Is There a GSB Tour in the Near Future?

So, what you didn’t know, because security within the GSB team is lock tight, is that there was a tour in the works last summer that would have taken us to Rome, Revenna, and Venice. The theme would have been the early church, the conversion of Constantine the Great at the Milvian Bridge, and some … Continue reading “Is There a GSB Tour in the Near Future?”

Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 10

Today was our last day to tour in Paris, and it was a full day. After beginning at Rue Cler, we made the short walk to Les Invalides, which is, among other things, a museum of French military history. Les Invalides’s collection of suits of armor was fascinating. I was struck by the difference between the … Continue reading “Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 10”

Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 9

Today we visited the Basilica of Saint Denis, the church where almost all the French kings–Charlemagne is one exception–are buried. Those buried here include Saint Denis (the first Christian martyr in Paris), Clovis, the first Christian king of the Franks, Charles Martel (Charlemagne’s grandfather) and Pepin the Short (Charlemagne’s father), as well as King Louis … Continue reading “Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 9”

Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 6

This was a day when everything went right. It started with a walk down a narrow road from our hotel through the vineyards to the small village of Champillon for a champagne tasting at Bertrand Devanvry vineyard. We tasted f three of their champagnes and toured their facilities, and it was all gratis, something nearly … Continue reading “Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 6”

Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 3

We were in Normandy today. And if you are American, you cannot go through Normandy without visiting the D-Day beaches, memorials and museums. We are American; so we did. I recognize this was not consistent with the theme of this travel journal, but I want you to know I tried. I told our tour guide … Continue reading “Carolingian & Crusader Travel Journal: Day 3”