Hotel La Pérouse - A place where freedom reigns for Stylish Vagabonds with views of the Baie Des Anges

Hotel La Pérouse is luxurious and hip with everything a Wandering Vagabond needs. 

The Travel Web Site Frommer's describes this boutique hotel as follows:

"Once a prison, Hotel La Pérouse has been reconstructed into a spectacular and unique Riviera hotel. Set on a cliff, it’s built right in the gardens of the ancient Château Hill, with a secluded swimming pool almost carved out of the rock to the rear. No hotel aside from the adjoining (and slightly less expensive) Hotel Suisse affords a better view over both the old city and the Baie des Anges. Inside it resembles an old Provençal home, with low ceilings, white walls, and antique furnishings. The lovely, spacious rooms are beautifully furnished, often with Provençal fabrics. Most have balconies overlooking the bay. Guests who book directly online also receive a complimentary breakfast." - Frommer's

According to their website, after extensive renovations top to bottom, La Perouse is reopening in May 2023. So, you will enjoy great rooms, great beds, and great views. Make sure you reserve one of its sixty rooms with a balcony. We spent many romantic moments just enjoying the sun, the breeze, the view, and each other in this beautiful intimate hotel. 

As any follower of this Travel Blog knows - The Nomad Architect is always concerned about design and price. The design of this place is magnificent. The price is not cheap. However, compared to hotels in Paris and other areas of France its prices go from reasonable to ridiculous. And they always have deals. If you go in early April or late October, you'll get the lowest prices and still decent weather. So check out this luxurious hotel on the Bay of Angels. The views from this hotel are some of the best in all of Europe. And, in my opinion, it will be worth every penny!

"The French Riviera - A sunny place for shady people" - Anonymous

Yes, it's true. if you venture to the amazing country of France, visiting the Riviera is an absolute must and the Hotel La Perouse is the perfect place to watch the world at play and the ocean with the one you love.

délecter as you go

D.L.Stafford

thenomadarchitect

And to send you to the land of great food, great people, and great romance, take a listen to a classic in French. If you've been listening to all those French websites or an old CD to teach you how to speak the language, this little ditty will help you prepare for the perfect vagabond venture to la Côte d’Azur.

je dois aimer la Côte d’Azur - Gotta love that French Riviera!

ASHEVILLE AND AMERICA'S LARGEST HOUSE - A TRUE BUCKET LIST TRIP

 It's BIG - BIG - and MORE BIG. 

At 178,926 square feet, including 135,280 Living Space, the Biltmore Mansion is the largest privately owned residence in the United States. It was built for George Washington Vanderbilt from 1889 - 1895 and is still owned by descendants of George Washington Vanderbilt. It is one of the most prominent examples of Gilded Age mansions. This amazing estate shows what uber-wealthy people could do with their money. The Vanderbilt family was the wealthiest family in America when this lavish mansion was built. The entire estate where this magnificent house stands is 10.86 square miles. 

Some interesting facts about the building of this place - A six-mile rail line was built from the main station in Asheville to the grounds of the estate. The rail line was completely demolished and removed after construction was completed. In addition, over a thousand craftsmen and workers lived in tents on the expansive front lawn during the six years required for construction. If you want to see the house in more detail, read some of the extensive history, or purchase tickets, just click the link above.

When Is the Best Time to Go

Well. There really is not a bad time to visit the Biltmore. We went right after Christmas, and it was truly stunning in its decorated glory. Asheville has many hotel choices from very expensive to relatively cheap. If you have some extra cash or a big credit limit and want to impress your wife or significant other, try the Inn on the Biltmore Estate. This pleasure palace has it all - great rooms, a spa, great restaurants, everything. You can even throw in some horseback riding or fly fishing. Priced from $369 for a nice Deluxe Room all the way to an Estate Suite for a paltry $1,580. If you want to be close to The Estate for a little less money try The Village Hotel. It starts at $270 for a Standard King or you can have more room to spread out in a Village Studio King Suite for a mere $390. 

