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I cross the boulevard and arrive at the Promenade des Anglais and the beach. The weather is beautiful today. It actually feels a bit too warm to be walking in my sweater and winter coat. A few brave souls venture into the sea for a swim. At Albert I Park, I leave the boulevard. In the park stands a nostalgic carousel dating from around 1900. Place Masséna is the city’s main square. The beautiful 19th-century square, with its cafés and neoclassical buildings, has an Italian feel. This is not surprising, as Nice was part of Italian territories for a long time, including the Kingdom of Sardinia. Only in 1860 did Nice definitively join France. At the Christmas market I order a mulled wine. Through the Fontaine du Soleil I reach the Cours Saleya market. Most of the stalls are just being packed up, leaving mostly the restaurants aimed at tourists. I decide to adjust the route slightly and go first to the Palais Lascaris. I do not know how long the city walk will take or whether the palace will still be open at the end of the afternoon. On the way to the palace, I pass the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice. When I enter the cathedral, I am immediately impressed by the overwhelming Baroque interior. How beautiful it is!
We leave Bonifacio again via the gate through which we entered the city this morning. From this point, a walking path leads upward to a viewpoint. From there, there is a view of Bonifacio and the underlying chalk cliffs. A beautiful sight. We continue walking, following the sandy path over the rocks. Behind us, the view of the city, the cliffs, and the blue sea water changes at every turn. In the distance, we see the military post where we walked yesterday. In Bonifacio, we bought a sandwich roll and a can of soda. At a quiet spot, we sit on a rock and have our lunch. The sun shines, and we have a beautiful view of the cliffs and the sea.
The old centre of Lille is a maze of small, narrow streets. Each one is beautiful in its own way. Some houses date back to the 15th century. Many feature carvings, sculptures, or paintings. For example, angels above the windows indicate where one house ends and the next begins. Wandering through the alleys and gates, we arrive at the Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral. The front of the cathedral is modern, while the rear is Gothic. It appears as if the church is missing its bell towers. Were they destroyed, or is it the result of a bombing?
At exactly ten o’clock, the Pari Roller starts. It’s my second time participating. I notice I was more nervous last year. I recognize the downhill route toward the Seine. Unfortunately, there are already some early falls here. Everyone skillfully tries to skate around them. At the Seine, I turn right. What an amazing feeling to skate here with thousands of others. After the break, the route continues for kilometers along the banks of the Seine. Up front, the pace picks up. At full speed, I skate over the asphalt through the center of Paris. It’s important to stay alert for potholes and cracks in the pavement. Sometimes they’re hard to see around midnight. Just past the Eiffel Tower, I turn back toward the starting point.
Exactly at ten o'clock in the evening, the Pari Roller skating tour begins. Two police motorcycles lead the way, followed by a group of blockers who clear the route. My Pari Roller starts. I try to leave some space in front of me to keep an eye on the road surface. Although the road is paved, there are occasional potholes. I don’t get much chance though, as every gap quickly gets filled by other skaters. I estimate that about five thousand participants are taking part in the Pari Roller. When the route runs parallel to the Seine, I suddenly hear “Allez, allez” from up front. The blockers at the front take off at full speed. Immediately, everyone around me crouches down on their skates and sprints off. I crouch down too and push hard. At full speed, I skate over the boulevards of Paris.
A mini ski weekend by bus to Flaine in France. This popular ski area offers slopes on the Grandes Platières mountain, ranging from 1,500 to 2,400 meters in altitude. Flaine is a modern ski resort with concrete buildings housing hotels and shops. The area is ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beginners can try the blue slopes, while advanced winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy challenging black runs and off-piste opportunities. After a day on the slopes, you can unwind in Flaine’s après-ski bars and restaurants.
