Historical travels - daytrips, weekends, etc.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 1:03 pm

[quote=""Carine""]In August past we went on holidays to Ireland (not the UK part). It was a very nice 10-day trip. We've seen a lot of historical places. Beautiful country !

Next spring we would like to book a trip to Carcasonne in France, the medieval city ... I can't wait !!

[/quote]

I hope to take a quick 4-5 day trip to western Ireland next spring/early summer and go to the Cliffs of Moher, see castles and battlements, and hear wonderful music. Maybe you could tell me about your favorite historical moments in Ireland, Carine. I'd rather get referrals from a fellow history lover than a tour company. I intend to rent a car and drive myself to be a more independent tourist.

And maybe Carcasonne and other parts of France in the next few years for me!

michellemoran · Post by **michellemoran** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 3:17 pm

Ash - I'm very excited about Ostia (even more now that I know there are fewer tourists than in Pompeii!).

And Diamondlil (and Leyland) - Carcassonne is one of my favorite places on earth! If you do go, I highly recommend booking a room in the Best Western inside the town. It's a very nice Best Western, and since the entire fortified town clears out at night you are basically inside of Carcassonne with only twenty or thirty other people. The streets, the walls, the guard towers - all of it is at your disposal to wander through basically alone. And, of course, bring (or buy) literature! I found The Yellow Cross: The Story of the Last Cathars' Rebellion Against the Inquisition, 1290-1329 in their books shop, and it really brought the town to life.

Carine · Post by **Carine** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 4:43 pm

[quote=""diamondlil""]I would love to go to Carcassonne![/quote]

You're welcome to come along Marg !

Carine · Post by **Carine** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 4:56 pm

[quote=""Leyland""]I hope to take a quick 4-5 day trip to western Ireland next spring/early summer and go to the Cliffs of Moher, see castles and battlements, and hear wonderful music. Maybe you could tell me about your favorite historical moments in Ireland, Carine. I'd rather get referrals from a fellow history lover than a tour company. I intend to rent a car and drive myself to be a more independent tourist.

And maybe Carcasonne and other parts of France in the next few years for me![/quote]

Leyland, we have seen the Cliffs of Moher, that was impressive. Also the Ring of Kerry and the Connemara are beautiful places, naturewise then. Further we have seen Blarney Castle with the famous stone and what was also very interesting was the Book of Kellsand the library in Trinity University. The books (ancient ones) are amazing !!
Dublin is a beautiful city. We also visited the Tralee museum which was very interesting with it's medieval streetamong other things.

My computer at home has been down for a while (in the mean time I was posting on this forum from the office I work in) and that's how my photos from Ireland are still on my camera, but when I got round to putting them on my computer I'll put some in my album for you to see.

michellemoran · Post by **michellemoran** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 5:41 pm

Ooops - Carine, I didn't realize you began the Carcassonne post! Oh my.... you are going to love it.

LCW · Post by **LCW** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 6:41 pm

There are a lot of historical missions and ruined settlements around here that are within a days hike around here. It's just too hot during the summer here in S. Cal to be out during the day but it's beginning to cool off so we plan to do a lot more hiking now. I'm trying to find a sort of historical hikes guide or something. We have lots of local hiking books but one focused on seeing historical sights would be a great find.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 7:53 pm

[quote=""michellemoran""]Ash - I'm very excited about Ostia (even more now that I know there are fewer tourists than in Pompeii!).

And Diamondlil (and Leyland) - Carcassonne is one of my favorite places on earth! If you do go, I highly recommend booking a room in the Best Western inside the town. It's a very nice Best Western, and since the entire fortified town clears out at night you are basically inside of Carcassonne with only twenty or thirty other people. The streets, the walls, the guard towers - all of it is at your disposal to wander through basically alone. And, of course, bring (or buy) literature! I found The Yellow Cross: The Story of the Last Cathars' Rebellion Against the Inquisition, 1290-1329 in their books shop, and it really brought the town to life.[/quote]

that sounds wonderful, I'd love to go to Carcassonne and will remember your advice if I ever get round to going there

I went to the Greek island of Kos last month and visited some old ruins, one was a ruined hospital/spa site called the Asklepion which was nice to wander round and had fantastic views across to Turkey, then in Kos Town there was another set of ruins which I walked through but it was very hot and I got bitten by mozzies at both sites!

I'm off to Scotland for a few days at the end of this month, to Loch Lomond so hopefully will find something interesting there too.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Fri October 3rd, 2008, 9:16 pm

[quote=""1lila1""]There are a lot of historical missions and ruined settlements around here that are within a days hike around here. It's just too hot during the summer here in S. Cal to be out during the day but it's beginning to cool off so we plan to do a lot more hiking now[/quote]

I explored some historic sites in San Diego County about ten years ago, but nothing really so good as to remember them. I did buy an interesting book at one place by Leonard Pitt named The Decline of the Californios: A Social History of the Spanish-Speaking Californians, 1846 - 1890.

It's not really a guide book but does mention several missions, ranchos and mines. It's published by the U of C Press, Berkeley in case you want to look it up in a library.

Carine · Post by **Carine** » Sat October 4th, 2008, 12:57 pm

[quote=""michellemoran""]Ooops - Carine, I didn't realize you began the Carcassonne post! Oh my.... you are going to love it.[/quote]

That's OK Michelle

Yes, I am very exited about going to Carcassonne ! I think you're right I am going to love it ! And .... I won't be able to resist buying a knight-figure !

They have such beautiful ones there in France, I bought one when we were over in Normandie - Mont-Saint-Michel last May aswell.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Sat October 4th, 2008, 2:22 pm

[quote=""Carine""]Leyland, we have seen the Cliffs of Moher, that was impressive. Also the Ring of Kerry and the Connemara are beautiful places, naturewise then. Further we have seen Blarney Castle with the famous stone and what was also very interesting was the Book of Kellsand the library in Trinity University. The books (ancient ones) are amazing !!
Dublin is a beautiful city. We also visited the Tralee museum which was very interesting with it's medieval streetamong other things.[/quote]

Thanks, Carine. I want to take my 13 year old niece with me and hope that a quick trip with some adventure (getting as close to the edge of the cliffs as safely possible) and history (Blarney Castle sounds good) thrown in will intrigue and interest her. Connemara sounds like a plan, too. She's an active girl and we'll be skiing in West Va just before Christmas - so no skiing in Ireland, but high cliffs!