Cannes - France

Cannes – France

Post published:9 February 2014
Post category:Europe France Western Europe

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The Hollywood of Europe

At not long time ago since we flew on the same route to Nice in order to visit both that city and Monaco, it is this occasion we take for visiting Cannes instead at just merely 30 km away centre to centre, or just 20 km from Nice Cote d’Azur Airport. And why to travel in February again you might think; well, it’s the lowest season you can have and as such, finding a good air fare and cheap accommodation is really easy. Yes, cold; and if unlucky, rain; but for someone like me looking for a cultural weekend not a beach break, it’s the perfect time of the year to travel. It saves lots of money and you can enjoy the places almost without any tourists, only locals.

Cannes, as opposed to Nice, is much smaller meaning 2 days way too much time. You really need only one day to fully visit everything, any longer I consider it a sort of waste of time as you can instead spend it in bigger Nice, not to mention the amount of restaurants and bars in Nice cannot compete to those in Cannes. And going out in Cannes, no matter if to a bar, restaurant or disco that’s another level. This is one of the preferred destinations among the rich and famous, and should you be visiting the city during the Cannes Movie Festival days, then it is highly likely you will get to see many movie stars and other celebrities alike. In the other hand in Nice you have everything in a greater scale but a fraction of the cost.

Walking along the sea promenade, the Boulevard de la Croisette is the sight number one where you will see most of the grand hotels and the top of the class fashion and jewellery firms. The architecture of the grand buildings is very impressive and elegant, so is the care and efforts done in restoring such masterpieces.
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Marseille - France

Marseille – France

Post published:17 November 2013
Post category:Europe France

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The oldest city in France

Now, that was a long time since I wanted to go to Marseille. Family and friends always told me of how beautiful it was. But for some reason up to this point I was concentrating on destinations elsewhere, not in France. Basically, and excluding Spain of course where I tend to travel quite often, I usually like to get somewhere away from West and South Europe. But of course, that’s not a valid excuse and it’s finally the time for the well deserved beautiful France, with so many cities, villages and landscapes; its people, food, great wines and numerous beaches to name a few.

Of course we were not disappointed at all. The city has so much to offer, that a weekend is definitely too short. It is the second largest in the country after Paris, followed by Lyon. We needed at least one more day to have the chance and visit it all including the Calanques along the coast. Nevertheless, for a first time glimpse it was great and now I know this city deserves to return more times in the future.

The city evolves around the Vieux Port (Old Port) overlooking the Mediterranean. Most streets leads to this area and 90% or more of the sights are in a walking distance radius from the port. The best views of the port and nearby neighbourhoods are located by any of the two forts, one on each side of the port, or from Notre Dame de la Garde Church, which offers the perfect birds eye view over the entire city.

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Montecarlo - Monaco

Montecarlo – Monaco

Post published:10 February 2013
Post category:Europe Monaco Western Europe

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The second smallest country in the world

Our second day of this weekend trip to Nice, we spent it for taking the short bus drive to the capital city of Monaco, tiny Montecarlo. Getting here from Nice is as simple and easy as to take a public bus for just 1 Euro! And the views you will get along the way are amazing too. Make sure you sit or locate yourself on the right hand side of the bus, this is where you will get the views of the coast and mountains for the whole of the journey. Around 40 minutes journey and you will be there.

There are few stops within Monaco itself, being one of the best to get off at the one near the Castle, which is the old town also known as Monaco Ville or The Rock, and start your visit from there. Of course note that the castle is high up in the mountain, and the bus stop is down in the road. Just ask the driver which one you need to get off or check this in a map.

For a day trip, you have more than enough time to do and see everything. It’s in fact a very small place, so the only area where you will spend more time is by the Castle and Royal Palace, which is the most historic area. The views from here are the best you can get of the whole bay. When you start going uphill and start getting the views, don’t rush to make pictures along the way, you will soon be on the top and realise from there you can have even better views. (more…)

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Nice - France

Nice – France

Post published:9 February 2013
Post category:Europe France Western Europe

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Greek Nikaia, Roman Cemenelum, Nice la Belle

Charming Nice, the second largest city along the French Mediterranean coast after Marseille and the 5th most populous in the country, is a beautiful, elegant and very opulent place. Right in between the mountains and the sea on the Côte d’Azur, the French Riviera. Ever popular among the rich and famous who make this place their preferred resort for their vacation, it is still attracting a great number of wealthy tourists looking to enjoy among some of the grand historical hotels by the promenade overlooking the sea. The main one, named Promenade des Anglais, takes its name from the English who made Nice their winter preferred vacation choice during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Even for just a weekend, that is more than enough time to visit the entire city and also neighboring Monaco with its tiny capital Monte Carlo, as we did in our trip. The city is well divided in 3 areas. The elegant 19th century extension, the beach front and the old town, all of them worth to see noticeable for the old town of course, based along the main market square where all the historical buildings, churches and the cathedral can be found. On a small hill is the old fort, although nowadays just a tower stands, but the viewing platform from the top is a must do. The best is to get there right before the sunset, as the changing of the colours with the sun are spectacular.

