Amsterdam Unveiled: A tapestry of Canals, Culture and Charm

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is a vibrant and multifaceted destination that seamlessly blends rich history, stunning architecture, captivating art, and unique geography. This eclectic city has a story to tell at every turn, making it a must-visit location for travelers seeking a blend of history, culture, and beauty.  My husband and I…

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Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Wales

Nestled in the western part of the United Kingdom, Wales is a land of rugged coastlines, lush valleys, and historic charm. Steeped in rich history and culture, this small but captivating country offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of traveler.  From exploring medieval castles to trekking through breathtaking landscapes, Wales promises a…

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Exploring the Enchanting Charms of Lisbon, Portugal

Nestled along the banks of the Tagus River, Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, is a city that blends centuries-old history with a vibrant modern atmosphere.  With its colorful streets, stunning viewpoints, rich culture, and lovely locals, Lisbon is a destination that captures the hearts of travelers from around the world. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie,…

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Leo’s Top Restaurants for 2023

As you know being a foodie, wherever I go, I try to eat in at least two great restaurants in town.  Here are my top 11 choices of restaurants from the past year.  Each of the restaurants was able to create a great evening and experience for me.  Do keep in mind that I don’t…

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Haussmann Architecture: The Other Revolution of Paris

In the middle of the 19th century, the last King of France, Emperor Napoleon III (great-nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte) won the first direct presidential elections ever held in France with an overwhelming 74.2 percent of the votes cast, becoming the first President of France too.  One of his first acts was to appoint a somewhat…

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Arles, City of Art and History

Arles is geographically the largest city in France spacing a whopping 758 km.  It is nestled on the Rhone River between Nimes and Aix-en-Provence, just north of the Camargue region of Southern France.  It is also famous for being the home of Vincent Van Gogh during part of his life as he was obsessed with…

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Malta, The Vibrant Island Nation

In December, we had the pleasure of visiting friends who now live in Malta, the smallest country in the European Union.  Malta has a grand population of 515,000 Maltese, with 20% being non-Maltese Nationals.  One you have visited the island nation you can easily see why – the islands are some of the most beautiful places…

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The Leo List of Restaurants for 2021

I was organizing a dinner for a client recently in Montreal, Canada, and I was shocked when I started calling restaurants to see about availability only to find out that so many of them have closed, permanently.  Yes, it’s been and continues to be a very tough times for restaurants.  The pandemic has wreaked havoc…

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La Rochelle, A French Port with a Canadian Connection

I remember hearing about the La Rochelle in history class.  The French port where many began the migration to Canada.  Numerous ships left for the new world both before and after the establishment of Canada, which included my ancestors who originated from La Tessonnière & Saint-Loup Lamairé and left for Canada in 1659. La Rochelle…

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Les Toiles du Soleil, A Catalan Tradition

The southern part of France and the northeast part of Spain is home to a group of people known as Catalans.  An estimated 8 million Catalans live in this region which includes places like Valencia, the Balearic Islands, eastern Aragon, Barcelona, Andorra, Roussillon (modern day Perpignan), and the city of Alghero in Sardinia.  While the Catalan language may seem similar to…

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