Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Welcome to 700 travel blogs, to access a full index on your mobile please scroll to the bottom & choose from 700 locations. Email is [email protected]

Paris Fashion Food Wine

December 2, 2013 by David Herd

Everyone loves

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Paris Fashion Food Wine, even though generally the French are rather arrogant & rude to tourists. I’m guessing they love their city & resent the intrusion of so many foreigners.

It was years ago in 2005 when I was last there so I’m due to visit again soon. In 2014 I was in Amsterdam, Brussels and London, and in 2013 I got as close as BrugeVersailles  which of course is adjacent to the beautiful city.

Ella says it better than I can.

Notre Dame Hotel Paris.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

I imagine the attraction of Paris means different things to many people. The architecture, the food & restaurants, the culture & museums, etc etc.

Grand Cluny

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Everywhere you look in Paris there is a brasserie.

Champs-Élysées.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a street in Paris. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Champs-Élysées is arguably one of the world’s most famous boulevards.

ZAZ - Champs Elysées (Clip officiel)

Dinner with friends in Paris

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Another great dinner with friends in Paris washed down with a nice Bordeaux. I’m with Gavin & Cheryl Kernot from Australia & Malvina who now lives in Paris. I first met Malvina a few years ago when she lived in Mexico city.

Paris Kebab.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

This is one of my favourite photos from Paris. I think the guy looks a little like Al Pacino.

Wonderful seafood street stall

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Malvina has a photo with this great Parisian character.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Paris Fashion Food Wine

I rally need to plan another trip to Paris, perhaps in 2017.

David Herd loves Paris

Paris Fashion Food Wine

The Buddha Bar is a very cool trendy spot with good music, make sure you have plenty of money. You will find it at 8 Rue Boissy d’ Anglais M. Concorde.

Here is some Buddha bar music.

Buddha Bar.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

No prizes for guessing what dominates the floor space inside this ultra-cool Parisian imbibery. You might think it’s the Buddha that attracts the oh-so-trendy set here, as it’s always flattering to stand next to someone more rotund than yourself. A very popular haunt with drinkers and diners alike.

Royal St Michel hotel

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Sunset in Paris and another wonderful evening begins.

Cruising along the Seine.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Please click on Google + to help my page ranking.

 
Buildings along the Seine.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Take a boat cruise you won’t regret it.

Restaurant on the Seine

Paris Fashion Food Wine

So many wonderful photo opportunities along this magic river.

Cruising on the Seine.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

I think an open top boat is more fun.

I wonder if there are bats in the belfry?

Paris Fashion Food Wine

The ancient buildings are amazing.

This structure looks familiar.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011.

The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010. The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Because of the addition of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 metres (17 ft). Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct.

Nymphs of the Seine

Paris Fashion Food Wine

The Pont Alexandre III is an arch bridge that spans the Seine, connecting the Champs-Élysées quarter and the Invalides and Eiffel Tower quarter, widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in Paris. It is classified as a historical monument.

Wonderful Paris statue.

Paris Fashion Food Wine

Great hotel deals in Paris through Agoda.

Gavin reminds some people of Michael Caine.

Paris Art Fashion Food Wine

Every time I hear Edith Piaf sing I immediately think of Paris.

As I said at the beginning  Everyone loves Paris, such a beautiful romantic city.

Thanks for visiting my Paris Fashion Food Wine photo blog.

That’s all folks

Paris Art Fashion Food Wine

 

                   Here are some more posts to check out 

     

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

November 3, 2013 by David Herd

Monte Carlo casino

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy, they are squeezed into this tiny principality like sardines. In fact Monaco is the most densely populated piece of dirt on Earth.

Mind blowing wealth is everywhere.

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family first seized temporary control in 1297, and again in 1331, but were not able to permanently secure their holding until 1419.

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy, an amazing city

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a banking center and has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. Monaco, however, is not a tax-free shelter; it charges nearly 20% value-added tax, collects stamp duties, and companies face a 33% tax on profits unless they can show that three-quarters of profits are generated within the principality. Monaco’s reliance on tourism and banking for its economic growth has left it vulnerable to a downturn in France and other European economies which are the principality’s main trade partners.


I could happily live aboard this awesome ship

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Lady Moura is a private luxury yacht. She was the ninth largest private yacht when she was launched in 1990, but has moved down the list in 2011 to number 24. She is owned by Saudi Arabian businessman, Nasser Al-Rashid.

