Crystal clear waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Quaint medieval buildings along hillside cobblestone streets. Canals lined with cafes, criss-crossed by bridges. Lakefront parks. A castle and hilltop church overlooking the whole scene. It sounds pretty perfect, doesn't it? I am only a two hour - and €18 - bus ride from my apartment in bustling…
In the year 43 BC, what is now Lyon was founded as the Roman city of Lugdunum. 2,062 years later Jonathan from The Royal Tour visited the city, now a proper modern metropolis. As the great Rabbi Hillel would have said, "That is the whole history of Lyon. The rest is commentary. Now go and…
I only have two weeks left in my three month France adventure, and it's a sort of scary thought. This trip has been everything I could have asked for, and I will be returning home a different, more confident guy than I was when I left. I'll write more in detail over the next several…
Lyon, France's third largest city, is beautiful, and the Presqu'ile - the "almost island" between the Rhône and Saône - is especially so. The buildings here are nineteenth century marvels, with intricate stone facades, domes, and balconies. It is only natural, when walking around, to look up at them. However, visitors also need to make…
Bordeaux is best known for being the wine capital of France - and rightly so. But it is much more than just a place to get good wine. It is a historical center, a bastion of creativity, and a place to just live a good and happy life! In a month spent living in this…
The sun is shining, and the wide boulevards are full of people. They walk slowly, smiling, never seeming to be in a hurry. I stroll past beautiful stone buildings, pausing to admire them, stopping here and there to watch the joggers, the skateboarders, the picnickers. The river moves past as slowly as the Bordelais themselves.…
Bordeaux is a wonderful city. It has broad boulevards lined with trees, charming eighteenth century architecture, a wealth of tasty restaurants and wine bars, and cute parks and squares to lose oneself to one's thoughts. I love it here. And yet, there is so much to do just outside the city boundaries, as well, and…
Well, February just flew by. My time in Bordeaux is already coming to an end, and it is now a chance to look ahead to next month, my last in France (for now). March sees me traveling to Lyon, the culinary hub of France and, of course, some side trips to better explore the region.…
The first view of Carcassonne comes from the highway. Just a flash of walls and towers off to the side, it is enough to make me incredibly excited, and I know at once that this is going to be a very good day. We park the car and walk slowly up the hill toward one…
Bordeaux is a city known for its culture. Eighteenth century architectural gems line the boulevards. Museums abound. Wine and tapas are ubiquitous, and everywhere you look, you can find the Bordelaise out enjoying these simple aspects of life here. But there is one place unlike all the others. Across the river Garonne, just a short…