Waiting for my train in Nice for Villefranche, along with two SNCF workers, the guide's bags stacked on the platform and ready for an action-packed walking adventure along the French Riviera.
Below three curious Kiwis in my group examine a kiwi on ice skates, on St. Jean Cap Ferrat, set just beside our base in Villefranche sur Mer.
Leaving our hotel in Villefranche sur Mer, along the ancient and cobbled streets. Despite being in the heart of the glitzy and overpopulated Riviera, Villefranche has seemed to escape the new era along the coastline, still clinging to its old-world charm of an authentic fishing port. During mornings or evenings, after the cruiseships have departed, the town feels almost like home.
The morning market in Menton on Tuesday, a glimpse of a buyer's basket of fresh fruit and vegetables...
As the crow flies, we are just 3km from the Sea, departing from the village of Sainte Agnès. But we are now at 600m in altitude, with fresh almost-mountain air, and the fast moving clouds providing intermittent cover. A totally different landscape and ambiance than along the coastline... We walk along ancient cobbled paths, through the Spanish broom and wildflowers, towards the village of...
...Gorbio
The village of Gorbio, itself just a stone's throw from the Riviera, sits perched on a rocky crag at 300m above sea level. Its timeless limestone houses are bunched together in various states of renovation and disrepair, but none of it tainted by the spoils of the Riviera below. The tiny streets pass under stone arches and curve around the central church, devoid of tourist shops and restaurants.
It is not planned for, but we spend two hours visiting the village, walking along every one of its streets, enjoying the contrast from the busy coastline.
More of Gorbio:
In Gorbio:
More of Gorbio:
The second half of our journey centres around the town of Aix en Provence, where Cézanne tirelessly painted his Sainte Victoire mountain. Below the evening sun highlights the buildings surrounding a bistro-clad square in the centre of town:
The next day's picnic at the foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain is prepared by the group. Each picked a picnic item from the hat, collected at the market in Aix. What I imagined to be a fun way to assemble a picnic becomes a feast! Thanks for the great food guys!
Vivienne and her mother Berice, at the foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain. I have to say that Berice was an inspiration to all in the group, proving that even at 78 you can still be too young and adventurous for a bus tour or a cruise (this is a hint to you Mom and Dad!)
Vivienne and her mother Berice, at the foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain. I have to say that Berice was an inspiration to all in the group, proving that even at 78 you can still be too young and adventurous for a bus tour or a cruise (this is a hint to you Mom and Dad!)
Our last walk set atop the Alpilles mountains, Judith and Trevor looking out towards a never-ending valley of olive groves and vines, and perhaps a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea?
We are lucky enough to have two guides this day: below my colleague Gustav sets the course to storm the castle of Les Baux de Provence, set in the upper-left of the picture.
A group marvelling at the 14th century cathedral in Arles, our final stop of the tour:
Thanks to Vivienne, Maggie, Trevor, Judith, Berice, and Robyn for a fantastic week of walking and indulgence in Provence
We are lucky enough to have two guides this day: below my colleague Gustav sets the course to storm the castle of Les Baux de Provence, set in the upper-left of the picture.
A group marvelling at the 14th century cathedral in Arles, our final stop of the tour:
Thanks to Vivienne, Maggie, Trevor, Judith, Berice, and Robyn for a fantastic week of walking and indulgence in Provence
