Blogs from France, Europe - page 4

A little tired this morning after the problem we were having with down loading pictures to the blog. We were up past 11:00 trying to figure out the problem. Ray has a lot more patience than I do, I would have flung the ipad out of the window! We really enjoyed our stay here at Le Hautes de Gageac. We had stayed here five years ago and loved it so much we wanted to return. The B&B is situated half way up a mountain, and traveling up to it can be a challenge. The last of the road to the Inn has about 140 degree turn with the road being 9 feet wide and stone walls on both sides. In order to get up you have to back up the road then proceed up. Thankfully, Ray ... read more

For the grand finale of my Alpine summer, there could only be one choice: the Tour du Mont Blanc. Stretching for around 170km (depending on which variants are followed) through three countries while circumnavigating the highest mountain in Western Europe, the route is one of the most famous multi-day walks in the world. Most people start and finish in the small town of Les Houches (7km down-valley from Chamonix) and take around 11 days, following the circuit anti-clockwise so as to finish along the Grand Balcon Sud - a high belvedere path following the northern flank of the Arve (Chamonix) Valley (through the mountains of the Aiguilles Rouge) offering endless views of needle-sharp peaks separated by the icy tongues of numerous glaciers, while heading straight towards the highest peak of them all. A wide array of ... read more

This morning we woke from a 10 hour sleep refreshed and ready for another day. After enjoying a lovely breakfast that had been prepared by the Inn keeper, (she lost money on John), we headed out to visit the Chateau of Langeais, first built in 1465 by the King of France, Louise XI. It is the centerpiece of the town and is known to be one of the most imposing looking fortresses of the Middle Ages. It was, however, built mostly for show. The chateau towers over the little town, and has a moat, drawbridge and turrets. It has been said to have been the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle. We entered through the drawbridge and explored three stories of rooms which include all of the period furnishing. After strolling through the gardens, we made the perfunctory ... read more

A Day South of la Seine Domfert Rochereau It’s a new morn and, having broken our fast at Hotel Aviatic, are setting out on a cheeky single day in Paris before Armenia. Cheeky in the modern sense used by younger friends. e.g. ‘Shall we have a cheeky half pint to end the evening?’ A treat, an extra, a bit of fun not normally on the agenda. We’re in the Montparnasse district and we intend to explore the area between here and the Seine, shunning the Louvre, Pompidou Centre, Arc d Triomphe and places one might expect. 200m up the road (past La Rochefoucauld Centre de Gérontologie: where ageing is valued study material) we’re heartened to see the Orlybus terminus, ticket machines and info, for an easy depart tomorrow. We continue walking going past the Catacombes entrance ... read more

Our route is commencing on the train to Glasgow, then we’ll be on our first flight for 4.5 years ....... to Paris, where we spend two nights before a further flight from Paris Orly to Yerevan, capital of Armenia. We’re celebrating Marion’s significant birthday, originally imagined to be a circular trip around the Black Sea. Odessa was high on the agenda. But recent events have changed our plans. So, because our trip to Georgia made such an impression we are now focussed upon the the adjacent mountains of Armenia for our next exploration. We considered travelling overland, but ended up back tracking on our vows to stop flying by air, opting for a fast, direct flight with Air France/KLM budget airline Transavia. We’ll have two weeks in Armenia, followed by one week in Georgia and a ... read more