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The UK’s Top Walking Holiday For Summer 2021

The UK’s number one slow holiday provider has put together a walking guide for the rambling enthusiasts. Inntravel has curated the best walking holidays in the UK in the hope to inspire the UK population to explore the glorious surroundings and routes on offer… CONTINUE READING >> 

When looking at the stunning countryside the UK has to offer, it is no surprise that every year over 68% of adults choose to go on walking holidays in the UK in the Summer.

Alongside eating out at a restaurant, walking is the most popular activity for people in the UK, with thousands and thousands of people travelling to the countryside every year to explore the scenic surroundings.

Walking is also a great form of exercise, with many adults in the UK stating how they choose to walk everyday for 10 minutes to get their steps in.

With this in mind, the UK’s number one slow holiday provider has put together a walking guide for the rambling enthusiasts. Inntravel has curated the best walking holidays in the UK in the hope to inspire the UK population to explore the glorious surroundings and routes on offer.

From the Seascapes of North Norfolk to the Landscapes of the Peak District, this walking holiday guide has it all.

Seascape of North Norfolk

This walking holiday is a self-guided, hotel-to-hotel walking holiday, boasting beautiful scenery of the coastline, sandy beaches, and the pristine nature reserves.

The nature reserves on this walking holiday are brimming with various wildlife, particularly birds.  From bitterns and marsh harriers, to wildfowl and waders, the Seascapes of North Norfolk are a great place to visit if you enjoy bird watching. Remember, pack your binoculars!

Norfolk is a county packed with history at every corner. On your walking holiday in Norfolk you will run in to beautiful medieval churches, royal estates and small harbours that contributed to England’s past trading efforts. So, if you’re interested in English history, Norfolk could be the place to visit.

On the Norfolk walking routes you will find many delights, including quaint villages, peaceful woodland, and protected nature reserves. The popular walking routes in Norfolk are well sign-posted, so you can set off on your adventure without the fear of getting lost!

The accommodation on this UK walking holiday is full of warmth, character, and comfort. Staying in guesthouses, inns, and hotels, this Inntravel walking holiday will showcase how friendly the Norfolk county is.

The Tweed and the Scottish Borders

This Inntravel walking holiday is a hotel-to-hotel walking holiday that allows ramblers to explore the tranquil region, the historical ruins, and the stunning villages.

The waters of the Tweed flow trough the Scottish borders, travelling through the valleys, the sheep-grazed pastures and the low, rolling hills. These surroundings are so beautiful its hard to believe that they were once home to war-torn battlegrounds. If you are interested in the turbulent history of England and Scotland and the battles that took place here, the Tweed and the Scottish borders could be the place to visit.

This UK walking holiday offers relaxed walking routes that are both long and winding, following the natural course of the Tweed as it winds it way downstream through restful countryside.

Each town placed here offers hotels that are full of warm hospitality, so you will experience a joyful stay if you choose to have your walking holiday at the Tweed and the Scottish borders.

The Northumberland Coast and Its castles

This Inntravel walking holiday is a self-guided walking holiday that features a mix of charming accommodation.

Northumberland was once the powerhouse of England, with saints, kings and Viking raiders playing central roles in shaping the future of the country. With Northumberland now at peace, it is a great place to visit to delve into history and explore the unspoiled historical ruins.

This relaxed Inntravel walking holiday will begin in Warkworth, an ancient village located on the Northumberland Coast Path. From here you will travel to medieval Alnwick and the beachfront at Beadnell. On this walking holiday you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful surroundings, spotting wonderful wildlife along the way.

Each hand-picked accommodation on this walking holiday offers a warm welcome, making your walking trip to the Northumberland Coast a delightful one.

So, if you are a history buff or a rambling enthusiast, the three Inntravel walking holidays above would be the perfect UK getaway for you. For more information these walking holidays or for to view more UK walking holidays, please visit the Inntravel website.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

America’s Other West Coast

Who knew America has two West Coasts? Well now we do, after discovering Florida’s hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline facing west onto the Gulf of Mexico.

Sometimes called The Sunset Coast, most of it is much less crowded than the… CONTINUE READING >>

Florida's West Coast

Who knew America has two West Coasts?

