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Abroad, France, Guests, Toulouse

Adventure: Stanislava in Toulouse

posted by Dario
Jun 2, 2020 409 1 0
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Walk around Toulouse – the pink city

To get to know France better you have to go outside Paris. This is a mandatory rule and advice that every Francophone will give you. I will also not miss saying it. Whether you choose to go to Île-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Provence & the Côte d’Azur, each French region offers a certain spirit, history, culture, and its philosophy of life that will make you sing “La vie en rose”.

Only four hours by train from the French capital or two hours from Bordeaux (from where we traveled) is the administrative center of the Occitanie region – the city of Toulouse. Mostly known as the student city, the third most important after Paris and Lyon, it attracts students from all over the world with a university tradition that dates back to the 13th century when the University of Toulouse was founded.

Toulouse Train Station_Gare Toulouse Matabiau

From the very first steps around the city, you can see the color of the buildings, which are in perfect synchronization with the environment. It’s with the colors of the buildings and roofs that Toulouse is known as the Pink City.

Buildings_Toulouse1
Buildings_Toulouse

Details_Toulouse

The city was built on the Garonne River, one of the biggest and most important rivers in France, and along its course also passes through Spain and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Two other natural water facilities immediately attracted us – the Canal du Midi and the Canal de Brienne. Water is our element and its proximity always makes us happy. The walk around the river and the Toulouse canals is invigorating and presents the city in a magical light. There is also an organized cruise through the canal, so everyone can decide whatever to take the boats or to walk on foot. Keep in mind that Toulouse is a city that can be easily explored while walking and enjoying the French sky.

La Garonne River
Canal de Brienne_ Toulouse
Canal de Brienne_Toulouse1
Canal de Midi_Toulouse2

Toulouse owns impressive markets (one of them is Victor Hugo), French cuisine is known to everyone and it certainly makes no sense to talk about the aromatic wines, the thousands of varieties of cheese, the grapes aroma, the crispy baguettes, and the multilayered croissants. Toulouse is a vibrant place with crowded streets, which, however, leaves you enough space for breathing some fresh air and to see beyond the crowds. The city has charming neighborhoods, enriching museums, many fashion shops (it’s also considered as a fashion hub, with its local brands), historic sites, and churches, which captivates anyone who has chosen to visit the French city.

Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse
Le Capitole_Central Square_Toulouse

Streets_Toulouse2

The first place in our itinerary was the Central Square and the Capitole de Toulouse. It was autumn and the whole square had been turned into a bazaar/flea market offering all kinds of French delicacies. The Capitole building is one of the important landmarks with its impressive neoclassical architecture and now it houses the Municipality and the Theater of Toulouse.

Le Capitole Central square Toulouse1

Le Capitole Central square Toulouse2

From there we immersed ourselves in the streets that revealed the remarkable history of Toulouse.

Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse – a massive building with breathtaking Romanesque architecture which was very popular in the XI century. Its construction began in the XI century and it was completed in the XII century. It’s inscribed on the UNESCO list of cultural and historical heritage and it is part of the pilgrimage route Santiago de Compostela.

Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse

The Jacobin Monastery (or Couvent des Jacobins) is another stop of our walk. This place hides a beautiful courtyard, a popular architectural decision that keeps away the noise and surrounds you with peace. Almost every huge building in Toulouse has such a secret in its heart.

Couvent des Jacobins_Toulouse
Courtyard_Toulouse

For people who want to immerse themselves in the world art and culture, here is the museum and gallery paradise (probably like every French city). Museum life is part of the city with many institutions that preserve the historical heritage over the centuries. Art is everywhere here, even on the walls, so be sure to look up – you can find impressive murals. The Muséum de Toulouse, The Musée Saint-Raymond, Toulouse archaeological museum, Les Abattoirs – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and many others.

Jardin des plantes_Toulouse

A little bit tired, it is time to take a strong espresso and a butter croissant and to sit on the riverside while watching the New Bridge (Pont Neuf), which is the oldest one in the city. This is a place that locals choose for their daily activities – jogging, relaxing, drinking coffee, and taking a break. Because no one can get tired of this view. Wherever we go across the river it is like one particular building is chasing us – the Dome, which can often be seen in photos of the city. It is part of the old hospital built in the XII century and hosting most of the plague victims. In the last couple of years, the place is closed for visitors because the plan is to become an exhibition hall. But from the outside is still magnificent.

The Dome_Chapelle Saint Joseph de la Grave
Pont Neuf_Toulouse

The short story about Toulouse does not end here, I am sure you will create your own. I hope you enjoy it!

Space Invader_Toulouse
Streets_Toulouse1
Streets_Toulouse3
Jardin des Plantes_Toulouse1

You can follow Stanislava and her adventures on her instagram profile and also her personal blog!

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Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

But as it is said - the devilish creations are the sweetest. Well, I can confirm this through my dog. 

SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

#dog #hiking #winter
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain 2290 m the peak is the fourth highest mountain summit in Bulgaria.

It presents the best spontaneous getaway if you want to go out in the nature. Also is way to good challenge yourself. I myself did it multiple times and must confess every time I climb it from different points it amazes me with the beauty that this mountain contains.

#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

Is there anyone who lives in Sofia and had never visited Vitosha Mountain?

Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
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