Provence, France: An Incentive Travel Solutions Featured Destination
Provence, France is a region filled with sensual herb aromas, infinite hillsides, and intriguing harbors. It offers a picturesque landscape many have only seen in books or the paintings of artists such as Van Gogh. Defined by bordering scenery of the Rhone, Mediterranean, northern olive trees, and the Alps, the destination supplies an internal contrasting terrain unlike any other. Individuals can find plummeting gorges complemented by lavender fields and stunning beaches. Located in the southern region of France, the city of Provence was one of the first areas taken over by the Romans on this side of the Alps. Moderate climate conditions combined with an extensive historical background make Provence an interesting place for any individual to travel.
History
Original settlers consisted of various farming cultures, the Celts, the Greeks, and the Romans. Germans invaded the territory between the fifth and ninth centuries before the Middle Ages. As the Middle Age era surfaced, three dynasties paved the way to what is now modern Provence. Historical takeovers remained prominent through post Middle Ages with the region being incorporated as part of France in approximately 1486. A plague in the 1700’s led to a large diminishing of the population; however, artistic industries such as pottery became prevalent shortly after. The violent French Revolution caused extensive turmoil that was only subsided when Napoleon seized power in the later portion of the seventeenth century. Today, residents enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere where the original beauty that attracted a vast array of rulers has been preciously preserved.
Landscapes
Provence is known for its widespread contrasting landscapes with a few specifically increasing the popularity of this travel destination. The Rhone river can be found on the western portion as one of Frances commerce connections to the Mediterranean. It divides prior to reaching the sea with sections being referred to as the Grand Rhone and the Petit Rhone. The Alps reside northwest of this region to form the border between France and Italy. A series of inlets, referred to as the Calanques, are an ancient cultural remnant considered to be a famous coastal feature of this region.
Culture
Painters, writers, and film makers have all attempted to portray the beauty this destination has to offer. Louis Brea, a painter during the fifteenth century, created works in several churches of the region. Pierre Paul Puget was a prominent religious and portrait painter a century later. His famous sculpture creations can be found in the Louvre, Toulon Cathedral, and the additional structures. Additional artists of the area include Adolphe Monticelli, Vincent Van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet. Visitors can see numerous works created by these individuals in various museums. Provence, also the site of some of the earliest produced motion pictures, has been depicted in many modern films. The cuisine of Provence consists of a few main ingredients: olive oil, garlic, seafood, lamb, goat, and local fruits. Food is limited due to the locations poor terrain; however, visitors are still able to try several exquisite dishes from local cultures. Modern practices have greatly improved both the food and beverages one can try when visiting.
Campania, with a population of over five million, is the second most inhabited region in Italy. The destination offers widespread wonders on the southeast portion of the Italian Peninsula to visitors. This region was originally colonized by the Greeks, but later dominated by the Romans. Cities at this destination are popular for music, archeology, architecture, and other forms of culture. Greeks inhabited the area until the Second Samnite War when the Romans begin taking over the southern portion of Campania. It officially became part of the Roman Republic by the end of fourth century BC. Countless revolutions later, Campania was conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte who instated several kings during this time. The Austrian Empire overtook the created kingdom after the Neapolitan War and reinstated Ferdinand IV to the throne. Naples and Sicily, commonly referred to as the Two Sicilies, joined in 1815. The introduction of a railway system to Naples in 1839 transformed the region into a trading center.
People come to see the beautiful shoreline of Guanacaste and to enjoy the locations mild summer days. The province offers some of the best ocean shoreline in this portion of the world along with numerous memorable activities visitors can include as part of their Costa Rica experience. Those visiting this location for the first time will have plenty to do with surfing, horseback riding, and snorkeling being a few of the areas main activities. It is the breathtaking shoreline that attracts several visitors to the Guanacaste province each year for a relaxing or action packed trip.
The city of Florence can be found in central Italy as one of Tuscany’s largest municipalities with a population of more than three-hundred sixty thousand inhabitants. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is most known for a stunning city centre, monuments, and palaces. Located on the River Arno and embraced with gently rolling hills, this tourist destination is one of many World Heritage Sites. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the Renaissance period along with exquisite Italian museums like the Uffizi Gallery. Works by famous artists such as Michelangelo can be seen in these museums in addition to many monuments throughout the city.
