Topic
Old towns
22 stories tagged old towns.
Cannes Day Trip to Saint Paul de Vence is worth it, but we liked Saint Jeannet
We planned this as the classic Cannes-area inland day trip: leave the beach behind, drive up to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, walk the medieval streets, have lunch, and keep moving. Saint-Paul-de-Vence did deliver the stone lanes, small shops, viewpoints, and a very good lunch at Les Remparts. The surprise was that Saint-Jeannet suited us better. We stayed nearby at Le Moulin Camoula, came into Saint-Jeannet for the evening, and had dinner at L'adorse D'ana. If a friend asked us how to do this, we would still say go to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, but do not let it be the whole story.
7 Days on the French Riviera: Cannes to Nice
Come with us on a 7-day French Riviera guide. We actually spent more than three weeks based in Cannes, which gave us time to explore the region slowly and understand what truly works. This itinerary reflects how we would structure a focused 7-day version of what we would plan if we did the trip again. At Durfee Travel Blog, we only share about places we have actually been. We plan the trip, live the detours, and tell you what was worth the time.
Day Trip from Cannes to Eze, Menton, Saint-Jeannet
The day started early in Èze, and that turned out to be one of our best decisions. Arriving before the crowds gave us time to wander the medieval stone streets and enjoy some of the French Riviera’s most spectacular views in relative peace. Perched high above the Mediterranean, Èze has been drawing visitors for centuries, and the scenery explains why. From there, we headed east to Menton, France’s last major town before Italy. Known for its colorful waterfront and laid-back atmosphere, Menton sits between the mountains and the sea, creating one of the Riviera’s most beautiful bays. Lunch was simple and perfect for the setting: pizza by the waterfront. Later, we grabbed a serving of fries and found a shaded café table overlooking the bay. Sometimes the best travel moments aren’t complicated. They’re just good food, a little shade, and a great view. We finished the day inland in Saint-Jeannet, beneath the towering Baou de Saint-Jeannet. A local wine tasting provided the perfect ending to a day that took us from a medieval hilltop village, to the Mediterranean coast, and finally into the foothills above the Riviera. Not a bad way to spend a day on the Côte d’Azur.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Where Sun-Drenched Stones Whisper History
We rolled into Avignon, fresh off a TGV from Paris, trading the metropolitan rush for something altogether more languid. The plan? Dive headfirst into the sun-baked villages and rolling vineyards of Provence. Forget the rosé — though, yes, we had some — the real quest was for those hidden reds and crisp whites, the ones that taste like the very soil they sprung from. Our base: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a village that felt less like a destination and more like a gentle embrace. Narrow streets, shuttered windows, and the scent of lavender on the breeze. It was a good call. A very good call.
Napoli: The Art of Stumbling Upwards
We usually plan trips with spreadsheets, but Naples taught us the best moments happen while walking off a "pizza coma." We started at 400 Gradi Rapuano Pizzeria near the Spanish Quarter with reckless abandon. First came Pizza Fritta, a delicious cross between a donut and a calzone. Next was Tarallo Pizza, topped with savory almond biscuits. It was crunchy, salty, and fatal to any plans of moving quickly. Waddling toward the harbor, we found the Funicolare Centrale at Augusteo. We have a simple rule. If there’s a funicular, we take it. We bought tickets for the last stop, Piazza Fuga, without checking a single review. The train lifted us from the harbor to the Vomero district. We followed signs for a castle simply because walking downhill felt like a bad idea after all that dough. We ended up at Castel Sant'Elmo and the Museo Nazionale di San Martino. Expecting a simple view, we found the whole world instead. Naples sprawled below like a pop-up book, with Mount Vesuvius looming and Capri on the horizon. It was a perfect 360-degree panorama found completely by accident. Sometimes research is overrated. You just need to eat a fried pizza, find a train that goes up, and see where it takes you.
