Bob & Donna Are Off To Europe!

Did You Know? - Geneva's reputation for luxury makes it a major European shopping destination for haute couture and high-end goods. Big names like Cartier, Rolex, and Mont Blanc call this Swiss city home.

Did You Know? - Big Ferris Wheel is placed in English Garden for the duration of Big Geneva Festival: Pre-Fêtes de Genève and Fêtes de Genève (16th July to 9th August). While many other amusement rides and attractions open only in August, Ferris Wheel, as a flagship, opens 2 weeks earlier, reminding everyone the upcoming Festival.

Did You Know? - Carouge is a municipality in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, known for its distinct Italian-influenced architecture and bohemian atmosphere. It has a rich and tumultuous history, having been a pawn in regional power struggles for centuries.

Did You Know? - Geneva's first botanical gardens were created in 1817 as an expression of the then prevailing naturalist trend. Today, the Botanical Gardens and Conservatory occupy roughly 28 hectares. The garden's herbarium - one of the world's largest - has six million samples. The gardens invite you on a journey into the botanical world.

Did You Know? - The UN Office in Geneva (UNOG) is the UN's largest office outside of New York, housed in the historic Palais des Nations, originally built for the League of Nations. Geneva serves as a diplomatic hub for UN entities like the World Health Organization and the Human Rights Council, focusing on areas such as human rights, disarmament, and health. The UN Library and Archives Geneva is also located there, being the UN system's oldest library, founded by the League of Nations in 1919.

Did You Know? - The Jet d'Eau in Geneva is an iconic symbol of the city, originally built in 1886 as a safety valve for a hydraulic power station, but later relocated to Lake Geneva and amplified into a famous landmark. It jets 140 meters (460 feet) high at 200 km/h (124 mph) and operates year-round unless there is strong wind or freezing temperatures, often being lit in the evenings between spring and autumn.

It is a free attraction, and the fountain can be seen from many vantage points around the city.

Here's some trivia about the Jet d'Eau:

Origin as a safety valve: The fountain was created out of necessity, originally serving as a pressure relief valve for a hydraulic network in 1886.

Becoming a symbol: The public enjoyed watching the water shoot into the air so much that it was soon amplified and moved to its current spot in the middle of Lake Geneva to become a permanent symbol of the city's vitality and innovation.

Manual operation: A caretaker manually turns the Jet d'Eau on and off each day, rather than it being fully automatic. Weather restrictions: The fountain does not operate in conditions of extreme wind or freezing temperatures, with five volunteer caretakers monitoring the weather to make the decision to turn it off.

Not the world's highest: While it is one of the world's tallest fountains, the honor of the absolute highest goes to the Jeddah Water Jet in Saudi Arabia.

Cultural appearances: The Jet d'Eau has been featured in the title sequence of the 1960s TV series The Champions and was on the logo for the 2008 UEFA football championships.

Free to see: The Jet d'Eau is a free public attraction, and you can view it from various places along the lakeside promenade without buying a ticket.

Lit at night: Between spring and autumn, the fountain is lit by 21 lights after sunset, creating a beautiful spectacle.

Did You Know? - Broken Chair is a monumental sculpture in wood designed by Swiss artist Daniel Berset, and constructed by carpenter Louis Genève. It is constructed of 5.5 tons of wood and is 12 metres high. It depicts a giant chair with a broken leg and stands across the street from the Palace of Nations, in Geneva.

Did You Know? - Saint Pierre Cathedral is a historic church in Geneva, Switzerland. It was originally a Roman Catholic cathedral but became a Calvinist Church in 1535. It is known as the adopted home church of John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. Inside the church is a wooden chair used by Calvin.

Did You Know? - The "Place du Marché" in Orange, France, is a historic square that serves as a modern marketplace, but its story is deeply intertwined with the ancient Roman city of Arausio. The square sits in the shadow of major Roman landmarks, and its history reflects the town's layered past, from its Roman roots to its medieval and modern life.

Did You Know? - Chateau de Chillon is the most visited historic monument in Switzerland and was the inspiration for Disney's "The Little Mermaid" castle. The site has been occupied since the Bronze Age, and the first construction of the castle began in the 10th century. It served as the summer residence and toll station for the Counts of Savoy, controlled a strategic trade route, and has been a prison, a weapons depot, and a tourist attraction since 1803.

Did You Know? - Annecy, known as the "Venice of the Alps," is home to the 12th-century Palais de l'Isle, a castle on a river island, and the Château d'Annecy, now a museum. The city is the capital of the Haute-Savoie department and was historically important during the Reformation when the bishopric moved there from Geneva. Annecy is also the birthplace of the Carrefour hypermarket chain, which opened its first store there in 1958.

Did You Know? - Lac d'Annecy trivia includes its glacial origins approximately 18,000 years ago, its status as one of Europe's cleanest lakes thanks to a dedicated water treatment union (SILA) started in 1957, its world-renowned Fête du Lac fireworks, and being the location of the first-ever Carrefour hypermarket. The lake is also associated with the local legend of the Lady of Angon and serves as a hub for paragliding and numerous water sports, including sailing and water skiing.

Did You Know? - Carouge is a district of Geneva, Switzerland, known as the "Greenwich Village of Geneva" for its bohemian, Mediterranean atmosphere and strong artisan tradition. Originally built in the 18th century to rival Geneva, it has a distinct Italianate architectural style and a history of welcoming diverse, free-spirited communities.

