Author Profile: Carolyne Kauser-abbott

Key West is the kind of place where flip-flops are de rigueur, margaritas are served all day and you can bet on turtle races on Friday...   view more

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is held annually over two weekends (seven days) at the end of April and beginning of May. This event rivals Mardi Gras for its commercial impact on the city, an estimated $300million (2012). Undoubtedly fans are attracted to the Jazz Fest for the range of music genres from blues and bluegrass to rock, rap and zydeco (and much more) on 12 stages throughout the fairgrounds. However, as the guy checking tickets and his co-worker confirmed the other reason...   view more

Boutiques filled with shiny objects, and a congested ring road of honking diesel trucks and cars. These are the modern-day realities in a large Dordogne town of 9,300...   view more

Ginger and Nutmeg were in Paris for a quick visit, a weekend of “hanging-out”. As often happens, Ginger was simply happy to be there, and Nutmeg had a plan. They were going to stroll (flâner) the city and do a foodie tour along the...   view more

A whale and two anchors feature on Sète’s official coat of arms, a tribute to local maritime history, and the fact that Mont St Clair makes the city looks like a...   view more

Unlike any other in North America, New Orleans is a city where Britain meets the Bayou and where French influences are detectable in Cuban...   view more

G&N cobbled together a “what to do in Sydney” list from suggestions they had received from friends, into manageable targets for three days. Their shortlist was then “buttered up” by a friendly Air Canada flight attendant who recommended a few additional stops. The following are some highlights for a short stay in the capital of New South Wales, an amazing city that threads together beaches, fine dining, markets, city parks, shopping and an economic engine called...   view more

After a week of travel in a rental car, G&N were happy to park in Melbourne for a few days. Equipped with a friend’s suggestions of places to eat and drink (by district) G&N were ready to explore and...   view more

Whether fiction or not, Nutmeg thinks it is appropriate that Casanova the infamous Venetian writer, gambler and reputed womanizer is weaved into the history of les Jardins...   view more

“Brissy” invited G and N to explore her neighbourhoods starting with Brisbane’s South Bank. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, this lively venue is where the playground collides with the bar...   view more

Easily walkable Vieil Antibes is a treasure trove of pedestrian-friendly streets and plazas filled with restaurant tables shaded by oversized umbrellas. There are winding alleyways with Azaleas flaunting their dazzling flowers against stone walls. Down these lanes are surprises around every corner like a carved door from the1500s, an almost hidden chapel, and stunning sea...   view more

Marseille is unlike any other city in France or the world, and at 2600+ years old, countless discoveries await. On the shores of the Mediterranean, you get the best of the city buzz and beach life in one place. Marseille is a mélange of global cultures from the Mediterranean basin and beyond. The capital of Provence still has the Provençal clichés of pastis, pétanque, and colourful facades. At the same time, the city is invigorated by street art, food from across the globe, and an epic...   view more

Marseille is unlike any other city in France or the world, and at 2600 years old, there is no shortage of things to discover. You get the best of the city and beach in one place. In Marseille, you feel simultaneously on both sides of the Mediterranean thanks to the large North African population. The capital of Provence still has the Provençal clichés of pastis, pétanque, and colourful facades. At the same time, the city is invigorated by street art, food from across the globe, and an epic...   view more

Cavaillon is a good-sized city east of the Durance River in Provence with a deep history linked to local agriculture. Most visitors drive straight through Cavaillon on their way to the Luberon’s perched villages and Vaucluse towns, vineyards, and lavender fields without stopping, which is a shame. Cavaillon has lots to offer, including a Gallo-Roman past, an old Jewish synagogue, and a via ferrata with great views. Below, we share why Cavaillon is worth exploring, and you should add this stop...   view more

After train rides through Spain, Switzerland, Italy and parts of France, we arrived in Nice, France and found an inexpensive hotel in the Old Town. Maybe it resulted from too many train rides or too much travelling, but I never wanted to leave Nice. To this day, Nice is one of my favourite cities on the French Riviera, and here are my suggestions for ten must-see places to visit while you are...   view more

Steeped in history, Aix-en-Provence is a captivating city in Provence with a rich past and a roster of illustrious residents. Often known simply as Aix, the city is an ideal urban base for a holiday in the region. While the city has many captivating aspects, this article covers the top 10 things to see during your...   view more

Arriving in Vence from the Mediterranean coast is an easy drive. The town is about a 40-minute drive from Nice. Medieval ramparts still encircled Vence’s old village, with a few preserved gateways leading to or from the newer sections of town. Inside the ancient stone walls (intra-muros) is like opening a treasure chest. Vence’s old streets are pedestrian-friendly and narrow enough to make you wonder how trucks could make deliveries to the restaurants, cafés and food...   view more

Arles is considered the gateway to the Camargue wetlands and Rhône River delta. It is the last major urban centre before leaving Provence’s southwestern boundary. Below is our city guide for visitors to Arles. While the city centre is small and easily covered on foot, there is a lot to see in Arles, so if time permits, plan on spending at least two days in the...   view more

Magnetic Aix-en-Provence is one of France's wealthier cities, with a long history of civilization and a roster of distinguished inhabitants. However, when visiting the "City of Art and Water" for the first time, it's hard to know where to start. To help you during your visit, we've created a city...   view more