Napoli: Walking Tour of the Harbor
Napoli, is a city that immediately tells you you’re not in a rural area anymore. It shouts at you; horns, people bustling through, motorcycles nearly missing you on roads that a mixed pedestrian and cars. My arrival felt less like a carefully planned vacation and more like being dropped into an opera mid-act, without a libretto. I’d come for the chaos, the history, and a pizza pilgrimage. What I found was a place that demands your full attention, a vibrant, sometimes abrasive, always captivating urban symphony. Every step was a negotiation, every corner a new discovery. This wasn't Italy's manicured postcard; this was its raw, beating heart, and it was worth the visit. This hour long mile and a half walk gave us a good first flavor of the cities harbor.
Limestone Lullabies and Lunch by the Adriatic
It wasn't a choice, really. More like an insistent gravitational pull. One minute, I was navigating a maze of sun-baked streets, the next, the ground simply... ended. Not in a terrifying, cinematic cliffhanger way, but in a breathtaking, postcard-perfect plunge to the turquoise below. This is Polignano a Mare, a place that doesn't merely exist on the coast; it *is* the coast, carved and shaped by centuries of Adriatic whims. My travel philosophy usually involves a healthy dose of skepticism toward anything labeled 'charming.' Too often, it translates to 'overpriced and crowded.' But here? The charm felt earned, etched into every rough-hewn stone, every whitewashed wall clinging precariously to the cliff face. It whispered stories of fishermen, of lovers, of the sea's relentless embrace. And, if I'm being honest, I was already thinking about lunch.
Rome, Revisited: The Art of the Lesser-Known Bite
As we landed at FCO, it started, the feeling of la dolce vita (living the sweet life). A familiar, comforting embrace from a city that's seen us before, many times. Rome. Some places, you just keep coming back to. Like a favorite sweater, or that one friend who always has a good story. We've done the Colosseum. We've marveled at the Vatican's grandeur. We've even circled the Circus Maximus, imagining chariots and ancient roars. This time, though, the quest was different. It wasn't about checking off boxes from a guidebook. It was about the quiet corners, the whispered recommendations, and the pursuit of ricotta-filled crusts. A homecoming, yes, but with a fresh lens. A different kind of treasure hunt, trading major landmarks for minor miracles. Because sometimes, the real magic isn't in what everyone sees, but in what you stumble upon when you're not looking.
Zorita de los Canes: Where History Tastes Like Honey
Imagine this: You’re fifty minutes east of Madrid, the kind of distance that feels like a world away, and suddenly, you’re in Zorita de los Canes. Population: 68. And a castle. This isn't your average 'escape the city' jaunt. This is a deep dive into what happens when history, local ingredients, and two passionate guides (one a Manchester transplant) share their passion for Spain. We went looking for a quiet Spanish village; we found a full-blown culinary and historical expedition. Paul and Juan, our intrepid hosts, promised a journey, not just a meal. They delivered. We walked the very path where stones for that ancient castle were hauled, feeling the weight of centuries underfoot. We picked up wine from a producer who clearly understood the assignment. And then, the vermouth. Yes, I said it. Vermouth. The drink that has historically made me question all my life choices. This, however, was different. This was Vermouth that turns you into someone who says, "I get it now."
Avila - The Walled City
The 2000 year old walled-city of Ávila was great to see. We had a good lunch in the little town. Clearly being there in December was off season. For us that meant less crowded, some closed shops, and the more pleasing cool weather that we enjoy. We found the Cathedral here to be more beautiful but smaller than in Segovia’s Cathedral.
Segovia - A Castle, Cathedral and Aqueduct
The end of our day in the Avila and Segovia which is North of Madrid in Spain provided a great view of the remnants of a Roman Aqueduct . In Segovia, we kept saying. We could stay here for a couple of days. The Castle was amazing and the Cathedral was beautiful as well. This little community had a nice ambience with shops restaurants and cobbled streets we very walkable.
