My little jubilee, the 50th country visited was Liechtenstein. And boy what a ceremony happened. The Principality of Liechtenstein and the Swiss Confederation were celebrating the 100 years of their common Dounae contract. We were about to cross the bridge that was built over the river Rhine, but we were stopped as the celebration was just…
Krapina is my hometown. Zagorje runs through veins. Kajkavian dialect is spoken out loud by my core. So please, allow me to show you a portion of heaven given to us people from Zagorje to enjoy, nourish, and remain proud. Krapina Krapina was first mentioned in 1193. It has always been a favorite site for…
This is a post of a lovely, walkable city that will charm all wine, gastronomy and history lovers. From Markets to Mustard! This capital of Burgundie is calling you to get all its tastes. And you will not know all of these existed! The province was home to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until…
Avignon is a city on the Rhône river in the south of France. It is surrounded by walls of Avignon (French: Les Remparts d’Avignon) – a series of defensive stone walls that were originally built in the 14th century during the Avignon papacy and have been continually rebuilt and repaired throughout their subsequent history. We entered through Porte Saint-Michel. The…
This historical province of southeastern France, extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It largely corresponds with the modern administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur . The largest city of the region and its modern-day capital is Marseille. Known for its diverse landscapes, miles of…
Michel de Notre-Dame, as we all know as Nostradamus, was an apothecary by profession, and published in the year 1555 a book called Les Prophéties (The Prophecies). In his collection of 942 poetic quatrains, he predicted various future events that experts, and many amateurs, find a way of interpreting into related events occurring in the present day. Some historical evidence suggests…
This is going to be a short post. Sanremo is a city on the west coast of Italy, in the province of Liguria. It is the capital of the Riviera dei Fiori or Riviera of Flowers. Its casino also makes it a sort of Italian version of Monte Carlo. This large building in Art Nouveau…
Vivid green pesto, great wine and fabulous walks … Genoa is a city of indulgence. Driving in the city, noticing it’s fabulous big secession buildings it reminded me of the importance of Italy: banks, trades, imports of goods and businesses… Genoa was a medieval rival to Venice. It’s not been primped for tourists like Venice, though.…
Rapallo was never on my list. I never thought there could actually be something about this city. It lies on the Ligurian Sea coast, just between Cinque Terre and Genoa. As a girl from Croatia, I know it from the history books as the Treaty of Rapallo was signed there, in Villa Pagana, formerly known as Villa Spinola. A treaty…
The five Cinque Terre villages are situated in northern Italy on the Mediterranean Sea, just 3 hours by train from Milan, Pisa and Florence. I have arrived by car and totally enjoyed the national park that spreads across the five villages. La Spezia My journey started in La Spezia. This was the very first stop as I…
Tintine was slowly climbing up the hills of San Marino. Not much pressure should have been put on this car as she had enough of the shocks in the last year or two. The hills around us were rising and soon we found ourselves surrounded by an amazing view. It was San Marino surrounded by…
My Life in Sicily finished after a year spent on this island. It was time to turn on my Tintine (a beautiful red car), hop on a ferry and say goodbye. I was nostalgic as a was driving through Reggio Calabria. But soon I was in Puglia – the region with the best Italian cheeses.…
After Marseille, the next stop was St Tropez. Saint Tropez I was sitting in the train and watching the beautiful landscape of the French Riviera: the blue sea below me […]
I was sitting in the train and watching the beautiful landscape of the French Riviera: the blue sea below me and red rocks above the other side.
The first arrival was actually the city of Hyeres where we changed to bus connection towards Saint Tropez.
I found Saint Tropez amazing cute medieval city on the hill. Except that is now overcrowded with rich peeps and their yachts. So, soon you found yourself sitting in the riviera, having your drink with the view on the seaside, except there is no sea as it is blocked by the huge yachts.
This small town on the French Riviera was a military stronghold and fishing village until the beginning of the 20th century. It was the first town on this coast to be liberated during World War II as part of Operation Dragoon. After the war, it became an internationally known seaside resort for the European and American jet set and tourists.
The town owes its current name to the early, semi-legendary martyr Saint Torpes. The legend tells of his decapitation at Pisa during Nero’s reign (Roman Empire), with his body placed in a rotten boat along with a rooster and a dog. The body landed at the present-day location of the town.
Muslim influence to the city architecture
In the 10th century it became an Arab Muslim colony dominated by the Saracens but the conra fire started soon by William I, Count of Provence, lord of Grimaud. So the city was deliberated but poor. The Count had connections with Geneva and contacted wealthy Genoese gentlemen who sent a fleet of caravels carrying sixty Genoese families to the area. In return, Count René promised to exempt the citizens from taxation. 🙂
Cool trick, isn’t it?
The city became a small republic with its own fleet and army. Did you know that gendarmerie comes from there?
Gendarmerie show in Saint Tropez
Cannes
From Saint Tropez to Saint Raphael towards the city of Cannes! 🙂
Some 100 km away from Saint Tropez this city is the host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. So I needed to take the photo of myself in front of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
The city is known for its association with the rich and famous, its luxury hotels and restaurants.
We firsty made a walk through the Promenade de la Croisette.
Palms at Promenade de la Croisette
La Croisette is known for picturesque beaches, restaurants, cafés and boutiques.
Established by the Greeks in 2nd century BCE to be a fishing village used as a port of call between the Lérins Islands, and later captured by the Saracens until 16th century when it was etached from the monks who had controlled the city for hundreds of years and became independent.
