Merry Christmas...........

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014......to everyone who has so kindly visited my blog this year. Greetings to the blogosphere from the Riviera.....

Tracking down Caravaggio in Naples...

Tracking down the three Caravaggio paintings in Naples takes a while but is well worth the effort. The artist fled here from Rome after murdering a young man, and worked in Naples for only a few months before fleeing again to Malta desperately seeking a pardon for his crime...

Traipsing through the myriad of rooms in the gargantuan art museum called the Museo di Capodimonte which severely dwarfs the visitor with its baroque grandeur, one first sees this amazing painting by Caravaggio "The Flagellation of Christ" from a long way off at the end of a narrow vista in the gallery...

The painting is a masterpiece of Caravaggio's well known traits in striking naturalism combining perspective, composition, and the light/shadow effects of chiaroscuro to full theatrical and dramatic impact...

The Museum contains a wealth of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Classics, and set in a huge green parkland with extensive lawns and palm trees, it was actually my first glimpse of a green space in Naples. Naples is a real cultural powerhouse - be sure to visit if you get the chance.....Next stop - the Caravaggio Trail in Rome in February - can't wait!!

Shadow Shot 201 - Naples

One of the images always associated with Naples is washing lines strung across narrow streets, and in the old town there are no shortage of such shots - you can also find no end of examples of residents holding conversations balcony to balcony - either across the street or to the floors above or below. Buckets lowered to the street on ropes to avoid going up and down all those stairs are also a feature of street life here.....

For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

Weekend Reflections 39 - Nice

Enjoying the new park in Nice on a lovely sunny afternoon, the reflections on the fountain pavement were sharp and clear....

La Coulee Verte in the heart of Nice is a wonderful addition to green spaces in the city.....and appeals to everyone resulting in a very enjoyable afternoon dodging the fountains, strolling from one end of the "corridor" to the other, or sitting on the benches people-watching.....

For more weekend reflections, click here...Enjoy!

Shadow Shot Sunday 200 - Nice

Something dramatic for my 200th shadow shot - late afternoon in May looking over the beach in Nice from La Promenade des Anglais.....I started contributing back in 2008 when I was living in Mexico City with this shot taken in the beautiful colonial town of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico....

Both are shadow paintings - painting in light and shadow....For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!

Imperia - Weekending on the Ligurian Coast...

This is November on the Ligurian Coast in Italy - just a short train ride away from Nice and the French Riviera. Imperia is a beautiful resort consisting of two distinct old towns Porto Maurizo and Oneglio linked by none other than Mussolini into the Imperia of today.....originially planned as his HQ to take over N.Africa...and the rest of the world...

Today Imperia is a beautiful location for a relaxing weekend as it has small sea-view hotels, scenic harbours, cosy trattorias, and in November an olive oil festival accompanied by gourmet food stalls and special menus on offer from local restaurants amidst a vibrant and friendly atmosphere...

And what's more there is a string of such lovely places along this stretch of the Ligurian Coast....What are you waiting for?

Shadow Shot Sunday 199 - Nice

Where can you find this rather lovely lacy shadow and architectural detail?

At the beautiful Russian Orthodox Church in the centre of Nice  - St Nicholas Cathedral which happens to be the largest Russian Cathedral outside of Russia itself - see the previous post for more shots of this beautiful building. In the meantime check out Shadow Shot Sunday by clicking HERE. Enjoy!

November in Nice - St Nicholas Cathedral

Most towns and cities on the French and Italian Riviera are home to a beautiful Russian Orthodox church harking back to the history of the coastline when Russian royalty and dignitaries would winter on the Riviera to escape the harsh climate of the homeland...

One of the most beautiful examples is the St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral right in the centre of Nice, and although these stunning blue skies set off the ornate tiled onion domes perfectly, I was particularly enchanted by this muted, golden Autumnal light from the back of the Cathedral....

Isn't it truly magical??

Proceed Pronto to Procida.........

Most seeking a day trip out from the hectic city of Naples will hop a ferry to the famed island of Capri or the well-known resort of Sorrento…My advice?? Skip both of these and catch a ferry instead to the smallest island in the Bay of Naples…and its best-kept secret.

Only 4m sq and just 50 minutes from Naples itself, Procida is a charming blend of pastel-hued houses lining the stone quays of fishing villages, picturesque harbours with colourful boats bobbing up and down, and tiny piazzas with grand baroque yellow churches.

