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Art, Artwork, and Sculptures in Troyes

Troyes, France has more than a whole lot of churches and cathedrals. Art, artwork, and sculptures in Troyes all a huge part of this city as well.

As we made our way walking through town, going from one church to another, we found little pieces of fun throughout this city. Art, artwork, and sculptures seemed to pop up in unexpected places.

Troyes is a commune on the Seine River about 90 miles southeast of Paris. It is also in the Champagne wine region. That’s a good start. It provided to be a good day trip for us when staying in Pocancy.

The Heart of Troyes, a giant stainless steel lace-work structure is the brainchild of a pair of artists. It is literally a giant heart. Michele and Thierry Kayo-Houel designed this delightful piece of art which was produced in a factory in Troyes. They wanted something to symbolize the romantic side of town. Two lovebird statues sit on the bridge just a few feet away.

Seemingly light and airy, it weighs in at two tons. The size alone is amazing at 13 feet wide, 11 feet tall, and 6 feet deep. With a unique lighting trick, it glows red at night, making it appear like a real heart.

We kept walking along the canal toward more art and another statue. Lili Rosa sits on a bench, reading her book. Graceful, she welcomed me to sit by her and follow her gaze toward a rose which was named for her. The Rose of Love is a climbing rose bush found here in Troyes.

I could almost feel her love for this city.

Moving along the canal and crossing a bridge to the Seine, more sculptures delighted us.

The Joyful Bevy, Quai La Fontaine is a set of bronze sculptures by the Belgian artist Tom Frantzen. This group of children are having a great time playing in the river. One boy carries a dolphin under his arm, the duck is ready for a snorkeling adventure, another boy rides an alligator, and the penguin and dogs join in the fun. Art never looked like so much enjoyment.

Once we found these, we found art, artwork, and sculptures in Troyes around every corner…or so it seemed. Troyes is a great city to wander and explore.

Read about other parts of Troyes.

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Where is Your Seat?

You board the airplane for your flight, looking for your seat. As you walk down the aisle, you discover it may be less than ideal.

In fact, it looks like you may have just about the worst seat on the plane. Is it in the back row, stuck by the lavatory, with no window? Does your seat recline? Is this a long flight?

Is the plane full or can you ask to sit somewhere else? If not, you may want to think about where your seat is before you purchase that ticket next time you want to fly.

Here are a few suggestions and things to think about before you book your LAX to CDG flight. After all, 10 hours in the air can feel like several days if you have a terrible seat.

Before you pack your bags, do a thorough check of the plane and its seats. When you are on the airline’s site, see if there is a map of open seats. In addition, check SeatGuru to see what they have to say about specific seats. They will show you where windows are, where the lavatories are located, and which seats may have reduced width.

If you are flying on an airline where you can pick your seat as you reserve your flight, check out the seats in advance. Then, book your flight and book your seat.

Even though you do that, keep in mind things could change. Why? Airlines sometimes need to rearrange seating due to issues we don’t know about. One time we saw a complete row taped off. When we asked, we were told there were some problems with the seat fasteners in that section. That meant 15 people had to be reseated.

If that happens and the airline notifies you when you are at the gate, ask the gate agent what seats are available. There may be something they can do. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Be polite…

Another reason you may lose your seat is if you show up late for your flight. The airline may have already booked someone else into that seat. This is especially true if you did not check in online 24 hours in advance. Moral of the story…check in in advance and arrive early!

Next time you are getting ready to book, think about seats as well as days and times.

Check out more tips about booking seats and flying

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Troyes and its Many Cathedrals

Troyes is a renaissance city in the south part of the Champagne region with many cathedrals. Several things grabbed our attention as we first read about the city and then as we wandered along the streets.

The half-timbered houses are not the typical white with brown timbers. These are multi-colored houses. There was a fire in 1524, which destroyed almost the entire city. When the houses were rebuilt, colors were used on the houses and buildings. It makes for a pretty historic center.

Then there are the cathedrals. Troyes has eleven cathedrals. That’s right…11 cathedrals in one city. We had time to visit five. Each of the Troyes cathedrals is special. Each one has its own special windows and features. I have never seen so much stained glass. I have never seen such a variety of stained-glass windows.

The first Troyes Cathedral was started in the 13th century and completed over 400 years later. You might think this would make for a jumbled mess of design. It doesn’t. It is entirely Gothic throughout. This is considered one of the most beautiful churches in all of Europe.

Walking into the spacious nave, we could only stand and stare. Light engulfed us as it streamed in through more than 1,500 square meters of stained glass. That is over 16,000 square feet. That’s a lot of stained glass.

Some of these windows date back to the 1200s.

There are three huge rose windows, each over 30 feet across. We often see one impressive one. But, three? They were all designed by Martin Chambiges, a renaissance architect. So many colors and light. As I kept looking at one of the windows, I felt like I could be in a kaleidoscope. The colors changed, the shapes jumped out at me, and the light continued to radiate.