Lady Moura in Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Both the hull and the superstructure are made of steel. The propulsion plant consists of two KHD-MWM diesel engines, each with a power of 5050 kW (over 6700 bhp), and controllable pitch propellers producing a speed of over 20 knots. A crafty hydraulically operated system of shell ports, doors, flaps, roofs, bath platforms, gangways and cranes provide the most possible ease of operation and comfort. Even the boats, anchors, life-rafts and navigation lanterns are hidden behind covers and do not disturb the aesthetics of the yacht. Both the name and the escutcheon that can be seen at port, starboard and at Stern are carved in 24 carat gold.

I would be happy with the gold one.

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

We were staying in a small French village Breil Sur Roya about 45 minutes drive from Monte Carlo, a great location to explore surrounding French and Italian historic villages.

Perhaps a Mercedes as well.

Monte Carlo Crowded Charismatic Wealthy

That is one beautiful motor vehicle.

Magnificent Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

The castle dominates and overlooks the city.

 Reclaiming the Mediterranean

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Obviously there is no more land so they are building out into the sea. I believe there is another similar project about to start, it is expected to take 10 years to complete.

My Australian friends in Monte Carlo.

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Jodie O’Neill & Deborah Holliday from Australia’s Gold Coast.

Café de Paris Monte-Carlo

Monte Carlo Charismatic Wealthy

Café de Paris Monte-Carlo is the place to watch the passing parade in Monte Carlo, right next door to the casino and rather expensive, as you would expect.

 A brief 17 second video of the harbour.

Monaco, I can smell the money.

Thanks for visiting my Monte Carlo haven for the rich & famous photo blog.

 

 
 
                         Please check out these fabulous posts 

       Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

 

 

 

Not far east along the coast is Cinque Terre

 

Vernazza is a good place to stay in Cinque Terre

 

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Lake Como Lake Garda

October 18, 2013 by David Herd

Bellagio on Lake Como

Lake Como Lake Garda northern Italy

Lake Como Lake Garda

Lake Como Lake Garda northern Italy are two beautiful lakes in this wonderful country. Lake Como has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, and a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe.

Lots of stairs in Bellagio.

Lake Como Lake Garda

Beautiful Bellagio is situated at the tip of the peninsula separating the lake’s two southern arms, with the Alps visible across the lake to the north.

Bellagio on Lake Como

Lake Como Lake Garda

Bellagio is a wonderful upmarket village on Lake Como, certainly a place that attracts the wealthy. Bellagio & Lake Como are both beautiful and famous, however I do prefer the larger Lake Garda which is a couple of hours east. I found it more “user friendly” in so much as there were many more places you could actually access the lake itself.


Western shore of Lake Como

Lake Como Lake Garda

The wealthy and the snobbish will always pick Como because that’s what they read about in the fashion magazines and gossip columns, but the experienced traveller I believe would choose Lake Garda as the more interesting location.

Lake Como

Lake Como Lake Garda

Lake Como is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of 146 square kilometres, making it the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. Wikipedia

Como cathedral

Lake Como Lake Garda

Please click on Google +  

Como

Lake Como Lake Garda

Como is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Its proximity to Lake Como and to the Alps has made Como a popular tourist destination and the city contains numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks and palaces.

Veal Scaloppini

Lake Como Lake Garda

One of my favourite meals is veal scaloppini and this dish I had in Como was perhaps the best I have ever experienced.

Lake Garda

Lake Como Lake Garda

Lake Garda is Italy’s largest and most visited lake. The lake is 51km long but only 17km wide at its widest point in the south. The distance around the lake is 158km. Picturesque villages, medieval castles, and lakeside promenades dot the shoreline. The lake has a diverse landscape with beaches along the southern shores and rocky cliffs above the northern shoreline. Lake Garda is known for its clear water, great for swimming in summer. Windsurfing, sailing, and hiking in the lake’s many parks are popular activities.

Lake Como Lake Garda northern Italy

Lake Como Lake Garda

The lake has numerous small islands and five main ones, the largest being Isola del Garda. Nearby to the south is Isola San Biagio, also known as the Isola dei Conigli (“Island of the Rabbits”). Both are offshore of San Felice del Benaco, on the west side. The three other main islands are Isola dell’Olivo, Isola di Sogno, and Isola di Trimelone, all farther north near the east side. The main tributary is the Sarca River, while the only outlet is the Mincio River.

Relaxing beside Lake Garda

Lake Como Lake Garda

There are many delightful cafes and restaurants around the lake where you can relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Beautiful Lake Garda

Lake Como Lake Garda

A beautiful summer day in July.

Lake Garda

Lake Como Lake Garda

There are many small towns and villages all around the lake.

North of Lake Garda.

