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St Marteen, Caribbean

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Nestled in a row of islands in the Caribbean Sea, the half-Dutch, half-French island  of Sint Maarten and St-Martin is home to  lush green scenery, breathtaking shorelines, the prettiest beaches, and bluest waters in the Caribbean. During the seven years I worked on cruise ships, in the early 2000's, I visited St  Maarten multiple tim es, but always on the Dutch side.   Known as the smallest landmass to consist of two nations,  37 square miles,  the island is divided by an invisible line: while the Dutch side is home to a thumping nightlife, glimmering casinos, and a flurry of restaurants, the French side has a quieter and more laid-back atmosphere.   Philipsburg,  the Dutch side capital,  is very easy to navigate. A lot of landmarks, attractions, and restaurants are within walking distance from each other and the cruise port. Sometime during Christmas time The two mile main street Front Street runs parallel to the boardwalk, a...

Côte-d'Azur, France

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April 2025 I fell in love with the Côte d'Azur, most particularly with Villefranche-sur-mer, over 20 years ago when I worked on cruise ships. We would anchor in Villefranche every week and I would take every oportunity to take the train to different places, or simply browse the narrow streets of Villefranche. Although I prefer to travel to new places, this one was the one that I always knew I would come back one day. And it just happened, Easter 2025. We made it into a small family trip, which just happened to be around my birthday.  We stayed in Nice, which is very close to the airport (only 30 minutes by tram). The only option offered at the airport to buy a ticket is from the machine, and it's a €10 return card (tourist price). If you have an android phone, do as the locals: download the Lignes d'Azur tickets app and Carte Lignes d'Azur mobile app and buy whatever ticket you need, even before you arrive in Nice. It costs €1.70 per single trip from the airport to Nice...