Category: France

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American Destinations That Make You Feel Like You’re in Europe

The pandemic is still in full swing in the United States. As a result, many countries, including those that are part of the European Union, have imposed travel bans or restrictions against US citizens.

Thankfully, if you’re dead-set on taking that vacation this year, there are at least 10 U.S destinations that will make you feel as if you’ve journeyed across the pond, without ever leaving American soil. And each of these U.S cities is rich with the history and culture of the settlers who founded them.

Let’s take a look!

1. Leavenworth, Washington

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It’s no accident that Leavenworth, WA looks so charming and inviting.

In the 1960s, after thirty years of economic struggle, town leaders agreed to adopt a Bavarian theme and give the city a makeover in order to attract tourists.

They instituted a series of festivals, including the Autumn Leaf Festival, Maifest, and Christmas Lighting Festival.

Be sure to visit the Bavarian village for bratwurst & sauerkraut and enjoy a daily morning alp horn saerenade.

2. Frankenmuth, Michigan

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Michigan’s “little Bavaria” is known for it’s world-famous chicken dinners but it’s that German pride that really makes Frankenmuth special.

Enjoy German-inspired architecture, craft-beer and wine, and don’t forget to visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store, open 361 days a year.

3. Helen, Georgia

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Here you’ll find a touch of Bavaria tucked in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This charming little alpine village makes the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway.

Tour local vineyards, enjoy scenic water falls and hiking trails, or even scout out the perfect location for your upcoming nuptials.

4. St. Augustine, Florida

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As the oldest city in the nation, St. Augustine has much to offer.

Gaze upon stately castles, enjoy historic reenactments, and even take a ghost tour.

Originally a busy port town for merchants, it’s also a great place for those who enjoy shopping or romantic water-side dinners.

5. Santa Barbara, California

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With its stunning natural landscape and classic Spanish heritage, The American Riviera is hard to beat.

Its distinct architectural style comes from the early Spanish settlers who built Old Mission Santa Barbara, now the County Courthouse.

Soak in the sun and the culture with a walk down Santa Barbara’s Museum Mile or take yourself on the Red Tile Walking Tour.

6. Holland, Michigan

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This quaint but colorful city is picture-perfect for a relaxing vacation.

Tour Windmill Island Gardens or make your way downtown for authentic Dutch architecture and cuisine.

Be sure to visit in the spring, during the Tulip Time Festival for the true Dutch experience, as millions of tulips burst into bloom.

7. Solvang, California

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Visiting Solvang is like stepping into a storybook.

Enjoy this “little slice of Denmark” by strolling through the village, Danish pastry in hand.

Or maybe hop a ride on a historic, wooden, horse-drawn streetcar!

Be sure to take your picture with Danish icons, including the Little Mermaid Fountain, five windmills, the giant red clog Round Tower.

8. Calistoga, California

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You’ll find this European-influenced city Nestled in California’s Napa Valley.

Home to wineries, geysers, and plenty of natural beauty, Calistoga is the perfect spot for endless outdoor adventures.

Take it all in during your hot-air balloon tour.

9. Vail, Colorado

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Modeled after the ski districts of European Switzerland, Vail is the perfect spot for the adventurous vacationer.

Take advantage of the country’s largest free transportation system and visit the cobble-stoned, Bavarian-inspired village of Lionshead.

In the summer, come prepared to hike, bike, and enjoy the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens; be sure to bring your snowboard or skis if you’re visiting in the winter.

10. New Orleans, Louisiana

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A pillar of community and resilience, this French-influenced city is a must-see.

While Mardi Gras always draws a crowd, there are so many other reasons to visit this city, including its whimsical architecture.

Enjoy mouthwatering beignets and Creole cuisine as you take in the romantic and jazzy vibe of French Quarter.

Now you know! You can enjoy the experience of visiting Europe, without the overseas flight. Visit each city’s websites to learn about the safety measures in place keeping both locals and tourists healthy and happy.

Even if you don’t feel safe traveling right now, it doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for the future.

I don’t know about you, but Santa Barbara is calling my name. Which city would you like to visit first? Let us know in the comments!

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Le Palais Ideal, a castle of stones…

Le Palais Ideal, a castle of stones, was built single handedly over 33 years by postman Ferdinand Cheval. He had no architectural training, but after tripping over an interestingly shaped rock on his mail route he was reminded of a dream he once had of such a palace and made it his life’s work.

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This Is the Story Behind the Secret Apartment in the Eiffel Tower

There’s more to the Eiffel Tower than meets the eye. Beyond its magnificent beauty, this popular tourist attraction holds something invisible to the naked eye: a secret apartment.

Anyone who has visited the Eiffel Tower can testify to its breathtaking views overlooking the city of Paris. And while it would be a dream come true to live at the top of the tower, the secret apartment was not constructed for livability. In fact, it was a bit of a con.

The tower was originally intended to be a temporary exhibit that would eventually be demolished in 1909. That didn’t sit well with entrepreneur Gustave Eiffel, who came up with a savvy solution to convince everyone to let his construction masterpiece remain a permanent part of Paris.

Eiffel contacted world-renowned scientists and allowed them to use the apartment as a laboratory for atmospheric measurements, astronomical observations and physics experiments. Just six years before its demolition date, Captain Gustave Ferrie utilized the tower for the French Army’s wireless telegraphy experiments that allowed the tower to broadcast signals all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to North America.