Lake Como Lake Garda

Heading towards the Italian alps.

The Castle of Sirmione on Lake Garda.

Lake Como Lake Garda

The Sirmione castle is the most significant example of the defensive structures on Lake Garda. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the village of Sirmione was a border town situated between the land owned by the Della Scala dynasty of Verona and the property of the lords of Milan. The original nucleus was delimited by a tall square wall with three towers, and was probably built on top of the remains of a Roman fortress. Which one do you prefer Lake Como Lake Garda?

Thanks for visiting my Lake Como Lake Garda northern Italy photo blog.

    Please check out these fabulous posts     
Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

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. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)
 
 

Click here to see a fantastic coastline.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

French Italian villages near Monaco.

August 3, 2013 by David Herd

Beautiful French Italian villages only 30 minutes to the Côte d’Azur.

French Italian villages near Monaco, one of them Saorge is a very beautiful  village perched along a narrow rock spur that juts out into the Vallée de la Roya, high above the river. Saorge is classed as one of the “40 most beautiful villages of France“. The main village streets traverse narrowly between the buildings at very different levels, with smaller streets and steps leading up and down between them. The view from anywhere in the village is spectacular, looking outward to snow-capped mountains in the middle distance (into May and June) and the deep gorge and rushing white-water river below. My best travel tip for this area is to base yourself in the central village of Breil Sur Roya, from here you can easily reach all the wonderful surrounding villages similar to SaorgeSaorge is 11 km north of Breil Sur Roya where we were based. There are so many interesting French & Italian villages north of Monaco, you can spend weeks exploring this area.

Saorge, one of the beautiful French villages

French Italian villages near Monaco

One of my best trips was staying in Breil Sur Roya in the south of France, 45 minutes north of Monaco. Our landlord was Riny Doyle, who rents a cute 2 bedroom apartment in the village where we stayed, he has a 2 rooms B&B in his villa called l’Abricot. Riny  invited us on a couple of occasions to sample some local cuisine and barbecue at the “villa“, Riny & Susan are wonderful hosts, their hospitality was fantastic, I hope to visit them at Breil again sometime in the future. This is certainly one of the nicest French Italian villages near Monaco.

Riny Doyle’s home in Breil Sur Roya.

French Italian villages near Monaco

A beautiful setting foe a memorable lunch.

Lunch with Riny & Susan

French Italian villages near Monaco

Many thanks to Riny & Susan for their wonderful hospitality.

Riny’s B & B at Breil Sur Roya.

French Italian villages near Monaco

This is the great outdoor kitchen at one of Riny Doyle’s B & Bs on top of the mountain in Breil Sur Roya.

The French and Italian rail lines run through Breil so it is very easy to travel anywhere. There is a great market every Friday at Ventimiglia on the border 30 minutes drive or 20 minutes by train from Breil.  The lovely French village of Breil-sur-Roya is particularly known for trout fishing. 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. The streets are narrow and many of the old houses are nicely restored or truly ancient. On the main square you’ll find many buildings painted with trompe-l’oeil scenes. The heart of the town is the narrow old streets parallel to the river, lined with high buildings, and the even narrower connecting streets (ruelles) that pass as tunnels through the buildings.

Lunch with Riny

French Italian villages near Monaco

Riny was a great host, an Aussie who has lived in Europe for many years.

Looking across the lake in Breil Sur Roya

French Italian villages near Monaco

The village sits beside the lake below the mountains.

View from our apartment

French Italian villages near Monaco

The photo above is the view of Breil Sur Roya taken from the balcony of Riny Doyle’s 2 bedroom apartment.

Jodie O’Neill & Deborah Holliday

French Italian villages near Monaco

The girls are happy after their shopping spree at the Ventimiglia market.

Here is a video clip of Riny’s B & B.  

Riny's Bed & Breakfast in the South of France.
 

Airole

French Italian villages near Monaco

  One of the nicest French Italian villages 14 km south of Breil and 14 km north of Ventimiglia on the coast is Airole. A beautiful Italian medieval village with a population of 461, it has a delightful town square where the locals meet to chat, play chess & enjoy a vino or an espresso.

Cold beer in Airole.

 French Italian villages near Monaco

Enjoying a beer in the village square.

Australian blonds drinking wine in Italy

For a good room rate in this area just book through THIS LINK.

French Italian villages Roya Valley.

French Italian villages near Monaco

The Upper Roya Valley begins at the Col de Tende (1871 m) on the French-Italian border. It runs south about 35 km to Breil-sur-Roya and then another 8 km to where it crosses back into Italy. (The Lower Roya Valley flows into the Mediterranean at Ventimiglia.) The Upper Roya Valley is a region of mountains and valleys, with swift rivers, thick forests, and villages with an Italian flavor.

