Monet’s Pond, which isn’t the official name because it doesn’t have an official name, is a very picturesque pond with clear blue-green water, lily pads and carp, in the middle of the mountains in Gifu prefecture.  The natural setting makes for photographs that look like the paintings of Monet, hence the name.  The popularity of the pond has… Read more

I’m staying in the Residhome Valenciennes du théâtre in Valenciennes, Northern France in an accessible room.  This area of France has nice architecture and flat, but beautiful, scenery. Brussels is about an hour by car and Paris 2 hours.

I wish I could have given you a review of a more popular destination like Paris or Nice, but I am here on… Read more