Cantabrian Sea or Bay of Biscay is famous for rough and treacherous seas. The coastline has its own harshness with the rugged terrain and rainy weather. Four provinces occupy the 640 km of the mountainous coastal terrain: Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Basque Country. This itinerary focuses on two of these, Cantabria and Asturias.
The regions along the Franco Spanish border impress with their rich history, picturesque countryside and a pilgrimage centre to boot. And yet, with some exceptions, this part of France remains little visited by international visitors. This itinerary starts on the Atlantic coast and ends on the Mediterranean coast, spanning the length of the Pyrenees Mountains.
A few years ago, my very dear and very well-travelled clients announced they wanted to go to Nova Scotia. Why? I said. Well, I did the research and discovered there was more than one good reason to visit this eastern part of Canada. From discovering the culture of Mi'kmaq people to discovering fossils and world's highest tide; from whale watching to meeting a moose while hiking. And you will keep asking yourself, where is another town with the same name?
Many a coach tour stop in Dresden, the capital city of Saxony, Germany. Most dedicate half, some a full day to the city destroyed during WWII. This itinerary makes the most of the city and the surrounding area in five days. Be prepared to see a few castles and spend some time on the Elbe River.
Soča in Slovene and Isonzo in Italian, the aquamarine blue river delineates the border between the two countries. Following its course from the spring in the Slovene Alps to the estuary on the Italian side, one follows the WWI history, legends and spectacular scenery of the Julian Alps.
The Ardennes is an area of low mountain ranges shared by north-east France, southern Belgium and Luxembourg. It is close to the Europen capitals and yet is quite often overlooked. This itinerary dedicates five days to exploring the Belgian side of the border. Enjoy hearty local cuisine and even donkey trekking.
The Inland Sea stretches from Osaka to Kitakyushu and connects three of the four main islands in Japan: Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. In this itinerary we are going to stay around the "art part": the islands that reinvented themselves from the industrial use into modern working art spaces.
The Pyrenees are the natural border between Spain and France, a natural barrier between Spain and the rest of Europe. South of this border we encounter some of the earliest Christian churches, villages famous for modern art and fiercely independent people.