Voyage
-
Sant Pau: The Other Modernista Wonder of Barcelona – Part 1
Barcelona is a city well-known for its incredible Catalan Art Nouveau architecture, locally known as Modernista. The Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló are three of the Modernista wonders that come to mind when I think of this amazing Spanish city. So I was more than pleasantly surprised to discover the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau during my first visit there this spring. Since I was new to Barcelona, I had decided to start my trip with a ‘hop-on-hop-off’ bus tour to get the lay of the land. And it was during this enlightening ride that I happily came upon, what turned out to be, one…
-
The Prettiest Street in Paris: Rue Crémieux
The prettiest street in Paris can be found just down the street from this beautiful city’s most gorgeous train station, and home to the incredible Le Train Bleu restaurant, Gare de Lyon. Situated in the Bastille neighbourhood of the 12th arrondissement – district – this short street is filled with an array of unique and whimsical houses. And if you ever have the chance to walk it, it will be one of the cutest strolls you ever take. Most of the townhomes lining Rue Crémieux were constructed in the last half of the 19th-century as a housing development for Parisian workers. Today’s inhabitants have brightened them up by painting them…
-
Celebrating Bastille Day in Paris
A year ago, my niece Julia and I were in France looking forward to celebrating Bastille Day in Paris. July 14th or le Quatorze juillet is officially known as la Fête nationale. This day, the biggest in France, commemorates the ‘Storming of the Bastille’ which took place on July 14th, 1789. It was on that day, during the French Revolution, when commoners rose up against l’Ancien Régime – the Old Regime. Their goal: to take control of la Bastille, one of Paris’ most notorious prisons. As a result, July 14th has become a celebration of the end of the oppressive French feudal system. A Celebration of Liberty The Bastille prison…
-
A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s House
Having immersed myself in the riot of colour that is Monet’s Garden, as I shared in my post A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s Garden, I was now eager to explore his famed house. But before I entered the iconic pink and green abode, I was in need of a restroom. A Serendipitous Find As I exited that, I happened upon a small, hand-written sign posted on a window announcing a virtual tour with a resident expert. I had a few minutes before it started so went outside to enjoy the garden a little more. Then I made my way to the allotted meeting place – a pair of cozy…
-
Charleville-Mézières: Enchanting Twin Cities
The morning of my third day on a rowing tour of the Meuse river dawned bright in Charleville-Mézières. The sun was shining and fluffy white clouds filled the sky. It was a beautiful day for the second stage of this watery adventure. A Wonderful Walking Tour But before my companions and I returned to our boats, there was a surprise in store for us. For we were guided on a wonder-filled walking tour of these historic and enchanting twin cities straddling the Meuse. Fortunately for us, one of our support team’s volunteers just happened to be a local history teacher. So it was he who lead us on this adventure.…
