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.All Trips / Europe / France
A visit to Normandy: Bayeux — a tapestry, cathedral and D-Day
Bayeux is in the heart of Normandy, a town with a rich history that currently is best known for its ties with World War II. Bayeux was the first non-coastal town liberated, one day after the D-Day invasion (“D-Day plus one”), but remarkably was spared the bomb damage which devastated so much of Europe (thanks to pleas from its clergy to the Allies). It’s an excellent base from which to explore the D-Day beaches and other war-related sites but even without its D-Day ties, Bayeux is a worthwhile travel destination. The old town has retained an enchanting medieval character with its famous cathedral at its core; this cathedral was inaugurated by William the Conqueror himself, a native of the region, in 1077 …
.All Trips / Europe / France
A visit to Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, France
Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud is situated in the western Loire Valley, a short drive from Chinon and near Saumur. The name refers not only to Europe’s largest medieval abbey, built in the 12th century, but also to the medieval town that surrounds it. The abbey is the prime focus of this discussion as it has a fascinating rich history that includes monks, nuns, royalty, Napoleon and prisoners.
We visited this abbey because my wife is a student of the Middle Ages and its kings and knights, and was determined to see the region in which the Plantagenets had lived. I’m glad she insisted on coming here because the two days we spent at Abbaye Fountevraud were truly memorable and special.
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.All Trips / Europe / France
The Fortress and Medieval town of Chinon, France
There are few places in France of greater historic importance than Chinon. You wouldn’t know that by what you see when you drive into it today as it seems a small sleepy rural town. You’ll see little evidence of it’s past prominence except for the ruins of a fortress on a hill, only partially restored. Between the fortress and pretty Vienne River is sandwiched a small medieval village within which you’ll find dozens of beautifully restored buildings and — best of all — a place in France that is virtually free of tourists. The newer portions of the Chinon have grown beyond this, mostly to the riverbank opposite the historic district. And beyond the town lies the vineyards and greater …
.All Trips / Czech Republic / Europe
Olomouc — Now that’s a Plague column!
During our visit to the Czech Republic we ventured on a day trip from our base in Prague east to Olomouc (pronounced OH-loh-moats). Most of our time in the Czech Republic had been spent in Bohemia (western part) and we wanted at least a taste of Moravia (eastern part). Bohemians are regarded as serious, business-like beer drinkers, while Moravians are easy-going, fun-loving and beer & wine drinking. I’d heard travel guru Rick Steves recommend day trips from Prague to Olomouc on his radio show (which I listen to by podcast and highly recommend), a trip made much easier now that …
