Tag: Travel

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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? 

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ETIAS Visa Waiver

Recently, I read this article in both the Wall Street Journal and from a trusted travel source.

U.S. citizens traveling to Europe will shortly need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) visa waiver which is the new travel authorization for Europe that will come into effect in 2021. Similar to other countries and regions in the world, Europe has recently decided to improve its security level to avoid any further problems with illegal immigration and terrorism.

This means that, by the end of 2021, all Americans traveling to a European country in the Schengen Zone will be in need of an ETIAS. The Schengen Area is composed of 22 European Union countries like France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and Spain, as well as 4 non-EU countries: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. ETIAS will permit travel to all Schengen countries for short stays during its validity.

HOW LONG CAN A US CITIZEN STAY IN EUROPE?

At the moment, there is no Europe visa waiver for U.S. citizens for periods of less than 90 days. However, this will change by the end of 2021, when American citizens traveling to Europe from the U.S. will require an ETIAS visa waiver to travel to any of the Schengen zone countries for short stays.

The ETIAS visa waiver for Americans is a multiple-entry travel authorization valid for a total of 3 years from the moment of approval. During the 3-year validity of the ETIAS for U.S. travelers, it is possible to enter any of the Schengen Zone European countries which apply to the travel authorization as many times as necessary.

The total stay allowed in a Schengen country with each entry with ETIAS is 90 days within every 180-day period. ETIAS permits travel to Schengen countries for short stays for tourism, business, medical treatment, or transit purposes. To stay for longer periods of time or other purposes, American citizens are required to apply for a Schengen visa from an embassy or consulate.

Currently, there are 22 European countries that form part of the Schengen Area. They include:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • Sweden
  • Finland
  • Denmark
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • Poland
  • Slovakia
  • Hungary
  • Slovenia
  • Italy
  • Greece
  • Czech Republic
  • Malta

EITAS Required in Non-EU Member States include:

  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Norway
  • Switzerland

Also included are:

  • Monaco
  • San Marino
  • Vatican City

EITAS Non-Required include:

  • United Kingdom
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Romania
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus

WHAT DO AMERICANS NEED TO GO TO EUROPE?

To obtain the Europe visa waiver for Americans, U.S. citizens will need to have a valid passport, a credit or debit card to pay the ETIAS fee, and an email account. These are the main ETIAS requirements for U.S. citizens which each applicant must have on hand when applying. Without the right travel document, applicants could have their application denied.

When applying for an ETIAS, applicants must ensure that the passport used is valid for 3 months beyond the period of intended stay of each person. It is possible that passports over 10 years old may not be accepted as a valid travel document.

Applicants with dual nationality, and so multiple passports, should ensure they use the same passport to complete the ETIAS application as that which they will later use to travel to the Schengen Area, as the ETIAS will be electronically linked to an individual passport.

When applying for an electronic visa waiver for Europe, it is necessary to provide a current email address at which to receive a copy of the approved ETIAS. As an approved ETIAS is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport, it will not be mandatory to print a copy of the visa waiver, although travelers are nonetheless advised to carry a copy with them to Europe in case of any problems with the electronic system.

TRAVELING TO EUROPE FROM THE U.S WITH ETIAS

When submitting an ETIAS application, it is important to remember that all U.S. citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS to travel to Europe from 2021, including minors. It is necessary to submit a separate visa waiver for Europe application for all U.S. children under the age of 18. Parents or legal guardians are able to submit a European visa waiver application on behalf of a minor, although every child is required to have an individual approved ETIAS.

It is also important to note that an approved ETIAS for American citizens does not guarantee entry to Europe, it merely grants the holder permission to travel to Schengen countries. The final decision for entry will be made by an immigration officer at Schengen border control. The traveler may be asked to prove they do not intend to spend longer in Europe than the period allowed with ETIAS, by providing evidence of:

  • Return flight tickets to the United States or tickets to an onward destination
  • Proof of travel health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay

There will also be other regulations and restrictions to bear in mind when traveling to Europe from the U.S.A. which are similar to those in place at the moment, such as the right to carry weapons, importing and exporting large quantities of tobacco, alcohol or perfume, and declaring large amounts of currency.

Finally, it is important to note that an ETIAS may be revoked when the conditions for the issuing of the visa waiver for Europe are no longer met, particularly when there is reason to believe that the visa waiver for Europe was obtained by providing misleading or fraudulent information. For this reason it is essential to ensure that all of the information provided on the ETIAS form is correct before submitting the application, as even small errors may result in the revocation of an ETIAS.

Travelers whose passport expires during the validity of the ETIAS are also required to submit a new application for a Europe visa waiver from the United States in order to continue to travel to the Schengen Area, as an ETIAS is specifically linked to the travel document used to complete the original application.

DO AMERICAN CITIZENS NEED A VISA FOR EUROPE (SCHENGEN VISA)?

As the United States is one of the visa-exempt countries for Europe, American citizens do not currently require a visa for the Schengen Area for short stays up to 90 days. From 2021, however, they will be required to obtain an Europe visa waiver to stay in Schengen countries for any less than 90 days. There is no need to apply before every trip, as ETIAS permits travel to all Schengen countries during its 3-year validity.

