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Catalonia – A Selection of Pictures

By on 12. October 2021 in Europe – Photos, Photo Galleries, Spain

Forallac and Santa Cristina d’Aro

We spent 4 weeks in Catalonia and the Costa Brava, Spain, in August 2021. This was our first trip abroad since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and our first trip abroad since the twins had been born.

The Costa Brava and Catalonia were definitely not high on my travel list, especially in the summer and the heart of the tourist season. Nonetheless, I was very pleased to discover that it was indeed quite easy to partly escape the crowds, and that some parts at least were not completely built and turned into mass-tourism hotspots: beautiful Medieval Villages, a Wild Coast that really deserves its name, and of course Barcelona, which I discovered for the first time.

Of course, with 3 kids between 16 months and 3 years old, we were somewhat limited in our activities, and with photography – So here you go: my first Photo Essay solely shot with an iPhone 11.

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Grand Escapades’ Travel Guide To Northern Scotland

By on 30. October 2019 in Scotland

A Great Road Trip Along The North Coast 500!

Oban Highland Games – Argyllshire Gathering, Scotland

Itinerary And Time Of The Visit

We traveled two weeks in the middle of August 2019 and covered the “North Coast 500”: this road follows the northernmost coast of Scotland, starting from Inverness in the East and reaching Fort William in the West, including (or not) the Isle of Skye, then back to Inverness. It spreads over a distance of 500 miles, hence the name NC500, and covers some of the more remote and beautiful parts of Scotland. Continue Reading →

Grand Escapades’ Budget Guide To Northern Scotland

By on 26. October 2019 in Country Budget Guide, Scotland

Amar River Viewpoint, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Neither Expensive Nor Cheap

Type Of Travel

Traveling to Northern Scotland means being on a Road Trip. Do not be mistaken nonetheless, this is not an Odyssey that you plan as you drive, following your inspiration, at least not in the summer (July & August): you should book accommodation at least 1 month in advance, and ideally between 3 and 6 months, especially if you have clear expectations on accommodation. The far north of Scotland (North Coast 500) comparatively sees few visitors (far fewer than lower Scotland), but also offers less options while on the road. Keep that in mind when planning your trip! Continue Reading →

Northern Scotland: A Selection Of 50 Pictures

By on 13. October 2019 in Europe, Europe – Photos, Scotland

Dornoch Firth, Scotland

Northern Scotland is definitely one of the very scenic areas in Europe, offering majestic sceneries & ever-changing landscapes, especially along the NC 500 and the Northwest of the country.

Driving along those wee, windy roads, soaking in the windswept landscape, is probably one of the most spectacular road-trips I ever took.

Taking pictures there is about chasing the light, and this very light is what will make it so special… Or so dull!

If we had a few really beautiful days, we also were rained in for 3 long days and else experience 4 seasons in a day…

But this is exactly when the landscape turns majestic, with a unique mix of dark skies and sporadic sunlight on the horizon. Truly magic!
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A Budget Guide To Sicily

By on 5. January 2019 in Country Budget Guide, Italy

Spiaggia de Cefalé or Beach of Cefalú

Type Of Travel

Sicily was our first travel destination with our newly born baby (at the time of travel, Jules was just 3.5 months), so we went on the safe side: direct flight, car rental from a reputable company right in the airport, and hotels or guesthouses where we would be sure to have all we need. That definitely means extra-costs! And yes, we definitely enjoyed Sicilian cuisine, went to some really pleasant restaurants and sampled some nice Sicilian wine… Continue Reading →

A Travel Guide To The “Semana Santa” In Andalusia

By on 31. July 2018 in Spain

Nazarenos, Cordoba

Itinerary & Time Of The Visit

We spent 9 days in Andalusia during the “Semana Santa” (Holy Week before Easter), and decided to focus on 3 cities: Granada (2 days), Cordoba (3 days) and Sevilla (4 days). This was for us a perfect itinerary, that gave us the possibility to enjoy the 3 cities and the numerous Processions of the Semana Santa in Cordoba & Sevilla. Continue Reading →

A Budget Guide To The “Semana Santa” in Andalusia

By on 20. July 2018 in Country Budget Guide, Spain

“Paso” of the Sorrows of Virgin Mary

Foreword

The “Semana Santa” (Holy Week before Easter) in Andalusia, and especially in Sevilla, is absolutely unique. It is hence a really busy time, and major cities are crowded, mostly with local, but also with international visitors. Beware that accommodation will be scarce, and that prices will go through the roof, especially in Sevilla, where you should be ready to dish out at least twice as much as other moments in the high season! Continue Reading →

La Semana Santa In Andalusia – A Selection Of 55 Pictures

By on 23. June 2018 in Europe – Photos, Photo Galleries, Spain

Nazarenos, in the streets of Cordoba

Andalusia is surely one of the cultural highlights when visiting Spain, if not Europe! A crossroad between Christianity & Islam during centuries, it is a subtle blend of both European & Arabic cultures. The Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Cordoba & the Alcazar in Sevilla, only to name the most famous highlights, belong to the most magnificent buildings in Europe and in the world.

But experiencing this region during the Semana Santa, the Holy Week before Easter, was an even greater experience, something profoundly intriguing, disturbing, and fascinating. The numerous Processions we witnessed were absolutely bewildering. I honestly did not expect to experience something so stunning and so immensely different within Europe! Continue Reading →