Did You Know? - Place François Rude is a lively Dijon square, created in 1904, named after the Dijon-born sculptor François Rude and known locally as "Place du Bareuzai" for its central fountain depicting a grape harvester. The square is surrounded by medieval and Renaissance buildings, hosts a permanent carousel, and features Dijon's first department store on its edge, while the square itself is a bustling hub with cafes and markets.

Origins and Naming A New Square: The square was created in 1904 after several old houses were demolished, a process that brought a central space to this part of Dijon.

Named for a Sculptor: It's named after the famous 19th-century sculptor François Rude, who was born in Dijon, France. The "Bareuzai" Fountain A Local Nickname: The square is often called "Place du Bareuzai" by locals.

A Grape Harvester: This name comes from the central fountain, which features a statue of a grape harvester, or "Bareuzai," treading grapes in a wine vat, symbolizing the region's winemaking heritage.

Historical and Architectural Significance Architectural Mix: The square's surroundings blend the charm of medieval half-timbered houses with Renaissance-style buildings.

Dijon's First Department Store: The building at the edge of Rue de la Liberté was Dijon's first department store, inaugurated in 1897. A Place of Life and Culture A Permanent Carousel: A carousel, operating for generations, is a fixture of the square.

A Lively Hub: With its cafes, restaurants, and surrounding boutiques, the square is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike.

Markets: The square also hosts cultural events and markets, especially on Sundays.

Did You Know? - The grand staircase, in the centre of the north wing, is the largest surviving example of a square stair around a central well. Commissioned by a contract signed in Paris in January 1624, built in stone on four levels, and completed in ten months, it follows the layout of the staircase of the Luxembourg Palace, built by Salomon de Brosse in the year 1623 (destroyed in the early nineteenth century). It is particularly noteworthy for its wide sweeping arches supporting flights of stone and for the magnificent balustrades 'laid out in the same dimensions and of similar architecture to those of the Luxembourg hotel' (1624 contract).

Did You Know? - Three residential wings are arranged in a horseshoe, completed on the outer corners by four large projecting defensive pavilions. The fourth side was a rampart to first floor level, with a monumental entrance and drawbridge. The exterior facades, of military severity, were inspired by the citadel in Chalon, of which Antoine du Blé had been appointed Governor by Henri IV.

Did You Know? - Beaujolais is a French wine region producing 100% Gamay red wines, the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of November celebrates the new harvest using carbonic maceration, and the region's history includes Roman cultivation and a 1980s marketing surge that initially tarnished its quality reputation. Hand-harvesting is mandatory for all Beaujolais wines.

Did You Know? - Vienne, France, is known for its exceptionally preserved Roman and medieval architecture, including a temple, a theater, and a circus pyramid, making it a significant historical site in France.

Key facts include its Roman and Gallic origins, its role as a strategic location in the Holy Roman Empire and later France, and its current function as a commercial center with a notable Saturday market.

The town also hosts the annual Jazz à Vienne festival at its Roman theater and features the significant Council of Vienne in 1311, where the Knights Templar order was abolished by Pope Clement V.

Did You Know? - "La Voulte-sur-Rhône" is the name of a town in southern France, located in the Ardèche department, and it is also the name of a significant Middle Jurassic fossil site known for preserving exceptionally detailed marine organisms like cephalopods and arthropods in pyrite. In English, this translates to the same name, "La Voulte-sur-Rhône," but refers either to the village itself or the paleontological site, with the "sur-Rhône" part meaning "on the Rhône," indicating its location along the Rhône River.

Did You Know? - Famed as being "the most beautiful gorges in Europe", their 22 km long canyon through which the crystal-clear river flows offers a wealth of adventures with the family. Explore the gorges from a canoe, admire the cliffs sometimes up to 250m high, and sail beneath the emblematic Pont-d'Arc in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.

Did You Know? - Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a famous red wine appellation and region in France's Southern Rhône Valley, known for its full-bodied, high-alcohol wines made from a blend of up to thirteen authorized grape varieties, primarily Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. The area's unique terroir of rolled pebbles and other soils, its historic connection to the Avignon Papacy, and its strict AOC (Appellation d'origine contrôlée) regulations contribute to its complex and powerful style, which features flavors of dark fruit, spice, and earthy herbs (garrigue). K

Key Characteristics Wine Style: Full-bodied and complex, with high alcohol content.

Flavor Profile: Red and dark fruit (blackberry, plum), spicy notes (black pepper), and earthy herbs (thyme, rosemary, lavender) known as "garrigue".

Grape Varieties: A blend of several authorized grapes, with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre being the most prominent.

History: The name means "The Pope's new castle" and refers to the 14th-century papal palace built in the area during the Avignon Papacy.

Terroir: Famous for its "rolled pebbles" or galets roulés, which retain heat and release it at night, aiding grape ripening, but also includes sandy and clay soils.

Appellation: The first appellation recognized in France in 1936, with strict regulations on grape growing and winemaking.

What to Expect in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape For Red Wines: Expect rich, powerful flavors with notes of dark fruit, herbs, and spices, with earthy and leathery notes developing as the wine ages.

For White Wines: Less common but still recognized, they are often floral and peachy, with a surprising structure and high alcohol content, though typically consumed younger than the reds. Visiting the Region Explore the town, including the ruins of the 14th-century papal castle. Stroll through the winding streets and visit the many local wine cellars and shops for tastings. Learn about the unique terroirs and their influence on the wine's character.

Did You Know? - Arles, France, is known for its significant Roman heritage, including a well-preserved arena still used for events, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also famous as the city where Vincent van Gogh painted over 300 works during a highly productive period in his life. Other points of interest include the Théâtre antique, Thermes de Constantine (Roman baths), and the city's thriving culture, which hosts an international photography festival.