England
2018
Newbury
Watermill theater; https://www.watermill.org.uk/
Highclere castle; https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/ — the site for Downton Abbey filming; https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606375/
Victoria & Abdul author chat at Highclere castle. Shrabani Basu; https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/uncovered-hidden-friendship-queen-victoria-indian-servant-abdul/
Harrogate
Betty’s Tea House; https://www.bettys.co.uk/cafe-tea-rooms/our-locations/bettys-harrogate There are six locations, but I went to these two – 1 Parliament Street, Harrogate – Bettys Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw (on the edge of the RHS Gardens – https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr )
Film theater; Everyman—features not only films but a real menu of delicious eats that can be consumed in the lounge or the theater in plush armchairs or couches. https://www.everymancinema.com/harrogate/theatre-info/food-drink
Valley Gardens; meandering walk visited by many locals. https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/info/20090/visit_parks_and_woodlands/392/valley_gardens_harrogate
A museum that once provided health spa therapies with healing waters shows the various treatments. Known at the Pump Room https://www.yorkshire.com/view/culture/harrogate/royal-pump-room-museum-125960
A stone’s throw away from the Pump Room is a small art gallery called the Water Street Gallery with a variety of artistic creations. You can spend an hour there and get the complete experience.
Skipton; Bolton Abbey is surrounded by acres of walking, a river and places to relax. Up the hill is yet another tea house. https://boltonabbey.com/
Ripon; Newby Hall gardens, house, teddy bear, and dollhouse exhibit
http://www.newbyhall.com/teddy-bear-exhibition/
Lake District
Beatrix Potter exhibitions in Cumbria http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/localspecialities/famouswriters/beatrixpotter AND
Hotel; Easedale Lodge, Ambleside on Compston Road
Peak District
Chatsworth House and flower show event, Bakewell
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chatsworth-flower-show
Biking on the Monsal Trail (Bakewell); http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/trails/monsaltrail Electric assist bicycle and regular #bikes available to rent by the hour. https://www.bicilet.com/business/119/Monsal+Trail+Cycle+Hire
North Yorkshire
Jervaulx Abbey in the dales – http://www.jervaulxabbey.com/
Masham- Black Sheep Brewery – https://www.blacksheepbrewery.com/about
Wensleydale –cheeses https://www.wensleydale.co.uk/about/who-we-are/
Sheepdog training with Richard Fawcett – http://www.sheepdogdemo.co.uk/
Skipton Castle-complete medieval fortress – http://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/
I love going to London. It’s one of my favorite lay-over spots. Every chance I get I make sure to stay a couple of days to see theatrical performances, go to museums, and walk until I find something new to explore.
Sir John Soar Museum was a special stumble-upon. A house near the university that appeared to be like any other home but it was a private collection of artifacts. A closed door leading to a room with floor-to-ceiling framed artwork. We could only see one of four walls but I understood there was another of paintings behind them that could be accessed by sliding a wall away. Then most of the back of the house had a balcony and areas beneath with multiple heavy pieces of stone from many sites. The abundance collected and organized by Sir Soar captivated me so much so that I highly recommend taking the time to visit. https://www.soane.org/
Victoria Albert Museum https://www.vam.ac.uk/
Museum of London – this museum isn’t as large as most and it’s a bit tricky to find. Behind it’s concrete walls I stumbled across a costume exhibit in a rather dark area. https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london
Shakespeare’s Globe Theater – Walking Guided tours about Shakespeare (Yes, I am a fan of the man) The Globe had a good show, but I prefer the performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The venue there is much larger and the performances memorable. https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/ AND https://www.rsc.org.uk/
FRANCE
2018
Monet’s Garden in Giverny
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/monets-gardens-in-giverny OR http://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/visitgb.htm
Rouen – Joan of Arc
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/france_rouen_joan_of_arc.htm
The Musée Le Secq des Tournelles; wrought ironworks museum. http://museelesecqdestournelles.fr/en
Bayeux
Overlord tour in Normandy. We did the ten-hour tour, but there’s also a four-hour version https://www.overlordtour.com/
Short-stay apartment; Studio St Jean, 30 Rue St Jean
Paris
Hotel; Hotel Galileo, 54 Rue Galileo
My favorite bookshop with English publications. Along with a mascot cat, several floors of books and a manual typewriter to try. And, it’s across from the Notre Dame cathedral. https://shakespeareandcompany.com/
Burlesque type performance. https://www.lido.fr/en
Tried to go into the Catacombs (our third try in the last five years) and it was temporarily closed.
http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/homepage-catacombs-official-website OR https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/tms/boning-up-on-europe
The Cluny Museum was closed for the month of June
The Louvre had closed the rooms with Northern European painting and French sculptures. The audio guide was overly complicated.
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