Eglise Sainte-Madeleine is probably the oldest church in Troyes. Some say it is the most beautiful.

Construction dates from 1120, being rebuilt around 1200 in a Gothic style. The apse and choir were renovated around 1500 in a more flamboyant Gothic style. The square Renaissance looking tower was added in 1525.

One of the most impressive parts is its famous rood screen. A rood screen is an elevated stone gallery between the nave and the choir. It has room for a choral group or officiating priests. This was originally wooden. Replaced with a stone one, it has the look of lace. And, it did look like lace. It was hard to believe it was stone. Only about a dozen religious buildings in France still have a rood screen.

In addition, the apse’s stained-glass windows are colorful story-telling examples. The Tree of Jesse, The Genesis, and The Pearls of Saint Eloi are some of the best we have seen. Unlike others, the stories presented are easy to follow.

Don’t let the outside fool you into thinking the inside will be plain. Not the case.

The Basilica of Saint Urbain was commissioned by the 13th century Pope Urbain IV, who was born in Troyes. He had it built on the site where his shoemaker father had his workshop.

This one includes stained glass windows from the 13th century and a large amount of historic art.

There are more…you will just have to see them for yourself.

If You Go: Troyes is located about two hours southeast of Paris. Check out other amazing parts of Troyes in Travels and Escapes

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Finding Balance in Life and Travel

The following post about finding balance is from a friend of mine in the publishing and marketing business. It appeared in a recent newsletter of hers. I like it and find it to be helpful in many situations and areas. See what you think.

Would these suggestions help you with finding balance when you travel or when you write about your travels? Think about them…

If you want to read more of hers, check out DocUmeantPublishing.com

Finding Balance

Are you fast becoming overwhelmed? Are the projects you meant to get done being pushed aside by life? If you hope to reach your goals in business, spend your time productively, and be sure not to waste what little time you are given. This brief article will give you four ways to help get each day off to a productive start.

1. Establish Boundaries

We often have a hard time focusing on our work when family needs are pulling us in many different directions. Yes, we should address immediate needs—our child just slammed their fingers in the door—but for smaller things, we will be able to make much greater progress if we learn to set boundaries.

Establishing our boundaries is an age-old challenge. Whether the boundaries are for our personal life or our business, the challenge remains the same. We need to discover, somehow, that perfect balance so that we can remain focused. There is nothing more precious than time, and we have to safeguard our productive time by keeping distractions to a minimum. One way is to let our family know that we need a certain block of time to focus on our writing, or marketing, or whatever needs to be accomplished. It is imperative that we do this in one way or another. A ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign posted on our door is one sure way to remind the family that this is our productive time. Once boundaries are set around our work and the time we’ve designated to be productive, we can turn our focus towards a second challenge we are bound to encounter.

2. Procrastination

This is another major challenge that we all face. While good intentions are all ‘well and good’, the best intentions do nothing to get the job done. If the bad habit of putting things off is the biggest challenge we face, we should consider making a list of the things to accomplish. It can be quite helpful. List items in the order of importance, or perhaps in the order of the length of time it will take for each to be completed, and then work through the list as the day progresses. Check or cross off each item on the TO-DO list as it is accomplished. At the end of the day, the number of checked off items might well show that more has been accomplished than expected! Any items on the list that were not completed should be carried over to the top of the next day’s TO-DO list.

3. Manage social media time

This is harder than it appears. We go online to check our social media sites and post an interesting tidbit or two, and before we know it half the day is gone. Again, set boundaries. Set aside small blocks of time for each social media site. Better yet, invest in a program that helps automate social media posts. This will prevent the wasting of productive time browsing through social media files.

4. Take a break

While consistent efforts to complete TO-DO lists will help keep our business moving in the right direction, some downtime can also be a valuable time management tool. As mentioned in my book, The Complete Library of Entrepreneurial Wisdom, “. . . know when to draw the line.”[1]

Step away and refresh mind, body, and soul. We should get plenty of rest and exercise. This will keep our minds sharp, allowing us to come back to the tasks at hand with a fresh energy and sense of enthusiasm. We might even come up with a new idea on how to grow our business, a direction to take our story, or accomplish a task more easily.

These are just a few of the ways to help develop balance in our business lives. If we go through the day paying attention to setting boundaries, avoiding procrastination, managing social media time, and even taking occasional breaks, we might very well find that we’ve accomplished much more than we ever thought possible.

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Toll Roads in France

Driving in France is not difficult. There are toll roads in France and driving on them can be a little confusing the first time you enter the ticket lanes. No need to worry if you don’t speak French. They have great pictures to guide you. With a little advance education, you can navigate these with ease.

Keep in mind, on most toll roads in France you take a ticket when you enter the highway and pay a toll when you exit.

That’s great. Now to know how to pay, which lane to use, and when to pay with a credit card.

