Category: Tourism
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Part IV: BRUGES, Belgium

According to the venerable Rick Steves, Bruges is a “heavyweight, sightseeing destination, as well as a joy.” And if Rick Steves says it, it must be true. Over the course of two days my friend and I experienced this joy on bike and on foot, doing what we like to do when visiting any European…
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Part III: Fowl BRUTALITY in Lyon

While perusing the wares at the weekly international textile fair along Lyon’s Saône River, Little Man (11 months) let me know he was overdue for a feeding. Hubby took the girls exploring along the river walk while I found a bench in the shade. I got comfortable and baby started eating. . . and then…
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Part II: Beauty’s BOLLENE (or what it means to be French)
Mention any small, provincial town in southern France and we’re game to visit. The girls were content with our hotel in one such village, Bollène. They were content until the morning after our night in the ancient structure when we told them this was actually Belle’s village – a poor, provincial town in France. Then they were…
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Part I: Surprised by BOUNTY

The first time I experienced this bounty I was hiking an ancient trail alone in the hills above Genoa, Italy. The trail started near my youth hostel and I simply happened upon it while taking a walk that balmy fall evening before sunset. I was surprised when I espied numerous ancient Roman ruins in the…
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Discovering Museum Reciprocity

Though living out of suitcases with no house to call our own on any continent, we are back in the United States. Less than two weeks in-country and I bought a membership to a local children’s museum. We are currently traveling up the East Coast and this membership is our ticket to free entertainment. With…
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Loving Place – Hampton Roads, Virginia

Be a student of your region, your city, your neighborhood. This has helped me learn to love where I am living, no matter where that happens to be. We rarely have the option of living where we love, but we can always choose to love where we live. There are things one can learn about…
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Tangier is an island – Tangier, Virginia

It happens all the time. Someone is wearing a T-shirt from a distant destination and I enthusiastically ask if they’ve been there. Sometimes I’ve been to the T-shirt worthy locale, so it’s a fun conversation starter – or non-starter. Case in point, after a dip in the pool a friend recently wrapped up in a…
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Exploring Downton Abbey fashion

Men and women, young and old, multi-generational families – they all came for one purpose. In this parched viewing land between seasons, they come to taste of Downton Abbey. Though it takes a mere 45 minutes to view the collection, it does not disappoint. This is the fashion of the Downton Abbey – forty notable…
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Paris in the spring, with kids – an interview

I am currently enjoying Paris by screen, that is, my computer screen, where I daily take in the luscious photos of my friend and her family enjoying Paris with their toddlers. Though I’ve been to Paris many times, my thirst is not satisfied. How could it be? It’s Paris! So, though I can’t presently be…
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Americana supreme and international phenom – the World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta, Georgia

I had only heard about this dream world, this Neverland, where I could partake in all-you-can-drink Coke products from around the world. We don’t usually keep soda/pop/soft drinks in the house. Nothing good comes from guzzling that carbonated booze. . . except evoking fond memories. This wonderland of flavored corn syrup took me back to…