The Cotswolds and Oxford
We only had 4 days in England but it was more than we expected and could have hoped for.
The Cotswolds
Our journey started in The UK. We hoped to retreat someplace quiet to get over our jet lag and transition well. We only had several days in England but it was more than we expected and could have hoped. The English countryside welcomed us in with its pastoral landscape, filled with sheep, Bluebells and rolling hills. Bridle and footpaths lined with Queen Anne’s Lace and stone short walls became the backdrop of our many walks and restful drives. David even took up running here. We stayed in Daglingworth, a tiny village within the region and only minutes from the places one would want to see when in The Cotswolds. We were able to see Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford, Bibury, Northleach, Lower Slaughter (quite possibly our favourite - least touristy) and Cirencenster. Pretty much every corner was a sight to behold with the honey and wheat coloured stone buildings and simple and stunning gardens. Such understated beauty. We felt quite at home here. Most of these villages also had a river running through, which made it all the more idyllic and most enjoyed by the boys.
-JS
OXFORD AND THE KILNS
Visiting Oxford and The Kilns has long been a dream. I could not picture going to England without making somewhat of a pilgrimage to beloved C.S. Lewis’s old stomping grounds. And as it happens, our family was making our way through The Chronicles of Narnia series and were all excited to visit Mr. Lewis’ home, school and workplace.
Being able to walk the streets of Oxford, Magdalen College, Merton Street, Eastgate Hotel, Queen’s Lane and even pay a visit to Blackwell’s Bookshop set our imaginations ablaze. We couldn’t help but imagine what it was like decades ago, when many great minds would walk these same streets. It was a good hour spent meandering the old stone streets. The kids especially enjoyed getting their sillies out outside of the Botanical Garden. The short hedges made it easy for us to see them and David and I had a moment to take it all in.
We then made for The Kilns in Headington in our rental car to see Lewis’s home. We definitely didn’t walk here for an hour like he used to! Hard to put into words the experience we had, so perhaps I will keep it brief. The house was humble and lovely. They have maintained it wonderfully for the most part and it’s now home to scholars in residence. Though we didn’t get to do the tour (we typically don’t do tours on these trips in order to keep costs down. This one was hard to say no to), one of the students did let us in to walk the perimeter of the house. It was enough to feel the inspiration, beauty and life of the place. I was grateful.
We then went to the forest and pond that used to belong to Jack and his brother Warnie, now a public conservation area. The boys explored for what felt like hours and minutes at the same time. They saw coots, pelicans, ducks and the neighbourhood cat that Nolan and Simon lovingly named Shester. They dipped their feet in the same pond that Jack’s stepsons would have played in.
And after resisting stopping for our read-aloud, they eventually listened, convinced that it would draw the cat and canards close. We sat, walked and read and Shester did come around a time or two, to the delight of the boys. The memory of reading chapter 4 of Voyage of the Dawn Treader to our boys in that very special place will stay with us forever. Our very own Narnia experience.
“It is well that there are palaces of peace
And discipline and dreaming and desire,
Lest we forget our heritage and cease
The Spirit’s work—to hunger and aspire.”
Nice & Provence
It’s easy to see why artists (many from the Impressionist movement) and makers have flocked to this region to draw inspiration and create magnificent works.
NICE
What a change of scenery from The Cotswolds to the French Riviera. The boys (big and small) loved being able to revel in the sun, sand and surf for a few days. We had rented a small condo near the airport, which was just a short walk to the beach! It was such a treat to unwind and continue our slow, yet adventurous pace. We also got to walking the historic and gorgeous streets of old Nice.
We then drove past (because we had zero energy left - lol) the infamous Promenade des Anglais and it was quite something! So many folks just walking along and marveling at the beauty and allure of Nice. Meanwhile our kiddos were just as pleased to be on our off-the-beaten-path shore, finding joy in taking dips, constructing dams and sketching palm trees. It was a great delight to watch them settle into this temporary groove of exploring new lands and cultures.
-JS
PROVENCE AND OUR NEW RHYTHM
We continued our journey to exquisite Provence, where almost every corner was a thing of beauty. It’s easy to see why artists (many from the Impressionist movement) and makers have flocked to this region to draw their inspiration and create magnificent works. Our home base was in a small village called Lauris and it was yet another restful spot to lay our heads, away from the visiting crowds. We were able to meet some residents in the streets and shops and they graciously let us practice what little French we knew. It was here that we established our routine for the rest of the trip; slow mornings at home with breakfast, family worship and core school subjects and then a packing a lunch for our adventure of the day. On our first full day in Provence was spent exploring Lourmarin, a nearby village and it was a sweet introduction to this area of Lavender, Poppies, Olive groves and so much more - a true feast for the senses.
