Postcards from a solo adventure traveler…
In the Historic Center of Aix-en-Provence — A Gem of Contemporary Cuisine
Americans would call it my guilty pleasure, the French my péché mignon (delightful sin), but to me it is just NIRO by Le Gambetta – my favorite bistronomie restaurant in Aix-en-Provence.
A Canary Islands Winter Escape – Tenerife
Along with dramatic volcanic scenery and gorgeous sandy beaches, Tenerife, the largest island of Spain’s Canary archipelago, boasts one of the very best climates on the planet, making it a favorite sub-tropical escape for winter-weary Europeans.
Nancy — The Fountainhead of French Art Nouveau
Best known for its medieval Old Town and its spectacular Baroque Place Stanislas, Nancy, the once capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, is also home to France’s richest Art Nouveau heritage.
The Museum of Paris History— Musee Carnavalet
Recently reopen after extensive renovations, the Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris is the history museum of the city and its people from the Mesolithic times to the present. Although often overlooked by tourists, it is well worth a visit.
In and around Palermo – The Great Byzantine Mosaics of Sicily
Commissioned during the 12th century by Sicily’s Norman rulers and largely the work of Greek mosaicists brought to Sicily from Constantinople, some of the most breathtaking examples of Byzantine mosaics in the world decorate the churches and cathedrals in and around Palermo.
Archeological Journey in Western Sicily — Agrigento
Once known to the Greeks as Akragas, Agrigento was founded around 580 BC by settlers from Rhodes and Crete, and soon became one of the preeminent cities of the Hellenic world. The memories of its grandeur can still be found today in The Valley of the Temples.
Archeological Journey in Western Sicily — Into the Hellenic World
On the south-western coast of Sicily, the ancient city of Selinunte was once one of the richest and most influential cities in the Hellenic World. Today, its awe-inspiring ruins make it one of the largest archaeological sites in Europe.
Archeological Journey in Western Sicily — Marsala to Mazara del Vallo
From early Phoenician settlements to modern coastal towns, the ports of Marsala and Mazara del Vallo narrate three millennia of rich Sicilian history.
Archeological Journey in Western Sicily — From Segesta to Motya
Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands, has been a crossroads of history since ancient times. From the Greek and Phoenicians to the Carthaginians and the Romans, all have left their indelible mark on the land.
The Maeght Foundation — An oasis of Modern Art in the Hills of Provence
At the edge of Saint-Paul de Vence, one of the oldest and most picturesque medieval hilltop villages of Provence, the Maeght Foundation Is home to one of the most important collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe.
The Sainte Chapelle — The Other Gothic Gem In The Heart of Paris.
The largest of the two islands in the middle of the Seine River, the Ile de la Cité is where Paris began. It remains to this day the home of its two most remarkable Gothic treasures.
The Night Never Falls – Zao Wou-Ki in Aix-en-Provence
In Aix-en-Provence, the Caumont Art Center presents an exhibition regrouping more than 70 works by the great French-Chinese Post-Impressionist painter Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2021), illustrating one of his life-long creative themes: the representation of light.
Normandy’s Mystical Island – The Mont Saint-Michel
An unmistakable icon of the northern French coast, Mont Saint-Michel is a magical island crowned by a lofty gothic monastery, looming dramatically on the horizon and defying some of the highest tides in Europe. It was for centuries one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations. Now, it is one of the most visited monuments in the country.
Top Posts
Josette King
I was barely in my teens when travel became a driving force in my life. Now as a travel writer and photographer, I have visited over 45 countries in some of the most photogenic corners of the planet, taking tens of thousands of pictures along the way. With my work, I thrive to capture the natural and cultural uniqueness of each area I visit. Get to know me better…
