Marseille is France's second largest city and largest port. But did you know it is also the oldest city in France? Built around a narrow inlet off the Mediterranean Sea and sheltered by the nearby Frioul Islands, the city has undergone massive changes over the centuries, both positive and negative, but the importance of trade…
Thinking of Southern France evokes images of sandy beaches and blue waters, and it has those in spades. However, for those who desire a bit more history and culture, just a short one hour train ride (or two hours by bus) from your base in Marseille lies Nimes, home to some of the best preserved…
Walking outside of my apartment on my first morning here in Marseille, I was greeted by the facade of a savonnerie, a soap store. Odd, I thought to myself, to have Savon de Marseille (Soap of Marseille) advertised so publicly. I resolved to return, but I had an appointment. About half a block down the…
While jet lag has its tentacles in me, I have arrived safe and sound in Marseille. France's second largest city and one of the most important Mediterranean ports, Marseille is a bit gritty, multi-cultural, and so far, absolutely wonderful. I will be here for a month, using the city as my base to explore the…
In November of 2018, three fires devastated parts of California, in what has seemingly become a dark annual ritual. While the main story has been - and should be - the incredible loss of life and property from the blazes, I also wanted to tell the tale of a place that is very special to…
With the start of 2019, I am going to be traveling more, and a bit differently than in the past. I have rented out my house and am off on some longer journeys than I have undertaken before. My first stop: three months in France! To start, yes, I am skipping Paris. I have already…
It's mid-December, so while there are still a couple weeks remaining in the year, my travels have come to an end and it's time for a brief look back. I will be leaving town again on New Year's Eve (more on that in the next week or so), but I will count that in 2019.…
Outside of the Mediterranean, there are a few areas in the world with a Mediterranean climate: the cape of South Africa, Chile, and the California coast. Perhaps that's why, when oil tycoon J Paul Getty wanted to build a replica Roman villa on the cliffs of Malibu to house his art collection, nobody called him…
What happens when one of my favorite cities meets one of my biggest passions as a traveler? Well, I got to experience that recently when, after years of talking about it, my sister and I finally attended Santa Cruz's Open Studios. What is Open Studios? I'm glad you asked. Imagine more than 300 incredible artists…
Often, destinations that are a bit more remote tend to be ignored. Places outside big cities, lacking in national parks or other well-known landmarks, can still be wonderful. There is a calmness to rolling hills, forests and meadows, mountains and streams that are, of themselves, not a focal point for travel. Southwestern Pennsylvania is one…