Hello from the Five Star Vagabond
September 12, 2015
by David Herd
Comments Off on Royal Cliff Hotel
If you want luxury……. Royal Cliff Hotel Royal Cliff Hotel Pattaya is a wonderful property on Pratumnak Hill overlooking the bay, in 1980 on my first trip to Thailand this is where I stayed. Pool under repair This was 2013 … Continue reading
September 10, 2015 by David Herd
Restaurants Bars Soi Lengkee Pattaya
Restaurants Bars Soi Lengkee Pattaya has seen a couple of new venues open recently, Retox Bar & Steak & Co are two excellent venues. Soi Lengkee runs off Soi Buakhau and is almost adjacent to Soi LK Metro.
The photo shows bar owner Simon Peatfield on Opening night at Retox Bar July 11 2015
A purpose built sports bars with loads of screens for the sports fans.
You will find Soi Lengkee if you cross over Soi Buakhao from Soi Diana travelling away from Pattaya Beach.
You are going to find this hard to believe but they have nice new hotel rooms where you can stay for only $17 per night if you book through this link. $21 if you would like a nice balcony. 🙂
Restaurants Bars Soi Lengkee Pattaya Sausages & chips
The sausages & gravy were good but the chips were soft & soggy.
Until a few months ago this was a very good Chinese restaurant, now it’s a very good Steakhouse featuring Australian beef.
This was the first visit and my steak was outstanding, cooked to perfection, I gave it a 9 out of 10. The 2nd time I was there 2 weeks later in August 2015 it was not nearly as good, perhaps 7 out of 10.
Nice warm atmosphere to enjoy a red wine while waiting for your steak to arrive. 🙂
Soi Lenkee is improving all the time with lots of bars, restaurants & hotels.
This is the Soi Lengkee entrance to another low cost hotel, Sutus court, the main entrance is almost next door to Witherspoons, in Soi Buakhao, great value currently at $22 per night.
Today bar on Soi Lengkee Pattaya sounds good to me.
Just around the corner in 3rd road is this interesting new restaurant. Lamb shank was only B399 and cooked perfectly.
The kebabs are very good for B60. 🙂
Cheap long term accommodation in Soi Diana just cross over Soi Buakhao and it’s just down on the left.
Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $23 usd per night as of August 15. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.
Just use THIS LINK for a terrific rate at the Wave Hotel.
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September 9, 2015 by David Herd
Exciting Soi Buakhao Pattaya
Exciting Soi Buakhao Pattaya is not just one of the main night life centres that is extremely popular with the locals. It also boasts of one of the cities best markets which opens Tuesdays & Fridays. Add to this a huge number of affordable restaurants, hotels & condos and you have one of the most exciting places in Pattaya to live or just to visit.
Soi Buakhao is a two way street that connects Central Pattaya Road and South Pattaya Road, the market is only 50 meters from South Pattaya Road.
Send the wife shopping while you sit here and enjoy a cold beer. 🙂
In case you didn’t realise that is a frog kebab above. I guess you will be rushing to get one soon. 🙂
Looks fairly spicy to me. 🙂
Thai people have taken street food to an art form.
I could quite easily. 🙂
Typical Pattaya pub & restaurant with lots of TV screens and serving good cheap food.
There are many low cost hotels in this area, for a good rate use this link. I have several friends who stay at the Sutus court which is almost next door to Witherspoons, great value currently at $22 per night.
Cosy little bar in Soi Buakhao, here Hamish Elton and Andrew enjoy a cold beer or two. Andrew with the tattoos is the new owner.
This nice cafe is opposite mates bar, I think Andrew eats there 6 days a week. 🙂
They serve a very good breakfast for around $4 usd and lucky for me have provide the Bangkok Post to read. 🙂
Some people may find it exciting to be nearly knocked over by a 183 centimetre LadyBoy walking along Soi Buakhao but not me. 🙂 Apologies for the blurred photo but I guess my hand was shaking a little out of fear of being accosted. 🙂 🙂 🙂
My mistake I think this is one street north of Lenkee.
