Famous for its healing waters and miracles, Lourdes France is remarkable. Spiritual energy breathes through this small village in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. To date, there have been 70 confirmed miracles at Lourdes since the first apparition appeared to a 14-year-old peasant girl in 1858. Not surprisingly, the pull of the city is …
Western Europe will always be special to me as I was an exchange student in this region many years ago. Based on the United Nations Geoscheme, we define the region to include the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, and Switzerland (according to the UN Geoscheme).
The region is well-known for several famous landmarks, statues, massive cathedrals, and other buildings. While combined they are the western European countries, independently they are all distinctive. Even the languages are different.
We have been to eight of the nine countries of Western Europe. We have written about six of them (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands).
Enjoy our Western European articles:
Pyrenees Road Trip: Quaint Towns Lourdes to Béziers
Our impromptu Pyrenees road trip, while exciting in its own right, would have been even better with a bit of planning. We stayed in two major cities and stopped at several charming villages along the way, strolling along riversides, sampling delicious cuisine, and discovering something new. Village after village, the characteristically pleasant French atmosphere leaves …
Things to Do in Carcassonne’s Medieval Fortified City
Despite the intense heat and massive summer crowds, Carcassonne remains one of my favourite French cities. Originally settled over 2500 years ago, it was a significant town in the Roman empire and again in the Middle Ages. Today, it remains the largest fortified city in Europe. The castle was expanded and double-walled ramparts were built …
Getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris
A majestic estate just 25 km outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is world renowned for its opulent interior and dramatic gardens. The palace is enhanced in gold extravagance while the gardens are an immaculate example of symmetry and creativity. While it is a popular tourist destination, too many visitors skip it as they …
10 Tips to Avoid Crowds in Paris France
Paris is one of those cities that you either love or hate. Either way, you know you are not in Paris alone. There are masses of people everywhere, and it can feel overwhelming even to those who came for the ambience, romance, and excitement of the city. Visitors who aren’t used to so many people …
Saint Bertrand de Comminges: Charming French Village
Perched on a hill at the base of the Pyrenees mountains in southern France, Saint Bertrand de Comminges appears from the ground as a gateway to the heavens. It takes only a few moments after passing through one of the village’s three gates to understand why St Bertrand de Comminges is listed amongst the Les …
Romanesque Sculpture and Frescos Inside the Basilica of St Sernin Toulouse
Travelling in Europe, we discovered a treasure trove of majestic cathedrals. The Basilica of St Sernin in the city of Toulouse France was no exception. It is the largest Romanesque church in Europe. Inside we found antiquities, relics, and museum quality frescoes. Also famous for its Romanesque sculpture, the Basilica of St Sernin is a UNESCO World …
What to do in Toulouse France: 34 Possibilities in this Pink City
Toulouse is an eclectic mix of medieval architecture and modern aerospace leaving visitors wondering what to do in Toulouse first. Located on the banks of the Garonne River, its charming streets make it ideal for walking. One look at the faded red-brick facades of the old city and you will instantly understand the nickname “La Ville …
A Closer Look at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris France
The Arc de Triomphe towering at the end of the Champs Elysees fought for my attention as we strolled along Paris’s famous street. As we approached, it was evident to me that Napoleon accomplished his objective of demonstrating his power. At the same time, it seemed unreachable, guarded by a crocodile-like moat, a famous roundabout …
Berlin Wall and Other Sites to Visit in Berlin Germany
Berlin is one of my favourite cities. The capital of Germany is a once-divided city with an interesting history. On August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall went up quickly surrounding what would be called West Berlin. Instantly Berlin was divided, and only those in the west were free. The wall was taken down on November …
Travel Tips and Photos for Beautiful Bruges Belgium
“Everyone should see Bruges before they die.” (a line borrowed from the movie In Bruges) Have a look and you will see why. Even on cloudy and rainy days in Bruges is an attractive city in Belgium. Unless otherwise noted, all photos on this page ©Rhonda Albom 2012 Travel Tips for Bruges Belgium: We have …
Brussels Highlights: Chocolate, Atomium, EU, Manneken-Pis
I think it is the chocolate that lured us to Belgium. Without a plan or a hotel room we found ourselves with only one day in Brussels, so we set out to hit the highlights. What can I say about a city whose most famous statue is a boy caught in eternal pee? We had …
Heidelberg Castle and Luxembourg City in a Day
I am pretty well convinced that some of our best days are those that are unplanned, like today’s visit to Luxembourg. We started the day with a hike to the ruins of the Heidelberg Castle and then intended to head north to take a few hour cruise on the Rhine river. The views of the …
Salt Mines in Austria and Old Friends in Germany
As we left Salzburg, we headed south about 30 minutes to Satzweven, the salt mines, for an enjoyable afternoon tour. Located underground at the border between Austria and Germany, these no longer active salt mines offer a bit of history and exploration. Salt is not only obtained from current oceans. As the earth changed and formed millions of years …
Salzburg Austria – Musical Home to Mozart and The Sound of Music
Our final port on our Mediterranean cruise was Venice, from which we hired a car and drove to Salzburg Austria, home to both the Sound of Music and Mozart. This was a great choice. We found an affordable apartment and rested, as cruises tend to leave us needing a bit of recovery time. Now we …
