TravelswithCharie

Rue Saint Taur The history of Toulouse is deeply entwined with its patron saint, Saturnin (Sernin), who was martyred in the third century.  According to legend, Saturnin, the first bishop of Toulouse, was chained to a taur or bull that dragged him down Rue du Taur. The Church of Notre Dame du Taur is standing on the exact spot where the corpse of Saint Saturnin was detached from the bull as it rampaged down the street. Façade of Notre Dame du Taur The Church of Saint Saturnin was renamed Notre Dame du Taur after the Basilica of Saint Sernin was built to accommodate the vast numbers of pilgrims who stopped by Toulouse on their way to the Church of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  The genealogy of Jacob, Notre Dame du Taur This 14th century fresco of the genealogy of Jacob was one of the highlights of my visit to Toulouse. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Sarah and the grandson of Abraham. The 12 Tribes of Israel traces its lineage to Jacob. Joseph, the foster father of

The enchanting coastline of Ivisan, Capiz I was nominated to share 5 Things I love about Capiz, Philippines for 5 days. #CaptureCapizToday is a photo challenge initiated by the Provincial Government of #Capiz through the Provincial Tourism Cultural Affairs office to promote tourism destinations and attractions in Capiz. (My problem with this challenge was I had so many favorite things about Capiz it was difficult to choose just 5). Please check the links below to learn more about Capiz. https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2018/12/the-season-for-sea-and-seafood.html https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2016/10/10-reasons-why-you-should-visit-capiz.html https://waytogo.cebupacificair.com/things-to-do-capiz/ The stunning sunset on Baybay Beach, Roxas City The boldly pink Church of Our Lady of Snows in Dumarao, Capiz How to engage in a boodle fight at Bitoy’s on Baybay Beach, Roxas City The picturesque Gugma Beach in Sapian, Capiz is off the beaten path. For more information about tourism sites

I was recently challenged by a friend on Facebook to post 10 travel photos for 10 days. I’d like to share with you the images I selected for this challenge. 1. Saint Malo, France 2. Reykjavik, Iceland 3. Ronda, Spain 4. The Sphinx, Giza, Egypt 5. Igreja de Saõ Roque, Lisbon, Portugal 6. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines 7. Bayon, Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia 8. Hallstatt, Austria 9. Varenna, Lake Como, Italy 10. Adare, Ireland “One advantage of photography is that it is visual and can transcend language.” — Lisa Kristine ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

Week 10 into this pandemic and we’re nowhere close to seeing the end of it. While some countries have reopened, they have stringent requirements for entry. It won’t be easy to travel again. But we can still plan with the help of these travel blogs and websites.  Here are some of the blogs I’ve perused to help me prepare for my trips. Matador Network Matador Network’s mission is to inspire you to travel and find your #travelstoke. https://matadornetwork.com/ Solo travelers Solo Sophie A Francophile and a resident of Paris, Sophie Nadeau knows the ins and outs of Paris. https://www.solosophie.com/about-sophie-nadeau/ Solo Traveler World This website has plenty of valuable travel tips from a community of solo travelers. https://solotravelerworld.com/ Budget travelers The Poor Traveler These “poor travelers” know how to travel well on a tight budget. I like their straightforward expense sheets for the places they visit. https://www.thepoortraveler.net/blog/ Tokyo Cheapo/Japan Cheapo Tokyo

While most states in the United States have relaxed the restrictions for the gradual reopening of businesses, we’re still not safe without a vaccine against Covid19 nor medication to alleviate the symptoms. We don’t have the “all clear” yet and normal travel is still a few months away. For now, let’s watch travel videos while we plan our next adventure. It’s is the next best thing to being there. I’ve compiled a list of travel videos to take you to places from the comfort of your couch. Some are classics like No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain or Lonely Planet’s Globe Trekker. Others like Amazing Places on Our Planet and Jacob and Katie Schwartz’s YouTube videos offer spectacular views of some of the most desired destinations in the world. Lastly, Khan Academy, Google Arts and Culture and Take Walks give us inside information about the art, architecture, history and cuisine of the places you’ve dreamed about. Iceland by TravelswithCharie Amazing Places on our Planet Here’s one of ma

Though most states are reopening after the months long quarantine period, it looks like we may have to shelter-in-place a few more weeks if we are to keep the number of Covid19 cases at bay. With five million infections worldwide and no vaccine available, normal travel will not resume in the near future. In the meantime, we can travel vicariously through movies, travel videos and books. On week 8 of my armchair travel series, let’s check out some books that will transport us to the places we’ve dreamed of visiting. The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux Dark Star Safari, Happy Isles of Oceania, The Old Patagonia Express Paul Theroux doesn’t just travel. He immerses himself in the culture of the places he visits. He lives like a local and with locals, tells things as they are and makes no attempt to gloss over the bad and ugly experiences. “The trains in any country contain the essential paraphernalia of the culture: Thai trains have the shower car with the glazed dragon on its side,

Reading poetry is one of many things I’ve enjoyed during this period of isolation. So on Week 7 of this series, I would like to share with you some poems/excerpts from poems that remind me of the places I’ve visited over the years. Please check the links to find the full verse for some of the poems I’ve included here. Kamakura On Meditation by Milarepa Rest in a natural way like a small child Rest like an ocean without waves Rest within clarity like a candle flame Rest without self concerns like a human corpse Rest unmoving like a mountain. https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2009/07/wooded-hills-of-kamakura.html House of Federico Garcia Lorca in Granada, Spain Sonnet of Sweet Complaint by Federico Garcia Lorca Never let me lose the marvel of your statue-like eyes, or the accent the solitary rose of your breath  places on my breath at night. I am afraid of being on this shore A branchless trunk, and what I most regret Is having no flower, pulp, or clay For the worm of my despair…… https