Category: Europe

Sketching Ajaccio illustration of Corsica capital beach front

Corsica Region of France – The Mediterranean Island of Beaches, Mountains and Citadels

February 7, 2022

Corsica is a large island in the Mediterranean Sea, and France’s only metropolitan region that isn’t part of the mainland. Corsica is an island of sparkling seas and sunbaked beaches, grandiose coastal fortresses that top sheer clifftops, and dramatic jagged mountain ranges. The vibrant capital of the region, Ajaccio, was the birthplace of France’s first … More Corsica Region of France – The Mediterranean Island of Beaches, Mountains and Citadels

Sketch of stork nests on chimney platforms in northern France alsace region

Grand Est Region of France – Medieval Towns Meet Champagne Vineyards

January 31, 2022

The home of colourful medieval villages, German-influenced cuisine, and the cellar doors of Champagne vineyards, Grand Est is one of France’s most diverse and alluring regions. Occupying the north east corner of France, Grand Est borders Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg, creating a historic crossroads region that fuses Germanic and Romantic European cultures. It is made … More Grand Est Region of France – Medieval Towns Meet Champagne Vineyards

Sketch of Calais architecture town hall and belfry clock tower

Hauts-de-France Region of France – Belfries and Battlefields of the North

January 24, 2022

France’s northernmost region is Hauts-de-France, home of strong beer, world war battlefields, incredible Gothic cathedrals, and some of Europe’s busiest ports. The region borders Belgium in the north, and the Atlantic coast on the west, with connections to England via the Channel Tunnel. The region has a strong Flemish influence, with UNESCO listed Belfry towers … More Hauts-de-France Region of France – Belfries and Battlefields of the North

Sketch of typical Parisian Haussmann buildings

Île-de-France Region of France – Paris, Palaces, and Disneyland

January 17, 2022

Île-de-France is the name of the region that includes Paris and its surrounds. Sometimes known as the Région Parisienne, Île-de-France is the smallest region of mainland France, but also by far the most populated and most dense. It is one of the most touristic regions in all of Europe. The city of Paris is the … More Île-de-France Region of France – Paris, Palaces, and Disneyland

Illustration of Nantes Les machines de l'Île mechanical elephant ride

Pays de la Loire Region Of France – Loire Valley Châteaux Meets The Atlantic

January 10, 2022

Pays de la Loire is an administrative region named after France’s longest river, the Loire. Beginning at the rugged Atlantic coast at Saint-Nazaire, it stretches over 1000km (621 miles) through much of central France. The region is home to part of the Loire Valley, a region of some of France’s most opulent and incredible châteaux, … More Pays de la Loire Region Of France – Loire Valley Châteaux Meets The Atlantic

Drawing of Chartres cathedral ceiling ribbed vaults Gothic design

Centre-Val de Loire Region of France – Wine And Chateaux Of The Loire Valley

January 3, 2022

Welcome to châteaux country! The region of Centre-Val de Loire, located just south of Paris, is known for its wonderful Loire Valley, a leisurely region of great wines and lavish Rennaissance castles that traces the 1000km (620 mile) river Loire through rolling green farmland. The kings, queens and nobility of France built some of the … More Centre-Val de Loire Region of France – Wine And Chateaux Of The Loire Valley

Traditional French sweet dessert marrons glacés glazed chestnuts

Paris Shopping Cart Nuts – What Are They Exactly?

December 21, 2021

Along shopping boulevards in Paris, around tourist spots, in green parks and outside metro stations, street vendors sell roasted chestnuts in the winter months. Dressed in beanies and woollen scarves, the vendors run their unorthodox, makeshift roasting businesses. A shopping trolley is the kitchen, a large round metal disc punctured with holes is the improvised … More Paris Shopping Cart Nuts – What Are They Exactly?

Drawing of a cosplay knight at French castle chateau berze-le-chatel

Chateau Berzé-le-Châtel – The Hidden Castle Of Burgundy Wine Country

November 9, 2021

Overlooking the countryside on top of a rocky outcrop, the Berzé-le-Châtel castle is a medieval fortress known for its 13 fortified towers, terraced gardens, and commanding hilltop position that surveys the Mâconnais wine region below. Dating back to the 10th century, it is a great stopover visit for those exploring the Burgundy wine region. The … More Chateau Berzé-le-Châtel – The Hidden Castle Of Burgundy Wine Country

Drawing of a violin at the Cremona Violin Museum

Cremona Travel Guide – What To Do And See In Italy’s Historic Violin Capital

November 2, 2021

With its terracotta rooftops, pale yellow and red brick buildings, and grand medieval towers, Cremona in the northern Italian region of Lombardy is one of Italy’s underappreciated gems. The grand Cathedral of Cremona and the Torrazzo tower are some of the most impressive sights in the city, and its cultural heritage and history of violin … More Cremona Travel Guide – What To Do And See In Italy’s Historic Violin Capital

Drawing of Cremona town hall Palazzo del Comune

Cremona’s Medieval Town Hall, The Palazzo Del Comune

October 26, 2021

Situated in the heart of the Italian city of Cremona, the Cremona Town Hall (Palazzo del Comune) is one of the city’s most impressive medieval buildings. The building is located on the Piazza del Comune, just opposite the Cremona Cathedral. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if … More Cremona’s Medieval Town Hall, The Palazzo Del Comune