It’s Friday afternoon and it starts snowing. Heavily. The entire village is quickly covered in a white layer. It keeps snowing into the evening. Our plan to drive at four o'clock is soon abandoned. The mountain pass is closed due to snowfall. Not until the morning does the snowplow clear the road. When I look out the window the next morning, I see a thick blanket of snow. I carefully walk to the car. I dig out the tires a bit to attach the snow chains. I also have to clear snow from the front of the car—otherwise the spoiler and fog lights wouldn’t survive. Around 8:30, I drive off the parking lot and head down the mountain pass with chains on the tires.
I went to Val Thorens for a weekend of skiing. It had snowed heavily, and we were able to fully enjoy the fresh powder snow. Despite the cold and the crowds on the slopes, it was an amazing experience. We did several descents and enjoyed the stunning views of the snow-covered mountains. In the evenings, we had delicious food and drinks in cozy restaurants and bars. It was an intense but relaxing weekend, and I look back on it with great pleasure. I would definitely go back to Val Thorens.
From Morgins, we ski over to the French part of the ski area. We glide over the border between Switzerland and France and explore the extensive slopes of the Portes du Soleil ski area. The French side offers a variety of runs and challenges for skiers of all levels—from long, wide blue runs to steep, winding black runs, there’s something for everyone. After a day on the slopes, we enjoy a well-earned French meal in one of the many mountain restaurants and finish with a cozy après-ski in one of the bars.
Enjoy a weekend of skiing in Tignes, followed by après-ski at the Grotte de la Yeti. The Tignes ski area offers slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. There are countless off-piste options for the more advanced winter sports lovers. After a day on the slopes, relax in Tignes' cozy restaurants and bars. Spend the evening at the Grotte de la Yeti, where you can enjoy delicious snacks and drinks while dancing to the DJ’s music. The cave is a popular après-ski spot and offers a unique atmosphere and experience.
Saint Jean d’Arves is a winter sports destination in the Les Sybelles ski area. The village is at an altitude of 1,550 metres and offers access to 310 kilometres of slopes. The area is suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. There are plenty of blue slopes for beginners, and advanced winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy challenging black runs and off-piste opportunities. In addition, the ski area offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. In the village itself, there are various restaurants and après-ski venues for a pleasant winter holiday.
After a night’s drive, the bus arrives in Le Corbier. Le Corbier is a village in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,550 metres. When I get out, I see several residential towers. Inside are small apartments for skiers. Our room isn’t very big and is furnished somewhat like a student room. On the ground floor is a restaurant. It also looks more like a student canteen — “a blind horse couldn’t do any damage here,” as the saying goes. I quickly grab my skis. The lift takes me into the Les Sybelles ski area. From the top, I can see all of Le Corbier below.
From the Seine we already have a view of the Eiffel Tower — our next goal. At the Seine, the group splits up. One part prefers to take the metro to the Eiffel Tower; I go on foot with the rest. We meet again right under the Eiffel Tower. Walking turns out to be the fastest. The queue to visit the Eiffel Tower is enormous. We split up again. Marco and Fred don’t feel like waiting and decide not to go up. They go ahead to look for Café Le Port d’Amsterdam — a café run by Dutch people and recommended by Fred’s colleague. Mirjam stays waiting below, as she’s afraid of heights. I join the other group members in line for the visit. After half an hour, we can take the elevator to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. From here I already have a beautiful view over Paris.
Tignes has a lively après-ski scene that’s buzzing both during the day and in the evening. There are several bars, pubs, and clubs spread across the area where you can enjoy drinks and music after a day on the slopes. Popular après-ski spots include La Folie Douce and Bar du Panoramic, both of which offer fantastic parties and live music. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy a delicious dinner and drinks. The area is very popular with younger skiers and snowboarders, but there are also family-friendly après-ski options available.
A weekend of skiing in Les 2 Alpes is definitely worth it if you’re looking for a short but intense ski holiday. The resort offers more than 200 kilometers of slopes, ranging from beginner runs to challenging descents for experienced skiers and snowboarders. The area also has a large selection of off-piste options and fun parks. Les 2 Alpes also boasts a lively après-ski scene, with plenty of bars and restaurants. The resort is easily accessible by car or train and has ample accommodation options, including hotels and apartments.
