Category: Europe

Baguette and croissants

The Joy of Discovering France Beyond Paris

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A one-and-a-half month journey through France exploring Bordeaux, Aix-en-Provence, and the French Riviera

During our month and a half trip, we visited with friends, made new ones, shopped fabulous fresh markets, picked mushrooms, indulged in way too much cheese, moules marinières, and wine, and explored the sunny Mediterranean coast.

Our journey started in Angoulême, then took us to Bordeaux, Royan, Talmont-sur-Gironde, Mortagne-sur-Gironde, Brantôme, Saint-Émillion, Cognac, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Caumont-sur-Durance, Gordes, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Baux-de-Provence, Arles and Salin de Giraud, Lyon, Bedoin & Foret Domaniale de Vantouret, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, La Ciotat, Antibes, Eze, Monte Carlo – Monaco, Menton, Nice, Cassis, and Marseille.

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Downtown Brasov, Romania

The Heart of Romania-Journeying Home for an Epic Visit

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From Transylvania’s Carpathian Mountains to the Blue Danube

By Oana Harrison

Published in 2025 Mar/Apr Cityview Magazine

Underestimated. Beautiful. Complicated history. Home. That’s Romania, the beautiful country where I was born and lived until coming to the U.S. mid-90s. For 18 years, I called Knoxville and the Smokies home, while returning to my true home, the Carpathian Mountains, almost every year.

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Kids on grass, Postavaru cable car, Brasov, Romania, Transylvania, 2023

At Home, in the Carpathian Mountains

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My hometown Brasov sits in the elbow of the Carpathian Mountains, providing year-round opportunities for nature exploration, while combining small medieval town charm and modern amenities. I attempt yearly visits, and last year I had the added bonus of visiting with my nephew who lives in Switzerland. We explored Tampa mountain and Postavaru peak, we had our fill of traditional Romanian food and wine, and spent time catching up with family.

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Naxos Greece La Portera at sunset

Naxos, Greece—Beaches, Sunshine, and Sunset at Apollo’s Temple

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On our last day on the island of Naxos, Greece, we retraced our steps to some of our favorite beaches and enjoyed the company of the resident cats. We sampled more local fare and beat the crowds to a slow but magnificent sunset glowing through La Portara, the stone gate of an ancient temple honoring Apollo, Greek god of archery, music and dance, truth and prophecy, healing and diseases, poetry, the Sun and light.

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Nightlife - Naxos, Greece

Naxos, Greece—Turquoise Water and Golden Sunsets

Published on by Oana Travel (Great Escapetations)2 Comments

This was a day of total relaxation with stops at the beach and taking time to appreciate the beauty of the Mediterranean. We indulged in more local bakery products and witnessed an amazing technicolor sunset at the port.

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