However, if you are familiar at all with this 

travel blog, you know that The Nomad Architect is all about great design and reasonable prices. We stayed in a very cool, small boutique hotel only a few minutes drive from the estate. Right downtown, with great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and near great restaurants, the Hotel Indigo is a great, inexpensive place to lay your weary vagabond head after a full day of walking and enjoying the estate. For a nice Queen Room - $148, a really nice Leisure King - $157, or a King Bed Suite - $178. The reviews are 4.5 out of 5.0. Excellent place with great service. Make sure you get a high room to enjoy the views.

So, just what can you do in and around the largest family home in the US?

We were there four days in late December, so we concentrated on the house and its spaces. As an architect, I was utterly amazed at the beauty, construction details, and spaces of this magnificent structure. The grounds are also impressive as well. We are planning to go back in the Spring to see the flowers, landscaping, and the grounds. To assist all of my Vagabond friends in planning your trip, the following link is an excellent list of how to enjoy Biltmore House and The Estate: What To Do at The Biltmore House

Delicious Food is Everywhere in this Small Romantic City

There are so many restaurants at the estate and in and around Asheville - Selecting places to eat will take some time. The staff at the Hotel Indigo were most helpful in this regard.

Here is a small list of places where we enjoyed excellent culinary delights:

On The Cheap

Pack's Tavern - This is a must. Great food. Great Service. Great Atmosphere. Depending on your mood you can get some great pizza or an Angus Ribeye and everything in between. And the prices won't tug at your wallet very much.

Juicy Lucy's Burger Bar & Grill - Perfect for a pretty cheap lunch. Burgers, Pizza, Chocolate Shakes. This is a casual place with excellent service and great prices.

Up A Bit

Chestnut - Shrimp & Grits Oh My! Or - A little Lobster Bisque, made from scratch, for a starter. And if you really want to spend some dough - Order the Braised Lamb Shank. This place is perfect for a very pleasant romantic evening dinner. Plus - They have a killer Brunch.

Tupelo Honey Cafe - Nothing like real, honest-to-goodness Southern Cooking. Tupelo Honey has it all - biscuits, bone-in fried chicken, big salads, sandwiches, or a bistro filet cooked to perfection. It's in Downtown Asheville with outstanding service. The prices are reasonable as well.

The Stable Cafe - Biltmore - This medium-priced restaurant is located in the former Estate's Horse Stable. It features Appalachian Comfort Food. Prices are reasonable and it is a casual dining place that welcomes kids. 

High End Required - An Absolute Must!

Great Hall Bar at The Omni -  

This elegant bar with the most comfortable chairs you will ever sit in is about thirty minutes from The Biltmore House and only ten minutes from the Hotel Indigo. This place has old-world charm, great wine, and great service. Perfect for a late afternoon stop before dinner. We so enjoyed sitting in front of the roaring fireplace as we sipped some outstanding expensive wine.

Sunset Terrace at The Omni Grove Park Inn - It's worth the drive to enjoy some Duck Marsala, Spiced Pacific Sea Bass or a perfectly prepared Filet Mignon. The place ain't cheap but it's worth every penny. Make sure you sit on the Terrace to enjoy the views. Since it was December and pretty chilly, we didn't eat on the Terrace. But we will when we go back to Asheville in the Spring. THe views are incredible.

Just For Nibbles

Well Bred Bakery - Perfect place to pick up some early morning or late-night snacks.

The Bake Shop at The Biltmore - A very nice bakery with all the goodies. And it's remarkably close to The Biltmore House. Enjoy!

Other Places to Enjoy a Nice Glass and Relax

Wine Bar at The Winery - Just sit and relax at the Indoor/Outdoor Wine Bar after a long day or midday stroll around the estate. Their wine is topflight always. And it's reasonably priced.

Biltmore Wine Shop - If you want to pick up some delicious wine to take home then the Biltmore Wine Shop is the place. They have reasonable and ridiculous prices on wine. It's located in Biltmore Village just a few minutes from the Estate. And there is delicious food nearby.

And for Serious Shopper

If you or anyone in your party is a shopaholic - this is the place to go. Literally a few minutes from the Biltmore Estate and billed as Asheville's Premier Shopping District -  Historic Biltmore Village. It has numerous small shops, restaurants, and some chain hotels. So, check it out, have a little lunch, and pick up a few mementos.

Just to give all Vagabonds a premier of this amazing House and Estate, enjoy a short video showing how the one percent lived in the late 1800s. I hope you put this paradise on your Bucket List and then go see all of it. You won't regret it, I promise. 

