Urban spring getaway: chasing away the dreariness!
The degrees are rising on the thermometer, but the melting snow has turned the green spaces into lovely mud puddles... No doubt about it, spring is here! I'm certainly not the only one with a hankering for a spring vacation I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to a spring vacation: a breath of fresh air is blowing through my veins, and I really need to get out and about. The great thing about Laval is that you can take a staycation without having to drive too far!
Whether you're on a romantic getaway or with friends, I've got a little tour that's so much fun, you'll want to do it more than once a year. you'll want to repeat the experience more than once a year I'm sure you will!
Looking for an original way to get started? Immersia Laval!
Once again, a first for me! I had never never had the chance to play an escape game before... before... But let me tell you, it's not not the last time! The scenarios offered by Immersia all looked to be equally fun, but the one but the one I tried, "The Game Show", REALLY blew me away. Show" REALLY blew me away.
Since I don't want to ruin the punchI won't not reveal all the details, but I can guarantee guarantee that my neurons got their workout after finally SUCCESSFULLY escaping : i was hot! How proud I am to leave the room when there are only a few minutes left on the on the clock, fiou!!! I so suggest that you take a look, it's the ideal opportunity to work as a team and have a lot of fun!
Where to dine? At Gatto Matto!
If you fancy continuing your glamorous escapade, it's definitely at the Gatto Matto for dinner! This restaurant has been a favorite of mine ever since it opened.. Once again, the coquettish, vintage decor vintage, makes the experience even better! The cocktail menu: a MUST-see, as many are unique creations and frankly delicious.
If you're hesitating between all the choices on offer, let me guide you: for starters, the grilled octopus is simply stunning! And what about the tuna tartare? Oh, my, god. Then it's a choice between pasta and pizza (and many other options, of course!). Accompanied by a good glass of wine, you're sure to find what you're looking for! I really ravioli stuffed with ricotta and goat's cheese, wild mushrooms and a creamy port sauce.. Scuse mebut this dish is to die for!
Where to sleep? At Grand Times Hotel
It's just me who had never set foot in this superb hotel? WOW! As soon as I arrived in the lobby, I felt felt like I was somewhere else: luxurious, imposing decor, a modern modern and artsyWe love it! In fact, it's the perfect place to play the jet-set for a night or two. or two. The establishment is the most recent in the hotel chain. hotel chain, with a swimming pool and fitness room training room!
The Vertige King sequel is absolutely ma-gni-fi-que. It's like New York with the city views and huge windows windows in the room! The modern, muted decor creates the perfect atmosphere for rest and relaxation. A well-deserved good night's sleep!
Where to eat? At Café Ricardo!
As well as having a lovely boutique section, Café Ricardo is the perfect blend of a cute little café and a succulent spot brunch spot fancy! The choices on offer are truly out of this world, and that's what makes this place so original. We sampled a waffle with duck confit (!!!) and a croque-madame with mushrooms & porchetta. One word only: DIVINE! With a salted caramel latte in hand, I was absolutely delighted to discover this restaurant!
Last but not least, get active at climbing center Le Crux!
Don't be afraid of the title Le Crux climbing center in Laval isn't just for route climbing, it's actually a bouldering center. This huge space is designed to welcome anyone wishing to learn to climb, or even to train for competitions, for those with a little more experience.
Being a complete novice myself, we were able to take a guided tour with one of the owners, Jean François. It was very useful in helping us better understand this sport, which is still relatively unknown! It's a common misconception that you have to be SUPERRRR fit to take up bouldering, but no! Of course, you need to work on your technique, but some routes are easier than others. The V0, V1 and V2 are perfect for taking it easy and having fun at the same time.
Allow me to share with you Jean-François' words, which I found particularly pertinent!
"Bloc is an individual-social sport. Everyone's there to help and encourage each other, while at the same time working on their own to beat their personal records. It's a great way to perform while sharing tips with other enthusiasts!"
It's easy to forget that you can get a change of scenery by going just about anywhere! Visit next time you're in the mood for a little getaway, think LAVAL ☺