An annual fest in Azay-le-Rideau.
An annual fest in Azay-le-Rideau.
0 2026/04/15 12:06:24
A tiny pinch of Paris also awaits viewers at the end of this looooong TR.
A tiny pinch of Paris also awaits viewers at the end of this looooong TR.
0 2026/04/15 12:05:16
Our fave was Montresor, so peaceful that we returned on back-to-back days. Locals will tell you that the delicious 'macaron' was invented here. We'll show more about this village later.
Our fave was Montresor, so peaceful that we returned on back-to-back days. Locals will tell you that the delicious 'macaron' was invented here. We'll show more about this village later.
0 2026/04/15 12:00:28
Other destinations were not so well-known, such as the 12C Chartreuse St. Jean du Liget. Another such less-popular place was quiet Savonniere
Other destinations were not so well-known, such as the 12C Chartreuse St. Jean du Liget. Another such less-popular place was quiet Savonniere
0 2026/04/15 11:58:01
We took a tour boat tour from Chisseaux to see that justly-famous architectural gem.
We took a tour boat tour from Chisseaux to see that justly-famous architectural gem.
0 2026/04/15 11:55:35
Our daytrips included some of the usual suspects, such as Amboise plus the lovely and monumental Chenonceau shown here.
Our daytrips included some of the usual suspects, such as Amboise plus the lovely and monumental Chenonceau shown here.
0 2026/04/15 11:54:53
Our second rental was later on in the city of Tours. It was a fantastic splurge and we'll report more about it later on in this TR.
Our second rental was later on in the city of Tours. It was a fantastic splurge and we'll report more about it later on in this TR.
0 2026/04/15 11:51:26
Time for our first musical interlude, included due to the sounds of its initial church bells. Surely you too have experienced wonderful mornings abroad.
Time for our first musical interlude, included due to the sounds of its initial church bells. Surely you too have experienced wonderful mornings abroad.
0 2026/04/15 11:49:40
More before and after. This the the merci note that we left for our wonderful Loches host Marie-Christine. Renters may just receive an invite for coffee at her nearby Loches home.
More before and after. This the the merci note that we left for our wonderful Loches host Marie-Christine. Renters may just receive an invite for coffee at her nearby Loches home.
0 2026/04/15 11:44:53
This is a torteau after partial consumption.
This is a torteau after partial consumption.
0 2026/04/15 11:42:42
Before and after. This is a traditional Loire 'torteau', a sort of cheesecake bread no longer so easy to find. It is also known as 'blackentop'.
Before and after. This is a traditional Loire 'torteau', a sort of cheesecake bread no longer so easy to find. It is also known as 'blackentop'.
0 2026/04/15 11:41:54
Kwame, also of Paris.
Kwame, also of Paris.
0 2026/04/15 11:41:18
Pernel of Paris.
Pernel of Paris.
0 2026/04/15 11:40:20
Rafael of Tours.
Rafael of Tours.
0 2026/04/15 11:36:53
Douceur means a kind of sweet tenderness. This trip was an autumnal affair, involving all of October into early November. We TGVed down to St. Pierre des Corps then taxied to our first rental gite Jean d'Arc in little Loches ('loush' or maybe lush--I never figured it out). As always, we self-catered.
Douceur means a kind of sweet tenderness. This trip was an autumnal affair, involving all of October into early November. We TGVed down to St. Pierre des Corps then taxied to our first rental gite Jean d'Arc in little Loches ('loush' or maybe lush--I never figured it out). As always, we self-catered.
0 2026/04/15 11:29:26
Our Paris Pullman airport hotel was tight and we were dog-tired.
Our Paris Pullman airport hotel was tight and we were dog-tired.
0 2026/04/15 11:28:40
Bonjour fellow travelers. Mrs Z and I visited the Loire area this past fall 2025. It was our first time there in that valley of kings and their castles or chateaux. It was also the first time that my wife had any interest in combining some of her imagery with mine for an 'insolite' or TR. This new combo approach will also feature in our Antibes snowbird report later this year. Our overview follows.
Bonjour fellow travelers. Mrs Z and I visited the Loire area this past fall 2025. It was our first time there in that valley of kings and their castles or chateaux. It was also the first time that my wife had any interest in combining some of her imagery with mine for an 'insolite' or TR. This new combo approach will also feature in our Antibes snowbird report later this year. Our overview follows.
0 2026/04/15 11:17:38
Well that's too bad. This TR will be about the Loire valley in France.
Well that's too bad. This TR will be about the Loire valley in France.
0 2026/04/15 11:14:06
Do you clamor to visit distant lands say, like the 'stans?