So put this adventure on your Vagabond Bucket List and get there soon. I recommend a minium of four days to see most of the House and the Estate.

Juste Aller!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

And to give you road-weary Vagabonds a really cool ditty by one of the greatest Texas artists to ever pick up a guitar and deliver a tune - Robert Earl King from Paste Studios singing RIDE.

VENICE - LIFE & LOVE FOR EVERY VAGABOND TO ENRICH THEIR EYES AND THEIR SOUL

The beauty, the art, the architecture, the water, the lagoons, the bridges, the gondolas, and the popolo - The ancient city of Venice, built March 25, 0421, shows all Vagabonds the passion, romance, and joy of life and love.

"To build a city where it is impossible to build a city is madness in itself, but to build there one of the most elegant and grandest of cities is the madness of genius." - Alexander Herzen

Take everything you have ever heard or read about Venice and multiply it by your telephone number and you'll be close to the amazing, insanely gorgeous, ancient city of Venice Italy. It will mesmerize you. It will make you laugh and cry. The vibe of this place is unfiltered. The colors are never beige. They are red, yellow, purple, green, and on and on. You will see magnificent buildings that appear to have been scrubbed by wind, rain, and sunshine - old but always new. Here are some thoughts on our trip to this place of beauty and romance:

After spending two nights in the boutique Hotel Eremo Gaudio in Varenna, we found out that a train strike was coming, so we cut our stay one night. We checked out and went to the train station. As we were sitting on a bench waiting for our train to arrive, I heard this group of young girls talking with distinctly American accents. I walked over to them and asked where they were from. Small world indeed - They were all students from Florida State University, the school from which I graduated in my hometown on summer vacation. We had a short little chat as they told us where all they were going.  I have said many times, young people should travel to Europe. It changes your thinking about the world. And it changes your mind about yourself. 

As we boarded and settled into our first-class seats for a few dollars more, we were excited about seeing the grand city of Venice. Train travel in Italy, in my humble opinion, is simply the best in Europe. It's not very expensive, the trains are immaculate and the seats are very comfortable. Plus, they provide service for snacks you can purchase on the train. A little over three hours later we arrived at Saint Lucia Station just outside of Venice. We took a vaparetto (a waterbus) and were dropped close to our small boutique Hotel Flora and walked a few minutes to check-in. One side note - Currently, prices for high-quality hotels in Venice have gone up. However, they are worth every penny. In addition, Venice has many hotels for lower prices.

Our first night in the very hip Hotel Flora was interesting. We joke all the time about that first night. We slept in the smallest hotel room we've ever slept in with each of us in a single bed on opposite ends of the room. LOL! However, the next morning, as we were enjoying our breakfast in the lush courtyard, the concierge informed us that he had moved our luggage to a much better room. All was good, as we enjoyed this small hotel and the sites, sounds, and cibo in this amazing 1,600-year-old magical place. 

Cibo Indeed

As the world knows, Italian food is simply the best food to enjoy with family and friends. The Italians are the original purveyors of the romantic and passionate enjoyment of great victuals. Here are a few quotes from well-informed diners:

" Life is a combination of magic and pasta." Federico Fellini - Italian Film Maker

"The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again." George Miller - Australian Film Maker

"There's nothing more romantic than Italian food." Elisha Cuthbert - Canadian Actress

"In Italy, they add work and life onto their food and wine." Robin Leach - Entertainment Reporter 

All of the food we had in Italy was simply delicioso, particularly in Venice. At the top of your dining bucket list in this grand city must be one of the most famous restaurants in all of Venice, Italy, and the world - Harry's Bar. To give you some insight into this famous culinary palace, her is a quote from the Travel Web Site Trip Advisor:

This landmark bar in Venice has been around since the 1930s

and has seen the likes of celebrities such as Ernest Hemingway

and Charlie Chaplin. It's known as the birthplace of the Bellini cocktail, so don't miss the chance to try it out, along with their famous carpaccio. The dry martini is also a favorite. With its storied history, it's a good idea to have a chat with the friendly bartenders to learn more.

