Renata Laura: Surgiton Calanques, Marseille. Nice & Monaco

2018. From Marseille, walk to Castellane and take the 21 Bus to Luminy (last stop). Walk through the National Park and follow the arrows, we walked to the top view point of Surgiton then around the white limestone Puget Cliffs and hiked down to the calanque. The views of the mountains, greenery and water were spectacular. I wish we had time to see the other calanques too!

It was like the land before time.

View of Morgiou Calanque. Take the 22 bus to go there.

Flora and fauna

Small amount of hiking to get to this sitting area.

I am sure the water will look more turquoise in summer. I couldn't quite capture it on camera.

It was cold in this part as the cliffs shaded the sun.

Couldn't decide which calanque to visit but I was very happy with Surgiton! I would like to go to Cassis to see the Calanques En Vau, and see the Gorge Verdon which is accessible by bus 30 minutes from Marseille airport.

The top view was amazing!

I went to Marseille solely to hike at Les Calanques but we spent most of the time in Marseille city and in the end only saw Surgiton Calanques. The chocolates are soaps.

View from Notre Dame Le Guard.

Standing on Fort St Nicolas overlooking Fort St Jean and Vieux Port.

Vieux Port

Nice airport is just 4 km to the beach so we just walked from Terminal 2 to Promenade des Anglais. The website booking suggested hiring a transfer to the hotel in the double digits but I know not to book those after Toulouse! There is a bus that leaves Nice airport to the beach every 20 minutes for 6 euros but the walk from the airport is flat and safe as it is designated for cyclists and pedestrians. The first glance of the sea was a deep and bright royal blue, it was bedazzling!'The French Riviera (or Côte d'Azur) is the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France.' 'he name Côte d'Azur was given to the coast by the writer Stéphen Liégeard in his book, La Côte d’azur, published in December 1887. Liégeard was born in the French department of Côte-d'Or, and adapted that name by substituting the azure blue color of the Mediterranean for the gold of Côte-d'Or'

The sky was equally blue and bold! I have no idea what this building is but liked the colours:-

On a cloudy day the water shone silver, in the sun a deep azure.

Promenade du Paillon, Miroir d'Eau (mirror of water)

Cute cupcake soap.

Just as pretty on a cloudy day.

Monaco Monte-Carlo - We took a train from Nice which was just over £8 Euros each, so why not. I liked the port and it was interesting to take an afternoon trip whilst on holiday. This is what I intend to do rather than spending money on restaurants.