Did you know that the Carnival in Nice is the original carnival-type celebration ? We all know about – and even travelled to – the famous Carnival in Rio or in Venice, but few of us are aware that the Nice Carnival is the oldest ever mentioned, namely by the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou in 1294. The Nice Carnival is not only one of the major carnivals in the world, but it is maybe the greatest in terms of the complexity of the parade: each year has a special theme which sets the tone for the design of 18 spectacular floats and all the masquerades and connected activities. This is year’…
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SINE QUA NON: LONDON
ONE: THE CLASSICS, AT NIGHT A 360 view in the heart of London: The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, crossing Westminster Bridge, the Eye, the view up and down the Thames. THE HIGH(EST) VIEW London seen from above is more than extraordinary, is utterly dramatic and incredibly enjoyable, especially with a glass of prosecco to complement the view. Book your ticket to The View from the Shard (yes, it’s worth every penny and then some) or/ and to Sky Garden for a true show of wonder. Tip 1: Sky Garden is free entrance, but you need to book a week ahead to make sure you register for your…
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SINE QUA NON: SARDINIA
ONE: Costa Smeralda A little over 20 km of coastline and the most expensive location in Europe (real estate prices are 300,000 euros sqm), Costa Smeralda is famous for its white sand beaches, its scenic route, its hidden coves and bays and known as the VIPs playground ever since the 60’s. Porto Cervo is a celebs hotspot and has one of the most beautiful luxury brands shopping mall in the world, while Romazzino is that ideal real estate project dreamt of by Prince Karim Aga Khan and sought after by Clooney and co. Normally, this kind of labels are something the happy few thoroughly avoid, but in this case we…
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SNAPSHOTS FROM THE CARNIVAL
Nice Carnival is one of the greatest carnivals in the world: every year before Mardi Gras, there are two weeks of daily events and parades, including the famous Night Parade (on the Promenade du Paillon) and the Battle of Flowers (on the Promenade des Anglais).
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SINE QUA NON ISRAEL
ONE The Western Wall, Jerusalem TWO Temple Mount, Jerusalem This is the place which holds the most religious significance in the world for Jews and Muslims alltogether. The Dome of the Rock harbours the planet’s most important rock, namely the one where the Muslims believed the world was created and where Mohamed rose to the heavens, but also where the Jews believe God created Adam and the world and where Solomon built the First Temple. Judaism considers this place as the most sacred of all, where God’s presence is most felt. Temple Mount is only accessible to non-Muslims at very specific visiting times, going through one checkpoint located on the…
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SNAPSOTS: Shabbat at the Western Wall
The Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest. It begins a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening and it ends when three stars are visible in the sky on Saturday evening. The Western Wall is the most sacred place to be and to pray on this day, and every day.
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Drive-by snapshots from the Amalfi Coast
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SINE QUA NON: AMALFI COAST
ONE: RAVELLO This will be a surprising no. 1 for most, as the usual day-trippers and ‘effective’ travel guides will skip it altogether. And that’s a good thing, because the crowds make it difficult enough to reach and enjoy in all its haughty splendour. Ravello is in fact not on the Amalfi Coast, but hanging uphill, just on top of Amalfi. It is spectacular, noble and expensive, and worth it. The narrow road leading to Ravello is cut in the rocky mountain like an initiation path and is called, quite evocatively, the Valley of the Dragon. Ravello is small, which adds to the feeling of exclusivity, especially off- season or…
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POSTCARDS: Acqua Alta in Venice
Like all great beauties, she is incredible, irresistible, fragile and dramatic, alltogether. Venezia’s destiny as a forever endangered realm of wonder has a tragic beauty to it, and nothing makes it more obvious than the acqua alta days. On October 29, 2018, an exceptional high tide flooded Venice. It was the fourth highest ever recorded, and the most dramatic in over a decade. The conscience of her ephemerity only added to the beauty, as La Serenissima was stripped of the hords of tourists and the waters held the mirror to her face for two days in a row.
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SINE QUA NON: NORMANDY
MONT SAINT MICHEL The only possible number one. Although is closer and more intimately connected to Bretagne, it will be top-of-mind for any escape in Western France. I wrote more about “the wonder” here. THE ALABASTER COAST AND PAYS DE CAUX La Cote d’Albatre is the French counterpart of the famous white cliffs that are the picture-perfect signature of the English Channel coastline. It makes for a great roadtrip, with its towns and villages of quaint charm and the often striking beauty of the high falaises. Stop in Etretat, Yport, Fecamp, Veules-les-Roses, Dieppe. Etretat has the most beautiful cliffs, Fecamp is a jewel of a town where you cannot miss…
