26 Gorgeous Hikes on the WEstern Cote d'Azur
Florence Chatzigianis
Reviewed by Carianne Carleo-Evanglist
26 Gorgeous Hikes on
the Western Cote d'Azur
by Florence Chatzigianis is a small,
perfectly sized book for a traveler undertaking these hikes or someone
who just
wants to think about travel – and carries this book with them.
While the book assumes some knowledge of the region, it
really encourages the reader to take advantage of the relatively lesser
known
region for hiking. The inclusion of contact information for the tourist
offices
is good for those who may want additional information.
The French Riviera is known for many things –
casinos, scenic drives, wine and beaches – hiking isn’t one of the
things that
often comes to the travelers’ mind. Clear also is the author’s passion
and
dedication for the region, as well as a hiker and she makes sure to
include all
the information that she’s learned as vital through her time spent
hiking in
the region. The “Getting There” feature is useful to those unfamiliar
with the
region – but also offers insight on issues such as parking – of use to
those
who may be familiar with the region.
While the book is designed to appeal to active travelers –
those who seek more from their vacation to this region than time spent
on the
beach – the book caters to a range of hiking ability and interest. It
also
includes some short walks – to see sunset at a monastery, which may
cater to
travel partners who are not keen on a half day spent hiking.
The book includes detailed trail descriptions,
hiking maps,
hiking data such as time, distance, difficulty and elevation
information for
twenty-six hikes. It also includes local information on plants, animals
and the
settlement of the region – again serving as an interesting travel guide
for
those who may not want to hike. The pictures really capture the scenic
beauty
of the region.
Perhaps the best thing about this – these are, for the
most
part, half-day hikes, allowing the traveler to pair hiking with other
activities in the region. It also shows the natural connects between
some of
the hikes – allowing the reader to combine and plan their trip if
reading prior
to departure.