-JS
ROUSSILLON AND RUSTREL
The following few days in Provence were rainy, so after a sweet morning at the house we donned our rain jackets and headed for Roussillon and Rustrel. Our host suggested this part of the region, so that the kids could explore the ocre cliffs and brightly coloured buildings. The earthy yellow rocks were quite interesting and the villages displayed more vibrant tones than others in Provence. The boys had some cash from a grandparent and they were tasked with picking something special for themselves. They each chose a cute little ceramic chicken and were so thrilled with their selection that they played with it all week. Their child-like joy warmed our hearts. We also enjoyed being able to watch a potter make a singing watering jug. We were watching her outside her shop and she kindly invited us in to escape the rain for a moment. Simon was all too pleased to ask his questions and she kindly obliged.
-JS
CUCURON, ANSOUIS AND ST. REMY DE PROVENCE
Our time in Provence concluded with visits to three more charming places; Cucuron, Ansouis and St. Remy De Provence. We meandered stunning streets, oftentimes hand-in-hand (my favourite way to sightsee), climbed up to see a few churches and simply observed more of Provencal life as it rolled on around us. I was also delighted to see across the street of one of the churches in Ansouis that they were exhibiting a local artist’s work. It seemed fitting as we headed to St. Remy de Provence the very next day, where Vincent Van Gogh spent many years of his life. The boys learned a bit of his story and studied some his works, so it was sweet for us to see the place where he lived and painted. What a gift to have spent many days in the French countryside for it was truly an artful retreat for us.
-JS
Paris
Though we lean towards smaller towns, it was such a thrill to see this iconic city for a few days.
PARIS
Though we lean towards smaller towns, it was such a thrill to see this iconic city for a few days. We stopped in at The Louvre (Nolan and Simon wanted to see some Rembrandts and the Mona Lisa), rode an amphibious tour bus, wandered the Latin Quarter and walked along The Seine and Jardin de Tuileries. The boys loved to ride the metro and eat inexpensive and delicious pastries every chance they got. Safe to say that Paris was one of our most exciting and beloved stops and definitely a wonderland city for kids.
Swiss Alps
Fafleralp was a quiet and stunning mountain town. For several days we meandered the many trails along rushing rivers, through meadows of wildflowers.
Fafleralp is a quiet and stunning mountain town in the Valais region. It was a treat to be able to rent a small cabin in the Swiss Alps. For several days we meandered the many trails along rushing rivers and through meadows of wildflowers, with mountain peaks surrounding us. The scenery was simply breathtaking and were in awe of God’s creation. What a gift these several days in this peaceful place were!
Switzerland
After a marvellous 10 days in France, we hopped on a train to Basel, Switzerland.
Basel, Rheinfelden and Wangen an de Are
After a marvellous 10 days in France, we hopped on a train to Basel, Switzerland - where we would meet with David’s aunt and eventually the rest of the Swiss, Italian family. The boys were beyond thrilled to be riding on a fast European train and got many chances to observe the ins and outs of the station.
Basel and Wangen an de Are, Rheinfelden as well as nearby Germany were full of adventures in nature and beautiful views. But the very best part was spending quality time with David’s cousins, second cousins, aunts and most of all, beloved Nonna. We are grateful for the opportunity to see Switzerland through their eyes and enjoy loads of conversation and delicious home-cooked meals.
Zurich and Bern
Zurich has always been a wonderful city for us to visit when in Switzerland. David’s mom was born and raised here and visiting certain spots always remind us of her. This time, we stopped at the Zwingli church and it was meaningful to remember Ulrich Zwingli’s role in the Reformation and talk about it with the boys. It was a welcome time of reflection and quiet amidst all the excitement of this old city. We finished off with the obligatory Bratwurst-with-crusty-bread-and-mustard stop and a walk through the train station. Zurich never disappoints!
Our last stop before heading to Portugal was the capital city of Bern. It was not our plan to go but we were sure glad we did. We loved this historic capital city filled with history, gorgeous streets and bears (enclosed, of course)! We continued with our usual agenda of simply walking around and exploring. Not always easy with kids, but there were many interesting stops and water fountains to keep our morale high. It was also most wonderful to be able to attend an English-speaking church and we were blessed to gather with brothers and sisters on our travels.
Portugal
Our last stop on our four-country adventure was Portugal.
Lisbon
The very last stop on our four-country adventure Portugal! We stayed at a simple flat in Lisbon, which was a 5-minute walk to the beach. Our time in this vibrant country was short, so we explored some of its popular spots such as Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, Pasteis de Belem and a stunning park right across the way where these trees, sprouting incredible lavender flowers, can be admired. It was certainly brief, but we found lots of amazing sights and sounds to delight our senses.
Ericeira and Cascais
In planning our trip, we anticipated that by this time (nearing the end) we would just long to spend many lazy days at the beach before heading home. The coast of Portugal was the perfect place. The coastal towns of Ericeira and Cascais provided plenty of beaches for us to find relaxation and even watch some impressive waves and surfers at work. Portugal was certainly as memorable as the other countries we visited and had a unique flair of its own.
