Category: Destinations
A Day Trip to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte
If you’ve any interest in French history, you may have heard of the castles Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte. Both are located not in the Loire Valley but the Île-de-France region and have a lot of history behind them, Fontainebleau in particular. On my return to Paris, the urge to see such monuments brought me on a day trip.
Fontainebleau
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fontainebleau has a history that goes back almost one thousand years. A keep (castle tower) was built there in 1137 and a monastery hospital was built there a century later. King Philip IV of France (1268-1314) … Continue reading
Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 in DestinationsTags: europe, france
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Day Trip to the Swiss Rhine: Schaffhausen & Stein am Rhine
On my way to Stein am Rhine, I got to see Schaffhausen as well. I love Swiss and German style architecture so when I went to Switzerland, I knew I had to spend some time near the German border to see the Rhine river and the towns that lived next to it. For that, I chose to go to Stein am Rhein and ended up seeing two towns instead.
Schaffhausen
I had to go through the town of Schaffhausen to get to my destination, so I decided to make a trip out of it when I got there, and I’m … Continue reading
Posted on Friday, August 10, 2018 in DestinationsTags: europe, rhine, schauffhausen, stein am rhein, switzerland
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3 Chateaux of the Loire Valley: Chenonceau, Cheverny, and Chambord
When my mom came to visit me in France, I thought a great way to spend the day would be to take a day trip to the Loire Valley, known for its Renaissance castles. We booked a tour as my mother prefers planned tours and then we set off to three castles: Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chambord.
Chateau de Chenonceau
Chenonceau Castle is one of the most famous in the Loire Valley, and France, because of its location atop a small river. There’s no need to tell you that the architecture is absolutely stunning and definitely worthy of a visit. However … Continue reading
Posted on Saturday, July 21, 2018 in DestinationsTags: europe, france, loire valley
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Colmar, One of France’s Most Beautiful Cities (Updated 2024)
Colmar is one of the well-known gems of Alsace, the region of France that borders Germany and combines the history and culture of the two. It’s rumoured to have inspired the setting for Beauty and the Beast but whether or not it was Colmar or another Alsacian village, Colmar is definitely a town out of a faerytale.
The History of Colmar
Colmar has been around for over 1,000 years but its history has been relatively quiet. The town of Colmar grew from the era of Charlemagne to 1226, when it was made an Imperial City. What I find most interesting … Continue reading
Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in DestinationsTags: alsace, colmar, europe, france
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Dinan, a Medieval French Town in Brittany – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Dinan is part of Brittany, one of the most well-known regions of France and also one of the most interesting. Not only was Brittany its own kingdom for a short time but it’s only been formally incorporated as part of France since 1532, and the area also has its own language called Breton. Sadly, not a lot is available online about Brittany and its towns (comparatively), so it was difficult deciding which town to go to in my limited amount of time. However, I chose the medieval city of Dinan and was absolutely amazed.
A Short History of Dinan
… Continue reading Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 in DestinationsTags: birttany, dinan, europe, france
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Finding “Hygge” in Copenhagen: Things to Do & Travel Guide (Updated 2024)
Popular for its laid-back lifestyle, Copenhagen is a popular destination for youth. Though the city itself is relatively new at 1000 years old it became the Danish capital in the 14th century and is now home to hygge.
The History of Copenhagen
Copenhagen was a small fishing village until around the 11th and 13th centuries, when it became a walled town with significant economic growth. It became the capital of Denmark in 1343 – or 1416 – or 1443 – depending on the source. But it was here that the capital was established with a new castle and university. … Continue reading
Posted on Friday, June 22, 2018 in DestinationsTags: copenhagen, denmark, europe
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Visiting Aachen & its Beautiful Cathedral (Updated 2024)
The first place I ever visited in Germany was actually the relatively unknown town of Aachen, a cute town near the French and Belgian borders. It’s known for being the home of Charlemagne’s cathedral and is also the hometown of Anne Frank’s mother. Though there’s a world of difference between Aachen and popular German cities like Berlin, Aachen still has a lot to offer for history buffs.
Some History of Aachen
Aachen started out as a spa town in Roman times, and it grew to be one of Emperor Charlemagne’s favourite places centuries later. Subsequently he made the town the … Continue reading
Posted on Thursday, June 7, 2018 in DestinationsTags: aachen, europe, germany
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The Breathtaking City of Edinburgh – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Of all the places I’ve been, Edinburgh, Scotland is one of those cities that makes me relapse into love every time I hear of it. Filled with history, architecture, and never-ending activities, Edinburgh is an absolutely wonderful city that I feel is underrated in that relatively not many people visit it.
Some of Edinburgh’s History
The history of modern Edinburgh goes back over 1,000 years, and you may have heard that the castle itself is perched atop volcanic rock. It’s easy to see how this position would’ve been advantageous for safety and warfare. The castle was built around 1100 AD … Continue reading Posted on Friday, June 1, 2018 in DestinationsTags: edinburgh, scotland
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Visiting Blarney Castle & (Not) Getting the Gift of Garb
One of my huge bucket-list items was going to see Blarney Castle in Ireland, famous for its Blarney Stone. Kissing the stone is said to give one the gift of eloquence, though the castle is beautiful enough to entice people to visit. So when I went on my trip to Ireland a few years back, seeing Blarney Castle was one of my top priorities.
Blarney Castle’s History
Blarney Castle was built by Cormac McCarthy (King of Munster – not the author) sometime in the 1480s, even though I have to point out that the information given at the castle is … Continue reading
Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in DestinationsTags: blarney castle, europe, ireland
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The Medieval Town of Provins, France – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Y’all know I’m a sucker for medieval towns and the town of Provins, France, about an hour away from Paris by train, was one I definitely had to see. Provins is a medieval town that still has its preserved medieval walls. Because it sat at a crossroads for many trade routes, it became a location of several merchant fairs, for which it became famous. Today, not much has changed! It still has its medieval structures and it’s modernly known for its medieval shows, especially The Eagles of the Ramparts, and they still have festivals and events to celebrate … Continue reading
Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2018 in DestinationsTags: france, provins
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