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Chateau de Versailles Palace

June 29, 2013 by David Herd

Royal château in Versailles

Chateau de Versailles Palace 

Chateau de Versailles Palace

Chateau de Versailles Palace is a  fabulous destination which made my bucket list as soon as I saw the Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris”. When the Château was built, Versailles was a country village; today, however, it is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 kilometres southwest of the French capital. The court of Versailles was the center of political power in France from 1682. The first building campaign (1664–1668) involved alterations in the Chateau de Versailles and gardens to accommodate the 600 guests invited to a party called Pleasures of the Enchanted Island.Versailles is just a 20-minute train ride away from Paris.

Palace of Versailles

Chateau de Versailles Palace

Chateau de Versailles is a wonderful place to visit for anybody who has a camera. 🙂

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles Palace

Magnificent and breathtaking, the sculptures and pristine buildings and grounds.

Trams to save you walking

Chateau de Versailles Palace

Electric trams will transport you around this vast property.

The Palace grounds

Chateau de Versailles PalaceLife at Versailles was intrinsically determined by position, favour and above all one’s birth. The Chateau was a sprawling cluster of lodgings for which courtiers vied and manipulated. Today, many people see Versailles as unparalleled in its magnificence and splendor; yet few know of the actual living conditions many of Versailles august residents had to endure. Modern historians have, on more than one occasion, compared the palace to a vast apartment block. Apart from the royal family, the majority of the residents were senior members of the household.

Beautiful gardens.

Chateau de Versailles Palace

Chateau de Versailles is a truly an amazing experience, located on the outskirts of Paris.

Can’t recall what this building was

Chateau de Versailles Palace

I’m sure Google will have the answer.

Interesting wall

Chateau de Versailles Palace

I was inspired to visit the palace by the Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris”.

Beautiful gardens

Chateau de Versailles Palace

Can you imagine how many gardeners would be needed to create this masterpiece?

Relaxing on the lake

Chateau de Versailles Palace

What a great way to spend a beautiful sunny day.

An interesting documentary

Downtown Versailles

Chateau de Versailles Palace

The town centre is very clean and there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from. The grounds of the Château de Versailles are magnificent and mind blowing, there is a little train which transports you for around 8 Euros, the is very good value as the grounds are so huge they would be hard to cover on foot. 

 Lamb Shank at Bistrot du Boucher

Chateau de Versailles Palace

 Good Restaurant. The Bistrot du Boucher in the centre of town  provided us with excellent food and a nice friendly atmosphere. Travel tip. It is only a short train ride from the center of Paris, however only the grounds are open to the public on Mondays. When to visit. Like most popular tourist attractions the weekend Château de Versailles Paris can be too crowded, midweek is better. 

David Herd, Bill Austin & Dave Catchpole.

Chateau de Versailles Palace

Here are my two travelling companions from Wiltshire in England, on this trip they unknowingly convinced me it’s far better to travel alone :). 

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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

Chateau de Versailles   Thanks for visiting my blog on Versailles, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed being here. Please send the link to your friends https://fivestarvagabond.com/  

 

Click here to see one of my posts on Singapore.

 

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Bruges beautiful Belgium city

June 28, 2013 by David Herd

Bruges is really worth a visit.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city, in fact I knew very little of this great place until I saw the 2008 movie called “In Bruges” with Colin Farrell, then I knew I just had to visit, I had the same feeling about Versailles after seeing the Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris,” so actually this European trip was planned around both those fascinating destinations. I was not disappointed the city is quite special, expensive but really special.  😆

Bruges waterfront homes.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Definitely a city that should be on your bucket list.

Without a doubt AGODA is the best online Hotel booking site.

Belgium Chocolates, yum!

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Now we all know how famous Belgium is for its chocolates however I am willing to bet you don’t always get a warm smile from a lady when you give her some of these.

Coffee in the sunshine

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Here are my two English friends Bill Austin & Dave Catchpole not looking too happy, maybe it was something they ate.  🙄

In fact they were grumpy most of the trip which caused us to split up once we got back to Brighton on the south coast of England.

Outdoor Cafe in Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

I have no hesitation in recommending this beautiful place for you to visit,  remember to book your hotel before arriving. Check the weather forecast as well, it is so much nicer walking around the village taking photos with a beautiful blue sky.

Thai Festival

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

What a coincidence, I’m living in Thailand & here when I visit Bruge there is a Thai festival happening. 🙂

Bruge Plaza

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Interesting sculptures and fountains.

Waterside dining

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

A beautiful sky & French food by the water, what more could you want?

Nice restaurant

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

So many restaurants & such little time. 🙂

Wonderful terrine

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Always on my list in Belgium or France.

Cruise the canals

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

One of the popular canal tours.

Or take a horse & buggy if you prefer

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Personally I prefer to walk the city.

Wander along the cobblestone streets.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Lots of shops & restaurants to keep you busy.

The Park hotel is in a perfect location across the road from the above square.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

There are many good restaurants and bars to choose from, however if I visit again it will be during the week as the weekends are so busy in summer most of the hotels are full. We paid 200 Euros for room at the Park Hotel with 4 single beds. For a good discount on rooms just book through THIS LINK.

Waterfront restaurant.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

An interesting restaurant beside this wonderful tree.

Please click on Google + to help my page ranking.   

Catch fish from your window.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Picture postcard perfect in Bruges beautiful Belgium city.

Red wine & desert.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

As you would expect there are many nice restaurants in Bruges.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruge was a wonderful experience.

Thanks for visiting my Bruges beautiful Belgium city photo blog.

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That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

Thanks for visiting my blog on Bruges, and thanks to the movie “In Bruges” for inspiring me to visit this wonderful city. Please send the link to your friends https://fivestarvagabond.com/

 

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