For dinner, try some delicious Venetian specialties like creamed cod. This spot can get pretty crowded, so it’s best to get there early. – Tripadvisor

And before dinner, it is imperative that you have a Bellini. You will not forget it. You will also enjoy the exceptional service. We were served by two smiling, English-speaking waiters who took care of us in a professional, yet friendly manner. You will enjoy a culinary experience like no other.

Another experience that must be on your bucket list is Opera. Since the Italians basically invented the music of love, romance, death, and intrigue, any opera in Italy will be exemplary. We attended an opera in Venice and it was amazing - The singing, the orchestra, the set, and the story. Unfortunately, I cannot locate my journal for that event, so all I can say is - Find an opera and go! It is mesmerizing.

That is just a short summary of some of the things we enjoyed in this grand city of history, art, architecture, and love. I will be posting more adventures we enjoyed in and around Venice. 

A Presto

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

To get you in the mood for Italy - Enjoy the power and passion of one of the greatest operatic tenors in history - Luciano Pavarotti performing "Nessun dorma" from Turandot.

DALI - IN HIS OWN TIME - IN HIS OWN PLACE & EVERYWHERE ELSE

 SALVADOR DALI CHANGED EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD OF ART

Salvador Dali, born May 1904, is one of the most innovative, provocative artist to ever paint a canvas or weld a sculpture. His name at birth was actually Salvador Dimingo Felip Jacinto Dali Domenech. To say he was a surrealist would be a preposterous understatement. His work is considered by most art critics to be the most striking art of the surrealist movement with amazing technical skill and bizarre images.

And, during our three-week trip to the beautiful and art filled country of Spain, our kids joined us for a week of laughter, great food and amazing sightseeing. While in Barcelona, we saw many architectural wonders and great art in this beautiful city.

And of course - the food. Tapas is the only way to enjoy delicioso chow in this art filled country. 

One morning, we all piled in the car and drove the roughly two hours to see the Dali Musem Theatre and the Dali House - Portilligot. With five of us in the car, we had plenty to discuss on the road. LOL!

It's virtually impossible to explain and  

show the diversity and amazing work produced by Dali. You really must be there, in person, to experience all of its vivid, often bizarre colors, angles and other surreal images and physical artworks. One of the most surreal pieces is known as the Rain Car. The vintage car of the forties is always wet inside due to the never-ending rain. Ok. Yes, it's weird, but also provocative. According to the experts, Dali was enamored of his first automobile, a 1941 Cadillac, his entire art filled life.

According to the Dali Universe, a website completely devoted to the history and display of Dali's works online, he first created the Rain Taxi in 1938. Here is a partial quote from 

Dali Universe:

"According to Robert Descharnes, Dalí’s personal secretary, General Motors of America had asked Dalí to create a new model for a car they planned on producing; it would be called Cadillac de Gala. Dalí made a sketch and sent it to the company, he heard nothing back. Much to his surprise, the following year General Motors produced a new model called the Cadillac de Gala.  Dalí, never one to be hoodwinked, demanded $10,000  compensation else he would begin a lawsuit. General Motors sent him a cheque for the same amount the very next day!

Rainy Taxi (1938), Dalí’s famous art installation first premiered at the Galerie Beaux-Arts in Paris, part of the‘ Exposition Internationale du Surréalisme,’ organized by André Breton and Paul Éluard. Two mannequins sit in a taxi which has a water system integrated, so that it appears, bizarrely, to rain inside the car.

The Cadillac that Gala used to drive, which the couple drove from coast to coast during their stay in the United States is now on display at the Museo Teatro at Figueras, it is a replica of the original Rainy Taxi installation."

So - let me encourage all Vagabonds, if you have never been to Spain, just get up and go! In Barcelona you will see one of the greatest architectural achievements of the Spanish Architect Antonio Gaudi, who managed the design and construction of Sagrada Familia from 1882 until his death in 1926. This magnificent church is still not finished. However, visiting this architectural marvel is an amazing venture for any Vagabond. It is projected to be complete in 2026. Then, after enjoying a tour of this edifice head to one of the hundreds of Tapas Restaurant/Bars for some great food. For more blog posts for other places, hotels and sights just enter SPAIN in the GO AHEAD ASK BOX on my Travel Blog thenomadarchitect.

