Some rain, more rain and some more more rain and the hail one afternoon in Siena. O sole mio, dov’e sei? Otherwise, lots of fun, good food, chianti, lots of art and medieval history 🙂 So besides the sun that I haven’t found, Tuscany is best known for its rolling hills, which are populated by […]
Some large city in a hilly region in North Rhine-Westphalia, Wuppertal is a constellation of smaller towns on the high banks of the Wupper River. In the early days of industrialisation the Wupper Valley was a hotbed of nascent industry in a landscape of textile mills and coal mines. The wealth that these businesses brought […]
What’s the first image that springs to mind when you think of Switzerland? If it’s cheese, chocolate, banking, or mountains, then you have the same impression of the country as most people. To the reality of these stereotypes, I am adding some more. Stereotype number 1: You know how they say that Switzerland is super […]
Regensburg Best visiting is the golden hour visiting – every corner seems enlightened, every rooftop has its moment, every facade shows its magic pulled out from the history of being. And indeed, when strolling through Regensburg, you encounter evidence of the city’s magnificent history every step of the way. Regensburg is a city in eastern Bavaria, […]
A girl who spent most of her life next to the border with Slovenia, it is hard to explain what this country is about. To me, the country of Slovenia was a place to do the shopping, the place where people speak my dialect but not my official language, a country that always complicates the […]
It was the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine. Following its rise to prominence in the Age of Enlightenment, it was nicknamed the “capital of Eastern France” in the late 19th century. The motto of the city is Non inultus premor, latin for ‘”I am not injured unavenged”, a reference to the thistle, which is a symbol of Lorraine. The exiled […]
There is a post on my blog already dedicated to Flemish cities of Belgium . But I have decided that this city deserves one single post for itself. Even more, as I have been to Brugge many times, and as always, there is a place to discover something new. With its cobbled streets, crooked bridges, […]
The two cousins that like to compete. Prague is obviously the capital, and Brno a second biggest city in Czech Republic. It is quite clear that Prague is beautiful, great historical city and a capital which means way more opportunities, foreigners, tourists, businesses.On the other hand, Brno is a very compact city, with great atmosphere, […]
If you are not familiar with Madeira, it is a Portuguese island sitting in the Atlantic Ocean between Portugal and Morocco. It is an archipelago in region known as Macaronesia (group of volcanic islands: Azores, Madeira, Canary Island and Tenerife and Cabo Verde). History by Greeks claims this might be Atlantida. Plutarch writes the impressions of founding […]
Visiting the Burg Eltz it was inevitable to stroll down the hills of Rhineland-Palatinate and explore. To be honest, the navigation was not up to date as bringing us to the closed local roads or reserved only for the local agricultural vehicles. But there is a beauty in getting lost like that! 🙂 Koblenz is […]
Eltz Castle (German: Burg Eltz) is a medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle between Koblenz and Trier, Germany. It is still owned by a branch of the same family (the Eltz family) that lived there in the 12th century, 33 generations ago. Hidden in the western Germany, in the hills above river Mosel, deep deep in the Rhineland […]
Guess what’s new? – Corona. Guess how long it will last? – China. Never mind. The travel ban is still on for Belgium, so explorations within the country continues. This weekend was reserved for Tournai. A beautiful city on the west of Belgium. Kinda looks like Lille at the first sight. Although, being part of […]
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 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 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 ❤
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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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