Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
To the western end of the Gorge du Verdon in Provence and to the north of the Lac du Sainte-Croix lies the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, which clings to a cliff and the town spills down from a church at the top. As you approach the village you would be forgiven for thinking you are stepping into a bible story as the village seems to depict a nativity scene. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Church The Chapel de Notre Dame de Beauvoir was built in the twelfth century and is a short walk up from the back of town (or a very long and slippery scrabble if there is snow and ice about), but worth…
French trains
French trains are some of the fastest and most comfortable you will ever travel in. Some routes use double-decker trains and they certainly put British trains to shame. In many countries once you have bought a ticket you can sit back and relax, but in France they have a sneaky extra step that the traveller needs to complete. Buy a ticket French stations are full of ticket machines, so as long as you recognise the words, you can buy your ticket without generating a huge queue and embarrassing yourself at the ticket office. Validate your ticket Once you have bought your ticket (billet) you need to validate it at one…
Brighton Rocks
Brighton is a seaside resort on Britain’s south coast bursting with colour and character. It offers a modern pier complete with rides and good old-fashioned British seaside fun, as well as ghost piers, cafes, restaurants, shopping and of course the beach. Brighton Pier (and old pier) Brighton Pier (also known as the Palace Pier) is the focus of the seafront. Opened in 1899 it stretches for out into the sea for 524 metres and plays host to a whole funfair of rides, games and funfair activities. It has something to suit everyone, from the traditional rollercoaster to the nasty newer rides that ‘drop’ you. The Pier also hosts more traditional…
Magical Mont St Michel
There we were, driving through French villages, dodging sheep and baguette-wielding locals, when we emerged from one village and suddenly saw it, Mont St Michel. Few places match it for atmosphere. Surrounded by sea, this tiny community off the French shoreline has a very isolated feel, despite being only one kilometre offshore. The Stuff of Fairytales Mont St Michel looks what you would expect a young girl to draw if you asked for a fairytale castle straight. I’m not convinced Disney didn’t take inspiration from a quick visit actually. It stands proudly on a rocky outcrop in the middle of seemingly endless sandflats. These flats are in turn exposed and…
London’s Burning
I was woken yesterday by an sms message from a friend in London saying “Riots!” followed by another saying “London’s getting ransacked!” I had noticed riots in the news over the weekend, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to see, bleary eyed and freshly roused from sleep (about 11pm in the UK). Britain is considered one of the world’s ‘developed’ rather than ‘developing’ countries. It is widely trusted as a stable and safe place. I’m a British expat and generally live my life, wherever I am, comfortably confident that not much changes in Britain while I am away. Over the past few days however, Britain has looked…
Delicious Brittany
Brittany, originally independent from, but now a beautiful corner of France, has over 2,800 km of stunning coastline. It is not just the coastline that will leave you awestruck though. There are some fantastic eats too. The Bretons certainly know their food. Here are some of my favourites. Crepes and Galettes Crepes are found all over France, but nowhere are they quite like those found in Brittany. In the South of Brittany crepes de froment are more traditional. These are sweet crepes made with flour, eggs, milk and melted butter. They are often served with nutella, bananas, or strawberries and Chantilly cream. Galettes de Sarrasin are traditionally from Brittany’s North…
Paris à Pied – Part 3
You can’t walk around Paris without noticing the monuments, but how is the best way to make sure you definitely don’t miss anything? This is part three of a three part series, guiding you on a walk around Paris. If you wish to start with Part one, please click here. If you wish to then read Part two, please click here. Starting by the Eiffel Tower, cross the Seine over the Pont d’Iena and walk towards the Palais de Chaillot, originally an exhibition centre and now a Naval Museum. Walk past the fountains and climb the stairs. Once at the top, you are at a magnificent spot for taking photos of…
Paris a Pied – Part 2
Paris, what’s not to love? It is possibly Europe’s most elegant city and best seen on foot. This is part two of a three part series, guiding you around Paris. If you wish to start with Part one, please click here. From the Ile de Cite to the Eiffel Tower, along the Rive Gauche Starting at the Ile de Cite, cross the Seine using Rue de la Cite or Boulevard du Palais, to the South bank of the Seine. After 5pm the Quais Saint Bernard here comes alive with gatherings of people dancing salsa which is magical. Walk West along the river, keeping the river on your right and you…
Paris à Pied
Paris is a great city to discover on foot. ‘Paris a Pied’ is my guide to walking around Paris. I have written this feature in three parts, as you could not cover all of this in one day, if you also wanted to enjoy the attractions as you go. However, if you are short of time and just wanted to explore, you could walk part one, followed by part two and then part three. Just don’t forget your comfy shoes! From the Marais District to Notre Dame This walk starts in the Marais district of Paris, as it is where I like to stay when I visit. It is a…
The Caves of Nerja
Discovered by a bunch of intrepid Spanish youths in 1959, the caves of Nerja are an impressive find. They are believed to be about 5 million years old. I enjoy a good cave, but don’t think I have ever visited any caves as enormous as these. Human remains, rock art and various tools have been found in the caves. Some serious time has been spent researching the articles found and it is believed the caves were occupied as long ago as the Bronze age, by early humans and their animals. You enter through a small building-like foyer by the ticket office and descend down a staircase. At the bottom of…
