Often when we are young, say just out of college, European travel with a pack on our back is very desirable: an adventure, a rite of passage. Once we get involved in work and family, we often have little time, and R & R travel closer to home looks really good. But when we finally have a little more time -- when we aren’t simply desperate for R & R, what does travel really ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: Back on the Saone
For over nine years, Neil and Joan have been spending their summers cruising the canals and rivers of Western Europe aboard their now thirty-one-year-old Dutch motor-cruiser, the “Estate.” This year they are again sharing their experiences with readers of EuropeUpClose.com.June 16 As a boater, one gets accustomed to sitting in port, waiting for parts or repairs. After spending the better ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: Burgundy Biking
For over nine years, Neil and Joan have been spending their summers cruising the canals and rivers of Western Europe aboard their now thirty-one-year-old Dutch motor-cruiser, the “Estate.” This year they are again sharing their experiences with you.Shortly after purchasing our boat, Estate, in Holland in 2001, we also bought some old, Dutch, “clunker” bicycles. At least that’s how they look. ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: Warm and Sunny Burgundy
For over nine years, Neil and Joan have been spending their summers cruising the canals and rivers of Western Europe aboard their now thirty-one-year-old Dutch motor-cruiser, the “Estate.” This year they are again sharing their experiences. This is the second of Neil and Joan's 2010 posts. Check out last week's post .May 24, 2010Pouilly-en-Auxois proved to be a great starting point for ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: Cold and Wet in Burgundy
For over nine years, Neil and Joan have been spending their summers cruising the canals and rivers of Western Europe aboard their now thirty-one-year-old Dutch motor-cruiser, the “Estate.” This year they are again sharing their experiences. May, 2010 Train strikes and volcanoes started our 2010 boating season. Once we got through those challenges, we had a couple of weeks of very ... Read Full Article
Save in London with The London Pass
For over ten years, the London Pass has been available to visitors, but many still are not aware of its benefits. Your London Pass will be valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, so you can purchase it in advance and use the extensive guidebook to help plan your sightseeing adventure. London's top attractions, such as the Tower of London, St.Paul's Cathedral, London River Cruise, ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: A Week in Chalon sur Saone
We recently visited Chalon sur Saone, a very pleasant small city (population under 100,000) with a large port for pleasure boats (about 145 moorings). We were expecting friends, Lisia and Dennis, from the US for a few days, so wanted to be in a place that was interesting, had good rail access and complete port facilities, including showers. As an added bonus, Chalon has a huge Carrefour store for ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: Celebrating France’s Summer Festivals
All over France there are cultural festivals, musical performances, dance, theater, art shows, and sporting events that are held to celebrate summer. Many are internationally famous, such as the Avignon Theater Festival, the Cannes Film Festival, or the Tour de France. Some events such as the Fete de la Musique on the summer solstice, June 21, are celebrated with great exuberance in Paris as ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: Boating Lifestyles
We meet a lot of people while boating in France. As Americans, we are foreigners—but most other boaters cruising the inland waterways are too. We hear the stories of British, Australians, New Zealanders, Swiss, Dutch, and Germans, as well as French.Many British have previously been sailors, with sailboats (”yachts”) in the English Channel. After they reach “a certain age” they get tired of ... Read Full Article
Boating in France: The Burgundy Canal to Dijon
Last week we decided we needed some time out of port and on the canal, so we headed up the Burgundy Canal towards Dijon. We have been to Dijon by train from St Jean de Losne a couple of times this summer; that’s only about a 30-minute trip. The trip by boat takes us two days for the 24 locks and 30 kilometers at 6 km/hour. Six years ago we cruised the entire 242 km. length of this canal and knew ... Read Full Article