Be sure to walk from the main Piazza dei Martiri over the hill to the tiny village of Corricella, and here on the quay are a few quiet cafes and restaurants in the most idyllic of settings with the most stunning of views across to the castle. 

Choose either “Il Postino” or “Gorgonia”, both open all year round, and enjoy the generous servings of fresh calamares and grilled swordfish. The only thing which moves during this perfect postcard lunch is the local ginger cat prowling for any leftovers…

Film-makers have long appreciated the scenic beauty of Procida, and it is often known as the “cinema island” having been the setting location for such films as “Arturo’s Island”, “Il Postino” and “The Talented Mr Ripley”, but fortunately hordes of tourists have always bypassed the island on their way to Capri.

Procida can be easily reached in 50 minutes by ferry from the Calata port in Naples and costs 21 euros return with Caremar Ferries. Naples is also easily reached from Nice by the relatively new direct flight offered by Easyjet at approximately 80 euros return. Enjoy! 

Shadow Shot Sunday 198 - November in Nice!

November in Nice is a time of sharp winter light and clear blue skies...and a bonus today of 22 degrees!! These shots were taken in Nice's newly opened public park in the heart of the city, namely La Promenade de Paillon...

Tracing the course of the original River Paillon running through the centre of Nice, this "Coulee Verte" is a most welcome addition to the amenities of the city providing a wonderful green mile for strolling, meandering, and loitering....

For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for SHADOW SHOT SUNDAY. Enjoy!

Weekend Reflections 38 - Nice

Sharp winter light and clear blue skies created these reflection shots along Nice's new "green mile" - a newly opened public park which acts as a green corridor or "la Coulee verte" through the city centre linking the Promenade Anglais and the National Theatre. On sunday afternoon children were loving the fun and excitement of running through the fountains and dodging the showers, whilst adults marched more briskly through. For more reflection shots this week, click HERE for WEEKEND REFLECTIONS. Enjoy!

Shadow Shot Sunday 197 - Nice

I have just arrived back home today  in Nice after a glorious week exploring Naples and the Amalfi Coast, and these shadows were found in .a little corner of my balcony. The plants seem to have faded and died in my absence, but the shadows are alive and well!! I like them equally in sepia and monochrome - it's good to be home!!

For more shadows, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

Weekend Reflections 37 - Marseille

Where can you find this upturned topsy-turvey boat?? Down at the vieux port in Marseille where Norman Foster's giant reflective "ombriere" sunshade mirrors all the port-side activity...

For more reflections this week, click HERE for WEEKEND REFLECTIONS. Enjoy!

Le Train des Merveilles - Sospel

Take the Train des Merveilles from Nice-Ville railway station and a wealth of beautiful mountain villages opens up to you which are a million miles away from the city of Nice.....

With a river winding through, the charming architecture with trompe l'oeil facades is enhanced by beautiful blooms everywhere adorning ornamental lamp-posts and balustrades.....

With charming cafes and bistrots, churches and plazas, what a wonderful place to while away an afternoon before boarding the train to wind your way back to the metropolis. It takes just 45 minutes to return on Le Train des Merveilles. Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 196 - Marseille

Another fun shadow shot from the vibrant Vieux Port in Marseille - a place where you can people-watch all day and perhaps see a few elephants too....For more shadows this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

Arriving in Marseille at the Gare St Charles..........

The first time I arrived in Marseille, I immediately knew I would love this city................

Who could fail to be impressed by descending this grand, sweeping staircase leading down into the city from the main railway station - Gare St Charles......

And just take a look at the palm trees, ornamental lamps, obelisks, proud lions, and beautiful exotic sculptures lining the staircase.....

Can anyone match such a grand entrance into a city from the railway station??

Shadow Shot Sunday 195 - Marseille

From the moment I first arrived in Marseille on my first trip there, I knew I would love the city. Who couldn't  fail to be impressed by this dramatic, sweeping staircase leading down from the main railway station Gare St Charles lined with palm trees, ornamental French streetlamps and Egyptian, Asian and African statuary....

When you arrive at the centre of the city - its beating heart at Vieux Port - there is always something that will surprise you and delight you. Last weekend it was this character on stilts and wheels following, of course, a piano on wheels towards a Dali melting clock. Marseille is a vibrant, dynamic port city oozing charm and friendliness, and it also has that distinct surreal quality which I love - reminding me of another favourite place - Mexico City.....And that colour blue is always astonishing....

For more shadow shots, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!