In Manchán's Europe By Train, Manchán Magan embraces the ethos of slow travel, taking the time to get to know people and places, and experiencing local customs and traditions.
For the final stretch of his journey, Manchán departed Genoa for the Côte d'Azur. He stopped off in Monte Carlo, the capital of Monaco, as he made his way along the French Riviera. He headed inland for Toulouse and crossed into Basque Country in Spain to spend some time in San Sebastián before catching the ferry home from Bilbao to Rosslare.
Travel Emissions
If Manchán had completed this whole trip around Europe by air and car, he would have emitted 1401kg of CO2. Going overland by train and sea, he only emitted 313kg making greener transport choices throughout the journey.
Activities in Côte d'Azur
Caricature portrait
Caricaturist Arnaud Defaye has been a professional caricaturist for over 30 years, and the proud Frenchman certainly knows a thing or two about catching the likeness of his subjects – with a twist! Having first taken up the pencil as a teenager, Arnaud has drawn his caricatures everywhere from night markets to corporate events, casinos to weddings. You can spot him at the night markets at the Var during the summer months, or maybe on a train from Marseille like Manchán did.
Parasailing
Experience the thrill of soaring above the azure waters of Monte Carlo's harbour with a bit of parasailing. As you glide through the sky, marvel at the stunning city views as well as the route of the renowned Monaco Grand Prix. Train lines run up and down the French Riveria, allowing you to stop and explore the breathtaking coastline as you please.
Aperitif in Quai des Artistes
Make like a local (or moonlight as a visiting millionaire) with a visit to Monaco's chi chi Quai des Artistes bar for a sundowner made using a local spirit*: L’Orangerie. Long before tourism, yachts, and the Grand Prix, agriculture was the mainstay of the Monegasque economy, and even today, 600 bitter orange trees line the streets of the Principality. Once a year, the sun-kissed citrus fruits are brought to an atelier, where their zest is infused with the finest alcohol to create the authentic taste of L’Orangerie.
Parfumerie visit to Fragonard
France is the perfume capital of the world. The lovely town of Èze is home to the factory laboratory of the famous Fragonard parfumerie where visitors can create their own signature scent with the help of a 'perfume professor'. In addition to making their own Eau du Toilette, guests can take a guided tour of the factory to learn the history of the perfume trade, as well as the manufacturing techniques behind their favourite fragrances.
Activities in Toulouse
Visit Halle de La Machine
Situated on an historic runway on the outskirts of Toulouse, Halle de La Machine invites visitors to discover a mesmerising collection of street theatre machines. Every day, over 100 "Véritables- Machinistes" (True Stagehands) bring the tales and legends of the building’s mysterious inhabitants to the masses. Perhaps most impressive of all the machines is 'Asterion the Minotaur’, which is 14 metres high, 13 metres long, and can carry up to 50 people on its back for daily excursions.
Activities in San Sebastián
Basque dining & sports
Proud Basque native, Julen Landaluze Gorostiaga, loves to share the region’s traditional culture with tourists and brings those in search of an authentic Basque culinary experience to the converted farmhouse of Izeta Sagardotegia. The sagardotegi, or ‘cider house,’ is central to Basque community and culinary identity, and is traditionally served free-flowing from barrels. Come with an empty belly to get the most out of a menu that comprises four first courses, three second courses, dessert, coffee, and some cider!
Afterwards head round back for a rural sports demonstration, including chopping wood, lifting massive stones, and drilling in quarry rocks. Julen offers a chance for visitors to see the masters of these sports practise first-hand as part of his Aupa Hi! Tours, with a demonstration by three generations of the local Iruretagoiena family.
Slow fishing
Enjoy a cruise around the bay at La Concha beach and try and catch your dinner with fisherman Iñaki and his old sea dog, Wanda. Originally from San Sebastián, Iñaki is a mine of information about the city and its surrounding area, and loves to share his anecdotes from his years on the high seas with visitors that he meets. For something extra special, opt for the sunset sailing experience with Iñaki’s company, Oribay Tours.
Watch Manchán's Europe by Train on RTÉ Player.
