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  • THE CULINARY CATHEDRAL OF SPAIN: SAN SEBASTIAN!
    31 March, 2017

    THE CULINARY CATHEDRAL OF SPAIN: SAN SEBASTIAN!

    Why only a little tip for so many highlights?…

    This small region of the Vasc Country (Guipuzcoa province) is a territory that offers a handful of culinary experiences and receives the highest recognistions in Spain…

    San Sebastian is a nest of a city sheltered between the sea and the mountain, where you wish to remain and never fly away…

    San Sebastian has so many great places to eat, that it is hard to fail…

    And besides the renown Michelin star chefs Arzak www.arzak.es and Martin Berasategui www.martinberasategui.com (both with their homonymous restaurants), and besides the renown “Pintxos” bars in the old town…

    …We propose the following tips:

    AKELARE by Pedro Subijana – 3 Michelin stars – Stunning sea views, so preferably would make for lunch.

    www.akelarre.net

    BODEGON ALEJANDRO – Traditional basque – In the old town of San Sebastian.

    www.bodegonalejandro.com

    REKONDO – Traditional basque cuisine with amazing wine cellar.

    www.rekondo.com

    We also recommend to stop in Getaria, a very nice fishing village close to San Sebastian,

    and have some barbecue fresh-caught fish in one of their restaurants.

    Mayflower restaurant (ASADOR MAYFLOWER) has lovely views of the port.

    San Sebastián in Google maps
  • Casa Bonay: Let’s have some fun
    30 March, 2017

    Casa Bonay: Let’s have some fun

    www.casabonay.com

    This space is what a perfect hotel-lounge should be.
    It’s a cocktail bar, it’s a high quality tea corner and also a cute informal restaurant.

    As a part of the cosy hotel CASA BONAY, here people feel just like at home.

    At Libertine, you find the perfect place for a casual meeting; a perfect place to spend an after-work drink, or simply a perfect place for a cool “solo” read-time.

    During summer they open the roof-top, best during the sunny mornings.

    Google maps
  • THE SPIRIT OF THE BELLE ÉPOQUE, BARCELONA
    30 March, 2017

    THE SPIRIT OF THE BELLE ÉPOQUE, BARCELONA

    www.hotelpalacebarcelona.com/spirit1919/

    Welcome back to the Belle Époque!

    Welcome to one of the most emblematic hotels in Barcelona since 1919 (the former RITZ , today reconverted as THE HOTEL PALACE BARCELONA).

    There is absolute no need to spend a fortune per night to enjoy a handful of highlights in one single corner of Barcelona…these are 4 of the top-of-the-class experiences you shouldn’t miss if you come here as a visitor  :

    1. THE BLUESMAN COCKTAIL BAR: Arguably one of the best intimate spots in town to taste a Scotch Whisky on the rocks, sitting on a red velvet arm-chair & enjoy in a very pettite commitee a live music band, every week, from Thursday to Saturday, from 2300 hrs to 0100 hrs.
    2. THE ROOF TOP TERRACE: Arguably some of the most imposing roof tops of Barcelona…a place to indulge during the warm sunsets.
    3. THE TEA SALOON: If you think you need to visit Versailles to feel the classical luxury at its best, well, you haven’t been here. If you feel that a classical high tea is only possible at London; well you haven’t been here either. Don’t hesitate to pop in for a drink, for an enjoyable read in a relaxed atmosphere or for a laid back chat with friends or customers….There is also a cosy restaurant called THE 19, next to the green house…because yes, there is a green house too!
    4. CAELIS RESTAURANT: A 1 star Michelin Restaurant headed by the french cheff Romain Fornell.

    Belle Époque…Belle de Jour, Belle de Nuit…

    Google maps

     

     
  • “LA CRÈME DE LA CRÈME” : THE COTTON-TRADING HOUSE-HOTEL, BARCELONA
    30 March, 2017

    “LA CRÈME DE LA CRÈME” : THE COTTON-TRADING HOUSE-HOTEL, BARCELONA

    An Autograph collection:

    www.hotelcottonhouse.com/en

    The Cotton House Hotel stands imposingly on the site of the former headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation “Fundación Textil Algodonera”, an emblematic 19th-century building in the neoclassical style which is a landmark in the city of Barcelona. Built on the orders of a family of the Catalan bourgeoisie when the textile industry was at its height, it was sold in the middle of the 20th Century to the Cotton Producers Guild which established its headquarters there with the aim of housing the highest possible number of cotton-producing bodies and services: the idea was to create a genuine Cotton House Hotel.

