Arles: Top Ratings for 2018!

From the New York Times Travel Section coming this Sunday, they have this headline: “52 Places to Go in 2018” with these highlights regarding Arles: “This ancient Provençal city continues its long art world associations with Luma Arles, an experimental interdisciplinary art campus funded by the philanthropist Maja Hoffmann. The project will see five former industrial buildings transformed into galleries, exhibition halls and a new public park over the next two years. Visitors to La Formation, a new performing arts residence set to open by summer, should also book a free tour of the Parc des Ateliers in development, including its glistening showpiece slated for 2019: a 183-foot Frank Gehry-designed tower to house exhibitions, a library, dining spaces and offer soaring views of the Camargue."

Great added recognition and attention for Arles. We enjoyed in visit here and in soaking up many of the charming Provance towns and villages.

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/travel/places-to-visit.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ft ravel&action=click&contentCollection=travel&region =rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPla cement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 229,170 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

We went to Arles on a Med cruise. Was one of the top stops.

We went to Arles a couple of years ago whilst spending a week in Provence. It is an attractive city with a nice atmosphere, but not sure I'd go out of my way to go there.

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Here is a link to some pictures

https://southerneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

Here is a link to some pictures

https://southerneurope.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

Nice pictures and updates. Those visuals bring back enjoyable memories for this interesting and historic area of France.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting, dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 36,522 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

I particularly enjoy the Roman history and sites around and in Arles -- the theater, amphitheater and cryptoporticus in town and a nice museum as well.

As far as the town itself though, I'd rather base myself elsewhere -- perhaps Avignon.

Thanks Terry

I particularly enjoy the Roman history and sites around and in Arles -- the theater, amphitheater and cryptoporticus in town and a nice museum as well. As far as the town itself though, I'd rather base myself elsewhere -- perhaps Avignon.

Much depends as to whether you are doing a quick visit to Provance from a cruise ship . . . OR . . . being fortunate to have much more time to explore this wonderful region in-depth. Agree with cruisemom42 above that Avignon might be a better "base" if you are having a larger amount of time.

Below are a few of my visuals from our visiting this charming region. Nice to bring back fun memories from this great region.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 194,078 views for this posting.

Here’s a sampling of the fun at a market day in Provence. Love walking around at French markets!!:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

Famed painter Vincent Van Gogh had many ties to Provence and here is a monument to him in Arles. Many of his best works of art were done in this scenic area:

In Saint Remy, this is one of most important Roman ruins/relics in Provence.:

Here are two views in Avignon in connection with the Papal Palace that is the most historic part of this central town in Provence. Considered one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, the palais des Papes has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Palais construction began in AD 1252 and became the residence of the Popes in 1309, when Pope Clement V faced the violent chaos in Rome. This started a period known as the Avignon Papacy. The site, on the northern edge of Avignon, overlooks the Rhône. Under three Popes, the building was expanded to form what is now known as the Palais Neuf. The interiors were decorated with frescos, tapestries, paintings, sculptures and wooden ceilings during the peak periods. The popes departed Avignon in 1377 to Rome, prompting the Papal Schism during which two different "antipopes" made Avignon their home until 1403. Not simple history here!.:

In the heart of Provence, this is the famed Roman-built Pont du Gard. It's an amazing engineering accomplishment.:

Arles is not one of our favorite places in the region (where we have spent plenty of time in rental apartments). While we do like visiting the ruins in and around Arles, we have little love of this city which has rapidly been making itself "less French." Consider the weekly market (in Arles this is on Saturday). DW and I love the French markets, and when we are staying in Provence it is our norm to just hop in our car and drive to various markets on different days. But the market in Arles was our least favorite in all of Provence. It felt more like a North African or Middle Eastern Market.....which is not what we want when in France. The city is home to a large immigrant population (many of whom are from Muslim countries in North Africa). This population does not assimilate well, into the French culture..but rather brings their own culture. We have found many parts of Arles to be dirty (with garbage littering streets/sidewalks), graffiti has become a problem. My sense is that the area has high unemployment and you can often see plenty of young men just hanging around...which might cause some to fear for their personal safety. On the other hand, if you visit this city as part of a tour your guide will most likely keep you afar from the less attractive parts of the area.