If you can't get to Spain just now, just jump in the car and venture down to Saint Petersburg to see the largest collection of Dali Works in the world, except for his home in Spain. We lived in St. Pete for five years and visited the Dali many times. His work is now displayed in a seriously modern and fantastical museum - The Dali St. Pete. If you want to read my post on this amazing building and collection, then check out - Nomad Architect - Dal

Please accept my regalo to all my Vagabonds, Wanderers, Travelers, Lovers and Friends for this soon coming Spring to enjoy life and go somewhere.

Gracias

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

And just to get you in the mood here is a very cool little ditty from the great Texas Troubadour Lyle Lovett and His Large Band - That's Right You're No from Texas!

‘The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.’ – Christopher Columbus

SPRING'S COMIN' SOON - SO NOW WHAT?

Well - we haven't been ANYWHERE for Quite a While!

Here we are, 2/22/22 - Remember the insanity that started in 2020? Here is a partial quote from Yale Medicine concerning the actual, official date COVID cast its evil spell on the world: 

On March 11, 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2, a pandemic. The announcement followed a rising sense of alarm in the preceding months over a new, potentially lethal virus that was swiftly spreading around the world. A year later, we look back on one of the most challenging periods in recent memory.

The warnings continued into 2021. And the warnings are still around now, coming out of 2022. Of course, we all know people - friends, relatives, and others that felt the sting of this malady. The rumor mill from many institutions and media outlets that we trusted gave us bad information as well. The reality is, in relation to travelers and vagabonds everywhere, countries all over the world went into lockdowns. Therefore, travel plans got cancelled and many of us just sat at home and watched TV and played Monopoly.

SO NOW WHAT?

According to some "experts", we still should never leave our homes. Well, I'm here to say - Get out your maps, your laptop and plan, plan, plan. And now that the travel bug is biting us all again, you must plan smart to avoid paying too much for what was, pre-2020, just a nice place for a reasonable price.

THAT'S WHY THE NOMAD ARCHITECT IS HERE

From many hours of research on travel places all over the world I am going to offer some suggestions on how to get where you want to go without breaking the bank. In addition, I have travelled to some of the most beautiful, romantic and poetic places on earth with the greatest travel companion on earth - my bride of almost fifty years. And, as I always say - NOTHING IS TOO GOOD FOR MY PEOPLE! So, let's take a look at what, when, where and how to plan the trip of a lifetime or just another romantic week in the old country.

IMHO - The most expensive places to travel to may be in the good ole USA. Anything on the West Coast - from Southern California to Seattle or Hawaii will drain your bank account. And the big cities like New York, Chicago or LA are always in the upper range for travelers. However, if you do some research, you can find places that will please you and not blow your credit limit with AMEX or Capital One. However, generally they will not have all of the amenities that the $650 a night places have. 

So, how do you Find Cool Boutiques for reasonable prices? First - I will concentrate on Italy. Italy should be at the top of every vagabond's Bucket List. It is truly an amazing country - the food, the wine, the architecture, the art, the history and the people. Perfetto! And it is one of the most economical places to enjoy travel.

WHEN TO GO AND HOW TO TRAVEL

That is a question all travelers ask. And it's not a simple question to answer - weather, crowds, prices, distances, how to get around, etc., etc., etc..  My recommendation is to not go anywhere in June, July or early August, particularly in Europe. If you go from June to early August, you will, generally, pay more and it will always be crowded in most places in Europe. My experiences in Italy and Spain in early to mid-Spring were perfect - small crowds, decent prices and good weather. France was also close to perfect in late September. 

Train travel in Italy is the best way to get around. Spain and France also have decent train travel.  Here's a little trivia for you - The first wine was made in Italy around 1,000 BC. How's that for a little history? In some places you may have to rent a car. If you plan your trip early enough, you will be able to take advantage of early deals most rental companies offer.

FINDING PLACES TO LAY YOUR WEARY HEADS

OK - You've been walking all day to see the sites. You've traversed numerous stairs and rocky paths to see the beauty of Lake Como and the great architecture aligning its shores. Or you've wandered around in the Galleria d'ell Accademia in Florence for a couple of hours and spent at least thirty minutes staring at Michelangelo's marble Statue of David. Bottom line - You need a nice bed to lay your weary head. Also, most boutique hotels in Europe have large walk-in showers and balconies, terraces, or courtyards to enjoy relaxing outside. Here are some of the best Travel Sites to find, price and reserve hotels that meet your budget with the amenities you desire.

