We head for the hills, literally, we’re off to Vilafranca del Penedès, 40 minutes out of Barcelona and a centre of cava production, yes that’s right, Spanish champagne! The Penedés region is known for its quality cavas, as well as red and white wines… we’re keen to explore! It’s a public holiday so the town …
My first impression of Barcelona was underwhelming. The drive in is quite frankly gloomy, littered with massive bland apartment blocks, all covered with graffiti. The feeling is weird, people look despondent, the buildings unattractive, a mix of old and new, with additions seemingly thrown on. It’s reputedly a grand old place but I don’t see …
On a whim we went to Nancy as I’d heard it was one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, so thought it was worth checking out. The drive into the city hides its secret well, there’s nothing of note but on further exploration, it’s stunning. Staying at the Mercure Nancy, an average hotel but …
Sitting on the train the landscape out of Paris changes quickly to fields and forest. There’s a dusting of snow on trees and distant hills, it’s a sign of what’s to come. We’re met with 2 degrees in Dijon but the locals are warm and welcoming. The Chateau De Saulon is 20 minutes drive towards …
The sheer size of the Louvre makes it a master feat to visit in its entirety, we’ve been twice before and barely touched the sides, which was why I decided to booked a guided tour. On Wednesday and Friday nights the museum is open late so, hoping to avoid the crowds, I booked us in …
Tours is a land of castles and kings, with religion deeply entwined in it’s history… and here we are in an AIrBNB booked beside the Saint-Gatien Cathedral, an incredible masterpiece of gothic art. Now when I say beside I mean literally right next door.. every room looks directly, and up close at the Cathedral… it’s …
The skies are grey, there’s white caps on the water and it’s drizzling, the sculpted rocks of Rothéneuf are directly below us. The location is magical, between Saint Malo and Cancale, a formidable coastline with winding walking trails, wind-blown landscape… it’s a place of refuge and solace. The old city of St Malo is protected …
Driving out the same way we came in, the land on both sides of the highway is dry and unforgiving, the fields are well turned with the earth shades of the creamy clay through to dark brown. Once we pass Casablanca the landscape changes, it’s fertile, well irrigated and looks to be producing an abundance …
We head to Fes, via Volubilis, a partly excavated Roman-Berber city near Meknes. On arrival you can see why they chose this site at the foot of the Jebel Zerhoun, it’s fertile, well protected, has water, and apparently had plenty of lions for the Romans to send to the colosseum! We’re met at the 3rd …
The landscape is dry and sparce, but there’s something ancient and strangely familiar about it. We’ve arrived in Casablanca but it’s hard to get a read on the place, the airport is non-descript, cleaner than I’d imagined, orderly and efficient… I’m waiting for the chaos to hit. We head to Rabat with either side of …