If I want to see North African culture, we will simply travel to North Africa (where we have gone several times). But when I am in France, I want to experience France!

Hank

P.S. I am aware that this post is not politically correct and might offend some folks. But we are just calling it the way we have seen it....first hand.

Hlitner

I think your observations are true of many French towns these days, unfortunately.

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Why should one be surprised to encounter a number of people from countries that were once (through the 1950s) French Colonies in a city near the Med? Asserting that post was "not politically correct" is a sad attempt to soften what it really was.

Arles is not one of our favorite places in the region (where we have spent plenty of time in rental apartments). If I want to see North African culture, we will simply travel to North Africa (where we have gone several times). But when I am in France, I want to experience France! Hank P.S. I am aware that this post is not politically correct and might offend some folks. But we are just calling it the way we have seen it....first hand.

Yes, sadly, Hank, there are serious questions and issues in many parts of Europe. Not sure where of these "changes" head and the results. We are now in Chicago getting ready to start doing our first visit to Southeast Asia. This will feature Hong Kong, Bangkok, Vietnam and Cambodia, including a seven-day Mekong River cruise, then Angkor Wat, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hue/Danang. We will be gone a little over one month for this latest “adventure”. Will do a live/blog starting in late January on the River Crusiing CC Board.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

CPTTrips

If it were a few people there trying to make a living, but that's how it starts. Soon there are thousands of people demanding rights and imposing their own culture.

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Yes, sadly, Hank, there are serious questions and issues in many parts of Europe. Not sure where of these "changes" head and the results. We are now in Chicago getting ready to start doing our first visit to Southeast Asia. This will feature Hong Kong, Bangkok, Vietnam and Cambodia, including a seven-day Mekong River cruise, then Angkor Wat, Hanoi, Halong Bay and Hue/Danang. We will be gone a little over one month for this latest “adventure”. Will do a live/blog starting in late January on the River Crusiing CC Board.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

Terry, You are going to love Southeast Asia and you may wear out your camera since everywhere you look there are going to be some amazing shots. When you are on the Mekong you are likely to see some of the old concrete bunkers that are left-over remnants from decades of war. Just be careful to avoid the durian fruit...or even your camera will smell for years to come :).

Hank

Terry, You are going to love Southeast Asia and you may wear out your camera since everywhere you look there are going to be some amazing shots. When you are on the Mekong you are likely to see some of the old concrete bunkers that are left-over remnants from decades of war. Just be careful to avoid the durian fruit...or even your camera will smell for years to come :).Hank

Appreciate these great tips and this excellent follow-up from Hank. In Hong Kong now and am getting lots of wonderful sights, pictures, etc. Will be on the look-out for those items suggested. Including durian fruit!!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.):

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 54,915 views for these postings.

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Sunday Times, they will have this headline tomorrow: “30 best cultural holidays in Europe”  with this sub-head: "From art and architecture to film festivals and classical concerts, here is the pick of Europe’s hot tickets". 

One of top Europe locations featured is Arles.  Here is the highlight featured for this star Provence city: “The 50th edition of the Rencontres d’Arles, a summer festival of photography, takes place around the southern French town of Arles, noted for its beautiful Roman amphitheatre. The festival’s line-up includes Helen Levitt’s interwar portraits of underprivileged New York neighbourhoods and an exhibition exploring the impact of large-scale walls and fences (July 1 to September 22, rencontres-arles.com). The photographer Martin Parr has chosen 50 photographic books from his collection of 12,000 that will simultaneously be on show at Luma cultural complex, whose twisting, aluminium tile tower extension by Frank Gehry is taking eye-catching shape before its 2020 opening (luma-arles.org).
Where to stay A 17th-century convent restyled by Christian Lacroix, the Hotel Jules César has lovely gardens, a pool and B&B doubles from €196 (00 33 4 90 52 52 52, www.hotel-julescesar.fr)”.

Full story at:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/travel/30-best-cultural-holidays-in-europe-7tqm8vtjn

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

To illustrate this cultural profile, here is the visual featured of the Roman amphitheatre in Arles.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)