TURIN / TORINO - the capital of Piedmont, Italy

Most people will think about the Turin Shroud, the Headquarters of Fiat or even Michael Caine’s Italian Job, but there is more to Turin than that - a metropolis rich in culture, with history that spans back millennia and a great place to get out and about.

BRIANÇON (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France), the fortified city of Vauban

It was Vauban (17^th century), who in leaving his mark here as wherever he applied his genius, put his fortifications on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. But despite the austere exterior, designed to withstand sieges rather than to welcome tourists, once past the city’s drawbridge and gate, the visitor discovers a lively, picturesque alpine town with its steep streets, the severe façades of its Italianate houses, decorated in the washed out ochre and peach tones of Provence, featuring  ancient water fountains, sundials, two unique open water canals...

With its altitude of 1326 m, Briançon is the highest city in Europe. Located on the crossroads of five valleys at the Franco-Italian border, its strategic position was highly appreciated since antiquity. In Roman times it was known as Brigantium.

Le Pays Basque - The Basque Country

San Sebastián - Donostia
view from the citadel -
just a few kilometres from the French border, this attractive city known for its sandy beaches and a once mighty citadel is founded in ancient times on the mouth of the Urumea River

San Sebastián - Donostia
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza

San Sebastián - Donostia
View from the beach towards the Citadel



St Jean Pied de Port
A picturesque little town in the foothills of the Pyrenees, important stage on the route to Saint Jacques de Compostelle

St Jean Pied de Port

St Jean de Luz
Now a charming seaside resort, the town's chequered history spans centuries back, its Golden age - the 17th century, the time when the Sun King came here to get married and stayed in this house

St Jean de Luz
The port where the fishermen pull in large catches of sardines, anchovies and tuna - a remainder of an eventful past - the place was mainly associated with fishing and piracy.
The big house to the right is where the Spanish Infanta Maria Teresa stayed at the time of her marriage to Louis XIV.

St Jean de Luz
The church where Louis XIV got married

Espelette
The capital of piment (paprika)

STARA ZAGORA, BULGARIA, the City of Linden Trees

The Road to Nowhere

This is a section of the major thoroughfare (Decumanus Maximus), which used to connect the east and west gates of the ancient Roman city of Augusta Trajana.  Now it cuts through what is left of the Roman Forum and links the Antique Amphitheatre with the Historical museum, just a few hundred metres away; it is flanked on one side by the turn of the (20^th) century theatre and, on another, by the late 20th century Opera House. For me, this architectural ensemble, now peaceful and quiet, encapsulates the frustration many feel these days – this city with a glorious past is (or has) become a backwater, which the young are eager to leave, after benefiting from an excellent education, that the local institutions are able to provide for them. But the job opportunities are few and far between and the bright young things are looking for more exciting and challenging lives...in Sofia or abroad.

The Antique Amphitheatre

Fenced off to the side of the Law Courts, it looks rather forlorn, waiting for better times to come – maybe to be again the venue for some of the lively spectacles, the local people are so proud of.

The Regional Museum of History

This 21st century building in the shape of a futuristic hour glass, preserves more of the Roman ruins and what was the main shopping street, (Cardo Maximus).  This museum faces the Antique Roman Forum, which was - and still is - the heart of the city, and thus represents a bridge between past and future.

MILAN, Capital of Fashion

Let's leave fashion to the experts and see what else the city has to offer!


A word of advice: If you want to see "The Last Supper", book well in advance!

Duomo by night

Duomo - the rooftop terrace

Castello Sforzesco

The Roman City, Mediolanum

The fashion district



                                                             

COAST - Monaco

Monaco/Monte Carlo - Port

« Et pour pas payer d'impôts il faut naître à Monaco! »
And if you don’t want to pay taxes, you have to be born in Monaco, as the popular song says...
But the tiny principality on the French Riviera has a lot more to show for than just being a tax haven. Spectacular setting, great climate, fascinating history (one ruling family, the Grimaldi since the 13th century), and all sorts of attractions: Casino, Rally Monte Carlo, Oceanographic Museum, yachting, theatres, to name just a few. No surprise that it has become such a playground for the rich and the famous.

Monaco/Monte Carlo - Port

Monte Carlo - Casino

Monaco/Monte Carlo - Sainte-Dévote Chapel

COAST - Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

A charming little fishing town, just a few kilometres east of Nice featuring a magnificent bay, best seen from the train, which runs along the coast, offering breathtaking views on its way to Monaco.

Vilefranche - La Gare Maritime

Villefranche - La Rue Obscure

Nellcote villa – getting a facelift after years of slumber; it’s difficult to imagine that in this otherwise peaceful environment “Exile on Main Street” was recorded some 40 years ago. But Keith, Mick and co have now left the building for good.



Villefranche-sur-Mer