Earlier this autumn, a trio of hot-air balloons escorted us home. It was the golden hour, and Shawn and I’d first spotted the balloons drifting over France’s Loire River, near the city of Saumur. A few moments later, the balloons (they’re known as “Montgolfières” in French) crossed the so-called “wild” Loire River. Then, they flewContinue reading “Castle Strolls & Hot-Air Balloon Flyovers in Saumur, France”
Category Archives: Travelogues
France’s Breathtaking Pont du Gard
The autumn sun illuminated the rocky landscape as two kayakers plied the waters of the Gard River in Southern France. Crimson and yellow trees danced on the gentle breeze, alongside a tree bearing one over-ripe pomegranate. The pair of kayakers continued their journey down the calm river and eventually glided underneath an arch of France’sContinue reading “France’s Breathtaking Pont du Gard”
Autumn in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park, Near Oberammergau, Germany
The autumn leaves near Oberammergau, Germany have reached their peak, so the surrounding hillsides are dressed in shades of copper, saffron, and a bit of green. One of my favorite places to ride my bike is to the nearby Ettaler Weidmoos, a tranquil nature preserve that’s part of the Ammergau Alps Nature Park (Naturpark AmmergauerContinue reading “Autumn in the Ammergau Alps Nature Park, Near Oberammergau, Germany”
Creating Handmade, Italian Marbled Paper in Florence, Italy
The art of paper marbling is mesmerizing. An artisan applies droplets of paint to a small pool of water. The colors appear to gracefully dance upon the surface of the water, but these individual splotches of paint respect the neighboring colors’ boundaries. As the artisan adds more and more colors, this dance continues. Finally, whenContinue reading “Creating Handmade, Italian Marbled Paper in Florence, Italy”
Komiža, Vis: Savoring the Off-Season Charms of One of Croatia’s Most Remote Islands
The enchanting Croatian island of Vis has had many identities over the last few thousand years. For a time, it was an ancient Greek colony known as Issa. Then, from the 1950s until the 1980s, Vis was a secret Yugoslavian naval base that was off-limits to foreigners. From there, tourists — and filmmakers — startedContinue reading “Komiža, Vis: Savoring the Off-Season Charms of One of Croatia’s Most Remote Islands”
The Art of Florentine Marquetry: Watching Italian Mosaicists “Painting with Stones”
The arts have long flourished in Florence — the so-called “cradle of the Renaissance.” Hundreds of years ago, there were tens of thousands of artisans in the city, each dedicated to everything from leather goods and hand-decorated paper to jewelry making. Over time, the number of workshops has declined. Nevertheless, Florence still has a sizableContinue reading “The Art of Florentine Marquetry: Watching Italian Mosaicists “Painting with Stones””
Hiking to Georgia’s Gergeti Trinity Church
One of the most iconic images from the country of Georgia features the Gergeti Trinity Church dwarfed by immense mountains. This 14th-century church is crowned with cone-shaped towers and is located in the heart of the Caucasus. It’s just a few kilometers from the Russian border.
Portugal’s Alluring Azulejos
Portugal is a feast for both the stomach and the eyes. It’s a land of irresistible port wine, trayfuls of crispy and creamy pasteis de nata (custard tarts), and buildings adorned with colorful ceramic tiles called azulejos. When you visit Portugal, you’ll spot azulejos on the outsides and insides of many different types of buildings,Continue reading “Portugal’s Alluring Azulejos”
Travels With Tricia 