In January 2003, I went on a winter sports holiday in Avoriaz. The Portes du Soleil ski area is located on the border of France and Switzerland and is a beautiful destination for winter sports lovers. We enjoyed a week of perfectly groomed slopes, breathtaking views, and the cozy atmosphere in the village. Avoriaz is a car-free village built entirely in chalet style. It has an extensive range of restaurants, bars, and shops. Off the slopes, there was also plenty to do, such as visiting the local market and the ice sculpture show. In short, my winter sports holiday in Avoriaz was a fantastic experience, and I can definitely recommend this destination to anyone who loves skiing and snowboarding.
Tignes is a fantastic ski destination in the French Alps, with more than 300 km of slopes and connections to neighboring ski areas, including Val d’Isère. The area is suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, with challenging black runs and kilometers of off-piste terrain for more experienced skiers. Snow reliability is also excellent, thanks to the altitude of the area and the proximity of the glacier. Tignes also offers many other winter activities, such as ice skating, snowshoeing, and paragliding. After a day on the slopes, you can relax in one of the many restaurants, bars, and après-ski spots in the village.
Alpe d’Huez is a popular ski destination in the French Alps, and for good reason. The ski area offers more than 250 km of slopes, ranging from beginner runs to advanced trails for skiers and snowboarders. The ultimate experience is the legendary descent “La Sarenne,” with a length of 16 km and a vertical drop of 1,800 meters. Alpe d’Huez is also known for its excellent snow conditions and long winter sports season. The village itself has plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a vibrant nightlife. In addition, Alpe d’Huez offers other activities such as cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. All in all, Alpe d’Huez is a fantastic destination for an unforgettable ski holiday.
Flaine is a beautiful ski destination located in the heart of the French Alps and is an excellent choice for skiers of all levels. The ski area offers more than 140 km of well-maintained slopes with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The village of Flaine itself was designed by the famous architect Marcel Breuer and offers a unique, modern atmosphere with plenty of restaurants and bars to explore. Moreover, Flaine is easily accessible—just an hour’s drive from Geneva Airport. For those looking for a challenging ski holiday in a stunning setting, Flaine is definitely worth a visit.
Val Thorens is a popular ski destination, and for good reason. The ski area offers more than 600 km of slopes, ranging from beginner runs to advanced trails for skiers and snowboarders. Moreover, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, which means snow conditions are generally excellent and the season can last a long time. The village itself has plenty to offer, with numerous restaurants, bars, and shops to explore. For those seeking extra thrills, Val Thorens also offers adventurous activities such as ice driving and paragliding. In short, Val Thorens is the perfect destination for an unforgettable ski holiday.
Disneyland Paris is a magical theme park located in Marne-la-Vallée, about 32 km east of Paris. The park is divided into five themed areas: Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland, each with its own unique attractions and entertainment. The park offers a wide range of attractions, from thrill rides to family-friendly rides and shows. Popular attractions include Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, It’s a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean. The park also has many dining options, ranging from quick snacks to sit-down restaurants, and numerous shops where you can buy Disney merchandise. Disneyland Paris also has several hotels on-site, as well as the Disney Village entertainment complex, where you can watch a movie at the cinema or enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants.
Flaine is a modern ski resort in the French Alps. The village was developed in the 1960s and mainly consists of modern concrete buildings housing hotels and shops. The ski slopes are located on the Grandes Platières mountain, at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,400 meters, and offer a stunning view of Mont Blanc. Flaine is a popular destination among skiers and snowboarders thanks to its varied slopes and excellent snow conditions. The ski area is suitable for both beginners and experienced winter sports enthusiasts. In addition, there are various restaurants and après-ski options in the village.
During après-ski, it starts to snow—large flakes falling from the sky. When we leave the bar, there’s already a thick layer on the ground. The snow is sticking well. The first snowballs start flying through the air. Several groups are walking through Morzine, and soon a massive snowball fight breaks out. The English group takes cover behind the cars. Snowballs fly back and forth. A man walking his little dog passes by nervously—hopefully he won’t get hit.