Pook bar closed in mid 2014. It used to be located on Soi Buakhao in Pattaya, Thailand. In its day it was the largest and best known ladyboy bar in the city. The same owner has a Pook Bar in Soi 6.
One of the many go go bars in the area.
One of the very good low price restaurants in busy Soi Buakhao. The Hungry Hippo is another one that is worth a visit.
If I had to vote for the best value restaurant in Pattaya the Hungry Hippo would be number one.
Trust me, their prices are excellent.
Diagonally across the road from Hungry Hippo, lots more food on offer here.
Opposite the Sutis Court Hotel.
Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $23 usd per night as of August 15. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.
Just use THIS LINK for a terrific rate at the Wave Hotel.
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September 7, 2015 by David Herd
Soi LK Metro Pattaya Party Street
Soi LK Metro Pattaya Party Street is a great alternative to Walking St, not as many tourists gawking at the girls plus lots of bars and restaurants to choose from. The name comes from the Leng-Kee family, one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Pattaya with properties and businesses all over the City.
A popular LK Metro bar with low cost hotel rooms above.
My Australian friend Greg Johnstone used to own the Billabong, he sold it in 2014 and has taken up farming.
One of my favourite sports bars, lots of TV screens to watch Australian football. 🙂
Very cheap rooms here for around 500 Baht if you book through this link.
State of Origin 2017
Two QLD legends from the past Greg Cornescu and Wally Fullerton Smith dropped by yesterday for few coldies.
Champagne has been in LK for many years, however these days there is a lot more competition.
Sadly our good friend Lenny passed away early 2016 after a short battle with cancer, RIP.
I couldn’t resist including this great photo, as I said earlier Greg owned Billabong until 2014.
Some interesting names. 🙂
If I’m not watching sport in LK I like to have a drink at Kilkenny which is opposite Billabong & adjacent to i-rovers. A very good “people watching” spot.
A good bar for watching the passing parade.
Drinks at Kilkenny
Gordon Shanks from New York and Jonathan Whiting from Brisbane.
You are going to find this hard to believe but Retox have nice new hotel rooms in Soi Lenkee where you can stay for only $17 per night if you book through this link. $21 if you would like a nice balcony. 🙂
You will find Soi Lengkee if you cross over Soi Buakhao from Soi Diana travelling away from Pattaya Beach.
One of the many go go bars in the area.
Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $23 usd per night as of August 15. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.
Just use THIS LINK for a terrific rate at the Wave Hotel.
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September 6, 2015 by David Herd
Favourite Pattaya restaurants
Favourite Pattaya restaurants in no particular order, these are just the places I regularly visit for food, comfort, ambiance and value for money. Above is a Massaman curry lamb shank at Siam @ Siam hotel, absolutely delicious.
Patricks has a terrific menu and great food. I really love their Oxtail soup. Very good Australian steaks with waffles & ice cream to finish. This really is one of the best Pattaya restaurants
Hamish turns 46 on July 21st 2015 and we celebrate at Patrick’s with Greg Clee.
Sunday lunch here at The Mantra is one of the world’s great dining experiences. Alaskan crab, oysters from France Australian beef etc etc, just go there. There is food from seven different kitchens and the service and décor is 2nd to none. Certainly one of my Favourite Pattaya restaurants.
I could eat a plate like this every day. 🙂
Sadly in February 2019 the Amari Hotel management made a ridiculous decision to permanently close the wonderful restaurant.
Take a look at our final feast HERE.
Excellent Australian steak at reasonable prices. Out of all the North Pattaya restaurants this is probably my favourite. The lobster soup is a must, the two other places who also do a great lobster bisque are the upmarket Mata Hari and the budget restaurant at the Avenue called Pizza Pizza.
Louis Noll, the owner of Mata Hari sadly passed away in February 2022, RIP my friend.
This night we had excellent Thai food at Siamese Cuisine, I guess it helps when a local orders.
