Defne is a Communications Designer for Student Communications Services. She works alongside a team of strategists, content creators, and photographers. She is responsible for developing visual concepts and graphic design for communications projects that support student life and success, and enhance the current student experience at UBC. What Defne enjoys most about working in Enrolment Services is that she enjoys “being part of such a big team and working with talented and smart people, who all have the same goal in mind, and solving student problems to create a better university experience for UBC students!”
Where have your travels taken you to?
I traveled to France this past June. We stayed in Paris for almost a week and from there, my partner and I went to Nice to meet up with my parents to do another week of traveling. This time, we drove from Nice to Marseille, in between, spending a few days in Avignon and in Provence region before ending the trip in Marseille. We decided on this area because we wanted to travel to Europe with my parents to a location that is sunny with good food and culture!
Me, my parents, and my partner in Avignon
Picturesque buildings in Grasse, a town on the French Riviera
A beach in Antibes – a resort town between Nice and Cannes
If you could go back to one city/town in the South of France right now where would you go?
The must-see location has to be Château La Coste – it combines all my favorite vacation activities! It is an art center in a beautiful provencal landscape with site specific sculptures by international artists and architects. There is also a vineyard, a restaurant by famous Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann, bookstore, and a shop.
Entering chateau la Coste
The highly praised restaurant in Mallmann
“Crouching Spider” by Louise Bourgeois
View of the vineyards
What was your favourite meal during your trip?
Everything in France tastes great! My highlight has to be (other than the food at Restaurant Francis Mallmann) the seafood in Marseille! This city has really good food that is so fresh and the variety you’ll get is impressive due to the rich ethnicities and the backgrounds.
Lastly, what is some advice for people traveling to the South of France?
I highly recommend visiting this area – the stretch from Nice to Avignon. If you’re able to do so, it’s best to rent a car and drive with stops along the coast and stop in little towns. There is so much to see and do; I think it’s more enjoyable to drive in order to catch all the sights. And remember to slow down and be patient. The pace in these small French cities and towns are definitely different than North American cities!
Architecture in Marseille