La Brique

French Italian villages near Monaco

The village is both pretty and interesting, with colorful buildings, ancient churches, arcades, vaulted passages, streets to explore, and the pleasure of a fast-flowing river that’s joined by a mountain stream in the center. The stream is called “Rio Sec”, or dry river, but was full of spring water when we were there. Many of the buildings are of natural stone and many are nicely renovated with pastel facades and green doorways and steps. The 14th-c medieval Chateau des Lascaris perched above the village is in ruins, with only some walls and a tall, round donjon tower remaining. Partial reconstruction, however, has been started, and the castle is used for medieval festival weekends. Reconstruction will be followed by archaeological digs on the site.

Fanghetto

French Italian villages near Monaco

  The tiny village of Fanghetto in Italy is 10 km south of Breil & has a population of 10 people, and the only reason I include it in this post is there is one delightful restaurant that only opens for 3 or 4 evenings each week for dinner. It is like eating in somebody’s home, the food is wonderful.

French Italian villages

French Italian villages near Monaco

Great food, Veal Escalopes with Mushrooms in Fanghetto, magnificent.

Sospel in the south of France.

French Italian villages near Monaco

Sospel dates back to the 5th century, when it served as an important staging post on the royal road from Nice to Turin. The old toll bridge used by travellers to cross the Bévéra, built in the 13th century, still stands. It was bombed by the Germans during World War II to prevent contact between the French Resistance (“The Maquis”) and the Italians. Much of the town was destroyed. Renovated after World War II it now houses the tourist office. Ruins of a tower, part of a château belonging to the counts of Provence, are all that remain of the 14th century city walls. (From Wikipedia)

For an excellent room rate is Sospel or nearby just book through THIS LINK.

Deborah, Riny, Jody & David Herd.

French Italian villages near Monaco

Welcome drinks at the local railway station.

Super travel tips.

French Italian villages near Monaco

Breil Sur Roya is the perfect place to stay if you want to explore the French Italian villages in this wonderful area. So convenient to take the train or drive to the French Riviera or Cinque Terre in Italy, or you can just spend  days wandering around all the wonderful medieval French & Italian villages perched on top of the surrounding mountains. Book your hotel here for guaranteed lowest rates + you decide when to pay, now or later.

 

Accommodation. To rent a very nice two bedroom apartment in Breil Sur Roya email Otherwise you can have  B&B rooms at the Villa l’Abricot  on top of the hill with great views, email [email protected]

 
Hotel bookings. Here is a great site , book now & decide when to pay, now or when you check out.
 
The French Riviera is at your doorstep and offers all the pizzazz, style & opulence you could ask for. I suggest however you also consider the lessor know Italian Riviera, specifically the Cinque Terre. I’m surprised how many people I speak to who don’t realise this wonderful area exists, do yourself a favor and check it out. However please remember you can spend weeks exploring the many interesting French Italian villages north of Monaco.
 
 Please check out these fabulous posts   
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

               

La vie en rose - Louis Armstrong
                               

  Here is my post on Brussels.

 

Monte Carlo is a must visit for your bucket list

 

A short drive or train trip will take you to Cinque Terre

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Fabulous French Riviera.

August 1, 2013 by David Herd

Fabulous French Riviera

St Tropez

Fabulous French Riviera or Côte d’Azur, what can I say that has not been said or written about before. So I guess I’ll just highlight my favourite parts of this famous coastline, and try to pass on some travel tips and advice. For the best deals on hotel bookings with a choice of when to pay + a lowest price guarantee, just click here.

Magnificent motor yacht 

french riviera

One thing is certain, no matter how big your boat is, someone will stop beside you in a bigger one. The wealthy are always trying to out do each other, well good luck to them, I like most people love to see how the rich & famous live. That is not an example of the rich & famous below, that’s me David Herd and my friend Jodie O’Neill from Australia.

St Tropez

french riviera

Strangely enough my two favourite places are at opposite ends of the Riviera, St Tropez for sheer opulence, people watching, & great restaurants and bars. Beside the Italian border is Mentone a much more subdued city but with many things to offer the tourist. You can leave your car at the hotel and jump on a train to have lunch at Nice or Monte Carlo, or go the other way into Italy. St Tropez is not on a railway line so once you are there the car is your only option. The photo below is the St Tropez flea market open every Saturday at 6.30 am, these are the biggest Paellas I have ever seen.