I-ESCAPE - I have used this hotel website for years to find some of the most amazing small, elite hotels for pennies on the dollar compared to others. In Matera, Basilicata in Southern Puglia, one of the new hot places for wandering vagabonds in Italy, you can rent a very cool place to lay your heads from a Standard Classic for $105 to an amenity filled suite, including a huge hot tub with a nice terrace just outside, for $232 - L'Hotel in Pietra. It's an easy three hours by car from the Amalfi Coast, which you simply must see to believe. I-Escape has countless other hotels, mostly small boutiques, with great prices. And, you should always check the hotel's own website to ensure the best deal.

AIRBNB - I am a huge fan of this service for finding great houses, apartments, unique environs and even hotels. Generally, they are inexpensive, and you get very personal service from owners. We've stayed at many AIRBNB's where the owner checked us in and showed us bowls of fruit, cheese and bread, a nice bottle of wine and then sat down and showed us all the places he recommended that we see while there.

TABLET HOTELS - This site prides itself on showing the very best hotels. They tend to be a little higher in cost. However, you can also find outstanding boutique hotels under $200.

HOTELS - On this site, like the others listed, you can find hotels for under $100 a night. It's also a very user-friendly site with simple links to find what you're looking for.

TRIP ADVISOR - I must list this web site since it is the world's largest travel site with everything from very cheap hotels to ridiculous. In addition, it lists places to see and things to do. It also has excellent reviews of all the hotels and places to see, and it has easy to use links to find hotels with all the amenities you desire.

It is my hope that the above Travel Sites will help you plan your trip, find cool places to stay close to all the sites you want to see. I must admit, I have a preference for European Countries. If you go at the right times, generally early to late spring or late August into September, you will find airfare to be fairly inexpensive and hotels, food and places to visit not very pricey. You will also not have to wait to see those places because of large crowds. We have visited Italy, Spain, England and France. We adored all those countries. And don't believe any American that tells you how rude the French are. We found the people in Paris, Provence and other places in the la campagne to be welcoming and delightful. As the great Hollywood Actress of the forties, Audrey Hepburn said - "Paris is always a good idea"!

What to Read

I have read so many travel books - my list is way too long and varied. However, I highly recommend any book by the American Traveler and writer, Rick Steves with the TV Program RICK STEVES' EUROPE. And, if you are planning a trip to France, you must read the best-selling memoir about a couple who purchased and renovated a house in Provence - A Year In Provence. There is also a great website with that link. You will laugh and cry as you enjoy this trip through living in one of the most historic and beautiful places on earth. You can find thousands of books with reviews for specific places you are planning to venture to with your favorite travel partner, kids or friends.

Here are some quotes that I hope will inspire you to JUST GO!

1. The joy of discovery is the single most important thing in life. Don't forget it. - The Common Wanderer

2. Better an Oops than a Whatif. - Beau Taplin

3. If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home. - James A Michener

4. Once the travel bug bites there is no antidote, and I know I shall be happily infected until the end of my life. - Michael Palin

5. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost

6. I have found out there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. - Mark Twain you, make you smile, maybe make you see something that will literally blow your mind

So, there you have it my fellow Vagabonds. So get out your laptop and your notebook and start planning your next adventure. I can tell you from personal experience - travel is one of those things that will enlighten you as you walk through an ancient city, or ride a train in a comfortable seat to see a world you have never seen before. And for you old souls, travel will bring back memories of past treks far and wide.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius

And here is a little road tune for you to play while planning the trip of a lifetime!

What A Wonderful World

2023 - NO LANGUISHING ALLOWED - TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR WORLD

 IT'S STILL CHILLY HERE IN GOD'S COUNTRY - BUT SPRING IS COMING!

