One of the most popular destinations to visit in Paris is the Montmartre District. With the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur (Sacred Heart) sitting on top of the hill with incredible views of the city, it is certainly worthwhile to put it on your itinerary. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés in the area and many people go there just to sit on the steps of the basilica and look out at the wonderful views. We didn’t make it there until our second visit to Paris, which was in the winter and unfortunately it was a cloudy and rainy day, which did diminish the views a bit.
The Front of the Basilica of the Sacré-CœurCloudy View of the CityTomb Inside of the ChurchEven With the Rain, It Was BusyThe Bell Tower
The inside of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is certainly quite beautiful and might be even more popular with Notre Dame still being repaired. The area is very busy, even on the rainy day that we visited, so be prepared for large crowds when you visit. We only had a few hours in the area during our visit, so we’ll have to take the time to go once again on our next trip to Paris when hopefully the weather will better.
Looking Up at One of the StatuesEntering the BasilicaMaking the Most of a Wet DayImagine if It Was a Sunny DayAngel Statue and Stained Glass Windows
We have plenty of wonderful memories from our trip to England, but one of our favorite memories is of Warwick Castle. Walking around the grounds of the castle is like walking back in time to England’s rich history when lords, ladies, and knights ruled the land. Seeing how the wealthy from generations past lived was quite fascinating and the castle provides plenty of historic displays within the manor. Considering what life was like for most people who lived in that period, the contrast couldn’t have been greater compared to those fortunate enough to be born into such wealth.
Castle Wall
Banquet Room
The Manor
Stunning Castle
The rooms have been preserved and are decorated to portray the ambiance of the time period. As you walk through the castle, each new room is more splendid than the next. You can almost hear the mannequins talking about the next glorious ball or what to do with the land. It is truly a window into the past that was very special to see.
An Evening Listening to Music
The Men in the Library
The Castle
Looking Up at the Castle Wall
The grounds are gorgeous and we could easily imagine dawning a riding outfit as we went fox hunting on the open fields. There is even a catapult next to a stunning river that runs through the castle’s property. Climbing up to the top of the castle walls, there are spectacular views of Warwickshire, where the castle is located. Seeing the sprawling fields around the castle helps you understand the expanse of the estate and get a feeling for the farms that would have been worked by the subjects of the manor.
Us Walking the Grounds
The Fields Behind the Castle
Catapult
The River
Obviously it is set up to attract tourists and as such there are some things that take away from the overall experience. There is a haunted tour of the tower where costumed characters jump out at you around every corner. No trip to a castle is complete without a trip to the dungeon, but the haunted house theme was a little unnecessary. That being said, we really had a wonderful time seeing every part of the vast estate.
Entrance to the Tower
Dungeon
Getting Ready for Battle
Warwickshire Church
If you’re in England and have the opportunity to visit Warwick Castle, we would highly recommend it. Just to see the gorgeous countryside, the Tudor homes, and the grand mansion is definitely worth the trip. Warwickshire is located near Stratford-upon-Avon, which made it a perfect place to visit while also visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare. Walking the grounds of a true castle that is as well-kept as Warwick Castle allows you to truly understand how grand and opulent their lives truly were.
Shrimp Fra Diavolo (Brother Devil) is an Italian inspired dish that is spicy and delicious. We served it over a bed of angel hair pasta, but when we had leftovers a couple of days later, we simply served it with a side of garlic toast. If you don’t want it too spicy, you can reduce the amount of red pepper flakes, but this meal is meant to pack some heat. It is one of those easy and yet elegant dinners that can be done on a weeknight or served for a weekend dinner party. It could probably be done with another type of shell fish, but shrimp really holds up well to the flavors and is easy to cook.
Spicy Shrimp and Tomatoes
INGREDIENTS
1 lb Large Shrimp – peeled and deveined
1/2 Medium Red Onion – sliced
1 (14 1/2 oz) can Diced Tomatoes
1 cup Chicken Stock (or White Wine)
1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
3 cloves Garlic – chopped
2 to 3 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Angel Hair Pasta – cooked to package directions
Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Garlic Toast
INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with the red pepper flakes and a tablespoon of salt. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan to medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until fully cooked and the shrimp have turned pink, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside. Add the onion to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onion is soft. Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, garlic, Italian seasoning and simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken the sauce. Add the shrimp back into sauce and bring them back up to temperature, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the shrimp and tomatoes over the angel hair pasta and serve.
Sauté the Shrimp with Crushed Red Pepper FlakesRed Onion in the SkilletCooking the Tomato SauceShrimp Fra Diavolo with Angel Hair Pasta
