Insights into the French way of life and European travels by an Australian living in the Loire Valley
Header photo: Blois in spring, 2016. All photos on website copyright by Rosemary Kneipp unless specified otherwise. All rights reserved.Sign up for the latest posts below and don’t forget to click the confirmation email link:
Loire Valley Accommodation!
Stay in our beautiful 400-year old Renaissance house in the Loire Valley. Click on Gîte Loire Valley above. Accommodates 2 to 4 adults. 3-night minimum stay.Live like a local and improve your French!
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- Cycling along the Neckar in Germany #2 – Horb – Rottenburg – Türbingen – Bebenhausen | Aussie in France on Cycling along the Danube – Regensburg and the Altmuhle
- Cycling along the Neckar in Germany #2 – Horb – Rottenburg – Türbingen – Bebenhausen | Aussie in France on Cycling in Germany #5 – Bad Schandau to Pirna along the Elbe
- Une semaine au Pays Basque – One week in the Basque Country – Artyfixe on Architecture on the Basque Coast
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Category Archives: Sightseeing
Secret Blois #1 – Around the castle
If you are like me, when you visit somewhere new, you don’t just want to see the main attractions. You want to see the hidden face behind the castle or museum, the little details on the way. You want to … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, Art, Blois, Loire Valley, Sightseeing
Tagged blois off the beaten track, secret blois
14 Comments
Tips for Visiting the Golden Triangle in India
When we discovered that the Taj Mahal is close to New Delhi which was our intended stopover on the way to Australia flying Air India, we immediately wanted to visit it but we had lots of questions: How long should … Continue reading
Posted in Accommodation, India, Restaurants, Sightseeing, Travelling
Tagged golden triangle in India, trinetra tours
9 Comments
The Taj Mahal – Simply Majestic
Today’s the day. We’re going to visit the Taj Mahal. It’s 6 am and we’re walking across the foyer of the Radisson Blue to meet our new French-speaking guide. I’m relieved that yesterday’s unsatisfactory guide is being replaced. From the … Continue reading
The Road to Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and the Moonlight Gardens
After a thoroughly enjoyable stay in Jaipur, we’re on our way to Agra which is the last point in the Golden Triangle. It is 8 am. Ragendar tries to find an ATM but they seem very scarce. He’s says not to … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, Art, India, Sightseeing, Travelling
Tagged fatehpur sikri, moonlight gardens
21 Comments
Jaipur – temples, elephants, forts and palaces
We are up bright and early at our beautiful Shahpura House Heritage Hotel in Jaipur so we can have breakfast and be ready to leave at 8 am because today is a big day – my first elephant ride! Our … Continue reading
More Delhi and the Road to Jaipur
We arrive in Delhi at 7 pm, one and a half hours late due to an electrical problem on our plane which kept us sitting on the tarmac in Melbourne but I sent a quick email to Trinetra Tours to … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, India, Restaurants, Sightseeing
Tagged jaipur, shahpura house, trinetra tours
8 Comments
Meet the Bollards in Geelong
As we drive along the waterfront at Geelong on the way to our home exchange in Drysdale, our host Jill mentions something called “bollards” which, she says, are a reflection of the town’s history. When we return to Geelong for a longer visit, … Continue reading
Visit the Loire without a Car based in Blois
The Loire Valley with its famous châteaux, especially Chenonceau, Chambord, Chaumont and Cheverny, is only a couple of hours from Paris by train or car. Visiting the area by car provides the greatest freedom but not everyone wants the added … Continue reading
Colmar – the Magic of Alsace
Alsace is one of France’s most picturesque regions and has a lot in common with its neighbour, Germany, in terms of architecture, customs, cuisine and even language. It is famous for its white wines and the vineyards grow at the … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, France, Sightseeing, Travel photos
Tagged Colmar, house of heads colmar, pfister house, visiting alsace, visiting colmar
16 Comments
Bamberg – A World Heritage Site in Germany
My Australian friend Jane first told me about Bamberg a couple of years ago but although it’s still in Bavaria, it’s a lot further north than the Danube. However, my iPhone says that the shortest route from Melk to Blois … Continue reading

Posted in Accommodation, Architecture, Art, Germany, Mushrooms, Sightseeing
Tagged bamberg, what to see in bamberg
7 Comments