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
This segment of our adventure through Switzerland is a bit more “militarized,” if I can put it that way. On our last day in Switzerland, after I officially declared that I no longer wanted mountains, glaciers, or any other form of climbing, Anna suddenly came up with the idea of visiting a cave with stalactites …
During our wanderings through this region of Switzerland, we also reached the Basilica of Valère in Sion, a fortified Romanesque‑Gothic church famous both for its spectacular position on Valère Hill and for housing the oldest functioning organ in the world, dating back to the 1430s. Built almost nine centuries ago by the city’s canons, the …
Continue reading Valère, Tourbillon and Chillon: too many steps, too much sun, too many castles
Yesterday we arrived in Grindelwald, a Swiss village in the Bernese Alps, famous for its spectacular scenery, massive glaciers, and alpine meadows. Since we were staying near Bern, we took the opportunity to explore the area. Grindelwald sits right at the base of the iconic Eiger North Face — a gigantic wall of rock and …
Continue reading Alpine Adventures in Grindelwald: Cable Cars, Glaciers & Legends
Yesterday we arrived in Bern, this city that impresses you with its medieval calm. George suggested we visit a museum, but my brain is currently on strike in that department, so Anna and I chose to explore the city instead. Unfortunately, we got caught in a heatwave of over 30°C, perfect for turning any walk …
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 …
