Trying to discover the world one experience at a time
A historic scavenger hunt was not one of the things I expected when on a day trip to Laon, France. There were actually a few things I was surprised by. The stairs, the historic scavenger hunt, the view of the valley below. This ancient hilltop city captivated my interest right from the start. I arrived... Continue Reading →
It can be hard to reconcile an entire wasted day when you only have so much time. While on the train to Saumur, I tried to stay positive about the evening ahead but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit angry. I had completely missed both castles I wanted to see but... Continue Reading →
Until the past few years, I never really knew how much Roman architecture was left standing in France, especially in the south. I guess I always had a preconceived notion that most of it had been destroyed during the Middle Ages and replaced with more contemporary structures. I was pleasantly surprised, while doing my research,... Continue Reading →
Imagine this: You're halfway through a self-guided tour of a monument you've been dying to see. Groups of tourists meander through the halls and you can hear guides giving bits of information in a few languages. You're so caught up in the wonder of the moment that you don't hear the bells at first. People... Continue Reading →
I'm not one to waste time when I travel. If I've set aside time for some sort of relaxing activity like a spa or the beach, that's one thing because it's part of the experience. I'm generally on the go, though, and don't like sitting around if it isn't adding to the trip. A... Continue Reading →
I climbed every step on the way up to this ancient, wall-enclosed city with reverence. The sun was just barely above the horizon. With each step, I tried to remember the facts I had read about the long history of the city. Over time, the Celts, Romans, Visigoths, Saracens, and Franks took, fortified, and strengthened... Continue Reading →
Today I want to dive a little bit into my process in planning my trip to France. There are a ton of factors that go into choosing a location, a route, where to stay, etc, but I think plotting out my options beforehand had to be one of the most helpful things I've ever done... Continue Reading →
Travel stories make for some of the most interesting memories. Mishaps, unexpected adventures, detours, you never know where a trip is going to take you. Sometimes, these experiences are thrilling and memorable for all the right reasons. However, I'm a firm believer in relaying the bad things as well as the good ones and this... Continue Reading →
Normandy, home of the Northmen. Vikings from Scandinavia led by Rollo were offered a vast amount of land here by the king Charles the Simple. In the coming years, these particular raiders were assimilated by the French, though they maintained a distinct cultural identity. The line of Norman rulers eventually led to William the Conqueror... Continue Reading →
One of the most important lessons I learned on this particular trip was not to judge a city by its first impression. Despite all of the historic hype given to the once Papal city of Avignon, it was not an immediate favorite of mine. For some reason, my first impression just lacked that wow factor.... Continue Reading →
The Soul Knows No Borders 