In the distance a church tower comes into focus, then earth-colored stone walls. This is Pérouges, a medieval village overlooking the Ain River valley. And this is the sight travelers have witnessed for more than 700 years. Past the church and through the high gate, the village opens up. Houses line the cobble stone streets, passageways lead to alleys, gardens
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Finding Manitoba’s Big Five
By Marilyn Jones The Tundra Buggy is slowly moving along a rutted road originally created in the 1940s by the Canadian and US military. We’re on the lookout for polar bears. It’s not cold. There’s no snow on the ground. In this remote area near Churchill, Manitoba, the bears spend the summer. Although they are not as easy to find
National Tile Museum offers a look at Portugal’s storied past
Lisbon is known for decorative ceramic tiles. On houses and apartment buildings, shops and restaurants, churches and theaters; they are everywhere creating a distinctive sense of place. It is fun to walk through the city and see the grand murals and individual geometric masterpieces. For anyone interested in this historic art form, a visit to the National Tile Museum is
EXPLORING CLASSIC GREECE
By Marilyn Jones Many visitors to Greece vacation only on its islands, but the mainland has its own appeal. It is a place of antediluvian history, mythology, legend, and lore. Start in Athens, which is regarded as the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization. Named for the goddess Athena, this welcoming modern city is at least 5,000
On a tour in Tanzania, a friendly cheetah and an elusive black rhino
By Marilyn Jones It is late morning in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania when we spot a cheetah in the tall, yellow grass. She is looking for prey, maybe a gazelle, our guide tells the six of us in the truck. Her hunting success rate is 100%. She can run up to 75 mph for short distances. As we photograph the beautiful
Celebrating the season with history
Community tree lighting is commonplace in many communities around the world. But in Kilgore, Texas, it’s A Very Derrick Christmas as stars atop oil derrick replicas are lit to honor the city’s history. “It was October 3, 1930 when the Daisy Bradford #3 came in at 6,000 barrels of oil a day changing the future of the communities of East
Holiday Gift Giving Guide
It’s that time again when the stores are filled with ideas to buy your family and friends for the holidays. Looking for the best gifts for travelers? Look no further! There are lots of options for every budget to make your gift giving easier. Ornaments Tree ornaments are a favorite with lots of travelers. At Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan,
Fort Price of Wales offers insight into Canadian history
I love history and as much as I am in Churchill, Manitoba to see beluga whales and polar bears during my summer visit, I am anxious to see Prince of Wales Fort for a better understanding of the area’s European history. I am with Frontiers North Adventures. My group and I board a boat and motor across Churchill River. Thousands
The French Farmhouse Museum of Grandfontaine – Fournets
I’m in France learning about the production of Comté Cheese when I visit a restored farmhouse dating from 1736 in the Franche-Comté region. Noël Myotte and his wife decided to open their farmhouse as a museum after they were awarded the best restored farm in 1981. Entering a store selling meats, cheeses, local wine and sweets that once served as
Clean Cookstove Project delivers hope and health
Imagine what would happen if your fireplace flue was closed. All the wood smoke would fill your home and your lungs. That’s exactly the conditions I witnessed in Losirwa, a tiny Tanzania village. Here Masai women live in small round bomas (traditional homes) with their families and tend the fire that keeps their homes warm and is used to prepare