Tuscany Cat http://www.tuscanycat.com Most recent posts at Tuscany Cat posterous.com Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:38:00 -0800 Hallstatt http://www.tuscanycat.com/hallstatt http://www.tuscanycat.com/hallstatt

Hallstatt.

Hallstatt, Upper Austria is a village in the Salzkammergut, a region in Austria. It is located near the Hallstätter See (a lake). Hallstatt is historically known for its production of salt from the local salt mines. – wikipedia

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Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:32:00 -0800 Budapest http://www.tuscanycat.com/budapest http://www.tuscanycat.com/budapest

Széchenyi Chain Bridge.

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge (HungarianLánchíd) is a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Budaand Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest, the capital of Hungary. It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest, and was opened in 1849.

It is anchored on the Pest side of the river to Széchenyi (formerly Roosevelt) Square, adjacent to the Gresham Palaceand the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and on the Buda side to Adam Clark Square, near the Zero Kilometer Stone and the lower end of the Castle Hill Funicular, leading to Buda Castle. – wikipedia

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Sun, 31 Jul 2011 11:04:00 -0700 Gordes http://www.tuscanycat.com/gordes-91124 http://www.tuscanycat.com/gordes-91124

More images of Gordes.

Gordes is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.

Once a week, on Tuesday morning, is market day. Merchants from the area set up booths and sell their wares: food, clothing, instruments, Provençale dishes, decorations, handicrafts. The village has two bakeries and a variety of shops. – wikipedia

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Sun, 10 Jul 2011 10:19:00 -0700 Avignon http://www.tuscanycat.com/avignon-69712 http://www.tuscanycat.com/avignon-69712

Palais des Papes.

The Palais des Papes is a historical palace in Avignon, southern France, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Since 1995, the palais des Papes has been classified along with the historic center of Avignon, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. – wikipedia

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Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:42:00 -0700 Arles http://www.tuscanycat.com/arles-64382 http://www.tuscanycat.com/arles-64382

Arles Amphitheater.

Arles Arenas or Arles Amphitheater (french, les Arènes d'Arles) is a Roman amphitheatre. This two-tiered Roman Amphitheatre is probably the most prominent tourist attraction in the city of Arles, which thrived in Roman times. Measuring 136 m (446 ft) in length and 109 m (358 ft) wide, the 120 arches date back to the first century BC. The amphitheatre was capable of seating over 20,000 spectators, and was built to provide entertainment in the form of chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. Today, it draws large crowds for a sport only slightly less brutal – bullfighting – as well as plays and concerts in summer. – arles-guide.com

Arles is a strategic spot within a circle of varied landscapes, at the heart of the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Region, in the department called Bouches du Rhône. It is the gateway to the Camargue, one of the nicest natural sites in Europe with an exceptionally rich plant and animal life. – arles365

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Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:07:00 -0700 Collioure http://www.tuscanycat.com/collioure-13953 http://www.tuscanycat.com/collioure-13953

Views of the Notre Dame des Anges and Chateau Royal.

Collioure is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. It is situated in the south of France, 26 km (approx. 15 miles) from the Spanish border. Its small Catalan harbor is sheltered by a quiet bay where the chain or the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean Sea. The exceptionally sunny climate and the north wind “Tramontane” makes Collioure a unique place where Catalan "art de vivre" have their origins. For centuries, a much sought-after treasure of nature has been part of Collioure's traditions: anchovies. This fish is the basis for many typical Catalan dishes and is still prepared in the original traditional manner. – Collioure Tourist Office

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Sun, 22 May 2011 10:11:00 -0700 Carcassonne http://www.tuscanycat.com/carcassonne-0 http://www.tuscanycat.com/carcassonne-0

The Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse.

The Basilica of St. Nazaire and St. Celse or St. Nazarius and St. Celsus (Basilique Saint-Nazaire-et-Saint-Celse de Carcassonne), is a basilica minor in Carcassonne, southern France, listed as a national monument of the country.

It was formerly the cathedral of Carcassonne until 1801, when it was replaced by the present Carcassonne Cathedral(Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Carcassonne).

The present church is in origin a Romanesque of the 11th century, consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1096. It was built on the site of a Carolingian cathedral, of which no traces now remain. The crypt too, despite its ancient appearance, dates from the new construction. The church was enlarged between 1269 and 1330 in the Gothic style then predominant in France, largely at the expense of the Bishop of Carcassonne, Pierre de Rochefort.

The exterior was largely renewed by Viollet-le-Duc, while the interior has largely remained the Gothic original.

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Sun, 08 May 2011 09:25:00 -0700 Dordogne River http://www.tuscanycat.com/dordogne-river http://www.tuscanycat.com/dordogne-river

Dordogne river. Just rent a canoe and explore the beautiful villages that line the riverfront.

