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Justine Costigan

Justine Costigan

Contributor

Justine Costigan is a Melbourne writer.

Gorizia, Italy

Separated for decades, these reunited towns are now the talk of Europe

The Gorizia Wall was erected in 1947 – 14 years before the Berlin Wall was built – and stood for 57 years.

  • Justine Costigan
Maison Empereur in Marseille is a hardware store turned general store that has been operating for close to 200 years. Now you can stay there as well as shop there.

The beautiful, 200-year-old French store where you can stay the night

If you love this traditional and beloved store’s aesthetic and philosophy, an apartment stay is the ultimate immersion.

  • Justine Costigan
Caffe San Marco, a long-time haunt of intellectuals, radicals, businesspeople and writers.

Italy’s coffee capital? It’s hard to go past this cafe-loving city

The baristas have the timing and grace of ballerinas, and even the coffee at the railway stations is great.

  • Justine Costigan
Fresh coffee and “la gioia”… the haircut is just a bonus.

The highlight of my visit to Italy was somewhere totally unexpected

I’ve needed a haircut for months, but as usual, I’ve been putting it off. I’d been butchered before when travelling.

  • Justine Costigan
Cyclists crossing Via Giuseppe Mazzini of Ferrara with the tower of San Giorgio cathedral in background.

Not Florence: Italy’s other beautiful Renaissance city (with no tourists)

Overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, Ferrara has something those cities don’t – no signs of overtourism.

  • Justine Costigan
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I was picturing The Sound of Music… but it was more like my school.

What would you do for cheap lodging in Italy? I spent a night with nuns

I have a fantasy of staying somewhere like the abbey in The Sound of Music. But my last-minute monastery stay reminds me of school.

  • Justine Costigan
Mustair Valley in Switzerland’s Lower Engadine region.

The secret Swiss valley only locals know about

Near the Italian and Austrian borders, there is an exquisite region Australians have yet to discover.

  • Justine Costigan
Marseille Airport, France.

This airport aims to have no one wait more than 10 minutes. It succeeds

Marseille in France has more than 10 million passengers a year, but its setup looks well-equipped to handle many more.

  • Justine Costigan
The cliffs and beaches of the Calanques National Park are a natural wonder.

Away from the tourist hordes, this might be Europe’s best swimming spot

The Mediterranean has no shortage of beautiful locations, but this 20-kilometre coastline on France’s Cote Bleue is different.

  • Justine Costigan

Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/traveller/by/justine-costigan-p537gt