Travel to Venice
Venice, a unique city in the world. From the first time I went there, I was charmed by this mysterious city seemingly floating on the water.
Even though Venice is always crowded, I recommend visiting during the off-season. This will help you avoid the summer heat and, more importantly, the tourist crowds. There are many things to do in Venice: Stroll through St. Mark's Square, admire St. Mark's Basilica, visit the Doge's Palace, see the Bridge of Sighs, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute at the beginning of the Grand Canal, climb to the top of the Campanile of San Giorgio Maggiore, visit museums, and take a boat trip (vaporetto) to the Venetian islands (especially Murano for its magnificent glassblowers and Burano with its colorful houses).
Buy a 1 or 2 day pass and you can use all public transport (water buses, buses, trams).
About the Venice Carnival: (Wikipedia source: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnaval_de_Venise) :
he primary goal of the Venice Carnival was to abolish the usual social constraints. The rich became poor and vice versa; acquaintances enjoyed the privilege of no longer having to greet each other thanks to the anonymity afforded by the masks that appeared in the 13th century. Wearing the costume allowed a freedom unknown during the rest of the year; individuals could transgress certain rules without being recognized. Institutionalized and codified during the Renaissance, the carnival opened itself to opera from the 16th century onward and welcomed the princes of Europe (previously, the theater, with its reduced admission prices, was more popular). It was from the 17th century, during the Baroque period, that the myth of the Venice Carnival spread throughout Europe, and it is the 18th-century image that is most familiar to us thanks to the paintings of Canaletto.
Coloring on a graphics tablet...
I created this comic strip during my trip to Japan, specifically Tokyo, combining traditional drawing on paper with digital painting on a computer..
The drawings were done with felt-tip pens on paper. Then I scanned them at 1200 dpi. I used a non-photographic blue pencil, the kind used by comic book artists, film animators, illustrators, and graphic designers for sketching. Then I ink the drawing with felt-tip pens or India ink. The blue sketches made with these pencils don't show up in the scanner. But if the lines are very bold, they will be slightly visible, so you have to be careful or erase them before scanning. I use software like Painter or Krita (free) to color them with a graphics tablet. If you try this, be sure to create a separate layer for each color, and always put the layer containing the drawing (black lines) first so the colors don't cover the lines.
Coloring on a graphics tablet...
I created this comic strip during my trip to Japan, specifically Tokyo, combining traditional drawing on paper with digital painting on a computer..
The drawings were done with felt-tip pens on paper. Then I scanned them at 1200 dpi. I used a non-photographic blue pencil, the kind used by comic book artists, film animators, illustrators, and graphic designers for sketching. Then I ink the drawing with felt-tip pens or India ink. The blue sketches made with these pencils don't show up in the scanner. But if the lines are very bold, they will be slightly visible, so you have to be careful or erase them before scanning. I use software like Painter or Krita (free) to color them with a graphics tablet. If you try this, be sure to create a separate layer for each color, and always put the layer containing the drawing (black lines) first so the colors don't cover the lines.
Skiing in the Cantal...
Why not take a break from the Alps or the Pyrenees and go for a winter trip to the Cantal??
Cantal is located in the Haute Auvergne region, a more mountainous area. It's a volcanic massif with its highest peak, the Plomb du Cantal, at 1855 meters. It was on the Plomb du Cantal that I discovered Le Lioran, a family-friendly ski resort. Situated at an altitude of 1160 meters, its ski area alternates between forests and mountain peaks. It's the best-equipped resort in the Massif Central.
Travel to Japan...
This trip to Japan was a wonderful discovery. To begin with, I recommend traveling light, as we did. We focused on three cities: Osaka, Kyoto, and finally Tokyo.
Our luggage was limited to a carry-on suitcase and a small backpack, more practical for traveling by train between cities. For accommodation, we rented apartments, very reasonably priced and well-equipped (washing machine). We even saw some Japanese-style apartments, complete with the famous high-tech toilets! (Really very good).
The Japanese don't want to bother you; you might get a first impression of coldness, but once you approach them, you discover that they are welcoming and helpful. Of course, you have to be aware of and respect the customs and traditions, which are quite different from those in Western Europe.
My impression of the cost of living (from what I've seen) is that it's less expensive than in France (food, gas, etc.).
Public transportation, including the subway and trains, is very extensive, safe, and clean. The famous high-speed train, the Shinkansen, is truly spacious and comfortable.
Modernism, skyscrapers, and numerous temples coexist in Japan's megacities...
For your phone, I recommend buying a SIM card upon arrival at the airport; there are many specialized shops. The card is generally valid for one month, which will be much cheaper than keeping your French SIM card, and I advise you to remove it for the duration of your stay.
n Japan, it's very pleasant to be able to travel, even walk around late at night in the streets and feel safe; there's very little incivility...
→ Photographs from the trip to Japan