The Dordogne is a river in south-central and southwest France. The Dordogne is one of the few rivers in the world that exhibits the phenomenon known as a tidal bore.

The upper valley of the Dordogne is a series of deep gorges. The cliffs, steep banks, fast flowing water and high bridges attract both walkers and drivers. In several places the river is dammed to form long, deep lakes. Camp sites and holiday homes have proliferated wherever the valley floor is wide enough to accommodate them

Below Argentat and around Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the valley widens to accommodate fertile farmland, well-watered pasture and orchards. In the towns, which are major tourist attractions because of their history and architecture, the quaysides are lined with eating and drinking places. In Périgord, the valley widens further to encompass one of France's main gastronomic regions, with vineyards, poultry farms and truffle-rich woodlands.

The main season for tourism in the Valley of the Dordogne is from June to September with July and August being high season. The lifestyle and culture of the Dordogne valley attracts both visitors and incomers from all over France, but also from many other countries, particularly Britain and Germany.

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Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:49:00 -0700 Beynac-et-Cazenac http://www.tuscanycat.com/beynac-et-cazenac-0 http://www.tuscanycat.com/beynac-et-cazenac-0

Château de Beynac.

The Château de Beynac is a castle situated in the commune of Beynac-et-Cazenac, in the Dordogne département of France. The castle is one of the best preserved and best-known in the region.

This Middle Ages construction, with its austere appearance, is perched on top of a limestone cliff, dominating the town and the north bank of the Dordogne River. – wikipedia

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Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:35:00 -0700 St. Emilion http://www.tuscanycat.com/st-emilion-0 http://www.tuscanycat.com/st-emilion-0

More images of St. Emilion.

Saint-Émilion is located 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Bordeaux, between Libourne and Castillon-la-Bataille. It is one of the principal red wine areas of Bordeaux along with the MédocGraves and Pomerol. The region is much smaller than the Médoc and adjoins Pomerol. As in Pomerol and the other appellations on the right bank of the Gironde, the primary grape varieties used are the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with relatively small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon also being used by some chateaux. – wikipedia 

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Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:23:00 -0700 Sarlat-la-Canéda http://www.tuscanycat.com/sarlat-la-caneda-0 http://www.tuscanycat.com/sarlat-la-caneda-0

Sarlat-la-Canéda or simply Sarlat, is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in south-western France. Sarlat is one of the most attractive and alluring towns in southwestern France. – wikipedia

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Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:36:00 -0700 Bordeaux http://www.tuscanycat.com/bordeaux-0 http://www.tuscanycat.com/bordeaux-0

The Pont de pierre, or "Stone Bridge" in English, is a bridge in Bordeaux, (in the Gironde department of France), which connects the left bank of the Garonne River (cours Victor Hugo) to the left bank quartier de la Bastide (Avenue Thiers). – wikipedia

L1000875

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Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:39:00 -0700 Riomaggiore http://www.tuscanycat.com/riomaggiore http://www.tuscanycat.com/riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is a village and comune in the province of La Spezia, situated in a smallvalley in the Liguria region of Italy. It is the first of the Cinque Terre one meets when traveling north from La Spezia. The village, dating from the early thirteenth century, is known for its historic character and its wine, produced by the town's vineyards. Riomaggiore is in the Riviera di Levante region and has a shoreline on the Mediterranean's Gulf of Genoa, with a small beach and a wharf framed by tower houses. Riomaggiore's main street is Via Colombo and numerous restaurants, bars, and shops can be found on this street.

The Via dell'Amore is a path connecting Riomaggiore to its frazione Manarola, also part of the Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the five Cinque Terre, all connected by trail. The water and mountainside have been declared national parks. – wikipedia

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Sun, 20 Mar 2011 19:29:00 -0700 Manarola http://www.tuscanycat.com/manarola http://www.tuscanycat.com/manarola

The fourth Cinque Terre town as you go south. Similar to Vernazza in terms of the pastel colored houses.

Manarola is a small town, a frazione of the comune (municipality) of Riomaggiore, in the province of La SpeziaLiguria, northern Italy. It is the second smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists. Manarola's primary industries have traditionally been fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called Sciacchetrà, is especially renowned; references from Roman writings mention the high quality of the wine produced in the region. In recent years, Manarola and its neighboring towns have become popular tourist destinations, particularly in the summer months. Tourist attractions in the region include a famous walking trail between Manarola and Riomaggiore (called Via dell'Amore, "Love's Trail") and hiking trails in the hills and vineyards above the town. Manarola is one of the five villages. Mostly all of the houses are bright and colourful.