Special price on Tuesday night only 279 Baht or $8.50 usd. Order wine before 7 pm and get 2 for 1.
Very good food & great value.
Mata Hari is a very stylish upmarket restaurant serving excellent European & Thai cuisine. A very popular spot for the locals, impeccable service, great food & upmarket décor, yet reasonably priced all things considered. I would certainly rate it in the top 6 restaurants in Pattaya. Louis is your friendly host & his wife Jacky the terrific chef, check out the website here. Mata Hari certainly is one of the best Pattaya restaurants.
Hachiban Ramen, the Gyoza & Teriyaki chicken is to die for, only 153 Baht for the two, priceless.
There is another branch on the ground floor of Tukcom at the rear.
Located about 200 meters from the Dolphin roundabout. Very good low cost German food, always busy.
Pea soup is excellent (B90) as are the meatballs & potato salad. (B150).
An exceptional feast.
Make sure you book as it’s very popular.
For a review of local restaurants in 2020 just follow THIS LINK.
Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.
Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.
The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.
The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
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September 4, 2015 by David Herd
Pattaya Fish Market Naklua Road
Pattaya Fish Market Naklua Road is located in Naklua about 5 kms from central Pattaya. Just jump on a Baht bus & you are there in 10 minutes for 10 Baht or 70 cents.
Many products are still alive & kicking, they will kill & clean the fish for you then pack them in ice so you can take them home to cook.
Here is my friend Pothole choosing dinner.
A great choice at the Pattaya Fish Market.
Choose you lunch and they will cook it for you.
Rather expensive as you can see.
They even look dangerous when they a small. 🙂
A good selection at reasonable prices.
Choose from the live tank and they will scale and clean them for you.
The variety is incredible, anything you desire is here.
A very interesting place to spend an hour or so.
Seeing all these mussels reminded me of when I was in Brussels last year, the Belgians are absolutely crazy about them, check out my blog called Beer, Fries & Mussels.
It real is worth a visit, get something cooked and eat in the adjacent park.
Enjoy the view from the walkway beside the gulf.
Laem Chabang is a large commercial port with not much else in the area. The large cruise ships stop here and they can buy souvenirs and get a massage at the cruise terminal, there is also a shopping centre. Smaller ships may head up the Chao Phraya River and dock at Khlong Toei Port relatively close to Bangkok’s city centre.
High and dry at low tide at Pattaya Fish Market.
Those blocks of condos have all sprung up in the last 2 years. This view is from beside the fish market. Out of picture to the right is the Sanctuary of Truth.
Sanctuary of Truth is a temple, an all-wood building filled with sculptures based on traditional Buddhist and Hindu motifs. More photos on THIS LINK.
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Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.
Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.
The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.
The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
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September 3, 2015 by David Herd
Pattaya interesting transport options
Pattaya interesting transport options are many and varied, here are some of the many alternatives (fast & slow) available to you when you next visit this exciting city. I’m guessing the beast above is a DUCATI MONSTER 821, my apologies if I have it wrong.
Two models will be available when the new 2015 Diavels arrive in May. The standard Diavel—if there is such a thing as a standard Diavel—is the Dark Stealth model, which retails for $17,995 and features a black body, a black trellis frame, black wheels, and black mufflers. Then there’s the $20,995 Diavel Carbon, which is outfitted with unpainted stainless-steel silencers and black Marchesini wheels that are machined just enough to reveal that they are made from forged, lightweight aluminium. Buyers have a choice of two Diavel Carbon colors: Ducati Red with Matte Carbon and a red frame, or Star White with Matte Carbon and a white frame.
The Electra Glide Ultra Classic serves as Harley Davidson’sentry-level model for its full-dresser lineup. Updated for 2017, it sports improved suspension while reducing the heat felt by rider and passenger for greater all-around comfort. Not only that, but the all-new Milwaukee-Eight engine makes its way onto this ride for greater performance than ever before with 111.4 pound-feet of torque and six-speed transmission that comes geared for highway riding at a reasonable rpm. H-D’s Infotainment system makes an appearance as well, so the phrase “entry level” is obviously a relative statement. Let’s check out this updated classic to see where the balance was struck.
