As promised we returned to spend the next day in Cassis, thankfully the weather had changed to give us bright sunshine and warmth giving us the opportunity to just laze under the Mediterranean sun, a self-imposed break after all the previous days of constant driving. So Cassis here we come!
According to our Michelin route planner, the fastest way from St Tropez to Toulon was via D58 with a driving time of one hour and 20 minutes. It was a straight forward drive although we thought if it was during the day, we would have been able appreciate the scenic views a lot more with a few stops here and there. We joined A570 in Hyeres then the A57 into Toulon.
There is a merit of being behind the wheel in the South of France. Flexibility and opportunity to visit places that are not easily accessible by public transport and you can stop whenever you want to. Driving in France can be challenging, especially if you are like us who normally drive on the left hand side of the road. It is hard to prepare for such a change, so just take it easy and try to do what everyone else is doing! Navigation has moved on from bulky maps and the various Apps now available take this distraction away to a point. We used what was available which included Google Maps, Waze and Michelin (the recommended travel map for Southern France), hire cars these days are equipped with smart connectable devices and gadgets, making for the ultimate road trip without getting lost!
During our visit to Nice, we took a day trip to Monaco by train. Journey time is around 30 minutes, terminates at Monaco-Monte Carlo. Monaco is the second-smallest country in Europe roughly the same size as New York’s Central Park. Divided into four neighbourhoods: Monaco-Ville (the old city), La Condamine (along the port), Monte-Carlo (tourist area) and Fontvieille, (a reclaimed area from the sea).
Now that travel restrictions are slowly easing in New South Wales and other states, the travel industry is emerging back from the dry spell since March of this year. Truly the Covid-19 has devastated the travel, hospitality and other sectors that rely on tourism. Bargain rates and other perks are currently being offered to lure back tourists to these once busy destinations.
Continuing on from our previous post Thrilling Wollongong, we continued our Southern getaway visiting the coastal towns of Kiama, Gerringong, Gerroa and the lovely village of Berry, all part of the Shoalhaven region of the New South Wales South Coast. Navigating around these picturesque towns is easy by car and all can be visited in one day. But really to appreciate them, we highly recommend an overnight stay. Accommodation in the Fab Four is plentiful from high end boutique hotels to motels, caravan parks, farm-stays and Airbnb. Every town has plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, public parks, amenities and parking so the only decision is where to stay.
Wollongong is a popular tourist destination very close to Sydney. It’s the gateway to the South Coast of New South Wales comprising of four geographic
Our first impression of Gare de Nice Ville was blissfully calmer compared to Marseille St Charles as we stepped outside. It’s a smaller station with less chaos except for our fellow arriving and departing passengers. Outside you’ll find plenty of shops and transport options to take you to your hotel or final destination.
If you venture out in the West of Sydney for a movie, feed and retail therapy, look no further than the Auburn Redyard Entertainment Centre complex located in Auburn. It’s a modern outdoor complex, home to Reading Cinemas, dining venues and shopping outlets. It’s a perfect destination for the whole family and a place to hang out with friends. Big bonus here is the huge carpark accessible directly under the building.
Want to learn how to cook some easy and delicious Filipino food? The Filipino Food Movement Australia Inc. will present a series of short cooking videos using the finest ethnic and premium products of the Philippines in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Sydney, Department of Trade and Industry Sydney and the Department of Trade and Industry Export Marketing Bureau to increase awareness and understanding of Filipino Cuisine to the wider Australian audience.
We have sailed with Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas a number of years ago for a 7 day cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong visiting Vietnam (Nah Trang) and Thailand (Pattaya and Chabang) and we loved it. As first time cruisers our expectations were all met hands down! We were impressed with our room and service, dining, entertainment and activities and shows onboard, never a dull moment.
