THE Traveler: Joe Towalski of Sauk Rapids, Minn.

The scene: Green spaces, red rooftops and the aquamarine Gave de Pau river look vibrant even on an overcast day in Lourdes, a market town in the foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France. This overview was shot from a narrow window in a castle that sits atop a hill in the middle of town, taken as Towalski and his wife made their way to the top of the old structure.

Destination details: "Lourdes is home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines in the world: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is visible at the far left of the photo. The shrine's grotto is where a teenage girl, St. Bernadette Soubirous, reported visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. It has been the site of many reported medical cures. But, outside of its significance as a religious pilgrimage destination, Lourdes is simply a charming town in southern France that's definitely worth visiting," Towalski wrote in an e-mail. "The castle includes a museum that provides an informative overview of the area's culture and the town's long history dating back to Roman times."

Equipment: iPhone 6s.

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