They certainly are a classic machine.
Sadly I feel Pattaya is too dangerous to ride a motorbike, it’s not a question of if you may have an accidents, it’s when you will have an accident.
This old clunker must be at least 40 or 50 years old and still floating. 🙂
Three huge outboard motors is total overkill for this 30 foot plywood boat.
Grossly overpowered, they are obviously making too much money.
Now this would suit me foe a day on the water. 🙂
May need a little work. 🙂
A very nice looking catamaran.
What a wild looking road rocket.
Yellow or green, either one will do.
These previous 3 vehicles were on display at Central Festival in August 2015.
This has got to be the most fantastic bus I have ever seen.
It certainly is an eye catcher.
Another fantastic paint job.
Pattaya’s fantastic bus system, there are hundreds of them, 10 Baht or 70 cents and just ring the bell to jump off anywhere you want.
Not sure what the advantage is but it looks good.
If you are going to visit the Hard Rock cafe you really need a Ferrari. 🙂
However for lunch at the mantra an Orange one is far more suitable.
This is my popular choice of propulsion in Pattaya, Skechers are the best walking shoes I have ever had. 🙂
Along the Beach Road in Pattaya, often between Soi 10 and Soi 13/4 (entrance to Walking Street), Thai Jet Ski touts will approach the tourist. Most likely time to witness the scam unfolding would be between 5pm – 5:30pm as it is getting dark. Particularly outside Mike Shopping Mall, Royal Garden Plaza, and Soi 13/2 to Soi 13/4. The tourist is required to sign a contract with the Jet Ski operators before they board the Jet Ski and have their fun. Cost is around 700 baht ($20) for thirty minutes. When the tourist returns to the beach the Thai Jet Ski operator will board the Jet Ski and bring it up on to the beach. Here is where the scam starts, as they (theatrically and dramatically) point out the damage and demand that the tourist pay for it, typically ranging anywhere from 30,000 baht ($950) to 70,000 baht ($2,200), but it can be 100,000 baht ($3,180) and up. Of course this damage (deep scrapes on the underside of the Jet Ski, scratches to the paintwork, or a broken plastic bumper) has been there all the time. Often, if not most times, it is a group of tourists that are scammed. More people, more money.
If they use the version of the scam where the tourist boards the Jet Ski when it is already submerged in the water, thus hiding the damage that is already on the underside, the scammers don’t need to cover the damaged areas. The damage is revealed once they bring it on to the shore after the tourist has rented it. More government warnings etc here.
Be careful, you have been warned.
I love this one, it really doesn’t matter they are travelling the wrong way in a one way street, after all this is one of the many Pattaya transport options. 🙂
Want to make some noise?
This is my 2nd favourite mode of transport, the Baht bus.
Thanks for visiting my Pattaya interesting transport options photo blog.
Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.
The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.
The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.
Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
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September 2, 2015 by David Herd
Bondi Beach Eastern Suburbs Sydney
Bondi Beach Eastern Suburbs Sydney is an iconic landmark known throughout the world & synonymous with the Australian lifestyle. Having said all that to me it’s rather overrated. This great photo was taken by my old friend Barry Madden from Newcastle north of Sydney.
I think there are many nicer beaches and beach-side suburbs along the Sydney & NSW coast. I certainly prefer Manly on the northside of the harbour.
Bondi Beach was a working class suburb all through the twentieth century, migrants from New Zealand were the majority of the population. After World War II, Bondi Beach and the Eastern Suburbs became home for Jewish migrants from Poland, Russia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Germany. A stream of Jewish immigration continued into the 21st century and the area has a number of synagogues and a kosher butcher. The area today is very multicultural with a lot of new wealthy Asian families and Samoans. The multicultural migration funded and drove the growth of the suburb throughout the 90’s into the turn of the century, moving it steadily from its working class roots towards upper/middle class enclave similar to its neighbours of Rose Bay and Bellevue Hill which was listed as the most expensive postcode in the country in 2003, 2004, 2005.
