Family Travel Blog

Updates from the road by authors David Leach, Jenny Manzer and their family

Journal Entries

Provence

This week is my first week in France. Apart from some foods and the language it’s not too much different from Italy most likely because we’re still very close to the border. I think I like Italian cuisine more because of the pizza and pasta though the French baking...

The (many) ups and (few) downs of life on the road

The (many) ups and (few) downs of life on the road

As we enter week #6 — the final stretch — of our European journey, we have settled into a rhythm of almost perpetual motion. We have gotten good at packing up quickly and leaving each AirBnb clean as we move on to the next — 11 stops in total. My pre-trip planning has...

Nice and Antibes

Nice and Antibes

Our quick days in Nice were very nice. The place we stayed was not my favourite but the bath was enjoyable. And the sunsets over the ocean were stunning. We were very tired when we got there after a long four hour train ride. The next morning we had a swim. It was...

Where in the world are we now?

Briar’s Journal

Palavas les Flots

Palavas les Flots

After our stay in Provence we drove to Palavas les Flots, which is an hour and 15 minutes from Provence. It is a beach town with old colourful houses. Our Airbnb has two levels with the kitchen,washroom etc downstairs and our beds and tv upstairs. We also had a nice...

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AJ’s Journal

Cinque Terre

Today is my last day in Italy. I am in a small water side town called Monterosso. Monterosso is part of a string of five towns called Cinque Terre. Tomorrow we will get on to a train and leave Italy for France. I am a little sad because Italy was really fun and gelato...

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David’s Journal

A History of Our Trip (so far) in Seven Swims

A History of Our Trip (so far) in Seven Swims

We are more than halfway through our trip so far — four-sevenths to be precise. Much of our focus, of course, has been exploring the cities and towns, streets and trails of Italy… and now France. But the promise of leaping into the water in September and October —...

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Jenny’s Journal

Arrivederci, Italia

Arrivederci, Italia

After three days in Cinque Terre staying in the seaside village of Monterosso, we are currently on a train bound for Nice. Monterosso and the other famous villages were scenic and interesting but also very crowded, even in October. My favourite time was spent hiking...

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Who We Are

David

I’m David Leach. I teach creative nonfiction at the University of Victoria and love to travel and write. My travel features have appeared in many Canadian and international publications. 

Jenny
A.J.
Briar

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