Well now we do, after discovering Florida’s hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline facing west onto the Gulf of Mexico.

Sometimes called The Sunset Coast, most of it is much less crowded than the East Coast, and retains a good bit of old Florida charm.

We made our way out of the Everglades by driving down to the southern edge of this eastern version of the West Coast, the ritzy enclave of Marco Island, and then followed the shoreline north to Naples.

Spanish Moss and Palms

While this Floridian version of Napoli is plenty picturesque, at no time did we mistake ourselves for being in Italy. This Naples is about a million times more laid back.

Continuing up the coast took us through places with great names like Pelican Bay, Barefoot Beach and Bonita Springs, places where Spanish moss and palm trees coexist.

We were psyched up at the prospect of taking to kayaks for exploring, hoping to spot some fish and wildlife, especially manatees and gators.

The possibility of kayaking with manatees landed us in Fort Myers. This was certainly something we were jazzed up about, and the next day we headed a few miles east of town to the aptly named Manatee Park.

Power plant canal where manatees come to warm themselves

The park lies on a power plant canal, just the kind of place manatees love to come to warm up in the cooler months, but unfortunately no sea cows were lounging on the summer-like day that we arrived.

It was getting a little too late in the year, and water temperatures had warmed to the point where the manatees were heading out to sea.

Kayaking on Florida's West Coast

But we were not giving up so easily. The park ranger said that there might be a chance a few of the manatees would still be hanging out in the Orange River, which connects to the canal.

So we headed over to Calusa Blueway Outfitters, they rent kayaks and canoes right at the park, and picked out a two-man kayak.

Launch Beach near Orange River

We thought this would be the perfect way to rustle up some sea cattle. Turned out that the boat we picked wasn’t so perfect, however.

Before we got a hundred yards offshore we were sinking… fast! Good thing we hadn’t made it out of the shallow water.

Kayaking the Orange River

So we abadoned ship, jumped in the muddy water, and waded back to dry land, dragging our waterlogged kayak behind us.

Our next vessel proved to be seaworthy, and we paddled out through jungle-y terrain to the Orange River to begin our scouting for manatees.

Kyaking the Orange River

We didn’t see hide nor hair of one. Possibly because they had all left, but also, the low-to- the-surface vantage point of the kayak didn’t seem to be optimal for for sea cow spotting.

It turned out to be great for watching water fowl though, and even better for an up close encounter with an alligator on his home turf.

Alligator sunning itself

When gators are warming themselves in the sun they don’t move much, so we silently glided right up on one, just trying to see how close we could get.

We were feeling quite bold, right up till he slid into the water and started swimming our way, that is.

Then we basically freaked out and attempted to set a new kayak speed record.

Ready for more of the natural wonders that Florida offers, we drove up through Port Charlotte and Venice (still didn’t feel like we were in the old country), to Sarasota where we headed inland a few miles to Myakka River State Park.

While the park has two lakes and a river, we chose to do our exploring as land lubbers.The birdwalk juts out into Upper Myakka Lake, Florida

We weren’t up for invading any more alligator’s personal space, so we broke out our trusty bicycles and set out upon the park’s many miles of trails. Our two main destinations were the birdwalk that juts out into Upper Myakka Lake, and the Canopy Walkway through the treetops.

Myakka River State Park's Canopy Walk

We hit the birdwalk first, but with the dry weather the water level of the lake was so low that instead of being a boardwalk out into the lake’s shallows, where the waterfowl frolic, it was just a walkway over a bunch of mud.

We did spot a few birds from afar, but mostly we got a really beautiful bike ride.

On the other hand, the Canopy Walkway beat any and all of our expectations. Built in 2000, this is the first of its kind in North America, and provides easy access to the oak/palm hammock canopy.

Canopy Walkway in Florida

We began by climbing stairs twenty-five feet up to the beginning of the walkway. From there a hanging trail leads one hundred feet across, directly through the canopy growth.

At the end of the walkway an observation tower rises another seventy-five feet up for an incredible view. The land is very flat so we could see for miles and miles across the top of the forest.

The Canopy Walkway near Sarasota Florida

This jungle-like area is just one of the many varied landscapes that Florida has to offer, and perhaps one of its least known. But our next destination could never claim that distinction.

