As one of the Mediterranean ports of call, Marseille is warm year round. Being the second largest city in France, there is much to do here. Since Marseille was founded around 600 BC by Greek sailors, the city is full of rich culture and history.

Marseille can be quite fun as the city has over 100 quartier. Each quartier has its own village, church, and individual flavor. Because of its complex design, this is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in Europe.

The Jardin des Vestiges, which means "Garden of Ruins," is located in the central market area of Marseille. This is a beautiful area containing ruins of first century docks and various towers and walls. The Jardin des Vestiges is a great place to learn about the history of Marseille and that of the French Riviera. Once a Greek fortification, the ruins weren't uncovered until 1967 when work was done to construct a shopping center. The garden contains many pieces of Greek architecture including a road, a freshwater basin, the remainder of a defense tower, and several walls. An underground aqueduct can also be found nearby. The ruins here date back to the 2nd century BC.

The Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, located near the Vieux Port in Marseille, is a stunning example of Neo-Byzantine architecture. The cathedral was built in the mid 19th century at the location of a chapel that was first built in the 13th century which served as a priory for the monks of St. Victor. Built as a dedication to Our Lady of the Watch (Mary, Mother of Jesus) who was the traditional guardian of seafarers, the cathedral was designed in the same style as Cathedral of Sainte Marie Majeure which is located on the opposite site of the port of Marseille. The Notre Dame de la Garde, although younger than many architectural sites in the area, is a beautiful and interesting stop in Marseille.

Chateau D'if can be found just a mile offshore from Marseille on the tiny island of If. This fortress was built to protect the city from attacks, however after it was built, no attacks were made on Marseille. Later, Chateau D'if was made into a prison, which gave the fortress its fame. The prison was used to detain political and religious rebels as well as the fictional character, Edmond Dantès, from Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo. In the novel, Dantès is said to escape the prison, however, in reality, there is no record of a successful escape from Chateau D'if. Escape was made nearly impossible because the prison's isolated location and the treacherous current just offshore.

Being the second largest city in France, there is no shortage of fine dining. There are restaurants for pretty much any taste and budget. For those interested in shopping, I recommend the Centre Bourse, a large shopping center which is located by the Jardin des Vestiges. For those interested in watersports, Marseille is the place to be with over 20 beaches in its environs. Sailing, fishing, and tennis are very popular in Marseille. Marseille is also known for its spas and salt water therapy for those looking to relax after a long day of soaking up the sun.