Travel Around The Clock

Along the road connecting Sarlat and Les Eyzies, nestled in the middle of the woods, the Chateau de Puymartin has been inhabited for five centuries by the same family. For the same period of time, it has also been associated with the legend of the most popular ghost of the Perigord Noir: the White Lady. Chateau de Puymartin Built in the 13th century, the castle was destroyed during the Hundred Years War to prevent it from serving as a support point for the English. Then it was rebuilt in the 15th century by Radulphe de Saint-Clar, and restored at the end of the 19th century by the Marquis de Carbonnier de Marzac.  The round towers, the neo-Gothic keep majestically dominating the Beune valley, the blond stones shining in the sun create an impressive and perfectly preserved architectural ensemble. Inside the castle, the Montbron family, that still owns the premises, has carefully preserved the furniture, the Aubusson tapestries from the 18th century, the trompe-l'oeil fireplace from...

Chateau de Losse In the town of Thonac, near Montignac and the prehistoric caves of Lascaux , in the Périgord Noir, the Chateau de Losse and its gardens dominate the Vézère valley.  Originally, a medieval stronghold, the castle is surrounded by wide and deep moats, and it's accessible via a large châtelet which gives the whole building an impression of power, before entering the inner courtyard. The harmonious proportions of the buildings and the decoration of its facade reveal all the elegance of the Renaissance architecture. It was in the 12th century, that the de Losse family, originally from Flanders, stronghold of the crown of France, settled on the banks of the Vézère. The Marquis Jean II de Losse will be its worthy representative. By his will, the castle was transformed in 1576 into a private residence.  Chateau de Losse Page under François 1st, he became captain and fiery adversary of Charles V and acquired high responsibilities as Governor before becoming a ...

Château de Fénelon The Château de Fénelon is a listed historic monument, located in the Dordogne department on the heights of the town of Saint-Mondane from where it dominates the valleys of the Dordogne and Bouriane. The castle was the birthplace of François de Salignac de la Motte Fénelon (much better known by his name of writer Fénelon) who lived during the reign of the Enlightenment of Louis XIV and became Archbishop of Cambrai. The castle draws up its powerful architecture behind three fortified enclosures whose defensive system has been kept intact. The front door was defended by a first gatehouse. The attackers then had to bypass a second defensive wall which left them uncovered and led them to a second 'chatelet' defending access to the foot of the castle. The fortress played a strategic role during the Hundred Years War and was besieged on numerous occasions. Château de Fénelon Main courtyard, Château de Fénelon Well (90m deep), Château de Fénelon The castle was then...

Trieste is a peculiar city that has been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918.  Located a step away from Slovenia, it has historically been a place of contention for centuries being the meeting point between Mediterranean and Central Europe and it is now a melting pot of cultures and influences that have left indelible traces also in the architecture and in the gastronomy. Its atmosphere its special; no wonder why, in the past, great artists such as James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway and Umberto Saba decided to settle here. It is a unique place and certainly deserves a visit. And, if a visit of the city centre can be fit in one day , if you have more time on your hands, we suggest you to organize at least a 3 days break to discover the beauties of the surrounding of this extraordinary city. This is our recommendations for a 3 days itinerary. 3 DAYS IN TRIESTE Day One Your first day in Trieste should focus on the exploration of the city centre.  Start from Piazza Unità d'...

City Hall, Trieste Trieste is a city of great charm and beauty , perched between the homonymous gulf and the Karst hills along the thin strip of Italy that stretches on the side of Slovenia . Due to its strategic position it has always been one of the most active ports in the Adriatic sea and a meeting point between peoples and cultures that from east to west have found in this city an interesting crossroads where to stop. Piazza della Borsa, Trieste The 19th century appearance and the numerous Art Nouveau buildings should not be misleading: the history of Trieste has ancient origins. Over the centuries, empires and states have changed but Trieste has continued to play its frontier role, from the Roman age to the Republic of Venice, from the Habsburg Empire to the Cold War. Shopping mall, Trieste Gabriele D'Annunzio statue, Trieste Since most of the city landmarks are located around the city center, a full day may be enough to explore most of them and get an idea of this beautifu...

Strassoldo The village of Strassoldo , located in the province of Udine, in Friuli Venezia Giulia , is today one of the most fascinating examples of a perfectly preserved medieval village. We do not know exactly when its foundation dates back, but its name appears for the first time in some documents from the end of 1100. Mill, Strassoldo Over a thousand years ago, the prestigious family of the Strassoldo counts decided to build an imposing castle along the ancient Via Iulia Augusta, in a strategic position. Originally, the fortress had two watchtowers which were located at two different levels. Later on, when the castle was heavily damaged by enemy attacks, the Strassoldo family dispersed for a certain period of time. After returning to their land, the counts decided to start an impressive renovation work and divided the original fortress into two separate castles, each built around one of the towers that had once characterized the manor. This is how the Castello di Sopra (Upper Castl...