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Nice, an ideal resort city.
Nice's defining image is its idyllic, sun-drenched coastline. A special feature of this city is its mild climate year-round, even in winter. While swimming is impossible in winter, it offers a tranquil atmosphere and fewer tourists. Traveling during the off-season means hotel prices in the city center aren't too expensive; consider hotels in the Vieux-Nice and Place Masséna, two historic districts near the coast.
During my recent trip to Nice, I had the opportunity to visit the Masséna Museum, located on the famous Promenade des Anglais (Promenade of Anglais) along the coast. The museum was formerly the residence of André Masséna, one of the most distinguished marshals of Napoleon I. Besides its beautiful architecture, the Masséna Museum is also an ideal place to learn about the history of Nice from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries.
While admiring paintings of Nice from a time before it became a tourist destination, I came across a large portrait of Queen Victoria (1819–1901). It turns out that in her later years, Queen Victoria visited Nice quite often and even had her own residence, the Excelsior Regina Palace, built between 1895 and 1897. Even on her deathbed, the Queen said: “Oh, if only I were at Nice, I would have recovered.”
From Nice, it's easy to get to Monaco in a day trip by booking a tour or taking a bus. Monaco is one of the smallest but richest countries in the world. Costs in Monaco are extremely high, so it's best to stay overnight in Nice and only visit Monaco for the day. Unless you're a die-hard Formula 1 fan, book your accommodation and tickets well in advance to have a chance to watch the race live in Monaco. If you want a truly special experience in Monaco, bring your passport to the Tourist Office at 2 Boulevard des Moulins to get a free entry stamp.
Even the Queen of England couldn't resist Nice's charm, making it a must-visit destination in France today. To enjoy a leisurely day in Nice, you can start with a French breakfast at the Boulangerie Jeannot bakery, then stroll through the Cours Saleya flea market and the Nice Cathedral in the old town of Vieux-Nice. Afterwards, you can shop at the upscale Galeries Lafayette department store and have lunch at the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Séjour. Le Séjour's most famous dish is the lobster risotto.
In the afternoon, spend time admiring the architecture and learning about the history at Villa Masséna. If you're an art enthusiast, the Nice Museum of Fine Arts (Museé Beaux-Arts de Nice), showcasing works from the 16th to the 20th centuries, is not far from Villa Masséna. Finally, enjoying a cocktail or dinner at Le Méridien while taking in the panoramic sea views from above is a wonderful experience.
Malta, the land of "slow living".
Malta isn't a particularly well-known tourist destination, but I've always been curious about it because it's the only island nation in Southern Europe. Despite its small size of only 316 km² and a population of 460,297 (as of 2017), it's an independent country within the Schengen Area. And Malta's uniqueness doesn't stop there.
My first destination was Valletta, the capital of Malta. One of my first impressions of Malta was its "slowness." Everything, from the people to the vehicles, felt like a slow-motion film. My cousin and I still laugh when we talk about it because whenever we tried to strike up a conversation with locals, their reactions were always quite slow. For example, when we asked to buy museum tickets, it took a full minute for the staff member to look up and answer. Traffic was extremely slow, especially on buses, because the roads were very winding. If you have the means and want to see many places in Malta, renting a car and driving yourself would be much more convenient.
Besides the capital Valletta, Malta has many other interesting attractions. One of my favorite cities in Malta is Mdina, the former capital of the island nation from ancient times to the Middle Ages. The architecture of the former capital is not only ancient but also quite charming because everything is small and pretty. Sliema is a vibrant city with a large young population. In Sliema, tourists often shop, stroll, and go to the beach to fully admire Valletta's unique skyline. For those who love the sea and enjoy exploring nature, they should visit the islands of Comino and Gozo or take a boat trip to visit the caves in the Blue Grotto to admire the deep blue of the ocean.
One time, while strolling near St. John's Church, I came across a very familiar sight from my student days in England: a red telephone booth. How suddenly Malta resembled England! After doing some research, I learned that Malta was a British colony from 1813 to 1964. No wonder the Maltese have such an elegant and... "slow-paced" lifestyle, much like the British. Many people even go to Malta to learn English.
In 2018, Valletta was the European Capital of Culture, hosting many notable cultural and artistic events, such as classical concerts in museums. Must-see attractions for history and culture enthusiasts include the National Museum of Archaeology, St. John's Co-Cathedral, and the Grandmaster's Palace. On the last Friday of each month, the Changing of the Guard takes place at 10:30 am in St. George's Square, offering a special opportunity to photograph the Royal Guards in their traditional black, red, and white uniforms.