It was time to head even further south to cross a time zone into island-time.

See you in The Keys!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

This post contains sponsored links.

What Exactly Is the Disney Vacation Club?

If you consider yourself a die-hard Mickey fan, you’re far from alone. Worldwide, Disney parks saw over 155 million visitors in 2019!

For frequent visitors, it’s hard to pass up on an annual pilgrimage to their favorite Disney properties, even with the lower park capacity in recent months. Of course, securing lodging and planning a trip for a group can be difficult year over year. If this sounds familiar, you may want to consider one way to make your vacations a little smoother: Disney Vacation Club.

If you’ve never heard of this program—or you’re not sure what it includes—you may be missing out on the opportunity for exclusive events and easier travel. Let’s take a look at the basics of Disney Vacation Club, what it includes, and whether it’s right for you.

What is the Disney Vacation Club?

As the name suggests, the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a vacation program operated through Disney. This popular program is Disney’s answer to the concept of timeshares—but there are a few differences between the two vacation programs.

In essence, DVC offers easy prepaid vacations for its members.

What Makes the Disney Vacation Club Different From Timeshares?

There is one major difference between timeshares and DVC resorts: ownership.

With timeshares, owners often have what is called “fractional ownership.” With their purchase, they have the right to use a unit at a specific time during the year. This time period may vary from timeshare to timeshare.

Unlike many timeshare programs, members of the program do not own or control their Disney Vacation Club rental unit. Instead, the Walt Disney company retains exclusive ownership, and members have access to a property for a specified amount of time.

How Does the DVC Point System Work?

Members pay for annual points up front—or with financing—and receive a certain number of points once a year. They can then spend these points to stay at Disney resorts, as well as other types of vacations.

Members will also select what’s known as a “home resort.” This resort is your home base, meaning that you can make a reservation up to nine months in advance, in contrast to other resorts that require six months of advance notice. That extra time means that you can jump in and secure reservations at your favorite resort before they sell out!

If you decide not to take a Disney vacation in a specific year, you can save your points and use them in a subsequent year. You can also borrow the next year’s points to put them toward a current vacation, meaning that you’ll have fewer points to spend on your next vacation.

Where Are the Disney Vacation Club Resorts?

The DVC operates fourteen total resorts. Eleven of these are in Walt Disney World:

    • Animal Kingdom Villas
    • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
    • Beach Club Villas
    • BoardWalk Villas
    • Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge
    • Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Wilderness Lodge
    • Old Key West
    • Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
    • Riviera Resort
    • Saratoga Springs
    • Villas at Grand Floridian

In addition, there is one resort in Disneyland in California, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian. The three remaining resorts are located near beaches throughout the United States: Disney’s Vero Beach Resort in Vero Beach, Florida; Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina; and Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i.

It’s worth noting, however, that members can also choose to travel to both Disney-owned and Disney-partnered hotels and resorts around the world. This includes DVC Disney Cruises that sail to destinations in Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean, as well as the hotels in Disney’s robust Destinations Around the World Collection.

Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It?

The answer to this question, of course, depends on you! For many die-hard Disney fans as well as those who love arranging their travel in advance, the DVC program is well worth the expense. Others may not want to join a program that fences them into a pre-planned vacation.

To understand if the program is right for you, let’s take a look at a few of the benefits and downsides.

Pros of the Disney Vacation Club

When you join the DVC program, you’re joining a points-based timeshare system that allows you the freedom to choose from a spectrum of Disney properties while planning your trips in advance. You’ll enjoy priority booking at your home resort, which makes it easy to decide where you want to travel months in advance.

Long-term Disney Vacation Club membership can also offer great value, as it allows members to avoid high price increases year over year.

DVC members also have access to a number of exclusive perks, like Signature Dining Experiences. Additional perks include character meet-and-greets, pool-hopping, spa treatments, tours, movie screenings, and free exclusive events.

Cons of the Disney Vacation Club

The most prominent disadvantage to the DVC program is for those who don’t take Disney trips on a regular basis. The DVC program benefits repeat visitors, not those who prefer more freedom and flexibility to take non-Disney vacations.

