Top Ten Favorites at the Uffizi Gallery in Spectacular Florence
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
2w ago
Last updated on March 13th, 2024 at 08:01 pm The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is an Artsy Traveler must-see, particularly for artsy travelers who love Renaissance art. I’ve visited Florence six times over the past thirty years, and on most visits, I take the time to visit the Uffizi Gallery. Few artsy traveler pursuits equal the joy of wandering blissfully through rooms full of many of western Europe’s most iconic masterpieces. In this post, I highlight ten of my favorite pieces in the Uffizi Gallery, based on my most recent visit in November 2023. When to Visit The very best time to visit ..read more
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Exploring Fascinating Madrid–Europe’s Best-Kept Secret for the Artsy Traveler
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
5M ago
In October of 2023, I spent two weeks in Madrid (minus a three-day excursion to Ávila and Cáceres at the end of week one) and fell hopelessly in love. Madrid is, quite simply, one of Europe’s easiest cities to visit and enjoy. In this post, I chronicle my day-to-day activities during our two-week stay. From sightseeing to strolling to eating to just chilling out in the many parks–Madrid is the place to hang out if you’re looking for a city that feels more like a cheerfully crowded village. Before I launch into my celebration of Madrid, I’ll say a word about expectations. Gregg and I visit ..read more
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Let’s Go to Lascaux IV in the Stunning Dordogne
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
5M ago
A visit to Lascaux IV in the Dordogne region of France is a must for the artsy traveler. Here you will view the incredible paintings done by our artistically-inclined ancestors over 30,000 years ago (give or take a few centuries). The size, breadth, and sheer beauty of the paintings definitely will take your breath away. In this post, I’m sharing my experience at Lascaux IV near the charming town of Montignac in the Dordogne region of France in October 2023. Contents Some Background Lascaux II Lascaux III and IV Preparing for Our Visit to Lascaux IV Touring Lascaux IV Starting Outsid ..read more
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Savoring Life in Pont-Aven—The City of Artists
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
6M ago
We’ve come to beautiful little Pont Aven in southern Brittany for six days. The work done by painters of the Pont Aven School, most notably Paul Gauguin, Emile Bernard and Paul Sérusier, has long intrigued my husband Gregg Simpson. These artists—plus many, many more over the past century—have found the light and landscape of this corner of Brittany inspiring. Gregg wants to find out if inspiration will also hit him. (Spoiler alert: it does!). I’m toying with an idea for a character who comes from a provincial French town and makes her way to Paris during the Belle Epoque. Why not have her ..read more
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Six Sensational Days in Paris for an Artsy Traveler
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
6M ago
This post presents a day-by-day account of six days I spent in Paris in September 2023. During our stay, my husband Gregg Simpson mounted an exhibition of his paintings at a small ‘pop-up’ gallery on the Left Bank. While he sat the gallery, I visited my favorite museums and took a cooking class. Overview I’ve visited Paris many times in my life, starting with my first visit at the age of 14 with my mom. I didn’t much like Paris then, nor was I much entranced during the next trip when I was about 20 in 1976. In those days, people were not friendly, men were constantly cat calling, and the whole ..read more
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Musèe d’Orsay in Paris: A Sensational Treat for the Artsy Traveler
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
6M ago
I don’t think I’ve ever not visited the Musèe d’Orsay on any of my many trips to Paris over the years. The museum never disappoints, no matter how many times I’ve walked through the grand hall on the main floor and rode the escalators to view the outstanding collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art on the 5th floor. The Musèe d’Orsay is more than a must-see for me. It’s akin to a pilgrimage! It certainly ranks as one of my all time favorite European museums. In this post, I share my favorite pieces at the Musèe d’Orsay. If you’re visiting during tourist season, make sure you ..read more
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Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam: Best Bets for the Artsy Traveler
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
6M ago
I first visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam in 1970 and remember it as a gloomy, rather dingy place. The famous Night Watch by Rembrandt was so dark as to be virtually invisible, and I don’t recall seeing any of the amazing objets d’art, from porcelain violins to full-size doll houses, that we saw on my most recent visit. On my trip to Amsterdam in September 2023, the newly renovated Rijksmuseum is a total delight. It’s even more amazing than the Van Gogh Museum, although I suppose it’s not fair to compare! But the main thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need considerably more time to ..read more
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Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam: Best Bets for the Artsy Traveler
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
6M ago
I remember the first time I saw the Van Gogh Museum, almost 50 years ago. Compared to the gingerbread façade of its neighbor, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum is sleek and modern, and when I first saw it in 1974, it was fringed with massively tall sunflowers. I burst out laughing. How appropriate! On my latest trip to Amsterdam in September 2023, I didn’t see the sunflowers, but the sleek, modern building remains and still houses the world’s most extensive and lovingly presented collection of work by the Netherlands’s fave artist–Vincent van Gogh. During his lifetime, he didn’t get much ..read more
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Spending an Amazing Day at Proyecto Asis Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
7M ago
I highly, highly recommend spending a day at a wildlife refuge while traveling in Costa Rica. Just make sure you do your research and find a reputable one that places the animals’ best interests far above those of tourists. We did quite a bit of searching online before selecting Proyecto Asis for our wildlife refuge day. Its numerous five-star reviews and assurances that it existed for the benefit of the animals in its care convinced us. A non-profit organization, Proyecto Asis provides a secure home to orphaned, abandoned, injured or otherwise neglected animals. Overview of Proyecto Asis ..read more
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Out of this World Scenery Sparks Joy on a Maligne Lake Cruise
Artsy Traveler
by carolcram
7M ago
For our full day in Jasper after taking the two-day Rocky Mountaineer rail journey from Vancouver, we decide to take a full-day tour with Maligne Adventures to Maligne Lake that includes a stop at Maligne Canyon and a cruise on Maligne Lake. We are blessed with a beyond-perfect day—a toasty 25/78 degrees, clear blue skies, and spectacular views in every direction. A Maligne Adventures bus picks us up promptly at 9:30 am and we meet our friendly driver and guide Chloe, who is from the UK. She is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who makes sure our tour matches the perfection of the w ..read more
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