For just a short time in the medieval period Perpignan was a European powerhouse. The Roussillon city just in from the Mediterranean was the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, and during these years it was bestowed with its characteristic russet-coloured medieval monuments made with bricks. The old quarter is scattered with vestiges from this …
The world’s northernmost Francophone city is just minutes from the border with Belgium. Life in Dunkirk has always been oriented towards the sea, whether through historic whaling and fishing or trade. The port remains active today and also shuttles passengers across the channel to Dover. But for you and me the sea also brings fun …
There’s no mystery why Centre-Val de Loire is such a hit with visitors. Firstly, the landscapes are heart-rendingly pretty, with vineyards sloping down to the banks of this broad semi-mythic river. And then you have the heritage to contend with, as the Loire Valley was the retreat of choice for France’s renaissance kings, who created …
World-famous wine, natural parks, heritage, pastoral countryside and acclaimed cuisine, Burgundy’s got the lot. If you want to know Burgundy’s rich oenology you’ll need days to see everything; this is the region of chablis, meursault and rully after all, and there are five official wine trails to follow. For history, Burgundy is replete with early-medieval …
Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands and serves as the capital of the Utrecht province in the centre of the country around 25 minutes south of Amsterdam. The city is an important religious centre in the Netherlands and has many historical churches and architecture dating as far back as the middle ages. …
Eindhoven is the fifth largest city in the Netherlands and lies in the south of the country near the Dommel and Gender streams. The history of Eindhoven spans as far back as the 13th century when the town was originally a small settlement with a wooden castle. Due to its fortifications and favourable location the …
Rotterdam is located in the southern Netherlands and is the second largest city in the country after the capital Amsterdam with a population of approximately 630,000. Rotterdam has been a major city for many hundreds of years and has always served as a large port as it lies on the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt river delta. Since the …
Amsterdam is the thriving capital of the Netherlands and the countries most populated city with approximately 842,000 people living in the central municipality. During its early years a major city, Amsterdam saw a great boost due to trade with the Hanseatic League and then became a centre for free press in the 16th century after …
In the capital of Burgundy’s region you better believe you can immerse yourself in wine. Well, not literally: But all around this pretty country town are names that ring out in the wine world, like Santenay and Pommard, so you can go off and taste grands crus and tour illustrious vineyards for days on end. …
In 1429 Joan of Arc liberated Orléans from a siege by the English, and the city has never forgotten this event. There are statues in her honour, whole wings in museums about the liberation and an annual festival in May to celebrate it with full ceremony and splendour. Many tourists rushing to the Loire Valley’s …