When life gives you lemons, make sculptures out of them! The Lemon Festival in the stunning city of Menton on the french Riviera is the place to be in Springtime each year.
This fruit filled festival will capture your imagination. Join 60,000 festival goers in an ambitious celebration of the humble citrus fruits. The festival programme showcases the best sculptures made out of colourful citrus fruits. This is where art and fruit lovers will be in heaven. In this region, the mild climate allows for citrus fruits to grow year round so they know how to make the most of their crops.
WHEN DOES THE BATTLE OF THE ORANGES TAKE PLACE?
Fete du Citron takes place in the city of Menton in Springtime, usually at the end of February to Mid March.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly to Nice and take a train for 40 minutes to the centre of Menton. Fly to Milan or Turin and jump on a train from there to Ivrea.
WHY GO TO MENTON
Menton is a coastal town on the French Riviera. It is not as well known as the celebrity packed towns of Cannes and Antibes but just as beautiful. This postcard picture town offers a taste of all that is on offer in Southern France. Here are a few of the top things to do in Menton:
Visit the Jean Cocteau Museum
Stroll through the Jardin Bioves with the fresh smelling citrus trees
Spend a night at the local casino
Take a dip in one of the many public and private beaches.
citrus trees of the Palais Carnolès: collection of citrus trees
Winding streets of the old town for a late night supper
For more information about the fruit and foraging tours please contact one of our travel specialists.
Are you thinking of taking your loved one of a trip of a lifetime? Whether you’re a couple looking for a great adventure, a foodie vacation or complete immersion in another culture we have chosen some of our top romantic European getaways for active couples.
For many, a romantic weekend means a city break exploring museums. For others, a cycle through the countryside and outdoor adventure awaits. If we had to choose we would always pick the nature trails that get us away from our phones and allow us to feel immersed in a new activity while spending some time out with our favourite person. If you are researching what to do for Valentines why not treat your loved one to a unique getaway that you both can look forward to. We have picked our favourite Orchards Near Me couples experiences:
1. DISCOVER THE VINEYARDS OF FRANCE
The region of Burgundy in France is the ideal location for a couple interested in food and wine. Everywhere you go you will find a taste of France on offer. From smelly cheeses, smooth bodied wines and endless croissants, what’s not to love about France. Touch down in Paris to start your trip off with a night in Europe’s romantic capital. We recommend a walk around the district of Montmartre where you are treated to your very own live art exhibition. Your tour in Burgundy will introduce you to the grapes of the region where you will have the opportunities to sample the delicious french cuisine. Stroll through the market stalls and sample the region’s prized wines.
2. LUXURIOUS TOWNS OF NORTHERN ITALY
Not far from the coastal city of Genoa is the romantic town of Alba. Renowned for it’s wine, truffles and peaches our tour in Northern Italy will delight your senses. Enjoy sampling the very best of fresh Italian produce while exploring the heart of the Langhe region.
Would you like to discover the town that inspired J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter? Visit the city of Porto. This is a top foodie adventure where you will be treated to local dishes of Bacalau. On the second day you will travel to the heart of the Douro Valley for an unforgettable wine tasting experience with our local expert guides.
Picking blackberries and other wild fruits and shellfish along the coastal landscapes of Ireland has to be a bucketlist experience. For this tour you will spend the day in the heart of old Ireland. Enjoy this laid back adventure, strolling along the coast, sampling fresh herbs and cooking your pickings with local guides.
Explore the magical landscapes of Normandy of this delicious Cider tour. On this full day food and drink experience you will discover the pears producing some of Frances iconic ciders. If you are a fruit and cider lover then this is the perfect french adventure.
Get off the beaten track with a remote excursion to the spectacular Alentejo region of Portugal. Renowned for its peaceful landscapes and aromatic herbs, this is one of only a few designated Dark sky, stargarzing destinations in Europe. A picnic under the stars is the perfect recipe for romance.
If you are a bit of a treasure hunter at heart than truffle hunting will be right up your street or perhaps the love of your life is a real foodie. Chefs and food lovers from around the world are mesmerised by the humble truffle that is difficult find and delicate to eat. On this tour you will enjoy meeting up with our local truffle hunter and sampling the famous truffles of the region.
This food tour will give you and your loved one a true taste of food in Northern Portugal. Explore the cobbled streets of Porto, visit some of the best restaurants with our local guide. Finish with a sip or two of port at the lit up harbour. The colourful architecture, friendly people and mouth watering local dishes make this a firm favourite.
Everyone loves a good book recommendation. Whether it comes from your local book club, the book store or a fellow reader, like me. Do you have a favourite genre? I certainly don’t.
It seems to me that I will give any genre a try as long as the first chapter doesn’t bore me to sleep and I fall in love with at least one of the characters. Gritty city novels are my go to for the weekdays but on the weekends when I really want to unwind and sit by the fire than a rivoting thriller that takes me into the wild is everything I want in a story.
I’ve been an explorer all of my life. Although I haven’t read every book for adventurers or the great list of top reads for all nature lovers I can give my opinion on a few. Here are my favourite books for nature lovers around the world:
Walden was originally published in 1854. While he spent two years in a secluded cabin in the woods at Walden Cabin Thoreau created vivid stories, most of them paying homage to the outdoors and his love of nature.
Leopold loved nature and people. 60 years after this book was first published his reflections on nature are as important as ever. This is a mesmerizing book that truly connects people and nature.
We follow journalist Henion as she discovers the wonders of the world. In this novel we learn why adventure brings us closer to our true selves and gives back everytime. The beauty of nature is in every section.
Four servants escape their Alaska work camp in a canoe and face a battle against the elements, hostile Indians and suffering from starvation. This is the ultimate fight for survival.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence
If you are an adventure seeker than this book is right up your street.
A vivid account of the life of one family’s struggle to remain close to nature in a modern world. This books explores the bonds between father and child like no other. They foraged, they hunted, they lived. This read will keep you engaged to the very last page.
Set in the near-future, Into the Forest is a powerfully imagined novel that focuses on the relationship between two teenage sisters living alone in their Northern California forest home.
These books have helped to inspire my travels over the years and provided me with some motivation. What books inspire you?
We would love to hear some of your book recommendations that we can take with us on our next orchard adventure.