Once the tower was saved in the name of science, Eiffel had to turn down many offers to rent the secluded space. His guest list was short but did include famous scientist Thomas Edison.

However, in 2016, one vacation rental company made it possible for people to actually stay inside the tower. HomeAway converted a conference space inside the tower into a two-bedroom apartment. Four lucky contest winners got to stay in the space (located 188 feet above ground) in July of that year.

Until I can afford the flight to France, I guess a croissant will just have to do.

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Centuries of French Wine Harvests Show the Hard Truth of Climate Change

This is very interesting…

Climate scientists often warn that citing events from a single location as evidence of changes (or not) across the entire globe isn’t helpful (or accurate). That said, when data from single locations begin to add small tales to a much larger story, it might be (past) time to take note.

In this case, it’s six and a half centuries worth of grape harvest records that are telling a chilling (but not-so-chilly) tale about how temperatures, weather events, and harvests have rarely varied from a path that all but confirms climate change is happening.

And since those records tell a story about late spring through summer that coincide with what the cherry blossoms in Japan are telling us about spring – and what a Scandinavian river is screaming about winter – the “oh it’s just one place” argument gets pretty darn thin.

Back to France, though, where the good people take their Burgundy seriously.

Dr. Thomas Labbe is the academic who spent years digging through centuries of harvest records that date back to 1354. To understand the significance of the findings, you’ll need to be aware that grape harvests take place earlier after hot, dry summers and later after cool, wet ones (a fact he confirmed after comparing harvest dates with temperature records).

“The record is clearly divided into two parts,” he said in a statement. “For more than 600 years average harvest date was September 28 – early ones were the exception. Since 1988 the average date has shifted to September 15, indicating much hotter conditions.”

So, the summers prior to the harvest have been steadily hotter and drier since 1988.

“We did not anticipate that the accelerated warming trend since the mid-1980s would stand out so clearly in the series,” added Professor Christian Pfister, who co-authored the analysis of Labbe’s data. “The transition to a rapid global warming period after 1988 stands out very clearly. The exceptional character of the last 30 years becomes apparent to everybody.”

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Fidwald European Vacation Day 36. Bordeaux, France. Headed into town to visit a wine museum and enjoy a tasting. Afterwards briefly visited Point De Pierre, the well known bridge of Bordeaux as well as the “Water Mirror” (reflecting pool) however it was a little windy as the weather was turning so wasn’t reflecting so well. quick salad lunch (to balance all the baguettes & croissants) then headed back. We stopped briefly at a supermarket for dinner supplies and miscommunication resulted in security thinking we were going to leave without paying ? (Still easier than communication in many U.S. establishments!) Back in time for a tour of the De Lassalle winery where we are staying, our guide is so gorgeous and we thoroughly enjoyed the tasting, all so delicious! The rain introduced such an impressive rainbow with a view! Finished up having such a fun evening, Jemma busied herself putting together a dinner of mixed goodies to plate, the girls then enjoyed the jacuzzi whilst Matt & I enjoyed the wine but all 4 of us playing a game. (Was a version of guess that song, brought us all a few giggles!) We are thoroughly loving it here! #fidwalds #europeanvacation #holidayroad #familyroadtrip #roadtripwithteens #griswaldsgotnothingonus #frenchwinery #bordeauxfrance #delassallewine

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At least, it should become apparent to everybody.

There are, of course, longer-term climatic records that range across the globe, offered by tree rings, ice cores, and stalagmites (among other sources), but none of those are as precise as Labbe’s data.

The evidence is stacked up so high it’s practically a mountain, and I think that, for the younger generations at least, more and more people are listening.

If wine can’t get people’s attention, maybe it really is too late.

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A Kid in the U.S. Got a Response to a Message in a Bottle from Someone in France 9 Years Later

I’ve never thrown a message in a bottle into a body of water, but if I ever did, I would hope the story would end like this one did.

When Max Vredenburgh was 10 years old, he threw a bottle with a message in it into the ocean by Rockport, Massachusetts. This was back in August 2010. The letter read, “Hello my name is Max, whoever is reading this letter, please write back… I”ll tell you a little bit about myself. I’m 1o years old, I like apples, I like the beach, my favorite colors blue, I like animals, I like cars, and I like outer space. Please write back. Sincerely, Max Vredenburgh.”

Fast forward nine years later and the letter was found on a beach in France in October 2019.

The return letter from France reads as follows: “Hello. I found your message in your bottle on October 10, 2019 on a beach in France, between Contis and Mimizan. According to your date, August 21, 2009, It will have taken 9 years to cover the 6000kms that separates us. You had grown a lot during that time: 10 to 19 years old. I put you some maps below to locate you. Respectfully, G. Dubois.”

Vredenburgh shared the story on Twitter and it went viral in a huge way.

As of today, the post has 140,000 retweets and 535,000 likes. Amazingly, Vredenburgh and his pen pal have now connected on Instagram. Vredenburgh said of G. Dubois, “I want to know about him. I want to know if he likes, what his favorite food is, what his favorite color is. Does he like space?”

What a great story! I wish all social media was this positive and wholesome!

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