Clock tower at La Suquet – the old village of CannesCorners of old Cannes
One of the most impressive things in Cannes was wandering through Le Suquet, the old town, climbing up the clock tower where it provides a good view of La Croisette.
This area is the original fishermans’ residential area of Cannes. The houses are all very old. The streets were laid out at least 400 years ago…
And again: plenty of restaurants! 🙂
Since my blog is named after the fairytale character, my dedication to the red colour and blond hair, I needed to take this picture on the left: La Chaperon Rouge!
The entire are is probably best known to tourists as the climbing, winding cobbled lane lined with local restaurants so the day was continued in this way until the perfect spot for having a dinner was found.
Then evening came and I saw the best firework in my life pre-empting the French anthem: La Marseillaise.
Nice
The very last day was reserved for Nice. This time no trains, no buses, no planes, but this:
The ride above Cote d’Azur
From the moment we landed to the Nice Heliport, I noticed couple of items like the one below. What to say but that I am glad Frenchies know against who they played in the finals. 🙂
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France and kinda reminds on Cannes as well.
Espace Jacques Cotta
First wander around were the 19th century buildings with typical mediterranean balconies. I guess this is the reason the city is nicknamed Nice la Belle.
Gin & tonic momentPlace Masséna
The sun was up in the sky with the temperature more than 36 degrees so the obvious refreshment was in the park Jardin de Albert 1er.
The area of today’s Nice whitnesses of a very early use of fire. Around 350 BC, Greeks of Marseille founded a permanent settlement and called it Nikaia, after Nike, the goddess of victory. Through the ages, the town has changed hands many times. Its strategic location and port significantly contributed to its maritime strength. For centuries it was a dominion of Savoy (I will make a hyperlink once I visit Switzerland, soon to be! 🙂 )
The natural beauty of the Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families took to spending their winters there.
The city’s main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais (“Walkway of the English”) owes its name to visitors to the resort.
After the Treaty of Turin was signed in 1860 between the Sardinian king and Napoleon III, the County was again and definitively ceded from Savoy to France as a territorial reward for French assistance in the Second Italian War of Independence against Austria.
So the visit to Vieux Nice started:
And somehow I found myself in the middle of the flea market with many interesting items – The Cours Saleya – the one of the central elements of daily life in Nice. The market place that features a vast array of products. In the market you’ll be able to find from collectible, handcrafted carvings to a wide variety of well-kept quality fruit and vegetables:
Getting lost among the dark, narrow, winding alleyways of Nice’s old town is a highlight. The layout has barely changed since the 1700s as the Baroque aficionados will adore architectural gems , just take a look:
The place is one of the city’s main attractions and a must-see for any visitor… Not particularly because of a huge amount of unmissable historical sites, but because it is a hive of activity, buzzing both day and night, which is ideal to wander around, to get lost in and to get a drink or a good traditional meal whilst enjoying the unmistakable baroque Mediterranean vibe
The more I was climbing upstairs, the the more I was involved in Medieval Nice ans the better view I had.
Climbing upstairs towards Parc de la Colline du Chateau was harsh under the heavy sun, but worth of the view on entire Nice and it’s beaches…
Somehow there was the Jewish cementary with many interesting monuments:
Just by Climbing up there you will pass through this beautiful Parc de la Colline de Chateau with the view on the ports of Nice:
The view was fabulous and made it clear why the place is called Coat d’Azzure:
The upper place was founded by the Greeks so you can find many mosaics with greeks motives:
Nice’s Old Town allows you to travel into the 1700s as you get lost in its narrow lanes and its architectural gems, such as the Cathédral Sainte-Réparate.
Somehow, I stumbled upon this palace as well, so I need to make a quick look 🙂 :
But I have to say that Old Nice is medieval, beautiful with the perfect moments to sit and relax, and have a drink or a meal in one of the bars or restaurants in the area whilst absorbing the Mediterranean vibes.
The last moments were used to enjoy the sun, Mediterranean vibes and the sea at the beach. The entrance costs 30 EUR and you just spread yourself all over the easy-chair. 🙂
I’d say that this place is very rich in history just by looking at how the buildings and homes are designed. Another lovely and informative post from you!
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Amazing pictures, they made me want to visit the South of France even more! Thank you for sharing!
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Outstanding! Thanks for sharing.
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Really amazing post
And the picture are really display the beauty
After reading this post i will definitely visit here
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I recently went to Cannes and Saint Tropez and you capture the area amazingly. Will have to go back to visit Nice!
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Beutiful view, breat pics nice article. thanks for that
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The best part about visiting these places is you get to simply wander around the alleyways and enjoy it’s beauty, right there.
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Your words and pictures spin a bewitching web. You make me want to plan my next holiday ASAP.
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Haven’t heard of this place before but this will be a great place and nice shots out there
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Amazing post Thanks 🙂
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Such a graet place for enjoy life moments.
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Great scenery it reminds me of Vancouver Canada.
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Sounds (and looks) like one heck of a brilliant trip!
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I’d say that this place is very rich in history just by looking at how the buildings and homes are designed. Another lovely and informative post from you!
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Glad you had such a great time! St Tropez looks stunning!
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Nice
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I would like to visit these places too.. among these 3, I like the Nice most
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Amazing pics, being from a coastal city myself I loved the Côte d’Azur pics a lot.
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Awesome
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nice article i like pictures!
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Such an amazing post with lovely pictures! I love South of France too ❤
Do check my blogs on https://mesmotsbysazz.com
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I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Superb work!
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Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post!
It’s the little changes that produce the greatest changes.
Many thanks for sharing!
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Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this information.
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Fantastic post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thanks!
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