Upfront costs can also be a disadvantage, though Disney does offer financing for those who can’t pay in cash all at once. It’s also worth noting that points tend to depreciate, so selling on the Disney Vacation Club resale market may not earn you as much as you spent.

The intensive pre-planning can be a downside for some members as well. Members need to choose their resorts, restaurants, shows, and attractions months in advance, which leaves little room for spontaneity.

How Can You Get Started With the DVC Program?

If you’re considering joining the DVC program, there are a number of ways to get started.

First, some prospective members find it helpful to purchase an initial vacation through the resale market. This can help you understand if a DVC rental is right for you in the long term.

If you’re happy with your experience, it’s time to make your DVC purchase and select your home resort!

Make the Most of Your Disney Vacation

If you’re a frequent Disney visitor, it’s worth considering joining the Disney Vacation Club. After all, membership offers the ability to plan your trips in advance, get exclusive access to events and venues, and do more of what you love during your trips! Do your research to decide whether this opportunity is right for you.

Want more of the helpful guides you need? Check out our other posts for additional insights.

Best Tips to Finding your Ideal Cabin Rental No Matter the Season!

Vacating with your friends and family is always a slice of respite from the hustle and bustle of work, whether at the office or at home. But cabin rental-hunting isn’t always so easy. You might find yourself browsing through accommodation after accommodation without really deciding on which one to go for.

For this reason, our experts have come up with another list you can follow as you choose your cabin rental, no matter the season.

1. Your Rental Needs, Not Rental “Deals”

It can be quite the invite— rental deals that are too good to pass up on. Yes, those exist, if you are able to partner with agencies such as the Twain Harte property management group. But our own specialists will tell you to prioritize rental deals above jaw-dropping discounts (we will get to the latter below).

Everything from the number of travellers (adults and/or kids), exact number of days you’ll be staying at the accommodations establishment (and a little room for an extra day or two, for backup), meals (all-inclusive or otherwise), places with in-house restaurants if this, too, is what you’ll necessitate, the list can go on and on according to your travel plans.

2. Check The Property Out

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to travel to the actual lodge to do some property and/or room reviewing. And this will spell completely unpractical if its hundreds and thousands of miles away from where you reside.

The best approach to this is by accessing the property’s website. Your green light will be a property management and rental platform that has photos and/or videos of key portions of the lodging facility.

Another green light is how updated said websites are. Content should be regularly and consistently brought up to date. Blogs should be relevant to rentals, renters, and related information that will help you with your vacation-planning needs.

3. Plan With The Fam

For family and friends trips, don’t feel as though only you are to bear the weight of the planning necessities and other imperatives. Involve the travellers in the decision-making process, too. Let them have their say on the list of potential lodging facilities you and your property manager have discussed. In fact, have them join you in these meetings.

Having others giving you their insight on the clan’s getaway-accommodation plans can aid in swaying towards decisions that are more advantageous for the fam than the rest.

4. Rental Associations

Here’s a qualifier that may not exactly be a make or break towards the deal. That being said, it’s a definite plus. Loding establishments that are affiliated with accredited rental associations are ones you can trust. Why? Because this means that they, like Fun Cabin Rentals Twain Harte California relies on, adhere to strict standards for accommodating guests, codes of cleanliness, etc.

5. Divide A Large Travel Group Into Smaller Ones

This isn’t about what we have mentioned earlier regarding collecting input from the other members of the travel-tribe. What we are pertaining to here is how renting one ginormous house can work for equally gigantic clans. On the other hand, it might be more convenient to break up the group into smaller ones for the purpose of finding accommodations easily.

It will also be less stressful to scout for lodging that has the specific amenities the large group wants. With smaller clusters, said clusters’ amenities can be streamlined and aligned to small-to-mid-sized cabins.

Why you should become a Freelancer

Are you considering diving into the world of freelance work? Before you do, we’ve put together a list of the top four things for you to consider…

1. You set your prices and your salary

If you think you deserve more money, you can increase your rates. If you are snowed under with work and customers are fighting for your attention, you can hike up the prices. You have full control over where the profits go, how much salary you get and how much is invested back into your work. You can assess each project as an individual and price it as such, charging more for particularly time-consuming ventures. With a handy invoice maker, you can easily create your own invoices with costs broken down exactly how you want them – creating professional invoices is essential for keeping track of your finances and will be necessary once tax season comes around.

2. You are your own boss

If you have ever worked in an office, I’m sure you have some experience with clueless management – superior staff with no idea what exactly their employees do. This can mean you get dumped with tons of work and given a completely unrealistic deadline which will require you to work overtime with little to no appreciation or recognition. Sometimes you can even be lumped with tasks without an idea why you are being asked to do it.

Big office environments are notoriously bad when it comes to communication and this can cause you to waste your time on a task that will later need to be redone or completely scrapped altogether. These are just a few of the problems you might have to deal with when working as an employee for a company. When you are self-employed you have full transparency – you are in control. And although you may not have a manager breathing down your neck, you do have to answer to your clients, but they can often be much easier to appease.

3. Flexible working hours

You will not have to stick to the strict 9 to 5 routine, which can have a lot of benefits. You can work whenever you need to and take time off whenever you can afford it. If you would rather work weekends and have time off during the week, you can. If you want to start your workday super early or maybe you would rather work in the evenings, it is completely up to you. Your clients or customers will likely set deadlines for the work, but you decide when to do it. If you have good organizational skills, then freelancing would be perfect for you as you could plan your time perfectly and maybe even afford yourself a bit more time off.

4. Work wherever you want to

As a freelancer, you do not have an office to go to every day. You don’t have to clock in and clock out. Most freelancers will work from home but there are no rules when you’re working for yourself, if you want to sit on the beach and reply to your emails or relax in a cozy café while you work – there is nothing stopping you. You can work from whatever environment is more conducive to your own productivity.

The Best Shotgun Extension Tubes

Shotguns are incredible firearms that serve a variety of purposes. They can be used for self-defense, recreational or competition shooting, and hunting.

But one of the major limitations of most modern shotguns is the limited magazine capacity. Most shotguns can only hold between two and five rounds at a time.

This means, you only get a few shots before needing to reload. For hunters in particular, where having enough rounds out on the field is vital to success, extension tubes are useful to increase the round carrying capacity of your guns.

These are simple shotgun accessories that mount directly on the gun, adding more round carrying capacity. Wondering what the best shotgun extension tubes are? Looking to find the right shotgun extension for your model? Keep reading to find out how.

Benefits of Extension Tubes on Shotguns

So why would you need to add gun accessories like extension tubes on your shotgun? Well, because two, three, or four rounds often isn’t enough for many people.

Imagine being in a self-defense situation, where an intruder enters your home. In all likelihood, you are going to be full of adrenaline and all shook up. It’s likely you may not connect your first shot or two. In this case, having more rounds available in your firearm could be a lifesaver.

For hunters, having additional carrying capacity could mean the difference between coming home with meat for the freezer, or coming home empty-handed.

Turkeys are the most common game species taken with a shotgun. To hunt turkeys, you need to head out into the woods, with all the gear you’re going to need in your backpack or in your hunting vest. You don’t want to have to carry a bix box full of shells in your pocket. It’s clunky.

But you also don’t want to rely on a couple of shots loaded in your magazine. What if you miss a shot or two? Or what if you finally hit the turkey, but need to get another shot off to prevent it from flying away and losing it forever?

It certainly pays to have extra rounds ready to go, without having to deal with the bulk of carrying them separately. And it’s vital that they are always ready to fire, rather than having to take the time to reload the magazine before you can take another shot.

The Best Shotgun Extension Tubes

With that being said, let’s dive into the best extension tubes you can get. Some will only work for specific models, so you can’t just buy any tube.

    1. Nordic Components 

Nordic Components produces a modular shotgun extension tube. These can work with almost any 12 gauge shotgun.

However, you need to ensure you choose the one intended for your specific firearm. They produce tubes for popular brands such as Browning, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester, and more.

These tubes are essentially the same piece of equipment but customized to fit each manufacturer’s firearms. They are simple to install, making it possible for even the most mechanically challenged people to get it in.

The Nordic Components tubes are made up of three parts; the tube, tube cap, and tube nut. This makes them more reliable and easier to install. The tube nut is the piece that is customized to fit different manufacturers.

These are lightweight, aluminum extension tubes, making them ideal for those using an already heavy gun, especially hunters. Depending on the length of tube you choose, you can boost your carrying capacity to around 10 rounds.

