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Beaches of the Basque Coast
With autumn setting in and winter on its way, I’ve been feeling nostalgic for the beaches of the Basque Coast – from the flysch-carved cove of Zumaia’s Playa de Itzurun to the white sands of San Sebastián’s iconic Playa de la Concha and the bustling energy of Biarritz’s La Grande Plage. Fed by the Atlantic waters of the Cantabrian Sea, the beaches of the Basque Coast span the shores of northeastern Spain and southwestern France. The vibe is more relaxed…
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Hotel Le Canberra, Cannes, France
Charles and I stayed at the Hotel Le Canberra in Cannes for several nights not too long ago, and I must say, it was the perfect little gem of a hotel. It was the end of September, which is the best time to travel to the Riviera—rates go down because it’s past the peak tourist season; the weather is ideal (warm days and cool nights); and the streets and beaches are free of all the hubbub that inundates the region…
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The Luberon, Provence, France
Experience the magic of Provence as I relive my driving tour of the Luberon. This fertile basin is located in central Provence, bordered to the north by the Monts de Vaucluse and to the south by the Luberon Massif. What lies in between is a land lush with lavender fields, ancient olive groves, and well-kempt vineyards. The region is also home to some of France’s most picturesque villages-perchés – Medieval towns built on rocky crags with commanding views that stretch…
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Marché du Pont de l’Alma, Paris, France
One of the best and largest open air food markets in Paris is the Marché du Pont de l’Alma. Also known as Marché Président Wilson, it runs along Avenue du Président Wilson from Pont de l’Alma to Trocadéro and is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7am – 2:30pm. While it is technically located in the 16th arrondissement, it also serves the residents of the 7th, right across the Seine on the left bank. The numerous stalls are filled with beautiful,…
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Mirazur, Menton, France
One of the most spectacular meals I’ve ever had was at Mirazur on the French Riviera. The dining experience was one of a well-directed, well-rehearsed gastronomic operetta, led by the Argentine chef extraordinaire, Mauro Colagreco. The restaurant’s cliffside location offers incredible views of the Mediterranean coast from Menton to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and beyond. Built into the hillside below the restaurant, a terraced garden cultivated by Colagreco and team provides fresh produce and flowers that make their way onto each and every…
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Musée National Fernand Léger, Biot, France
The Musée National Fernand Léger is a jewel tucked away in the quiet Riviera town of Biot. Fernand Léger was an avant-garde artist who dabbled in painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpting, and tapestry work. While his is not necessarily a household name, he was a tremendous contributor to the cubism movement in the early part of the 20th Century. His pieces are quite distinctive, known for their dynamic use of color and contrast of shapes and forms. Shortly before his death…
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Le Mas de l’Amarine, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
When visiting Provence, you should stay in a centrally located area so you can experience all the flavors of the region. With the Vaucluse to the north, the Luberon to the east, and Bouches-du-Rhône to the south, there’s a lot of ground to cover, which is why I recommend the well-situated, sweet little town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Just north of the Alpilles hills, Saint-Rémy is under an hour’s drive from all of the A’s – Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, and Apt. On…
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Le Sentier du Littoral, Cap d’Antibes, France
We arrived at Plage de la Garoupe on the eastern shore of Cap D’Antibes about 30 minutes before sunset. Parking was easy, and thankfully there was clear signage leading to the trailhead of the Sentier du Littoral. I heard that the Sentier du Littoral was a great spot for watching the sun set upon the Riviera horizon. The trail started on a little peninsula jutting into the Baie des Anges with incredible panormaic views stretching from Antibes to Nice and beyond…
