Celebrate life: Visit the Chagall Museum in Nice
If you’re a fan of Chagall’s colourful and dreamlike compositions, the Chagall Museum in Nice is a must-see. Nestled in the hillside neighbourhood of Cimiez, high above the city, the unassuming museum is a haven of tranquillity, housing a host of treasures. The French Riviera has been a source of inspiration for innumerable artists. While many visited the Cote d’Azur, Marc Chagall was one of the artists that called the region home. Chagall first visited Nice in 1926 but, having had to leave Europe and relocate to the USA to survive the Second World War, he only lived in Provence from 1950 to 1966. Chagall’s Old Testament stories Opened in…
Catching the train from London to Marseille
Did you know it is now possible to get the train direct from London to Marseille? Marvellous Marseille is somewhere I have been lucky enough to visit several times, and I have always flown there. So, when Eurostar launched their direct London to Marseille service and I was planning a trip with a girlfriend (who is afraid of flying), it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. It’s easy to let the UK’s island status make you automatically look for flights whenever you wish to leave the country. Flights are generally inexpensive, making them tempting, but there are also plenty of overseas trips by sea and rail on offer, with…
5 of the best stopover destinations between Europe and Australia
While we can all be glad a trip to Australia no longer means spending weeks at sea, long-haul travel still has an uncanny ability to make us resemble our passport photos. Long flights connecting to other long flights, are hard work for any traveller, but they do offer an opportunity to taste-test new destinations. These are my favourite stopovers between Europe and Australia. During the time I have been living in Australia I have made several trips to Europe and explored lots of other destinations on the way. I have made a conscious effort to enjoy stopovers in different locations on each trip. While I don’t have a lot of…
17 Things you might not know about Istanbul
Turkey’s historic city Istanbul is known for many things, like being the world’s only city to straddle two continents, and being a great place to buy a Turkish carpet. However, this ancient city has lived many lives and has lots of stories to tell. There are probably several you haven’t heard yet. Here are 17 things you might not know about Istanbul. 1. Despite being the capital of the Roman Empire three times, and being by far the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul is not the capital. Ankara is the nation’s capital city, since Ataturk declared Turkey a republic in 1923. 2. Constantinople (also previously known as Byzantium, Stamboul and…
Three of Europe’s best coastal hikes
Europe has some incredible scenery, and a hiking adventure is one of the best ways to truly appreciate it.The European continent has it all, beautiful lakes, majestic mountains and spectacular rivers, with unique and charming towns and villages, often historic, scattered throughout, not to mention the food! There is an enormous variety of walking paths, offering everything from simple strolls to hardcore hiking. These three walks are my favourite coastal hikes in Europe, and worth the effort for the views alone. The Lycian Way, Turkey Covering more than 500 kilometres, the Lycian Way (Lykia Yolu) is made up of several historic pathways that stretch along Turkey’s beautiful south west coast…
How to save money in Paris
Glamorous Paris has an extravagant and luxurious reputation but you don’t need the Sun King’s budget to be able to enjoy a visit to the City of Lights. Here are my top tips on how to save money in Paris. When to visit Paris Paris enjoys the best bright, sunny weather between June and August. However, if you are looking to keep costs to a minimum visiting between April – May or September – October will mean you are not hit with peak prices. The weather may be more mixed at those times but you can always plan your museum trips for the iffy days. Paris also hosts various events…
London’s West End – Theatre capital of Europe
London has an enormous range of evening entertainment. Londoners and visitors are spoilt for choice with restaurants offering every cuisine possible, live music performances and nightclubs catering to all tastes and interests, but what makes London so special to me is London’s Theatreland. With around 40 theatres operating in London’s West End (the area between Oxford Street to the north, the Strand to the south, Regent Street to the west and Kingsway to the east) you can be transported to another time or place for the evening at relatively little cost. With so much variety there is a show to suit every taste. Famous screen actors often feature in classic…
The Rodin Museum in Paris and why I love it
The ‘Musee Rodin’ or Rodin Museum is one of my all-time favourite places to spend time in Paris. I never tire of visiting and always recommend friends go there to enjoy the sculpture, art and the peace and tranquility of the gardens in the heart of always bustling Paris. The museum building is compact but the garden surrounding it means it never feels crowded. There are so many galleries and museums in Paris that small establishments can be overshadowed by the larger, more famous galleries such as the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. However, if you are a fan of sculpture the Musee Rodin is a must-see. Even if you’re…
How to save money in Barcelona
Barcelona, with its tasty food, nightlife, city beaches and unique Gaudi-built architecture is an exciting and colourful city to explore. However, with so much to keep visitors occupied costs can build up quickly. Here are my tips on how to save money while enjoying the best Barcelona has to offer. Barcelona city transport Like most large European cities, Barcelona has an extensive and reliable public transport system. Buy a T10 ticket for less than €10 and you can take 10 trips on the metro or bus. Not only is it simpler than paying individual fares, as long as you take 10 trips, it is cheaper. If you plan to visit…
Escape to Lindos
The village of Lindos is nestled on the south east coast of the Greek island of Rhodes and combines atmospheric streets, history, art and amazing beaches. This is my guide to the best things to do in Lindos. St Pauls Bay Rhodes holidays provide an opportunity to explore this historic and interesting island. There is so much history that it is easy to forget the beach when you’re looking for the best things to do in Rhodes. The area around Lindos has some spectacular beaches but St Pauls Bay is the most popular. Boasting sheltered, clear blue water and a seafood restaurant the beach experience here provides everything you need.…