Coming here is generally quite pricey, specially during the high season months, and because this is a clearly more an up-scale tourist destination where superb hotels align the Promenade des Anglais, all of these orientated to a wealthy tourist sector, not the medium average tourist. But since we were not looking after a beach holiday (not that you could have it in February in Nice in the cold water anyway); this was another of our usual sightseeing city break, therefore not impacted by any high price whatsoever. Low season is the best to come here, avoid the hordes of tourists and enjoy really low prices even in the restaurants. (more…)

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Strasbourg and Colmar, (France)

Post published:9 December 2012
Post category:Europe France Western Europe

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“The Winter Wonderland”, “Fortress on the Road”, “Crossroads”

9th of December, 2012

[flickr size=”medium” float=”left”]7657313@N08/8630341765[/flickr]

This was our second part of this trip. You can check the previous entry, Basel, if you want to know more information. We already planned to visit all those places in one go using the most of the weekend. At the end, landing in the middle of them all, it’s a horrible temptation not to resist and specially if you are such a fanatical about travelling as we are. Driving to Strasbourg is little over an hour, and believe me, it’s totally worth it!

The city has a greatly preserved Medieval old town, with many many beautiful wooden houses and grand Cathedral. And what it makes it so special about coming here in winter time? The Christmas markets and decorations! You need to come here to feel it and live it. Up to date, the best Christmas feeling in a city ever.

Getting lost is almost impossible, wander around the streets and the little ones by the river and Cathedral square area. Those are the best without doubt. Then there is what is called the Little Venice. This is also by the riverside, and you will find marvellous and bigger wooden houses and many coffee shops and restaurants in the area. (more…)

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Basel, (Switzerland)

Post published:8 December 2012
Post category:Europe Switzerland Western Europe

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“Augusta Raurica”, “Basilea”, “Basilia”

8th of December, 2012

[flickr size=”medium” float=”left”]7657313@N08/8631417602[/flickr]

Moving on to our last weekend trip for the year 2012, and before our big winter holiday, it’s time to visit this “winter wonderland” place. Very conveniently located with easy and quick access to Strasbourg and Colmar in France, places which will complete our weekend visit. Of course, and unfortunately, Switzerland comes at a price. The expensive it is, but thankfully for this occasion, we even did not need any money to be changed to Swiss Francs. We were basically the kind of tourists they don’t’ like. Cheap. We spent no money at all and hold our hunger for France later on in the evening.

Getting a flight deal, as usual not a big hassle, specially when booking in advance and also in out of season period.

Without doubt, the best is to get a rental car to move around. There are way too many other cities and villages worth the visit, and since Basel is quite small, you will have enough time if you plan it well.

The city itself is incredibly beautiful. Full of that old houses you are expecting to see in Switzerland. The best circuit you can do is first to walk on the south bank of the river direction to the main bridge which gives the main access to the old town on the other side of the river. The views you will get of the old town houses and bridges are fantastic. (more…)

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Aachen - Germany

Aachen – Germany

Post published:26 November 2011
Post category:Europe Germany Western Europe

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Capital of Charlemagne Empire

Welcome to Aachen, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Germany, and also one of the prettiest in terms of great sights there to see. Small yet charming, and even considering the raids during the WWII that destroyed many medieval masterpieces, it is today one of the most visited in the country coupled with Cologne and Dusseldorf, and plenty other smaller sites in the region.

Founded as a Roman Spa resort by Hadrian in 124 AD due to the hot mineral springs, the site was already inhabited during the Neolithic are for the same reasons. Gained importance and population during the Middle Ages as it became a principal residence of King Charlemagne, who spent his first Christmas there in year 768, thereafter the city becoming the focus of his court and the political centre of his empire.

The Palatine Chapel and main palace was built during his time, and so the church he was buried after his death, nowadays the Cathedral we see there today, a marvellous piece of Carolingian architecture and a blend of many other styles after it was expanded through the centuries. An impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site listed monument.

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Bonn - Germany

Bonn – Germany

Post published:29 October 2011
Post category:Europe Germany

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The Federal City of Bonn

Once more, another weekend spent in Dusseldorf, hence travelling around the whole region in search of new places and cities to visit. This is the time for the elegant city of Bonn. Founded as a Roman settlement in the 1st century BC, it is still to date the largest Roman fort known from the ancient world, although minimal archaeological remain from that period. It’s therefore one of the oldest city in Germany; the once de-facto capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990. It was this fact why it holds the title of Federal City in recognition for it.

With the fall of Rome, it became the Kingdom of the Franks well into the Middle Ages, when the Romanesque Bonn Minster was built between the 11 and 13th centuries, leading to a strong growth of population and expansion only accelerated in the 17th century and onwards with several grand constructions in Baroque style for what it is still famous the city. It was at this time, year 1770 that Ludwig van Beethoven was born here in Bonn, where he would study before leaving for Vienna as the composer’s first journey.

With such a rich history, you can expect to see many monuments and grand buildings, palaces, tree-lined boulevards and what I consider without to be one of the most elegant cities in Germany. While visiting it is quite straightforward. Distances are not big and you can enjoy the mix of the old town core narrow streets in contrast with broad boulevards, tree-lined avenues and gardens.

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