Author: Cheryl Brooks

MOISSAC, A MEDIEVAL GEM IN L’OCCITANIE

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An hour’s drive north of Toulouse lies the medieval town of Moissac at the confluence of the Garonne and Tarn rivers, at the Canal de Garonne. We had been to Moissac a few years ago, drawn by the town’s medieval Abbey. It was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 as a landmark church on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Renowned for its magnificent sculptures, and especially for its beautiful cloister, the Abbey is one of the country’s jewels of Romanesque art. To add to its attractions for the visitor, Moissac also has one of the highest concentrations of Art Déco buildings in South West France. It was an obvious choice for an overnight stopover as we headed towards Bordeaux from the Languedoc.

CASTRES – AN UNKNOWN GEM IN THE LANGUEDOC, AND A RUINED ABBEY

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Castres’ historic painted houses that line the river Agout.

We have been travelling around the Languedoc region on and off for many years, and this time, as well as returning to some old favourites, we were keen to seek out a few places and sights we hadn’t visited before. We thought we would drive from Marseille up towards Bordeaux, and during our research, we kept coming across the name of what sounded like a most interesting town. Located about 73 kms east of Toulouse and 45 kms south east of Albi, lies the picturesque town of Castres, intersected by two rivers, the Durenque and Agout. The town developed around an early Benedictine Abbey and became famous in medieval times for its tanneries and textile houses, particularly for the wool trade, that depended on the flow of the river Agout. Today, known for its 12^th century coloured houses built along the banks of the river, Castres has often been dubbed ‘the Venice of Languedoc’.

IDYLLIC ISCHIA – CAPRI’S BEAUTIFUL ISLAND NEIGHBOUR

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Looking across at Ischia from the Castello Aragonese

Rising from the crystal clear azure waters of il Golfo di Napoli, the island of Ischia has been a sough-after destination by visitors for centuries. Covered with lemon trees, vineyards and olive groves, Ischia is a beautiful, volcanic island that’s a haven for those seeking a beach holiday off the beaten track, but also for those interested in its vibrant, often violent, history dating back thousands of years. Here, glamorous hotels mix with more secluded accommodation dotted along its rugged coastline, all juxtaposed with healing hot springs, traditional residential neighbourhoods, religious street parades and zooming Vespas.

DISCOVER THE MYSTERIOUS ETRUSCAN CIVILISATION AND MORE, AT TARQUINIA

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The history of Tarquinia is inextricably connected to the history of the Etruscans. It was here that one of the first settlements of their civilisation arose, made up of a gathering of small groups that clustered together into a complex social structure and formed a city-state. Although little is visible of the once-great wealth and extent of the ancient city, today Tarquinia is famous for its ancient Etruscan tombs in the widespread necropoli, or cemeteries. However, Tarquinia offers so much more. Surrounded by its imposing ancient walls, within the city there are numerous beautiful Romanesque-Gothic churches, a 13^th century Palace, and a Baroque priory. Most surprising of all though are the numerous towers, very similar to those found in San Gimignano to its north.

THE ISLAND OF ELBA – MORE THAN JUST MEMORIES OF NAPOLEON

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Best known for being the place of Napoleon’s exile in 1814, Elba is the biggest island of the Tuscan archipelago and Italy’s third-largest island, after Sardinia and Sicily. It’s also part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park. It has so much to offer: there are pretty beaches, good diving, charming towns, dramatic historic fortresses and great food. Lying less than 10 kms from the mainland, it’s easily accessed by a frequent and efficient ferry service from the mainland town of Piombino, as well as its own airport. Elba is a true natural paradise, with crystal clear turquoise waters, green landscapes and hills, plus beautiful flora and fauna, all surrounded by well-preserved coral reefs.