Eleonor

It is pretty surprising to see a setting like this only a few kilometers from Paris. The place gives you the impression of being on vacation in the Caribbean, or in the forest, or I do not even know where else, but definitely not in Paris. Just for that, it is top notch. On the downside, the staff gave me the impression of being overwhelmed when it is crowded, and the prices for eating on site (and for many activities) are pretty salty.

Having tried several pools around Paris, and even water parks like Aquaboulevard, the Aquamundo at Village Nature is the best by far. The interior is located inside a heated greenhouse where it feels great all year round. The outside is a huge space that gives top priority to greenery and nature. Magnificent.

This iconic wax museum is world-renowned for its incredibly realistic sculptures of famous people. You can find historical figures, movie stars, musicians, politicians, and many others. Each sculpture is incredibly detailed, and you really get the feeling that you are in the presence of the actual celebrities. What makes the Musée Grévin particularly interesting is that it offers an interactive experience. You can take photos next to your favorite stars, and there are even themed areas where you can interact with the sculptures. This adds a fun dimension to the visit and makes the experience even more memorable. In the Palais des Mirages, light shows and special effects create interesting o…

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I recently visited the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and I must say it was a truly exceptional experience. This castle is a real architectural masterpiece and offers a fascinating dive into the history and glamour of the era. As soon as I arrived, I was impressed by the majesty of the castle. The French-style gardens surrounding it are simply sumptuous, with carefully maintained flower beds, elegant fountains, and perfectly aligned paths. It is a real pleasure to walk through these gardens, and the attention to detail is just remarkable. Inside the castle, I was amazed by the richness of its history and decor. The rooms are beautifully furnished and decorated with valuable art objects and ant…

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For a beach that is easily accessible because it is right next to the old town of Gallipoli, I think it is very good. Given its location, it is crowded, and there is concrete and a few buildings that spoil the view a bit, but on the sea side, the panorama is fairly open, and the colors are splendid. The beach includes areas of fine sand and some rocky reefs. This creates pretty color contrasts between the turquoise and the navy blue. The waters are calm and warm, making for pleasant and safe swimming for young children.

The old town is built on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The island is dominated by an ancient fortress that you can visit. It is worth it just to see the view from the top of the ramparts. Turquoise waters, small harbors, old houses, and little restaurants with great traditional food. This destination in Puglia really has incredible charm.

Even though London and Edinburgh are both British capitals, they have nothing to do with each other. Edinburgh has preserved its heritage much better (you might say it is easier without the bombings), and the result is better architectural harmony. Simply put, Edinburgh is a beautiful city. Visiting its Castle and its many museums will immerse you in Scottish history. You will understand why this attachment to their identity is so strong. In the evening, the pubs are full and spill out into the street (not during lockdown, I imagine). It is up to you to try and find the vibe you like. In any case, you can go out without breaking the bank.

Maybe we just got unlucky, but we found the accommodation wasn't very clean. There was stained bedding, dishes that we had to re-wash, and a bathroom with sand grains lingering in the corners. I imagine it is not like this all the time, but it gave us a mixed first impression. Fortunately, other than that, the stay went very well. Everyone loved the water park and the beach.

Interesting city with quite a few flaws. To start with the negative, the traffic and pollution (both air and noise), plus the striking social inequalities. Some neighborhoods could pass for upscale areas in Europe or North America. Compared to some of the slums in the capital or certain mountain villages, the difference is uncomfortable. That said, it is a colorful, lively city with good restaurants, museums, architectural buildings inherited from the colonial past, and quite a few cultural events. Everyone will have to form their own opinion!

What I remember most about this city are the curiosities that make it a unique place, and also the muscle aches that make it a real workout :) Overlooking the bay, dozens of hills to climb on foot or by funicular offer you a wide variety of spectacular views. These narrow streets that wind along the hillsides, going up and down, surrounded by multicolored houses, have so much charm. Some neighborhoods date back to the Spanish colonial era and are well preserved. Finally, street art lovers, you will be thrilled with the many graffiti pieces, some works being politically engaged, others just decorative.

Way less famous than the capital Stockholm, Malmo surprised me with its energy, its modern architecture in certain areas, and its diversity. This small city on a human scale, well, it is still the third largest in Sweden, is multicultural and offers you tons of activities and a huge variety of restaurants. I recommend the modern art museum and visiting the Vastra Hamnen neighborhood, an architectural and urban planning laboratory at the cutting edge of sustainable development. If you are staying in Copenhagen, you just have to cross the Oresund Bridge to get to Malmo.

Copenhagen is a small European capital that you can get around pretty quickly. A weekend is enough to get a feel for it. I liked: wandering around the Nyhavn neighborhood, by the water, with its multicolored buildings. The National Museum and Rosenborg Castle also seemed interesting to me. A little disappointment: the Little Mermaid. Aside from the story, the little statue itself is nothing special.

A bit removed from the nearest village (Saint Paul de Vence, which is a museum in its own right) and surrounded by Mediterranean forest, this foundation hosts some lovely pieces of contemporary art in a splendid setting.

This small village in the mountains is very well known because it has kept its medieval architecture so well. Little narrow streets and small stone walls. Doorways that you will find too low if you are tall, and so on. Everything is very well preserved, maybe even too much since it feels almost too clean for buildings that are centuries old. It attracts a lot of artists and you can find several galleries there where you might uncover some interesting pieces.

If you are interested in art, especially the great Dutch masters of painting (like Van Gogh), this is a must-see for you. Most of the major Amsterdam museums are located around this square. Though, in the evening, it is a bit more dead.

I chose this hotel a bit by chance because it had availability when I needed it and it was right next to a meeting that was decided last minute. So, yes, it is functional, the rooms are clean, the wifi is there, and you won't have too much trouble parking in the lot. On the other hand, I found that the whole place lacked personality and charm. That didn't make me want to try the restaurant, by the way. In short, unless you have something specific to do in the area, it is not the option I would choose to stay in the Toulouse region.