OK. I was remiss all of 2022. Busy, Covid, Excuses, Blah Blah Blah. I have posted nary a travel post in over a year. The first week of this year I was recovering from the Love and Power of Christmas. I was sitting in the recliner watching reruns and being utterly worthless. My significant other, my one and only, my lover, my wife, and my best friend found an article on LANGUISHING. I am paraphrasing as to what the commentary actually said but basically, it said the following:

You are lying on the couch or sitting lifeless in the recliner - you are napping on and off all day - you have no desire to actually do anything - you think you may be despondent or depressed - but you are not. You are Languishing. According to Adam Grant of The New York Times, this long word means "A sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you’re muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield." The word has been used in mental health circles since 2021. But it can come upon you at unexpected times - like right after Christmas and New Years.

I made up my mind - I WILL LANGUISH NO MORE - I will write, I will work and I will listen to great music and plan our next trip to places known and unknown. 

To get you thinking about Travel, I thought I would share some random thoughts from mild humor to insane dreaming. Great travel thoughts by famous and not so famous travelers who think travel, at the very least, is a requirement for an interesting, thought-provoking, and searching mind.

So here goes - Quotes from Afar!!

• “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
• “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” – Susan Heller
• “Vacation calories don’t count. Right?” – Unknown
• “I need six months of vacation, twice a year.” – Unknown

• “The most stylish country in the world is Italy.” – Nick Rhodes

• “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide
• “France is to me the heroine in the romance of all the nations of all time.” — Lt. William Arthur Sirmon
• "The most beautiful thing in the world is, of course, the world itself.” – Wallace Stevens
• “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

• “In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine.” – Robin Leach

• “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
• "Paris is always a good idea" - Audrey Hepburn
• “The Creator made Italy from designs by Michelangelo.” – Mark Twain

• "France is the most civilized country in the world and doesn’t care who knows it.” — John Gunther

• “You may have the universe if I may have Italy” – Giuseppe Verdi

• "America is not just a country, it's an idea." - Bono

• “Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.” – Lovelle Drachman
• ‘If I ever get lost, don’t look for me too far. I’ll be walking in Madrid.’ – Unknown
• “In Paris, they simply stared when I spoke to them in French, I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their language.” — Mark Twain
• “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
• “Life is short and the world is wide.” – Unknown
• “France is beautiful. I stood at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower today and looked up at it. There are very few times in my life I’ve felt so small.” — Leisa Rayven
• ‘The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.’ – Christopher Columbus
• Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "Never go on trips with someone you do not love" - Ernest Hemingway

• “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” — Charles de Gaulle

And finally a profound quote for all Vagabonds who just can't wait.

“Please understand, I have been waiting to leave ever since I figured out that there were roads willing to take me anywhere I wanted to go.” - Unknown

So, get up, make a plan and just GO!!! You always learn new things when you travel. And, if you become a true wandering Vagabond, you will stay in amazing cool places, you will meet some of the most interesting people and you will enjoy some of the greatest food on the planet, no matter where you decide to go.

Enjoy, Jouir, Godere, Disfrutar, Mwynhau

In any language, just travel and ENJOY the world - It's still big enough to see what you dream!

D.LStafford 
thenomadARCHITECT

Here's a little ditty, written by the Man in Black, performed by The Sunny Cowgirls.

I've Been Everywhere

HALLELUJAH! IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY - WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST & ENJOY THE LOVE OF THIS SPECIAL DAY

TO ALL VAGABONDS CELEBRATING THIS DAY -  MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Here we are - It's finally Christmas Day. Like all Vagabonds, I have memory after memory of Christmas from my growing up days to my kids' growing up days. It's the one time of year when you can just enjoy the stress and the joy of December. The gifts, the tree, the decorating - All fun! And the cooking. I've said it many many times - Without the women in our lives, it just wouldn't be worth it, and we would never have any good food to eat! But that's a story for another post on TNA. I fervently wish everyone who has listened to the music and read some of the stories on the 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - A VERY VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Here is a great tune to celebrate this day - NO. 1 on THE 2022 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - ANNE WILSON & JOSH TURNER - THE MANGER.

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IMHO - The greatest piece of music ever written is from the classical work Messiah by George Fredric Handel in 1741 - THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS. Here The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS with over 2,000 people from around the world virtually singing from videos uploaded to YouTube. Watch and hear the amazing sound of this classic piece of music by one of the largest virtual choirs ever assembled.

Enjoy your day with family and friends. And a Very Merry Christmas to all Vagabonds everywhere.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

“For to us, a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9-6