Category Archives: france

What kind of power adapter do I need in Europe?

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Mathew Lodge

Figuring out how to power cameras and other gadgets in Europe can seem tricky, but it’s easy enough once you know how. Related Posts:Plug converters / adapters for EuropeSet up your iPhone for Europe and save moneyHow to phone home … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, france, italy, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The simple five-step guide to renting a Villa in Italy or France

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Mathew Lodge

Renting a villa in Italy, France or Spain isn’t just for millionaires or recluses. Perhaps surprisingly, villa rental can be more reasonable than staying in a hotel, especially if you’re a family a larger group (though being a millionaire does help … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, food, france, general, italy, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to phone home from Europe

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Mathew Lodge

Phoning home from Italy, France, the UK or indeed anywhere else in Europe is easy since all countries in the European Union agreed on one standard way of making international calls. You dial two zeros (00), the country code, and … Continue reading →

Posted in cell phones, europe, france, italy, london, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bastides: Taxes and Real-Estate Speculation in Medieval France

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Mathew Lodge

North-by-North-west of Toulouse, the Lot and Dordogne departmentare a joy to behold: well-preserved medieval towns called Bastides with their neat churches, gridiron layouts and square covered markets cling to the limestone banks of the rivers for which the regions are … Continue reading →

Posted in economics, europe, france, history, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Chateau de Biron: Story Behind The Picture

Posted on October 19, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

Chateau de Biron is in the Dordogne region of France, south of Bordeaux in the South-Western corner of the country. Started in the 12th century, the chateau was in the hands of one family for 800 years, the Gontaut-Biron, and enhanced … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, france, history, photography, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clos de Vougeot: Story Behind The Picture

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

The chateau of Clos de Vougeot is nestled in the vineyards of Burgundy, the area of Eastern France close to Dijon that brings us delightful red wine. Lighter than the more famous Bordeaux, I like Burgundies because of their delicacy … Continue reading →

Posted in da vinci code, europe, france, history, photography, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Royal Salt Works: Story Behind the Picture

Posted on September 28, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

My sister-in-law lives in The Jura, an area of Eastern France near the Swiss border. It’s not a particularly well-known part of the country and you’ll have to work hard to find it in many guide books (honorable exception: The Rough Guide To … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, france, photography, story behind the picture, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Car rental agencies and recommendations

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

Some have asked for recommendations of websites or agencies they should try for car rentals in Europe. Not all rental car companies are equal — San Francisco CA Here are the sites I use: Related Posts:Amex rental car insurance revisitedWhen … Continue reading →

Posted in car rental, europe, france, general, italy, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Traffic circles (or roundabouts)

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

Driving in Europe continues to be something that generates a lot of email, so on to another popular driving topic: traffic circles — or, roundabouts as they’re known in the UK. Incredibly popular in Europe, you don’t see these too … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, france, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Malbec, the “Black Wine” of Cahors

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Mathew Lodge

Ask for a glass of wine in any bar in South-Western France, and the chances are you’ll get Vin de Cahors (pronounced “Ca-hoares”), which will be at least 70% Malbec. Ironically, Malbec is now better known in the US thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in europe, france, history, travel, wine | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment