Tag Archive for: Monastery

Vernet-les-Bains – charming atmosphere and spectacular nature

/0 Comments/in /by

Clouds and mist over the old town of Vernet-les-Bains in front of the mountains of the French Pyrenees at sunrise, Occitania, France

After Prats-de-Mollo, Vernet-les-Bains was our second secluded destination at the foot of the imposing Canigou Massif in the French Pyrenees. Known as a health resort with a mild microclimate and thermal springs, it’s a perfect place for relaxation, culture, and outdoor adventures. The days when the town was fully booked with spa guests and summer visitors escaping the hot lowlands and coast are long gone. In the old town, rural depopulation is evident with many empty buildings. Nevertheless, Vernet-les-Bains combines charming atmosphere, historical sites, and spectacular nature, seclusion and tranquillity. This was exactly the mix we had hoped for. Read more

Korčula and Pelješac in the moonlight

/0 Comments/in /by

View from the loggia at the Franciscan monastery near Orebic across the Pelješac Channel to the island of Korcula in the moonlight, Dalmatia, Croatia

From the Franciscan Monastery of Gospe od Anđela, located above Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula on the coast of southern Dalmatia, you can marvel at a magnificent island panorama: with the mountain ranges of the Pelješac peninsula at your back, your gaze wanders over the islands of Korčula, Mljet and the many small islets in between. Naturally, this view is particularly popular around sunrise and sunset, when, for example, the Old Town of Korčula on the opposite island glows golden in the last rays of sunlight. Read more

The Franciscan Monastery above Orebić

/0 Comments/in /by

Panorama from the loggia in front of the Franciscan monastery near Orebic with a view of Korčula, Pelješac peninsula, Dalmatia, Croatia

We reached Orebić by ferry from Korčula on an early Sunday morning. After arriving, we took a short stroll from the harbour along the old town’s seafront promenade, admiring the large, magnificent villas with their exotic gardens. They were built during a heyday of trade and seafaring in the region in the 18th/19th century. Even during our stay in Korčula, I had repeatedly noticed the striking building of the Franciscan Monastery of Gospe od Anđela, which sits elevated above the Pelješac Strait, west of Orebić. It’s often mentioned as an excellent viewpoint, so we decided to explore this location next. Read more