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Published: March 25th 2018
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I usually visit a european destination twice a year. One of my favorite trips was my last visit in south France a couple of years ago. I had only a few days available so I had to do everything in a hurry. I always do my homework before visiting a place, I read history, reviews and watch videos of previous visitors to know what to expect and organize my daily schedule best way possible. With a good night's rest, lots of vitamins and my protein supplement coupons from
Spiqy.com, I usually hit the road at 8.00 in the morning.
On the southeast coast of France the port of Marseille buzzes with life and locals boast of their different provenance, from Algeria to Morocco and from Italy to France. The magic is of an entirely different flavor a little to the north, in Lyon, where start-up companies thrive, history lies with progress and the food alone is a reason to visit.
Day One I must admit that Marseille was no random choice. For eager as I am to explore the colorful city, designated European Capital of Culture for 2013, I am equally anticipating to rest in the
new Mama Shelter, which combines creative design, a cozy atmosphere and affordable prices. After checking in I treat myself to a Mediterranean power lunch in the hotel restaurant and then take a short walk to the artsy Cours Julien district. Once upon a time, I would have bought some vinyl records here; now I go for a vintage jacket from the Oogie concept store and aromatic Marseille soaps from La Licorne before catching the sunset from the terrace of La Caravelle, where the aperitif ritual is a delight of wine and tapas.
Day Two After a quick look around the church of Notre-Dame de la Garde, which dominates the city from its hilltop location, I return to the Old Port. Since I cannot yet visit the impressive new Museum of Civilizations from Europe and the Mediterranean, which will be opening any day now, I go into daydreaming mode as I watch the boats departing for Corsica, Sardinia, Tunisia, Spain and Algeria. My appetite is never gone for long and now it’s time for buillabaisse to the youthful Chez Madie, right next to the water. The afternoon is devoted to shopping (or at least window shopping) at
the elegant stores on Rue Paradis, while the end of my day is equally classy at Café Populaire.
Day Three I take the boat from the Old Port, mainly to be nearer the sea, and find myself in the city’s oldest quarter, Le Panier. Here, time seems to have stood still, in sun-baked alleyways and shops selling santons, the traditional terracotta figurines from Provence. I arrive early at the unique fishmonger/restaurant La Boite a Sardine to catch a table and order a seafood platter. Designed by Le Corbusier, the emblematic unite d’ Habitation, also known as Cite radieuse is a must visit. This 17-storey “vertical village” was built between 1945 and 1952. I take my last lok at the port relaxing at the Bar de la Marine with its eye-catching blue facade having a bag full of bottles of pastis from La Maison du Pastis next to me.
Day Four After about two hours with the train, I arrive at Lyon. Instead of the brand new Mama Shelter Lyon, I stay at the school-themed Le College hotel, featuring original classroom-style furniture and a magnificent 1930’s façade. At last it is time for
a museum visit, to the Musee des Beaux-Arts, one of the largest in Europe, with over 70 rooms displaying works of art from antiquity to the present. I then set off to ascertain how justified Lyon’s reputation is as the French capital of gastronomy. At the restaurant “Au 14 Fevrier”, my first culinary experience may not be traditional but it is certainly impressive, as Isavour dishes that combine elements of French and Japanese cuisine under a ceiling lined with mirrors.
Day Five My last day in south France. Still super excited thanks to my vitamins and diet rich in nutrients. Last thing I want when I am traveling is to get a flu from a tired immune system. To be honest,
www.spiqy.com provided me with some hints and tips related to nutrition.
I head to the Marche St-Antoine open-air market to buy cheeses, salami and a pomegranate tart that will serve as brunch. Next stop, the Old City of Lyon, where narrow passageways – traboules – link two streets through a building or a courtyard. Here stands the Cathedral of St. Jean – Baptiste, featuring intriguing Gothic gargoyles and a massive astronomical clock topped by automatons of humans and angels, which comes to life when the clock strikes 12, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. At the bouchon (restaurant serving authentic Lyonnaise cuisine) “La Machonnerie” with chequered tablecloths, I enjoy hearty dumplings quenelles. The day and the trip end at the “Montmartre of Lyon”, or else the La Croix Rousse, with its many steps and boutiques of upcoming designers. I have to confess, I can’t tell which of the two French cities won my heart.
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