Do you clamor to visit distant lands say, like the 'stans?
0 2026/04/15 11:12:19
Do you fancy travel to far-off destinations like west Africa?
Do you fancy travel to far-off destinations like west Africa?
0 2026/04/15 11:09:50
0 2026/04/03 01:51:57
She says: 'AN ENDLESS VISUAL FEAST BOTH THREADS, YEAH?! now gimmee some sardines...'
She says: 'AN ENDLESS VISUAL FEAST BOTH THREADS, YEAH?! now gimmee some sardines...'
0 2026/03/25 19:01:25
0 2025/09/24 12:03:12
0 2025/09/20 20:51:12
This photo of a smaller spadara boat was taken directly off of our rental patio. These small motorboats became the norm for spada fishermen here during the 1960s. Their ancient Greek counterparts here when this was Magna Grecia, were called 'luntras'.
This photo of a smaller spadara boat was taken directly off of our rental patio. These small motorboats became the norm for spada fishermen here during the 1960s. Their ancient Greek counterparts here when this was Magna Grecia, were called 'luntras'.
0 2025/09/13 15:55:26
Chianalea man fishing for dinner very close to our rental.
Chianalea man fishing for dinner very close to our rental.
0 2025/09/13 15:55:07
He had competition. *Next=Pentedatillo.
He had competition. *Next=Pentedatillo.
0 2025/09/13 15:54:22
The boats have various names: fenuchio (i.e. felucca)
The boats have various names: fenuchio (i.e. felucca)
0 2025/09/13 15:54:06
The actual 'passarella' harpoon used to hunt with.
The actual 'passarella' harpoon used to hunt with.
0 2025/09/13 15:53:43
The 'barca delle caccia' vessels used to hunt are specialized. Check out the enormous height of the conning lookout tower!
The 'barca delle caccia' vessels used to hunt are specialized. Check out the enormous height of the conning lookout tower!
0 2025/09/13 15:53:21
The metal sign version. The swordfish's numbers are now apparently rebounding after a period of concern. Banned dragnets plus drifting longline systems had earlier caused an unsustainable loss of 80% of the spada numbers.
The metal sign version. The swordfish's numbers are now apparently rebounding after a period of concern. Banned dragnets plus drifting longline systems had earlier caused an unsustainable loss of 80% of the spada numbers.
0 2025/09/13 15:53:08
As promised, here is our spada/swordfish section. Scilla is synonymous with the ancient tradition of swordfish hunting. Above is a stylized mural depicting I suppose, the symbiotic relationship between humans and spada. They transit through the very strait in front of our rental each spring (the fish not the sailors).
As promised, here is our spada/swordfish section. Scilla is synonymous with the ancient tradition of swordfish hunting. Above is a stylized mural depicting I suppose, the symbiotic relationship between humans and spada. They transit through the very strait in front of our rental each spring (the fish not the sailors).
0 2025/09/13 15:52:55
Forza! You have to be strong and fit to climb up that lookout tower then come down again at day's end.
Forza! You have to be strong and fit to climb up that lookout tower then come down again at day's end.
0 2025/09/13 15:52:32
Calabria got style.
Calabria got style.
0 2025/09/13 15:52:15
An alternative version of Good Day Sunshine!
An alternative version of Good Day Sunshine!
0 2025/09/13 15:52:05
There were plenty of little artistic touches. maybe some were home-made by the family?
There were plenty of little artistic touches. maybe some were home-made by the family?
0 2025/09/13 15:51:57
Part of the interior: an antique facade on the old stereo.
Part of the interior: an antique facade on the old stereo.
0 2025/09/13 15:51:49
We used these containers for vino plus some local bevi Calabrese: Gramotto by Motta (pomegranate mixed with citrus). Edule custard apple drink was another. Self-caterers like us found everything that they needed up at Effesette supermarket in the main part of town. We needed APE calesino/tuktuk rides there and back..
We used these containers for vino plus some local bevi Calabrese: Gramotto by Motta (pomegranate mixed with citrus). Edule custard apple drink was another. Self-caterers like us found everything that they needed up at Effesette supermarket in the main part of town. We needed APE calesino/tuktuk rides there and back..
0 2025/09/13 15:51:29
Pierluigi and his family had obviously planned this wonderful garden.
Pierluigi and his family had obviously planned this wonderful garden.
0 2025/09/13 15:51:18
It had VG views and lots of character.
It had VG views and lots of character.
0 2025/09/13 15:51:10
Advertising | Cookie Policy | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service | Manage Preferences - Your Privacy Choices