St Tropez Saturday market.

french riviera

The biggest paella I have ever seen.

Pebbles on the beach at Nice.

french riviera

One of the most popular cites on the Riviera.

  This does not look comfortable

Fabulous French Riviera

 However I would be very happy lying beside her, I would gladly put up with the pain from the pebbles.

:)

The harbour at Nice.

french riviera There are thousands of boats of all shapes and sizes along the whole French Riviera, no matter where you go you can smell the money.

Monte Carlo harbor & Castle.

Monte Carlo Monaco At the end of the 12th century B.C., the Romans occupied the region. Monaco is part of the Province of the Maritime Alps. During their occupation, the Romans erected at La Turbie, the Trophy of Augustus, which celebrates the triumph of their military campaigns.

Mentone

Fabulous French Riviera

Menton was a real surprise packet, a great place to be based, close to Italy as well as the French Riveria.

Art gallery Mentone

Fabulous French Riviera

Lots of interesting shops in Mentone

The Sultan arrives, chopper on-board of course. :)

Antibes Mediterranean resort

There is so much wealth here on the Fabulous French Riviera.

Paella in Antibes

Spanish Paella

Great food, here I am eating Spanish food in France.

Antibes

Antibes French Riviera After the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, various barbarian tribes seized Antibes. This resulted in destruction and a long period of instability. In the 10th century, Antibes found a protector in Seigneur Rodoart, who built extensive fortified walls around the town and a castle in which to live. For the next 200 years, the town experienced a period of renewal. Prosperity was short-lived, as the whole region fell into disarray for several centuries. The inhabitants of Antibes stayed behind their strong city walls as a succession of wars and epidemics ravaged the countryside. In the 1244, Antibes’s bishop moved his see to Grasse. By the end of the 15th century, the region was under the protection and control of King Louis XI of France. Relative stability returned, but the small port of Antibes fell into obscurity. From around the middle of the 19th century the Antibes area regained its popularity, as wealthy people from around Europe discovered its natural beauty and built many luxurious homes here.

Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo.

Cafe Paris Here are my friends Jodie O’Neill & Deborah Holliday putting on the ritz at Cafe de Paris in Monte-Carlo.

Another Cafe de Paris in St Tropez.

The Cafe de Paris St Tropez

People watching is the main pastime in St Tropez.

St Tropez’s most famous face, Brigitte Bardot.

Brigitte Bardot Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot; born 28 September 1934) is a French former actress, singer and fashion model, now an animal rights activist. She was one of the best known sex symbols of the 1950s and ’60s. Starting in 1969, Bardot’s features became the official face of Marianne (who had previously been anonymous) to represent the liberty of France. Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer in early life. She started her acting career in 1952 and, after appearing in 16 obscure films, became world-famous in 1957 with the release of the controversial film And God Created Woman. She later starred in Jean-Luc Godard’s 1963 film Le Mépris. Bardot was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress for her role in Louis Malle’s 1965 film Viva Maria! Bardot caught the attention of French intellectuals. She was the subject of Simone de Beauvoir’s 1959 essay, The Lolita Syndrome, which described Bardot as a “locomotive of women’s history” and built upon existentialist themes to declare her the first and most liberated woman of post-war France. Bardot retired from the entertainment industry in 1973. During her career in show business, she starred in 47 films, performed in several musical shows, and recorded over 60 songs. She was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1985, but refused to receive it. After her retirement, Bardot established herself as an animal rights activist. During the 1990s, she generated controversy by criticizing immigration and Islam in France, and has been fined five times for inciting racial hatred.

Nice & Antibes are very nice places, Monte Carlo is unbelievable and over the top as you would expect, and as for Cannes in my book, forget it, unless you are there for the film festival. Below is the world famous Monte Carlo Casino, perhaps the most famous landmark on the French Riviera.

Monte Carlo Casino

Monte Carlo Casino

Thanks for visiting my Fabulous French Riviera photo blog.

Lets finish how we started

Fabulous French Riviera

It’s a long way to Byron Bay. 🙂

That’s all folks

Playing Blackjack sexy girls

                            Here are some more posts to check out
 
         

 

Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

 

 

Super travel tips.

Hotel bookings. The best deals including your choice of when to pay, now or later, + best price guarantee.

A good hotel in St Tropez is Les Palmiers, 150 Euros per night. Click here.

One of Europe’s best markets is in Ventimiglia over the border from Mentone every Friday.

You can fly Singapore Airlines from Asia to Nice via Milan.

Lots of tourist information here on this very good site.


La mer - Mr. Bean holiday

Counter only started February 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos