A few days ago, we wrapped up our five-week journey through France and Switzerland. Overall, the vacation was a great success. We visited countless beautiful places and, thanks to George—our resident expert at striking up conversations with locals—we even came home with a few new friends. Of course, there were also a few less pleasant …
Continue reading Five Weeks, Three Countries, and a Few Shattered Preconceptions
For the past two days we’ve been in Verdun, the place where the battles of Verdun unfolded — perhaps the most brutal confrontations of the First World War. The road leading there winds through forests still marked by shell craters, trenches, monuments, and cemeteries. Every kilometer carries the traces of a conflict that reshaped the …
Continue reading Verdun: the history lesson we must never forget
Leaving Saint‑Tropez for Switzerland yesterday, I realized I hadn’t even had the chance to write about our short visit to Monaco. One of the days we spent in Saint‑Tropez, we all jumped in the car and drove like crazy almost the entire day, back and forth, just to see the tiny principality. Monaco, by the …
We’ve been in the south of France for five days now. We started in La Seyne‑sur‑Mer and then, pushed by circumstances, moved on to Saint‑Tropez. I know it sounds paradoxical to complain about being here of all places, but that’s the reality. These past days have been a bit of a shock, especially after the …
Continue reading Where Dreams Meet Reality: Six Days in the South of France
Yesterday we left the Dordogne behind and headed toward Carcassonne and its imposing fortress. But before saying goodbye to the region, George insisted — with the stubbornness of a professional tour guide — that we visit at least one of the four Lascaux caves, where prehistoric people left astonishing animal paintings on the walls. So, …
Continue reading 🐂🏰 From Prehistoric Bulls to Medieval Towers: A Day Between Lascaux and Carcassonne
Ever since I arrived in Dordogne, I’ve seen a whole parade of castles and tasted everything the local gastronomy has to offer: foie gras, all sorts of delicacies, and of course the famous Pommes de terre Sarladaises, which have officially become my new weakness. Honestly, I don’t understand how it’s possible to eat this well …
Yesterday we left the Loire Valley and arrived in Dordogne, in Vézac, where George decided it was time to return to our roots. Our real roots. As in Cro‑Magnon. The region is full of painted caves, rock shelters, and archaeological sites; the Vézère Valley — nicknamed the Capital of Prehistory — is dotted with famous …
Continue reading Vézac: four days among cats, quiet, and prehistory
Today we visited Chambord and Chenonceau, two magnificent castles, each with its own personality: Chambord, grand and monumental; Chenonceau, intimate and full of charm. As I mentioned before, from Langeais you can reach both castles in under an hour, so the route is very doable. And the villages where these castles are located are wonderfully …
Continue reading Between Two Castles: From Chambord to Chenonceau
Yesterday we began our day at Château d’Ussé, a place where history and legend meet with surprising ease. Its white towers, rising gracefully above the Indre Valley, instantly reveal why the castle is associated with Sleeping Beauty. Its impeccable silhouette, with tall roofs and Gothic details, radiates a quietness that invites you to slow down …
Continue reading Ussé & Villandry: a day between fairytale and symmetry
Yesterday we left behind the hustle and bustle of Paris and set off toward the Loire Valley. George planned this route, eager to show us a few medieval castles that look as if they were lifted straight out of a fairy tale. So, for the rest of our itinerary, we rented a car — France, …
Continue reading Beyond Paris: The Loire Valley and the Beginning of a Medieval Journey
