Posts Tagged ‘Europe’
Turin’s salon: Piazza San Carlo
Piazza San Carlo is the iconic square in Turin’s historical center. Its nickname to locals is the ‘salotto di Torino’ – Turin’s ‘salon’ or ‘living room’: the natural gathering place for locals and visitors alike. On a recent Saturday in Turin, it was here I had an appointment to meet with a friend of mine…
Read MoreHiking in Provence’s Oppedette Gorge, France
This past summer, we spent a few days in Provence’s beautiful Luberon Valley, following a longer holiday in the Pays basque. We had already been to this gorgeous corner of southeast France, but we were eager to return and find new areas to explore. On our last visit to the region we had been to…
Read MoreI love Provence’s Le Bleuet bookstore
Wow – I’ve found my my new favorite bookstore in France! We were on holiday in the Luberon valley of France this summer when we were told we had to stop off at the Bleuet bookstore in the charming little town of Banon. We were visiting towns around the region, and so when we stopped…
Read MoreColorful Basque homes & sweet chili peppers in Espelette, France
This adorable Pays basque town not far from the coastline of Biarritz, is beautiful for its typical Basque homes. These etxe homes are white with colored half-timbering. The most common colrors for the half-timbering appear to be red and green, and the town of Espelette is filled with fine examples. This picturesque town is best known…
Read MoreJogging in St Julian’s, Malta
For those who read my blog occasionally, you may know I often pack along jogging sneakers when I travel – and particularly when I travel for work. My work days can be quite long, and there’s nothing like starting out early (after I silently curse the dreaded ring of the alarm clock) and heading out…
Read MoreTurin’s Egyptian Museum, Italy
I was recently back in Turin to visit a friend of mine who was in Italy for a short visit. I hadn’t been back to Piedmont’s capital in years, not since I lived “in the neighborhood” of (relatively) nearby Milan. Being back was a pleasant surprise, since the city has changed quite a bit from…
Read MoreBasque gravestones in southern France
As someone who loves history, I’ve always been drawn to old cemeteries when I visit places. I grew up outside of Boston, and always enjoyed visiting pilgrim cemeteries when I was a kid. In Europe, many of the church cemeteries are quite picturesque and interesting – and this was also true of the little towns…
Read MoreSummer holidays in France’s Basque country – and beyond
Although I (admittedly) suffer from acute Wanderlust and love travelling anywhere, my main travel weakness is my status as a complete Italophile. However, as a close second, I’m also a hopeless Francophile. These two countries actually have a lot in common, with their strong regional characters that make exploring the various regions a real treat,…
Read MoreExploring Narni’s winding, medieval streets
This past summer, my track-and-field-addicted son attended a running camp in the Umbrian hill town of Narni – in central Italy. I’ve travelled a lot in Umbria, but it was my first time in this little village. Picking my son and dropping him off for his camp, I was quite envious he got to enjoy…
Read MoreAt home in Guéthary, Pays Basque, France
Last week, I wrote a post about an enjoyable coastal hike we took on a family holiday to France’s Pays Basque. This week, I’ll write about the little coastal town that served as ‘home’ during our stay in France’s southwest region. Guéthary, a small town just a few kilometers south of Biarritz, made a perfect…
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