Itinerary Ideas to Inspire Your Next Adventure
3 days in Paris may not seem like enough time for this great city, but with a good itinerary you can actually see quite a lot in this short time. Ideally, you should spend more than just three days in this great city to fully experience it, but sometimes a packed European itinerary doesn’t allow …
3 Days in Paris – The Perfect Itinerary for First Time VisitorsRead More
It takes only half an hour to drive the 20-miles road that runs from Blois to Amboise. But that afternoon it seemed to take forever. The sun was finally shining after three days of rain, so we were rushing to finally see the beautiful Château d’Amboise. We had been circling the château for the past two days …
Château d’Amboise – Rendezvous with History in AmboiseRead More
With its pale stone and sloping black roofs, Château de Chaumont rises above the the bald hill from which it derives its name (chauve mont meaning “bald hill”). Like most châteaux in the Loire Valley, the beautiful Chaumont was entangled in intrigue, revenge, and rivalries. A Brief History of Chateau de Chaumont Château de Chaumont was built Eudes I, Count …
Château de Chaumont – a Castle With a Troubled HistoryRead More
Chateau de Chambord is undoubtedly one of the most grandiose buildings in France. As you travel the tree-shaded road that leads to Chambord, you’ll first spot the castle’s incredible towers rising above the vast forest that surrounds it. When the entire castle breaks into view, you’ll realize how gigantic and beautiful it really is. Although it has the layout …
Château de Chambord – a Hunting Lodge of Gigantic ProportionsRead More
The less known Chateau de Sully sur Loire may not share the fame of the iconic Chenonceau, but that doesn’t mean it’s less beautiful. Just when you think you’ve seen the most stunning castle in Loire Valley, here comes another one to take your breath away. Many people consider the Loire Valley the epitome of …
Visiting the Picture-Perfect Château de Sully-sur-LoireRead More
History can be strange and fascinating sometimes. Especially when political intrigue, love, jealousy, and revenge are involved. But what would a castle be without all that? Château de Chenonceau is perhaps the most beautiful castles in France. But without its unique history, it would probably be just another castle in the Loire Valley. The story of Chenonceau is pretty …
Château de Chenonceau, a Testament to the Power of WomenRead More
Our trip to the Loire Valley started in Blois, a small town which we chose as our home base for visiting the castles. Not surprisingly, the first castle we visited on this tour was the Château de Blois. A Brief History of the Château Château de Blois used to be the favorite residence of the kings …
Château de Blois – Exploring the Castles in the Loire ValleyRead More
But for the lavish Palace of the Popes, Avignon might have never risen to fame. The austere-looking fortress (Palais des Papes) served as the popes’ residence for nearly 70 years. But how did the city of Avignon in Southern France become a papal city? Why Avignon and not Rome? The Avignon Papacy Having the Palace of the Popes …
Avignon’s Palace of the Popes– a Papal City Without PopesRead More
When I think of Avignon, the first thing that comes to my mind is the traditional French song that I used to sing as a kid: “Sur le Pont d’Avignon” (the Bridge of Avignon). When I was growing up, French culture was very much ‘en vogue’ in Romania, so this song was quite popular. Well, as it appears the …
Pont d’Avignon – the Legend of the Broken Bridge of AvignonRead More