Valletta doesn't require a lot of time to explore, but it's truly an ideal place to enjoy warm sunshine in the middle of winter and have a relaxing, peaceful vacation.
Sicily, the land of the "godfather"
Those who have seen the cinematic masterpiece "The Godfather" (1972) are undoubtedly curious about the Sicilian mafia in southern Italy. Today, according to my Italian friend, the mafia has mostly moved north, leaving behind a poor Sicily. Although southern Italy is declining due to economic downturn, the architecture blending various cultures, the unspoiled nature, and the carefree lifestyle of the Sicilian people remain incredibly attractive to tourists from all over the world.
Palermo is the capital of Sicily. Visiting Palermo in winter is a great way to escape the cold and discover its forgotten historical heritage. Perhaps not many people know that Sicily was once invaded by numerous different empires. Before becoming part of Italy, parts of Sicily were colonies of ancient Greece (750 BC – 242 AD), ancient Rome (242–440 AD), the Byzantine Empire (535–965 AD), the Arabs (831–1072 AD), the Normans (1068–1194 AD), and many others. When people think of Sicily, they often picture a land steeped in Italian history and the "godfathers," but in reality, Sicily is a melting pot of diverse cultures.
Exploring Sicily would probably take a whole month, as the island is quite large. But if you're in Sicily, don't miss the seaside city of Cefalù. It's only about a 45-minute boat ride from Palermo to Cefalù. Besides its peaceful scenery and quiet city that always seems to be "taking a nap," Cefalù is also famous for the Cefalù Cathedral, built in the Norman style in the 12th century and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Another World Heritage site near Cefalù is the Monreale Cathedral. In addition to these landmarks, Sicily is also known worldwide for the magnificent Mount Etna, the port city of Catania, the ancient theaters of Taormina, and Modica chocolate.
Sicily's history of invasions has left a deep mark on the unique architecture of buildings such as the Palermo Cathedral, the Norman Palace, the Palatine Chapel, the Pretoria Falls, and the Quattro Canti. Every corner of Sicily has a touch of ancient Greece, Arab culture, and Norman influence (from northern France). At times, I even felt like I was in a Muslim country rather than a Christian one. The architecture that overwhelmed me the most was the Massimo Theatre, the largest theatre in Italy and the third largest in Europe. There are fascinating English-language tours available to learn more about the theatre's history. This theatre was also one of the filming locations for The Godfather.
One of Palermo's most distinctive features is its rich local cuisine. The street food here is cheap and unique. Once, a local friend took me to Franco u Vastiddaru to try pane ca' meusa, a beef spleen sandwich. Locals lined up to order it. Sicily also has roasted lamb or goat stomach. Another popular and less gruesome dish is arancine, battered and fried rice balls filled with cheese or tomato sauce.
What about sweets? Sicilians, and Italians in general, love sweets. Famous Sicilian sweets include cannoli (ricotta cheese biscuits), cassata (marzipan-covered pastries), and paste di mandorle (almond cookies). These are visually appealing but not something you can eat in large quantities because they are so sweet. Nevertheless, they remain an integral part of Italy's "La dolce vita" (Sweet Life).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONVisa: Nice (France), Palermo (Italy), and Valletta (Malta) are all part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa is sufficient for vacationing in these cities. Of the three countries, obtaining a French visa is the easiest. Detailed information on applying for a French visa can be found on the official website of the French embassy or at the TLSContact center.
Travel Information: Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Nice, Palermo, and Valletta. If you want to fly to Nice, you should transit in Paris, while for Palermo and Valletta, transiting in Rome is the most convenient option.
Transportation: Public transport in Nice, such as trams and buses, is very convenient, so people can walk or use public transport, taxis, and Uber. In Palermo and Valletta, if you want to travel to many places, renting a car is the best option because the public transport system is poor.
Clothing: While not as cold as the northern European cities listed above, temperatures in Nice, Palermo, and Valletta are still quite low. It's still advisable to bring warm clothing, scarves, hats, and high boots. Average December temperatures in Nice are 6°–14°C; in Palermo 11°–16°C; and in Valletta 11°–17°C (according to www.ncdc.noaa.gov). Don't forget your sunglasses, as there are still many sunny days during the winter in southern Europe.
Other notes:
Nice and Valletta are safe enough to travel alone. Sicily, however, is quite chaotic due to its poor economy and large immigrant population, so it's best to avoid traveling alone to remote areas.
- Choose a sturdy crossbody bag with multiple compartments to protect against theft and pickpocketing, especially in Palermo.
- Malta uses three-prong plugs, similar to the UK, so two-prong European plugs will not work. It's advisable to bring a power adapter in case your hotel doesn't provide one.
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