While my English friend the intrepid Bill Austin went for a swim, Joan & I enjoyed coffee & cake and watched the passing parade.
Bill works for Trowbridge council in Wiltshire.
Bondi beach is world famous however I do prefer Manly on the northside of the harbour.
The orange building Hotel Bondi is a landmark on Campbell Parade. It was built from 1915-1920s and was designed by E.Lindsay Thompson. It combines Italianate, Federation and Free Classical elements and has been described as an “important landmark building in the Bondi Beach townscape.” and has a state heritage listing.
Use this link for a great deal on Bondi hotel rates.
My apologies I don’t know who to credit for this amazing photo of a huge storm closing in over Bondi Beach Sydney.
The next 5 photos are Dales.
That’s Bondi Icebergs club overlooking the beach.
Located at the southern end of Bondi Beach, Bondi Icebergs Club is an international landmark.
Bondi Icebergs has been the home of Winter swimming since 1929 and our famous pool is open to visitors all year round.
What a great year for travel in 2015
Zagreb Croatia Rio de Janeiro Brisbane River
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August 30, 2015 by David Herd
Food Friends Family Sydney
Food Friends Family Sydney, in 2010 the reason for my visit was to show Joan & Bill, my friends from Wiltshire in the UK, my wonderful home town with the best harbour in the world.
This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2010.
We stay at Port Macquarie at my brother’s home on the way to Sydney, there was a vintage car rally with some terrific examples.
You may be wondering why I didn’t make the climb, well that can be easily narrowed down to one word, FEAR!
Dinner with friends at French’s Forest in Sydney.
A couple of friends I have known since the 70s, Peter Hobbs occasionally visits Pattaya but Peter Hesky never makes contact anymore.
It’s always good to catch up with old friends when I’m in Sydney.
Sparkling French Champagne to wash down the pasta. 🙂
However it caught up with him in 2013, he underwent a triple heart bypass, so much for over indulgence. 🙂 Now here is quite a coincidence, his heart surgeon was Dr Alan Farnsworth, he was captain of our rugby team at Homebush High school in Sydney & I was vice captain. From memory he was dux of the school & I struggled to pass my intermediate, however we were both pretty good footballers.
While I’m on the nostalgia kick I fondly remember our football coach Peter Philpott, an Australian leg spinner & a terrific guy.
Paul & I spent a lot of time together over the years.
Nice small hotel in a good location, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.
Always lots of eye candy Sunday afternoon at Manly.
Dinner with Bill & Joan and my lovely niece Elyssa.
What a feast, cousin Deb really knows how to entertain.
Fast forward to 2018 and Elyssa is the proud mother of a gorgeous little girl.
The street really has not changed much in 50 years.
I took a sentimental journey to Auburn, the Sydney suburb I grew up in. The main st had not changed much except for the Vietnamese & Muslim establishments. My real shock came when I drove past our family home at 58 Kihilla Rd, it was now totally run down, a very heartbreaking sight for me.
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Life 2015 Family history Life 1982
Adelaide 1972 Iron Bar Freddy Sydney 2006
Thailand 2008 Gold Coast Babes World trip 2003
Australian adventures
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August 30, 2015 by David Herd
Travel tips fabulous countries
Travel tips fabulous countries feature some of my favourite places, many people may think I’m a bit of a dinosaur & perhaps I am, however I don’t know any other person who has travelled more than I during the last 30 years. Therefore I hope can provide you with a few ideas on where to go for your next holiday.
I’ll list the 5 countries in alphabetical order rather than by personal preference.
The home of my birth and a country that offers a huge diversification of incredible travel destinations. Most people find it difficult to grasp the size of this great country, don’t make the mistake of trying to cover too much in 3 or 4 weeks, better to come back another time.