    Google maps

     
  • THE ONLY RELAIX CHATEAUX HOTEL IN BARCELONA!
    30 March, 2017

    THE ONLY RELAIX CHATEAUX HOTEL IN BARCELONA!

    www.hotelneri.com/en/

    This chic and exclusive boutique hotel, located in the heart of the old Jewish quarter, Hotel Neri Relais & Châteaux is set in two historical and aristocratic houses, being one of them a medieval palace from the XII century. The building’s original period charm has been preserved and enhanced by the hotel’s sophisticated interior design. Its design blends with relaxing music and sensual aromas to create a unique setting in this ancient area of central Barcelona. Also, Hotel Neri is a hotel with terrace, perfect to enjoy the city’s weather.

    Set right beside the city’s Cathedral, the Hotel Neri Relais & Châteaux lies just a short distance from the bustling Las Ramblas, la Boqueria market, the Picasso museum… Is the perfect place to discover Barcelona.

    The Hotel Neri Relais & Châteaux has been awarded with the distinction of Hotel Monument, a specialization of Barcelona’s Hotels Association which recognizes hotels that add value to the heritage of the city.

    Besides, Hotel Neri is the only hotel Relais & Châteaux in Barcelona, which makes it even more special and unique.

    Google maps
  • RESTAURANT LUA, MADRID
    24 March, 2017

    RESTAURANT LUA, MADRID

    LUA is a 1 Star Michellin restaurant that nicely surprised us a few years ago and still remains as on of our favourite picks in Madrid.

    Its nice atmosphere, decorative motifs and fine food has some reminiscence to the gracious Galician countryside.

    www.restaurantelua.com

    Google maps

     
  • LA BIEN APARECIDA, FROM SANTANDER TO MADRID
    23 March, 2017

    LA BIEN APARECIDA, FROM SANTANDER TO MADRID

    From Santander to Madrid, and from Madrid to Heaven…

    www.restaurantelabienaparecida.com

    LA BIEN APARECIDA, which is literally translated as THE WELL APPEARED, is deffinately  more than welcome in Madrid, even in a street which has a lot to offer already: (C/Jorge Juan).

    Light wooden colours, chilled atmosphere and occasionally quiet background music, the food here is regional from Cantabria, with a modern touch.

    This is a good pick for a relaxed lunch or dinner. It also has a summer terrace in Jorge Juan street.

    Google maps

     

     

     

     
  • EL PARAGUAS, MADRID (THE UMBRELLA)
    23 March, 2017

    EL PARAGUAS, MADRID (THE UMBRELLA)

    EL PARAGUAS

    www.elparaguas.com

    At the umbrella of a lovely street (Jorge Juan) which is situated at the heart of the most emblematic quarter of Madrid (Salamanca), one finds EL PARAGUAS restaurant: a fabulous, classical, elegant, upmarket site which is specialized in the culinary delights coming from the Asturias region (at the north of Spain, between Galicia & Santander area), such as sea bass fish and poached beans.

    Asturias is a region of Spain (with Gijon & Aviles as its 2 ports) renown not only for the high quality, but also for very generous portions…

    El Paraguas offers a generous quantity of atributes which makes it quite a high-light in Madrid.

    The restaurant TEN CON TEN in Ayala Street (we have a tip for it) belong to the same owners.

    Google maps

     

     

     
  • UNWIND & WINE
    23 March, 2017

    UNWIND & WINE

    HEREDAD SEGURA VIUDAS: D.O. PENEDES

    www.seguraviudas.es/en

    The influence of the sun and of the Mediterranean sea make this region a privileged territory for winegrowing, halfway between Barcelona and Tarragona.

    The beautiful Estate is situated in the heart of an appealing landscape surrounded by a stretch of vineyards with a family mansion & cellar at the edge….At the far background one can indulge the views  of the unique shapes and multi-peak Montserrat mountain range, which turns pink during sunsets.

    The visit to the cellar and the vineyards is a top of the class experience. It is not touristy, as it might be expected or compared with other famous cellars of the area.

    The Estate has an official passionate enologist called Jordi who walks you inside the vineyards and gives you all kind of technical and amene introductions about the soil, curiosities about the climbing vine plants, the grape varieties, the flora and fauna of the ecosystem…including a funny “sex confusion” of the wine butterflies.

    The tour inside the cellar is also very interesting as it is well preserved and has some modernist architectural designs such as the blue tile walls. The tunnels down the cellar are also worth it.

    And the best of all: the family mansion and its rich decoration with rich oil paintings split around the various living rooms.

    And talking about the living rooms, one could “live” there foreever…They serve a truly genuine and delicious catalan breakfast (or lunch…or dinner in summer) consisiting of fresh regional products which shouldn’t be missed…and its wine…and cava, ¡of course!

    Google maps

     
  • IBIZA, usually DEVIL…but it can also turn ANGEL
    8 March, 2017

    IBIZA, usually DEVIL…but it can also turn ANGEL

    IBIZA & its nicest quiet side over the clouds…

    CAN PUJOLET – Rural B&B over the cliffs…
    http://www.canpujolet.com/en/santa-ines-cliffs.html

    Google maps:

    https://goo.gl/maps/EgYWon1jqV52

     
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