arc 1800). I really enjoy of the superb panorama with serrated mountains, nor skiing on the tracks lined with fir trees!  

 

Baroque Walk

  

The Gorgeous Notre Dame de Vernette Chapel

In the afternoon, my walk in snowshoes is canceled due to lack of snow. so I go along with a group of walkers. In the program, visit and heritage of the astonishing Notre Dame de Vernette chapel. A jewel of the Savoy baroque art, nestled at 1816 meters above the village of Peisey-Nancroix.

I highly recommend the guided tour organized by the Fondation Facim. Exciting!

    

Instrospection

Contemplative Mood

Beautiful scenery reminiscent of Japanese prints. A moment for me in communion with nature. This bench lost in the middle of nowhere brings more magic! But we have to go back to cars because the weather is becoming threatening.

Who said there was no snow?

Epic Back Home

Last day… already! It’s been snowing non stop since last night. What a surprise when I discovered the landscape from my room terrace (photo-montage above)! Finally everything is white and a few hours later, I leave the Clud Med village under heavy snowfall.

Who said there was no snow? LOL!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Skiing Into Spring, France MontagnesClub Med Peisey-VallandryTourism Office of Peisey-Vallandry

Related posts : LIFESTYLEDESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to France Montagnes and the Club Med Peisey-Vallandry for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions. 

France, Arcs 2000: Hotel Taj-I Mah

A Room With A View

The Pleasure of Mountain

Long live the skiing season! Few years ago, I’d never imagined I could like the mountain and ski as much! I am back in the French Alps, for the inauguration of the Taj-I Mah, the first 5-star hotel of Les Arcs 2000 at the foot of the slopes.     

Blue sky, snowy peaks bathed in bright light. It’s pretty difficult to leave my terrace. The air is invigorating with hypnotic view. The comfortable room is well soundproofed, a cocoon with impeccable bedding. The interior design reminds me the rooms of the Koh-I Nor in more intimate version (the same owners).  

The bathroom with its deep large bath, opens onto the bedroom and mountain view (a large sliding glass door allows to separate the two spaces, picture left above). I like the separate toilet in the entrance of the room.

  

Lunch at L’Atelier d’Eric

Between Activities,

I sit down at one of the hotel’s outside terraces (great!). Picture above: the long terrace of the lounge, where I am rocked by the warm rays of the sun. It quickly becomes really complicated to leave (LOL)! Except for discovering the menu of L’Atelier d’Eric, one of the two restaurants of the Taj-I Mah, under the leadership of the Chef Eric Samson.

I had lunch there a few times (pictures below): tasty simple inventive cuisine nicely presented. Excellent tuna prepared with scallops. I love  the Valrhona chocolate with pear dessert (picture below), a treat!

A Massage at The Spa

The Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi

have a panoramic view to the slopes and the peaks! The last two days, I made a long stop at the Cinq Mondes and Carita spa: 400 m2 including a sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, salt wall, showers, relaxation area and treatment rooms. The icing on the cake is the Cinq Mondes facial massage (inspired by Shiatsu) that relaxed my tensions in the neck and shoulders.

Dinner at The Diamant Noir

Voluptuous Dessert

The second evening, I have a dinner with a journalist friend at the Diamant Noir, the gourmet restaurant of the twice starred Chef Eric Samson. We start with an apetizer of raw tuna with egg yolk and cream. 

I don’t take any first meal. While reading the menu, I recognize one of the Koh-I Nor’s first meal I really recommend you: Grilled foie gras acidulated with the passion fruits and Savoy wine, Mango and Litchi. A surprising extremely fine dish! So delicious!

I choose the Supreme of Farm Poultry filled with foie gras, Périgueux sauce and potatoes. Really good and not greasy. When the dessert The Chocolate Caraïbe at 66% in Different Textures arrives, I capsize! It looks like a haute couture piece and tastes fantastic! Gorgeous!

  

The Ski

Finally!

Energic wake-up to the aurora and meditation on the empty icy main terrace of the hotel. I am happy, I will ski from 9 am to 11. I haven’t had the opportunity to discover the Paradiski ski area (which includes Les Arcs) yet. The previous days, I visited as a pedestrian a bit of the Arcs 2000 (altitude 2100 meters) and 1800

I couldn’t leave without making at least a morning of skiing! After being equipped at the ski shop of the hotel (picture below), I follow the ski instructor on slopes. First, we head to Les Arcs 1950 and cross the village in ski. Then we take the chairlift to the Col de la Chal (altitude 2600 meters). From where we ski to the Arc 2000 surrounded in a beautiful panorama. To be continued…

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the team of the Taj-I Mah and the Tourist Office of Les Arcs for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions.

Le Pashmina in Val Thorens, France

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Terracce-Sits-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Hotel

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Entrance-Fire-Place-Shop-Le-Colporteur-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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.

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-View-to-Ski-Slopes-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Bar & Lounge

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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)!

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-View-to-Ski-Slopes-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Jaccuzzi-Spa-L-Occitane-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-View-to-Ski-Slopes-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Le Refuge Restaurant

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Restaurants-Gastronomy-Chefs-Cocktail-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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) …

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Restaurants-Gastronomy-Chefs-Cocktail-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Pashmina Le Refuge

Related posts : for the hotel room, click HERE

HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

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.