Sydney is the most spectacular city but don’t forget Perth and Adelaide both wonderful cities also. Then of course there is the Gold Coast in Queensland with it’s wonderful weather and beautiful beaches.
For a good budget hotel in Sydney just book through this link. Broadbeach is the best place to stay on the Gold Coast, here is a very good value apartment block in a perfect location.
I drove from Adelaide to Melbourne along the Great Ocean road Australia in October 2014, I had driven this road once before in 1988.
Bigger and more diverse than Australia I have enjoyed 8 visits to the wonderful country. Rio de Janeiro is fabulous however there is so much more to see. Apart from Rio my favourite places are Praia de Pipa, Paraty, Iguazu Falls & Florianoplis.
Camboriu Rio’s beaches Fortaleza
Since 2004, the blocos have exploded and now there are now nearly 300 blocos with over 40 new ones appearing for the 2007 Carnaval. The first blocos started only a little over ten years ago. This is the heart of the “Street Carnival” which includes the greater likelihood of locals playing percussion instruments with their friends at their favorite hangout as well as the Bandstands and the many Parades of downtown’s Rio Branco Avenue. These events are inclusive and practice for the musicians begins months before the Carnaval and the parades do not end until Sunday of the following weekend.
It was March 2005 before I finally made it to this fascinating country, the photo above is the coastal city of Split. I travelled by bus between the major cities to see more of the actual country. I had a terrific 2 bedroom apartment in a great location for only $50 per night, book through this link.
Next door is Bosnia so make sure you also visit the wonderful city of Mostar.
In Zagreb I stayed at the excellent hotel Dubrovnik overlooking the Main Square you see above, it was a perfect location with good wifi. Marc van Bloemen owner of Karmen apartments in Dubrovnik was the perfect host, he a friendly Englishman who will point you in the right direction for restaurants, tours & places of interests, he also has a great knowledge of Dubrovniks history.
So many places to see & so much history. I travel there most years making London my base, then visit cities & towns all over the country either by train or car. Apart from London some of my favourite places are Brighton, Bath, Glasgow & Bradford on Avon. The photo above is Gold Hill is a steep cobbled street in the town of Shaftesbury in the English county of Dorset.
London pubs Lands End Hyde Park
Travel tips. Great Britain has an excellent rail service, save up to 80% by booking your ticket before you arrive, just click here. London Underground’s Piccadilly Line provides the most cost-effective rail route between Heathrow Airport and the capital, so look for accommodation around Earl’s Court, Gloucester Rd or Knightsbridge. For more information click here.
Where do you start Paris or Monte Carlo, the choices are endless in this wonderful country. One of my favourite holidays was based in Breil Sur Roya a small village in the mountains near the Italian border just north of Menton. From here I was able to explore many medieval French & Italian villages as well as the fabulous French Riviera. The Roya river runs through town and is open to trout anglers from March to September. Part of the trout run is reserved for fly-fishing. Trout anglers share the river with white water rafters, another popular local sport.
Chateau de Versailles Paris is a fabulous destination which made my bucket list as soon as I saw the Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris”. When the Château was built, Versailles was a country village; today, however, it is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 kilometres southwest of the French capital.
My favourite European Country by a long shot. The food, the wine, the crazy drivers who park anywhere, there is so much to see & do it’s hard to know where to start. Rome, Florence, Venice there are so many great cities, however if I had to pick two favourites they would be Sam Gimignano and the Cinque Terre.
Travel tip, take a wonderful one hour walk from Santa Margherita. The homes are truly magnificent, prepare yourself for a great experience when you arrive at the beautiful waterfront village of Portofino. The buildings, the boats, the restaurants, it’s all there. Just make sure you have your credit card and a wallet full of Euros. For the budget minded like myself it makes more sense to stay at Santa Margherita and visit Portofino on foot or by ferry. The Lido Palace is on the beach if you want to go upmarket, my hotel was one block back and reasonable priced, with free car parking, The Mediterraneo.
Thanks for visiting my Travel tips fabulous countries photo blog.
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
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