Paris in 24 Hours or Less (for the First-Timer!)
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Paris has a plethora of places to experience, but I have narrowed down a few 'Must-Sees' for one full day in the City of Lights, for those who have never been. Bon Voyage!
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Delight in Da Vinci at the Clos Lucé in France
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The Perfect Side Trip in France:
Nestled in the town of Amboise, France, a true Renaissance time capsule exists for all ages to discover and explore. The Clos Lucé is dedicated to all things Leonardo Da Vinci. But what was he doing in France?
Read MorePart 3 of 3: French Chateau Trifecta: Chambord, the Granddaddy Chateau
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Trying to schedule seeing the most fabulous castles of the Loire Valley is tough...Is it possible to see them when you have limited time? If you only have approximately 2-3 hours for each, then the answer is YES! Just make sure you are prepared...Personally, I would rather see a place on my list, even if it's rushed, than forever regret skipping it.
Read MoreFrench Chateau Trifecta Part 2 of 3: Chateau Royal d'Amboise: Surprises Everywhere!
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Once in awhile, you just have to toss the guidebook and force yourself to trust your gut. That is what I did with the Royal Chateau d’Amboise (Am ‘bwahzz). Not that seeing this was a real gamble; I believe this majestic former fortress-turned-castle is underrated, yet still survives in the shadow of its chateau-sisters. Other than a great view, I wasn’t sure what I would experience up on the ramparts, but I can say that everywhere you turn, a surprise seems to be waiting around the corner.
Read MoreFrench Chateau Trifecta: Chenonceau, Chateau d'Amboise, & Chambord
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Sometimes...okay, all the time, when planning for trips, I look for opportunities to visit places that have been on my radar for a long time. The Loire Valley has been enticing me for years to see its vineyards and several of its biggest treasures...Renaissance-Era Chateaus.
And I bet you’ve seen them in books or movies. They are iconic. The stuff of fairy tales with their magnificent, white structures, rounded towers (turrets), and graceful gray/blue roofs. They did not disappoint. If you are planning a trip to Paris, a side trip of architectural castle-glory is waiting for you in the Loire Valley. If you only have one day to spare, you could hop on an excursion tour from Paris. Or, spend the weekend in/around Amboise via various transport options, and take it all in slowly.
Read MoreNot your Usual Place for a Wine-Tasting
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The Sign Said ‘Cave’...so we stopped to take a look. It was France, after all.
This structure was something completely unexpected. So when we saw the sign, we decided to turn the car around, and have a closer look...
Read MoreBands & Buckets because of the Beaches
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It's iconic. The bucket and little shovel on the sand. It's how many generations have enjoyed their time at the shore.
But on this occasion, our bucket and our beach was something all together different.
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