Category: Culture and History
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An Afternoon in Cinq-Mars-la-Pile, France: Where Roman Mysteries Meet Renaissance Drama
Shawn and I find spring blooms & quiet charm in the Loire Valley. Join us at off-the-beaten-path Château de Cinq-Mars and a mysterious 1,800-year-old Roman tower.
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Spilimbergo: Italy’s Enchanting “City of Mosaics”
Explore Spilimbergo, Italy’s mosaic capital, with Shawn and me on a quiet spring day as we see the world-famous mosaic school, stunning frescoes, and scenic corners.
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France’s Breathtaking Pont du Gard
Autumn is the perfect, quiet season to see France’s Pont du Gard aqueduct bridge, ancient olive trees, and magnificent Mediterranean landscapes.
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Creating Handmade, Italian Marbled Paper in Florence, Italy
In Florence, 6th-generation artisan Maria Giannini welcomes Shawn and me into her historic workshop to see how handmade marbled paper is crafted.
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Komiža, Vis: Savoring the Off-Season Charms of One of Croatia’s Most Remote Islands
A serene winter visit to Komiža on Croatia’s Vis Island reveals crashing waves, enchanting stone architecture, and the peaceful daily rhythm of local fishermen.
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The Art of Florentine Marquetry: Watching Italian Mosaicists “Painting with Stones”
Shawn and I explore Florence’s Scarpelli Mosaici, a workshop where master artisans keep the craft of pietra dura, or Florentine marquetry, alive.