Madrid: A 10 day Whirlwind of Castles, Churros, and Caverns
The smell hit first. Not the expected exhaust fumes of a major city, but something deeper, richer. A warm, yeasty scent mingling with roasted spices, a hint of something sweet, deeply fried. Madrid doesn’t just greet you; it embraces you with its aroma, then shoves a plate of churros and chocolate into your hands. This wasn't just a trip; it was a ten-day dive into the heart of Spain, a family Christmas spent not just unwrapping presents, but unwrapping layers of history, flavor, and unexpected friendships. We came for the classics, sure. The Royal Palace of Madrid, the art that demands quiet contemplation. But we stayed for the surprises. The underground metro stations turned museums, the secret tunnels whispered with tales of escape, and the sheer joy of sharing a plate of patatas bravas with new friends from across the globe. It was fast, it was furious, and occasionally fueled by questionable amounts of espresso. A masterclass in maximizing every moment, even if it meant a slight re-evaluation of personal sleep requirements.
Quito: Thin Air and Big Views
Quito, Mindo and Cotapaxi were a great and diverse way to explore Quito. We were lucky to have the family of our daughter's friend to be our companions and guides for our time in Quito.
Renaissance Heart of Italy
Florence overwhelms your senses with artistic treasures at every turn. Standing before Michelangelo's David was a profound moment that photos simply cannot capture. The climb up Brunelleschi's Dome rewarded us with breathtaking panoramic views over terracotta rooftops. The Uffizi Gallery houses Renaissance masterpieces that transport you through centuries of human creativity.
Venice & Verona Magic
Venice never fails to enchant us with its floating beauty and timeless charm. We've experienced it in every season - from summer's bustling energy to winter's mystical fog. One unforgettable evening, we attended a Mozart concert in an ancient church where the acoustics made every note feel divine. In Verona, we discovered Romeo and Juliet's legacy while sampling world-class Amarone wines in cozy enotecas.
Spiritual Heart of Italy
Umbria's hilltop towns offer a spiritual journey through history. Orvieto's cathedral, perched dramatically on volcanic cliffs, houses some of Italy's most beautiful frescoes. The underground tunnels reveal fascinating layers of Etruscan and medieval history. Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, radiates peaceful energy with Giotto's masterful frescoes telling the saint's story.
Eternal City Experiences
Rome reveals new secrets with every visit. Our extended stay in Trastevere gave us an authentic Roman experience - morning espresso at local bars, evening aperitivo in hidden piazzas, and late-night strolls along cobblestone streets. The major attractions never lose their power to amaze, but it's the everyday moments that make Rome truly eternal.
Sicily - Island of food and culture
Sicily offers an incredible blend of cultures and landscapes. We stayed at the magnificent Il San Corrado di Noto, a converted monastery that epitomizes Sicilian baroque architecture. The town of Noto itself is a UNESCO masterpiece of golden stone buildings. In Syracuse, the ancient Greek theater and charming Ortigia island create an unforgettable combination of history and beauty.
Cinque Terre Coastal Paradise
The five coastal villages of Cinque Terre feel like stepping into a postcard. We chose to stay in Vernazza, which transforms from a bustling daytime destination to a serene evening haven. The highlight was an impromptu sunset concert where a local musician played classical piano on a hillside overlooking Riomaggiore as the Mediterranean turned golden.
Dramatic Coast & Ancient Wonders
The Amalfi Coast's dramatic beauty takes your breath away at every curve. Positano's pastel houses cascade down cliffs like a watercolor painting. Ravello's Villa Rufolo gardens offer spectacular views that inspired Wagner's music. Our journey to Pompeii was deeply moving - walking through perfectly preserved streets frozen in time by Vesuvius.
Porto: Rain, River Crossings, the Rule of 1, and the Mystery Indian Restaurant
Porto, Portugal, the Douro River and the Douro Valley gave us all of the things we enjoy. Good people, good food, good wine (Port), good walks, and great views. Definitely on the list to go back.
Lisbon: Seven Hills, Sore Calves, and the Sardine-Tin Trams of Lisbon
Discover why Lisbon is called Rome’s twin as we navigate its beautiful but punishing seven hills and squeeze into its famously crowded vintage trams. From temperamental cable cars to festive holiday markets, this is a look at the glorious chaos of Portugal's capital.