An Ionian seaside town, Avola is a mix of old and new. The town focuses heavily on the sea, with its history as a tuna fishing port. Today, the remains of the Vecchia Tonnara at the wharf are a stone backdrop to the sandy beaches. Avola dates back to a pre-Greek people called the Sicani.…
Located about 11 kilometres north of Catania, it is the perfect little commune to visit during the ottobrata – the local festivity that occurs every October here in Sicily, celebrating the fruits of the land: frutti di terra. The first encounter went wrong already 🙂 Approaching the booth with fruit, I have noticed quince – one…
If something is worth visiting in life, it is the Aeolian islands. Becasue it makes you think about winter in the south. It makes you think about simplicity of life. And it makes you realise how not to treat the tourists: just some bags of potatoes that need to be shipped from one island to…
I haven’t had a chance to spent a bit more time discovering this city. But just a glimpse and it made me think to re-visit and make it’s due. When the time will come, I promise to update with more photos. But for now, enjoy the story 🙂 Several civilizations settled in Milazzo and left…
I didn’t expect much from this harbour city, to be honest. I knew they have a great beer – Messina cristali di sale: a great Sicilian beer brewed since 1923 and one of the most loved Italian beers. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy.…
Senlis is a city in the northern French department of Oise, Hautes de France. Cute, medieval and charming. It offered us great peek into history: The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. Senlis is situated on the river Nonette. Senlis was known in early Roman imperial times as Augustomagus. During the 3rd century, a seven-meter…
The Château de Chantilly is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France’s cultural heritage. It is the work of a man with an extraordinary destiny: Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. This historic French château located in the town of Chantilly, Oise, about 50 kilometres north of Paris. The site…
The Scala dei Turchi is a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte, near Porto Empedocle. It has become a tourist attraction, partly due to its mention series of detective stories about Commissario Montalbano. The cliffs lie between two sandy beaches and are a limestone rock formation in the shape of a staircase, hence the name. The latter part…
Picture this episode: we parked on a roundabout. Some local approached us (my brother and me) – we thought because we should have not park in a roundabout, but then again they all did, so… in fact the guy just wanted to ask if we have cigarettes. Ok Sicily, episode n. At the roundabout is…
Enna or as the Sicilians would say Castrugiuvanni; is a city located roughly at the center of Sicily, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned the nicknames belvedere (panoramic viewpoint) and ombelico (“navel”) of Sicily. At 931m above sea level, Enna is the highest Italian provincial capital. To arrive there is not a piece of cake. Passing the two viaducts Morello and…
From its dramatic natural surroundings to its historic churches, Sicily has something to offer every traveler. The island of Sicily is a unique part of Italy. Its craggy mountains, wild vegetation, and omnipresent sea have fired the imagination of poets, wayfarers, and visitors alike. Though it is one of 20 Italian regions, its history under…
Aci Castello and the other Acis around are destinations not to be missed in Sicily, especially for lovers of Greek myths and literature. It is here that the poets Virgil and Ovid gave birth to the myth of Galatea and Aci and their love story. In the second half of 1100 the town was destroyed…
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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