The signs above the toll station will tell you what to do.

If you see a lowercase t, this means you can only pay by telepeage in that lane. You need a transponder and account, similar to our Fast Track in California. If you are visiting…don’t enter this lane. This is an important piece to remember. You don’t want to enter this lane if you are in France on vacation.

The simplest way to pay is to enter a lane with a green downward pointing arrow. In some cases, there will be a Euro sign. This means you can pay with Euros, either coins or bills. Once you enter the lane, insert your toll ticket in the slot marked ticket. The amount due will be displayed. You may add coins or bills until the amount is paid. The barrier will then rise.

If you want a receipt, push the Recu button.

If you have a problem, press the Assistance intercom button. Wait for assistance. Whatever you do…don’t back up.

Tolls are charged by distance. Your tolls will vary. In fact, you may find a toll road where you do not have a ticket. There is just a charge. Again, enter the correct lane and use your Euros to pay the amount listed on the machine.

We always have a bunch of Euro coins in the car. Be sure to keep the larger coins for tolls as the machines probably will not take the small amount coins.

Don’t be surprised by the amount. Tolls can get quite expensive. On a recent trip from Paris to Colmar, the tolls amounted to over 50 Euros. The distance was about 330 miles.

Check out Troyes and its History with Books , https://travelsandescapes.net/2020/02/24/troyes-and-its-history-with-books/

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Travel Notifications from STEP

When I travel I check the STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) for any alerts pertaining to the countries I am visiting. I also register my trip with STEP.

The following is an email I received lately about travel in Italy.

STEP Notifications  Wed, Jan 15, 1:05 PM (18 hours ago)
to ACS_ITALY

Exercise increased caution in Italy due to terrorism.

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Italy. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Italy:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Italy.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Does this mean I would not travel to Italy? Not necessarily. It does mean there are extra things to watch out for when traveling there.

Have you had any experience with STEP?

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Snag Amazing Travel Deals With These Helpful Sites

Today’s guest post is from a fellow traveler and writer. Check out what he has to say about travel deals.

Image credit: Pixabay

Traveling is becoming more common with today’s ease of planning. From apps that help you bundle deals with booking flights, hotels and even renting cars, to agencies that convince you just how great of a trip you could have if you decided to see more of the world – it’s a game-changer. In today’s world, all you need to make an affordable trip happen is a good internet connection, a realistic budget, and a passion to pack your bags and leave home. 

Look for Online Deals

When you book through a trusted travel site like Priceline, you’re getting the best deals available, including offers on amazing cruises! Log in online or download the app to plan the trip of a lifetime. You can select your location and choose the dates that fit your schedule best. 

Your search will provide you with a list of the top-reviewed hotels and access to flights with multiple airlines to choose from, and it will help you determine which package discount offers you the best deal.

If you need to rent a car, look to a rental agency like Enterprise. They have many rentals to choose from and competitive rates, and there are a wide variety of deals available. You can save even more by using Enterprise coupons and promo codes. 

When it comes to buying travel items for your trip like luggage and clothing, look to save at big-box retailers. Not only can you find discounted items, but some retailers offer free gifts when you make a purchase. Stores with free gift offers include Macy’s Walgreens, and Sears.

Try EF Ultimate Break

EF Ultimate Break is made primarily for young adults looking to travel and experience a new culture without spending too much money. The company offers incredible opportunities with short- and long-term trips, including an easy payment plan system to allow travelers to pay when they can, as long as the trip is paid for 30 days prior to departure.

This pre-planned trip company takes care of everything from booking your flights to your buses, hotels and hostels, and even helps you with an itinerary. You’ll get a mixture of planned excursions that you can skip out on if you want, as well as free time to do what you wish. Each city will have a guide to show you around, and you’ll also have a tour director to ensure your safe arrival from location to location.

You’ll of course still need to bring a few travel essentials along (no one likes to be without their phone charger, for example), but if you’re looking for an adventure that includes all the big-ticket items at an affordable rate, then EF Ultimate Break may be just right for you. 

Wander Wisely With Couch Surfing

Different from any other way to save money on traveling, try your hand at couch surfing. You’ll have the option of staying somewhere safe and approved without the hefty payments of a hotel. Choose between the options of staying with somebody that literally only offers their couch, or pick a place where you can have your own room to get a full night’s rest at the end of the day. Your only worries will be actually getting to your destination, paying for food and outside adventures along the way, and having to leave when the trip ends! 

Make new friends that’ll last a lifetime through this option. You can choose who you stay with, talk to them long before the trip, and have a local tell you where all of the best places to go are. You’ll end up feeling like you’ve lived in the town forever while bonding over your new adventure. 

Traveling doesn’t have to be stressful. Let these suggested websites help you save money so that you have that extra cash to spoil yourself wherever you’re planning to travel. After all, who doesn’t love souvenirs?