You can order the most popular shotgun extension tube here.

    1. Remington

The Remington 870 is one of the most popular and most reliable shotguns. Since there’s a good chance you own one, you might want to consider the extension tube also made by Remington.

It’s a two-piece extension tube that allows for smooth, easy feeding. It’s also a bit longer than other tubes, likely extending past the end of your barrel. It features a bracket groove allowing you to secure it to the barrel to keep it secure.

These tubes are reliable, as they have been used for decades by law enforcement and the military. Plus, they are manufactured right here in the US.

It’s made out of steel, making it a bit heavier than the aluminum tube by Nordic Components, but still lighter than most steel tubes. The Remington extension tube can add two rounds to your magazine. But it requires a slightly more complex installation process, making it better suited to those who like to tinker, and don’t need a quick installation or removal process.

    1. Lancer

The extension tube from Lancer is one of the lightest you can get your hands on. Made with carbon fiber, it sports a clean aesthetic and a top-quality feel.

It’s lighter than both aluminum and steel. However, carbon fiber is known to break sooner than either metal. But as long as you care for your gun and avoid big drops, it shouldn’t be an issue.

You can pick up a Lancer extension tube for Remington, Stoeger, Mossberg, Beretta, and Benelli shotguns. And you can choose a size that adds a minimum of two extra rounds and up to nine extra rounds.

The weight savings and the huge amount of extra rounds available make this a great option for hunters.

    1. Magload

Magload’s extension tubes are also made out of carbon fiber for an extremely lightweight solution. But unlike Lancer, where you choose from pre-determined lengths, Magload’s custom tubes are made to order.

It takes a few weeks to finally get your custom tube, but it means a better fitting solution. This is ideal for those with custom-built shotguns or modified firearms where length adjustments are critical to a functional, well-handling gun.

However, if you have a standard shotgun, you can also choose from a selection of lengths, between one and 10 extra rounds.

Ditch the Bare Minimum

Just because it’s a shotgun doesn’t mean you have to settle for fewer rounds. By adding some simple extension tubes to your shotgun, you can go from carrying five rounds to carrying over ten. This can make for an entire day or weekend of spring hunting.

Looking for more information like this? Be sure to visit our blog today and check out other articles.

What to see in Aquitaine, France

The south-western region of Aquitaine, in France, covers a wide area, and it shows when you look at the numerous places to visit, inside its border. That part of France, in the summer time, is one of the most beautiful you can choose to discover. To help you, here are a few different locations you shouldn’t miss, as you travel its roads.

Arriving in Aquitaine

The best way to prepare your travel, is to book a camping holiday in the south of France, choosing it by your family’s preferences. Are you more sea or land? There are also many activities you can chose, according to the location, you select. Just look for the one that will please everyone and book it. Once you arrive at your destination, it will be easy to just drive from that central point, to all the cities and sites you want to visit.

Bordeaux

If there is a wine lover in your party, then you simply cannot miss heading to Bordeaux, to visit some of its wineries. This city and its region have certainly earned the title of the world’s wine capital. Some of the greatest wines, ever elaborated, come from that region. Still today, all connoisseurs will tell you that you can never go wrong by serving a Bordeaux, when you have guests over.

But there is more to Bordeaux than just wine. The center of the town is a World Heritage site. Everyone walking its streets will remember Place de la Bourse, where you find the “Mirroir d’Eau” (Water Glass), a work of art by Michel Corajoud, which features a thin layer of water reflecting the beauty surrounding it.

La Dordogne

If you like history and castles, then you have to visit the Dordogne valley. It was one of the main battle grounds of the 100 Years wars with Britain, during the 14th and 15th century. It has left behind, many military castles, along the river side. If you want to travel even farther back in time, continue your visit by entering Paleolithic caves, where habitants, 20,000 years ago, painted the walls. The drawings they made can still be seen today.

Pau

If you enjoy walking, the Boulevard des Pyrénées, in Pau, will leave you beautiful memories to bring back home. It features a balustrade walkway, placed on top of the Gave River. The view of the rolling hills, with scattered castles on top of them, here and there, will remind you of movies set in other centuries.