American citizens who intend to stay in Europe for longer periods, or for purposes other than those permitted with ETIAS, will be required to apply for a Schengen visa. The length of a Schengen visa for Europe is determined on an individual basis, and it may be issued as a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa. Unlike ETIAS, a Schengen visa is issued for one specific Schengen country, and applicants are required to apply in person from an embassy or consulate in the United States of the country they wish to visit.

SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR US CITIZENS

It is necessary to attend an consular appointment for a Schengen visa with the following documentation in order to guarantee approval of the visa:

  • A completed Schengen Europe visa application form
  • Copies of any previously issued Schengen visas
  • A valid US passport containing at least 2 blank pages
  • Any accommodation bookings the traveler has made for their stay
  • Round trip flight tickets, or tickets to an onward destination
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the stay in Europe
  • Travel insurance which covers medical care in the Schengen Area
  • A recent, passport-sized, photograph of the traveler, taken against a white background

American citizens who apply for a Schengen visa are required to submit the application at least 15 working days before the intended date of entry to Europe at the latest, to allow for sufficient time for the visa to be processed.

HOW CAN AMERICANS APPLY FOR ETIAS TO VISIT EUROPE?

U.S. citizens can apply online for an ETIAS by completing an online ETIAS registration. The enrollment will be a quick and simple process, similar to the ESTA for eligible citizens traveling to the U.S. and will take an average of 20 minutes to complete. Applicants will need to fill out an online form with their contact details and passport information, including:

  • Name and surname
  • Nationality
  • Date, place, and country of birth
  • Current address
  • Contact phone number
  • Email address
  • Passport number
  • Passport issue/expiry date

This process allows European immigration and customs authorities to pre-screen all travelers and confirm their status before permitting them entry or even to board a flight, thus dentifying any potential threats and improving security measures throughout the Schengen Area.

All of the information provided on the Europe visa waiver application is pre-screened against the databases managed by eu-LISA (European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice). eu-LISA is also responsible for the management of the ETIAS system, and will check applications against security information databases such as VIS (visa information database), SIS (shared European database to identify suspected criminals, missing people, and stolen assets), and EURODAC (fingerprint database).

It is also necessary to answer some basic security questions to submit the ETIAS visa waiver application, including about:

  • Criminal history
  • Employment history
  • Drug use
  • Human trafficking
  • Prior travel to conflict areas
  • Past European travel information

After answering all of the required security questions on the ETIAS form, it is necessary to pay the required ETIAS fee using either a valid credit or debit card. Once the travel authorization for Europe has been paid, the process is complete and the applicant will receive the confirmation for the ETIAS visa waiver via email. With an approved ETIAS visa waiver, applicants will be ready to travel to Europe.

For more information, check out https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/

Let me know if you have more information.

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Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral

Notre Dame de Reims

It’s not uncommon for cities in France to have more than one church or even more than one cathedral. In fact, we sort of expect to see different sizes each with their own amazing features. It is always humbling when we realize the time frame in which they were built. We are not talking about the last 50 years, either.

Some have weathered well. Others, not so much. Some were casualties of a world war or some group fighting against another one. Still, some remain almost unblemished.

We visited tiny towns with huge churches whose steeples dominated their skylines. Other cities and their skylines were dotted with various sizes of steeples, turrets, and rising columns full of stained glass.

We had been visiting several churches and cathedrals in different cities and towns in the Champagne area of France. We didn’t need to travel far to find different architecture, yet similar looks.  

One, in particular, captured our hearts. Notre Dame de Reims…

This cathedral has been an important part of French history. It’s also classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. But, that’s not all we loved about it.

First a little history…

  • It was built between 1211 and 1275
  • For 800 years it is where the kings of France were crowned, 25 of them
  • It is the second cathedral, after Chartes, with the largest number of statues and statuettes. If you want, you can count 2,300 of them.
  • The two impressive rose windows are imposing…and stunning as the light shines through them
  • There are original stained-glass windows from the 13th Century and ones from as recent as 2015
  • 13th Century Gothic architecture is mixed with more recent architecture due to bombings and destruction during both World Wars

Okay, many cathedrals have their own history. This one just happens to have more than others.

As are many cathedrals, this one was huge inside. How huge?

  • Total length of the cathedral is 500 feet. Notre Dame de Paris is 425 feet long.
  • Height in the nave is 125 feet
  • Towers are almost 270 feet tall
  • The outside spire is about 290 feet
  • Inside the total floor area is close to 22,000 square feet
  • Diameter of the west front Rose Window is 41 feet
  • Total square feet of windows is 12,800 square feet

No wonder it took us over an hour just to walk around and admire the spectacular interior.

Some favorites during our visit…

  • Three stained glass windows in the axial chapel that were produced in 1974 by Marc Chagall
  • The first Chagall window includes the theme of the Tree of Jesse
  • The central Chagall window is the sacrifice of Isaac
  • The right Chagall window includes some of the great times in Reims history, including the baptism of Clovis and the coronation of Saint Louis and Charles VII
  • We often see one magnificent rose window. Here, there are two. Looking up, each one did not seem to be over 40 feet across.
  • Light streaming in through all the windows showcased this magnificent cathedral, giving us a sense of peace

If you find yourself in or near Reims, France, this is definitely worth the time to visit. Its beauty is hard to match.