Carol Drinkwater

“The almond, the first fruit to flower round the Mediterranean, heralds the arrival of spring. It is also an early nectar for the honey bees.”

“During the Second World War, the Cote d'Azur as a holiday destination closed down, but once the Allies had liberated the coast in 1944, the Riviera's infrastructure grew rapidly.”

“Paris by day, Paris by night, the most visited city in the world, will never disappoint you, but be sure to get off the beaten tracks.”

“Olive oil is the cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine. This tree is the thread from which the tapestry of the Med has been woven.”

“Indeed, I still read a fair amount of French literature and I am very attracted to the emotional depth and simplicity of writers such as Marguerite Duras.”

“Algeria, the second-largest country in Africa, has been dogged by terrorism. But while dangers remain, they are far outweighed by the hospitality of the people.”

“Christmas in the Caribbean, after a tiring flight, may sweep you out of the cold but it's not a real Christmas, is it?”

“Biarritz is world-famous for its surfing. The waves roll high and wild and surfers cross the planet to pit their skills against the swells and curls of these waters.”

“It was Captain Cook who christened the Whitsunday Islands while sailing past them in 1770 on what he mistakenly believed was Whitsunday. His calendar was askew, but the name stuck.”

“In my childhood dreams, I pictured Italy as paradise. I longed to be the next Sophia Loren, living in a village with winding cobbled streets where washing hung from windows and everybody gesticulated and shouted amicably. Ah, but life surprises.”

“Algerians cannot offer what they do not have themselves. Many homes have running water for just an hour a day. In the cities and towns there are hotels, even resorts, and in the southern Sahara, where the rock art is second to none, organised tours are available.”

“Once you pass by the high crests of the snow-capped Pyrenees and move to the wild shores of the very lowest tip of southwest France bordering Spain, you are in Basque country.”

“Although I still think of myself as an actress, most of my time is spent writing novels or memoirs about my adventures and travels.”

“I have lived in the South of France - think cobalt skies, lapping waves, rocky bays - for almost 35 years.”

“The Garden of Gethsemane is halfway up the Mount of Olives, where Christ grappled with his courage during those last dark hours of life. Today it is a Franciscan monastery.”

“I am a passionate swimmer and scuba-diver.”

“Until half a century ago, the Maures slopes had been silvery with olive trees, but in 1956 disaster struck. February frosts dropped beneath minus seven and the trees were blighted.”

“Biarritz is one of the most popular holiday destinations in France and it tops the list for coastal resorts along the French Atlantic.”

“Property in Provence can cost a fortune if you don't know where to look and a glass of champagne sipped on the pristine whitewashed terrace of one of the seafront hotels in Cannes can set you back the price of a meal in any other establishment.”

“In Britain, we have a vague idea that being by the sea does you good, clears your lungs and regenerates your system.”