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Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:05:00 -0700 Nice http://www.tuscanycat.com/nice http://www.tuscanycat.com/nice

Nice place to take a stroll or rent a bike. You can get a hotel along the Promenade for an excellent view of the coastline but that view comes with a price.

The Promenade des Anglais is a celebrated promenade along the Mediterranean at NiceFrance. Before Nice was urbanized, the coast at Nice was just bordered by a deserted band of beach. The first houses were located on higher ground well away from the sea. Starting in the second half of the 18th century, the English took to spending the winter in Nice, enjoying the panorama along the coast. When a particularly harsh winter up north brought an influx of beggars to Nice, some of the rich Englishmen proposed a useful project for them: the construction of a walkway (chemin de promenade) along the sea. The city of Nice, intrigued by the prospect of a pleasant promenade, greatly increased the scope of the work. The Promenade was first called the Camin deis Anglés (the English Way) by the Niçois in their native dialect Nissart. After the annexation of Nice by France in 1860 it was rechristened La Promenade des Anglais, replacing the former Nissart name with its French translation. – wikipedia

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Sat, 05 Mar 2011 20:14:00 -0800 Corniglia http://www.tuscanycat.com/corniglia http://www.tuscanycat.com/corniglia

Corniglia. To reach the town from the train station, take the small green minibus or you can hike up the long, winding road.

Corniglia is a frazione ("fraction") of the commune of Vernazza in the province of La SpeziaLiguria, northern Italy. Unlike the other localities of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not directly adjacent to the sea. Instead, it is on the top of a promontory about 100 meters high, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces and the fourth side descends steeply on the sea. To reach Corniglia, it is necessary to climb the Lardarina, a long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 382 steps or, otherwise follow a vehicular road that, from the station, leads to the village. Sometimes a small bus runs up and down here.

The village stretches along the main road, Fieschi Road, and the houses have one side facing this road and the other facing the sea. Corniglia is characterized by narrow roads and a terrace obtained in the rock from which all other four Cinque Terre's villages, two on one side and two on the other, can be seen. The town planning structure presents also original characteristics compared to those of the other villages: the houses are lower set, and only more recently higher, similar to those of the villages of the hinterland. – wikipedia

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Sun, 27 Feb 2011 09:45:00 -0800 Monte Carlo http://www.tuscanycat.com/monte-carlo http://www.tuscanycat.com/monte-carlo

Monte Carlo Casino.

The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most notable tourist attractions of Monaco. The casino complex is a gambling facility which also includes the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the Monte Carlo quarter, although the citizens of Monaco are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms. It hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final. The casino was built by the architect Charles Garnier who also created the Paris opéra. It is distinctly Beaux Arts - an Empire style referred to by Garnier (regarding the Paris Opéra) as "Napoleon III."

The casino is owned by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco, a public company, in which the government holds a majority interest. This corporation also owns the principal hotels and clubs of the community that serve the tourist trade.

The route of the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) runs past the casino. – wikipedia


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Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:09:00 -0800 Eze http://www.tuscanycat.com/eze http://www.tuscanycat.com/eze

Eze is a small medieval village located close to Villefranche sur Mer.

Èze is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, not far from the city of Nice. A renowned tourist site on the French Riviera, it is famous worldwide for the view of the sea from its hill top. Its Jardin botanique d'Èze is known for its collection of cactus and succulents, as well as its panoramic views. – wikipedia

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Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:05:00 -0800 Vernazza http://www.tuscanycat.com/vernazza http://www.tuscanycat.com/vernazza

Vernazza. Beautiful pastel colored buildings. 

Vernazza is a town and comune located in the province of La SpeziaLiguria, northwestern Italy. It is one of the five towns in the Cinque Terre region and is the fourth town heading north. It has no car traffic (a road leads into a parking lot on the edge of the town) and remains one the truest "fishing villages" on the Italian Riviera. – wikipedia

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Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:13:00 -0800 Senanque Abbey http://www.tuscanycat.com/senanque-abbey http://www.tuscanycat.com/senanque-abbey

Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque. Just imagine how this abbey looks when the lavender fields are in bloom. The store sells a lot of products from soaps to perfumes all sourced from lavender.

Sénanque Abbey (Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque) is a Cistercian abbey near the village of Gordes in the département of the Vaucluse in ProvenceFrance. The Senanque Abbey was founded in 1148 under the patronage of Alfant, bishop of Cavaillon, and Raymond Berenger II, Count of Provence, by Cistercian monks who came from Mazan Abbey in the Ardeche. During the Wars of Religion the quarters for the lay brothers were destroyed and the Senanque Abbey was ransacked by Huguenots. The community was expelled 1903–1926 and departed to the Order's headquarters, Lerins Abbey on the island of St. Honorat, near Cannes. A small community returned in 1988. – wikipedia

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