Where to stay when in ... The Algarve

Bela vista Hotel & Spa

The winter is on it's way and even I do love Christmas, right now I'm longing for the three S's: Summer, Sun and Sea.  So why not dream a bit and make plans for next year holidays in Portugal? 
One of the places that it's definitely a visit worth, is the Bela Vista Hotel & Spa. A great hotel and spa situated in Portimão, at Praia da Rocha and just about a 45 minute car drive from Faro's airport.
The hotel was a family house in the 19th century and a few years ago has been redecorated by Graça Viterbo, one of Portugal's most known interior designers. 
The hotel is an immaculately preserved resort hotel where you can find relaxation and privacy surrounded by vibrant colours. Basking on the recliners around the very fine pool, or lounging on a beach with private access, this is the perfect place to while the time away. The murmur of the waves of the nearby ocean is a constant companion.
I was there last year in June and I can tell you, definitely the place to start when willing to discover this jewel we call Algarve - the region where I was born and raised. And don't forget to eat. We have have delicious food in Portugal!!!

                                      

                                 

Pictures: ByLendaLia

The Greatest Candle in the World - DIY

DIY of the week - Candles made out of used cooking oil

 

How often do we throw some used kitchen oil away?And how often do we know how this oil is gonna be treated afterwards? We all know about the impact - that used cooking - oil has on the environment right?


The Portuguese Mario Silva came up with the idea of creating candles from used oil, while he was working as a strategic planner on a multinational manufacturer of cooking oils. His purpose was to inspire people by using something they would waste, into something they could enjoy a bit longer and if this would help the environment than his goal had been definitely achieved.

So why don't we give it a try?

Found how to do this candles on the video below.

video via Youtube

Beside the used cooking oil you will need some candle powder that you can buy Here. Follow the instructions in the video and voilá! Your candle is done within 2 minutes. And you will have 30 hours of candle lightning pleasure.

If you don't feel like doing it yourself  and you want to help the environment anyway you can also buy them Here. Wishing you a great weekend!

Images via Standartwall

Home leave - Asia meets Europe

Yesterday I flew to Europe to spend a nice holiday with family and friends.
In total I will be here 7 weeks and I will be visiting 7 countries. Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Portugal. Am I meeting you somewhere?

The thing about being a German-Portuguese couple, who was living before we moved to Japan in The Netherlands and in Belgium makes us already having to visit 4 countries, during our home leave.
My husband and I love Scandinavia, where we will be attending in Lund the wedding of our lovely friends Karin & Christian. And to get to Lund we have to fly to Copenhagen. Once there we couldn't miss the chance to visit this beautiful and inspiring city one more time, right?



Further I'm looking forward to see Vienna for the first time, to enjoy Lisbon and the Algarve as much as I can.
My holiday will end up in Antwerp, where i will be seeing Alicia Keys live on concert. This is definitely the cherry on top of my cake! Nice things to look forward to!

Images via Pinterest 

I guess being in Japan made me realize how lucky we are in Europe. Where every country is so close to each other with so many possibilities to visit them all.
If you want to see what we are doing here, follow my adventures @lendalia on Instagram.

Have a great day!