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Meeting my Zoom PenPal in Champagne
Travel, Paris, Champagne & Wine Joelle Gracia Travel, Paris, Champagne & Wine Joelle Gracia

Meeting my Zoom PenPal in Champagne

I first met Tatiana on Zoom while taking an online French class at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Like many other places, because of the pandemic, the department at the Sorbonne which offers French as a foreign language began offering classes virtually. This was perfect for people like me and also Tatiana who’ve always wanted to take classes at the Sorbonne, but could not attend in person…

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The Vines
Travel Joelle Gracia Travel Joelle Gracia

The Vines

I love gardens! I’ve been fortunate to have been able to visit some of the most beautiful gardens in the world- in the northeast United States, Europe and South America. Thanks to a colleague of mine, I learned just recently of this “jardin” right in my own backyard. The picturesque landscape features a lake, a…

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Québec City
Travel Joelle Gracia Travel Joelle Gracia

Québec City

My Canada trip continues with Via Rail, destination Québec City from Montréal… Bienvenue à Québec! Parliament Hill was where we stayed and it was literally up a hill! But it was a really cool neighborhood… One thing that I do routinely when traveling is I go to a local market to…

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Montréal
Travel Joelle Gracia Travel Joelle Gracia

Montréal

I find train travel in Canada to be user friendly and convenient. I arrived to Montréal from Toronto by VIA Rail, about a 5 hour ride. The journey was comfortable and if you don’t have a car, the train is a nice option. Rue St. Catherine was where I landed in Montréal. The neighborhood…

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Toronto
Travel, Canada Joelle Gracia Travel, Canada Joelle Gracia

Toronto

First visit to Toronto and in just a matter of hours, I was asking myself why did it take me so long to come here? The people are friendly, the city is attractive and easy to get around, and with so many cultures and nationalities present, it is a true foodie’s paradise!

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Sarlat & Castles of the Dordogne
Travel, France Joelle Gracia Travel, France Joelle Gracia

Sarlat & Castles of the Dordogne

Besides truffles, foie gras, and its beautiful landscape, the Dordogne is also famous for its castles. Several of these castles or chateaux such as Milandes, Beynac, and Castelnaud are located within minutes from one another. On the other hand, keeping in mind that each visit is at least 1.5 to 2 hours with a good walk (hike) to reach the top…

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A Day in Bergerac
Travel, France Joelle Gracia Travel, France Joelle Gracia

A Day in Bergerac

After my stay in Bordeaux, I then made my way to beautiful Bergerac, a small town located in southwest, France about one hour and half from Bordeaux City. Besides the vineyards and wines, Bergerac is known for its old town (vieille ville) with medieval streets and half-timbered buildings. The Saturday market is a highlight…

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Spa Day in Bordeaux
Travel, France Joelle Gracia Travel, France Joelle Gracia

Spa Day in Bordeaux

Just twenty-five minutes from Bordeaux’s city center, a unique and unforgettable spa experience awaits you. It’s called Les Sources de Caudalie. It is a spa located at the vineyards of Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, in the famous Pessac-Léognan appellation. The atmosphere is rustic and is surrounded by beauty, luxury fragrances, and…

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