Tales of the Traveling Tote and A Giveaway

Miss Courtney's

 Virtual Trip Across Europe and UK

Troyes, France 

Cathedrale Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul

~~~~~

Traveling Tote Adventures and a Giveaway September 1, 2025

Welcome to another adventure of Tales of the Traveling Tote. This is where my fellow Tales of the Traveling Tote friends and I share our latest travels, projects and our most current events. You will have an opportunity to visit other members at the end of this post and learn about our giveaway.

~~~~~

Miss Courtney shared with me she would like an exciting trip to Europe or the United Kingdom. With no big trips planned anytime soon, I decided to take her along on some of our past adventures through a virtual journey. 

Be warned, we got a little carried away while reminiscing, a lot of photos! 

Italy

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Rome

Tudini's 

Trattoria

A favorite Trattoria in Rome where we frequent and enjoy the "welcome back" from the wait staff. The food is always as remembered, delicious!

Roman Colosseum

Trevi Fountain

Lunch in Roam

The Palatine Hill in Rome 

I packed a picnic lunch earlier and after a long morning exploring we found the perfect spot to enjoy our lunch, a meadow with colorful wildflowers in bloom. The views were amazing not to mention so much history

Naples to Capri on the High-Speed Hydrofoil

Dinner in Capri

Jim, enjoying Pizza in Capri

While waiting in Capri for the ferry to take us to Sorrento, this local walked pasted. His face was so interesting and weathered, we thought he's a fisherman. I would have loved a chat with him!

After seeing the beautiful town of Sorrento we were off on the train to  Pompeii

Ostia Ancient Port City 

Theatrical Masks are architectural elements that adorned the building of the Ostia Theater

Venice

My Gondolier (Mamma Mia)

France

Paris

We are always thrilled seeing the historic sites, again and again!

Avignon - Palais des Papes

Orange, France

the coliseum now Theatre antique d'Orange

We had lunch seated outside with a fabulous view of the coliseum

Chenonceaux, France

Chateau de Chenonceau

My favorite Chateau out of all we've visited

Chateau de Chenonceau Kitchen

Throughout the chateau the fireplaces were burning and fresh floral arrangements were placed in every room and hallway. This was in December and you can imagine the beautiful festive arrangements

Triumphal Arch of Orange

We've always enjoyed backpacking, though it involves so much walking but lets us see sights that most tourists miss.

Nice, France

Our first trip to Nice, our hotel faced the Promenade des Angles 

Monaco

Casino in Monte Carlo where I pulled a lever and beat the bank! We immediately left :)

Lunch on the terrace next to casino

Strassbourg

My birthday lunch. This restaurant is just across from the magnificent cathedral 

England

York

Old Town

Salisbury 

Salisbury Cathedral  

London

Big Ben during the Christmas season

 

Windsor

Portsmouth 

Scotland

This was the Christmas tree in Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress

~~~~~

A tote set off across the sea,

Full of hopes and dreams.

It came back home, a heavy sack, 

With souvenirs, filling every crack. It held a charm from Paris streets,

And sweet Italian market treats.

A little treasure, soft and fine,

The happy story of a Traveling Tote.

                                             Miss Courtney   

~~~~~

Miss Courtney and I thank you for your visit. We have so many photos it was hard for us to choose what to share. I think this post will keep her happy until she gets a trip of her own.     

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for the Giveaway!

Sarah at "Hyacinths for the Soul" will be hosting the giveaway for a chance to win this cute tote from MacKenzie-Childs. Just leave a comment for her here. Thank you Sarah for hosting.

Tales of the Traveling Tote members would love for you to visit.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

~~~~~

Remember to join the TTT on December 1 for more fun adventures and another giveaway

Happy September!

  

TALES OF THE TRAVELING TOTE AND A GIVEAWAY

Welcome to another adventure of The Tales of the Traveling Tote. This is where my fellow Tales of the Traveling Tote friends and I share our latest travels, projects and our most current events. You will have an opportunity to visit other members at the end of this post and learn about our giveaway.

More Tales in the Time of Covid19

We are going out only when we need to and then we go early and try to avoid crowds. Being outside helps when you need to stay home most of the time. Early summer we were adding new plants to the Veranda and I've enjoyed adding flowers. It has been really hot so time spent outside now has to be early mornings and late afternoon. I've always loved being outside early, just something about starting the day with the birds singing and sparkle from the dew on the grass. With cooler weather predicted for the week you will find me outside on the veranda.

Enjoying flags all summer long, Memorial Day to Labor Day 

This pair enjoys having a tea party 
So happy to find them at the MacKenzie-Childs virtual barn sale

Since our travel plans for this year had to be cancelled and Miss Courtney was so disappointed she didn't get to go on the trip to Scandinavia, we decided to take a virtual tour to some of my favorite places! And include her......

This is the trip that was cancelled with Jim's retirement group

So, since we have no travel to share from this year, join Miss Courtney and me on some of the cities Miss Courtney would like to visit.

~~~~~

If you follow my blog you know how we love France but did you know we also love Italy!



Rome, Italy

Piazza della Rotonda
Lunch with a view of the Pantheon

Roman Colosseum

Miss Courtney certainly wants a picnic at Palatine Hill

Trevi Fountain

I always throw in a coin and hope I will get a return trip

This adorable group was celebrating Carnival in Rome

Venice 

We were there during Carnival

Jim enjoying the sights of Venice

Miss Courtney says she already has her mask for our trip

Meet Marco, my gondolier. He was very attentive!

The hotel room was very grand and included a welcome basket of fruit and the window overlooked Plazza San Marco 

Isle of Capri

Positano

And, some other favorite destinations  
Portsmouth
 A Trip to England in December for Christmas shopping

Keukenhof Gardens
 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Nothing like a parade!
Windsor, England

Lucerne, Switzerland

~~~~~~~


 So, have you learned to Zoom? I did and I've enjoyed meetings with friends and Traveling Tote friends.
It's a great way to stay in touch!

I am grateful to have seen so many sunsets in far-away places. But now, during this time of Covid19, I am thankful to be in my own backyard!

Now for the Giveaway

Just leave a comment with Rita here for a chance to win a four piece set of coasters from MacKenzie-Childs. 

~~~

Visit the Tale of the Traveling Tote friends for more fun adventures.
~~!

Tales of the Traveling Tote Friends

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reade
Cherry Kay and Carrie and Hall @ Entertaining Women

~~~

Thank you for your visit. I hope you are well and safe. I would love for you to leave a comment, it's the only way I know you 
stopped in!

~~~~~

Wishing everyone,
 a safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

❤❤❤❤❤