Monthly Archives: March 2018

Normandy has played an outsized role in European history. It first came to fame with the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Normans were the ultimate war machine and controlled most of southern Spain, Italy, and Sicily in the 1300s. … Continue reading →

With its dramatic coastline and proud local culture (the Briton language related more to Welsh than any other Gaelic language gives most towns two spellings), Brittany has more natural sites than most other departments in France. GOLF DU MORBIHAN. Near … Continue reading →

French Drivers & Roads They are much calmer than the Italians: They drive slower and follow road rules. The fast lane (as in the autobahn and autostrada) still exists but speeds are lower. Vehicles in this lane always seem to … Continue reading →

The Atlantic   Sept 2018 by Kurt Andersen The nation’s current post-truth moment is the ultimate expression of mind-sets that have made America exceptional throughout its history. “You are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own … Continue reading →

TOULOUSE & AREA This sunny corner of SW France is known for its food and wine, but it also has great art. I had an imposing day today (Mar 18): 2 Unesco sites, 2 wonderful cities to visit, and 9 … Continue reading →

France – March 15-24, 2018 PROVENCE I passed into France twice – once in the Maritime Alps over a high snowy pass and then again on the coast just before the town of Menton, just a few kilometres east of … Continue reading →

Lombards. Not to be confused with the modern inhabitants of the region of Lombardy, Italy. The Lombards or Longobards were a Germanic people who ruled most of the Italian Peninsula from 568 to 774. The Lombard historian Paul the Deacon wrote in the Historia Langobardorum that the Lombards descended from a small tribe … Continue reading →

This was my first time in Italy. There is a lot to see and traveling in the winter worked out well. Tourists and crowds were few in this tourist magnet. I travel intensively and with a vehicle, I see a … Continue reading →

Monaco (pop 38,000)          March 15, 2018 History. Since the 13th century, Monaco’s history has been that of the Grimaldi family, whose rule began in 1297. Charles VIII of France recognized its independence in 1489 but snatched … Continue reading →

THE LAKES. Wedged between the Alps and the Po valley, the glacial lakes of Lombardy were formed at the end of the last ice age and have been a popular holiday spot since Roman times. At the region’s heart is … Continue reading →