The Languedoc Roussillon lies down in the true South of France, sharing many geographical aspects with its more expensive sister region, Provence. It is mainly a wine growing area – actually the largest in the world – but has so much else to offer: hundreds of kilometres of sandy beaches, historical Cathar monuments, hiking trails, rivers, mountains, skiing, proximity to Spain. Living here, one of the first things that expats are struck by is the wonderful golden light of the sun. They say there are 320 days of sunshine here; although it is a seasonal climate and can get quite cold in t
Have you ever seen a human tower? Fancy a trip to a chic evening market? How about music on the beach or revisiting old Havana? You can do all of these things and more in a small area of the Costa Brava.
It is possible to enjoy a healthy Mediterranean diet that is gluten free in Italy. Italians love their food, and are also aware of the connection between health and what they eat. Much of Italian cuisine is based on using fresh local produce as part of the famous Mediterranean diet. An Italian Supermarket chain, Co-op, did a survey of its customers and discovered that 70% of Italians are willing to pay more for all natural foods, 65% are willing to pay more for non-GMO foods and 62% for organic foods.
When driving around the winding mountain roads and rugged countryside of the Languedoc Roussillon, you cannot help but notice the extraordinary ruined monument, built by the Cathars The Cathars were followers of a rival church in early medieval times, who dismissed the riches and ceremony of the Catholic church in favour of purity and equality. Catholics at the time named the Cathars as nothing short of heretics.
Summer in Italy is full of festivals, concerts, processions and great food. So, join in with the locals and immerse yourself in the tradition and culture. An Italian summer is full of local events, usually involving food and music in the town Piazzas. Be prepared to stay up late to fully enjoy these events which are primarily organised for the locals, who won’t consider coming out until after 9pm, when they eat and take a walk in the cooler evening air. Most of the events have developed from many years of tradition, only to be discovered relatively recently by tourists. Here are five of the bi
Cabanas-de-Tavira, in Portugal’s East Algarve, is an increasingly popular destination for expats and tourists alike. In this article, an expat who spent five years in the area suggests five of his favourite places to eat. Cabanas-de-Tavira may be a small fishing village, but this East Algarve destination transforms into a paradise for tourists over the summer months.
