Posts Tagged ‘Europe’
Enjoying views over Gdansk, Poland
Whenever I visit a new city, one of the first things I like to do is to get an idea of the layout from the highest point. In most European cities and towns, that means climbing the cathedral belltower. That’s why, on a recent visit to Gdansk, Poland, my family and I raced desperately against…
Read MoreGetting in the Christmas spirit … in Gdansk, Poland
Last week, I wrote about my Christmas inspiration from (for me, at least) an unlikely source – Vigo, Spain. Immediately after my trip to Vigo, I departed with my family for a long weekend visit to Gdansk, Poland. For years, I have wanted to visit Gdansk. While I always pictured visiting during the summer season…
Read MoreGetting in the Christmas spirit … in Vigo, Spain
The last week of November found me at work in Galicia’s largest city – Vigo. I’ve been several times in this Atlantic coastal city, although always in late summer/early fall, so it was interesting to see it in the colder months. And it was a surprise to see that Vigo now touts itself as the…
Read MoreEnjoying the winter sun in Madrid’s Parco del retiro
Last December I was with my family in Madrid. We spent lots of time walking around and exploring, and hours in museums enjoying the collections. But the blue skies beckoned and the warm December sun led us to the Parco del retiro, a place I had been for summer visits to Spain’s capital. It was…
Read MoreVisiting the birthplace of the nativity scene – in Greccio, Italy
For years I have “meant to” visit Greccio. My luck changed when my youngest son joined the track team in nearby Rieti, about 16 kilometers from this tiny town. Since we are often in Rieti for races, and since this last visit coincided with sunny skies, I finally got my wish post-race. Greccio is a…
Read MoreFrom the top of the world. The Pizzo di Ovindoli, Abruzzo
On a hot summer weekend, I took my kids out to our place in Ovindoli – in the mountains of Abruzzo, Italy. An hour and a half away in Rome, it was sweltering, but at 1400 meters/4500 feet from sea level, we could be active all day, without succumbing to heat stroke. My older son…
Read MoreEnjoying the passeggiata in Rieti
I’ve already written about the hillside town of Rieti, in the north of Italy’s Lazio region. You can read my earlier post here and learn how Rieti claims to be the town at the center of Italy. My younger son does track and field, and runs for Rieti’s team. Although he trains in Rome, we…
Read MoreBeach bumming in Bidart
I’ve already written about a great family holiday in France’s Pays basque, and specifically, in the coastal town of Guethary. While there, we would often spend at least part of the day beachside. One of the beaches we visited most frequently was the large, sandy beach neighboring Guethary – in Bidart. We loved battling the…
Read MoreCliffside splendor in Moustiers Sainte-Marie, France
This spectacular town of 700 residents, is perched dramatically among the cliffs of the Regional Park of the Verdon. Since 1981, it has been designated as one of the most beautiful villages of France (Les plus beaux villages de France). Although human settlement in the area dates back tens of thousands of years, it was…
Read MoreAll lanes lead to Rome: Golden Gala 2019
Every year it rolls around again. All track lanes lead to Rome for the world’s top track and field athletes who descend on the Eternal City to take part in the Golden Gala each year. This is Rome’s edition of the Diamond League – the elite track and field meets that take place all around…
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