European Trip - Day 5 - Nimes

Off we go this morning; we are on the highway passing by the wine growing areas along the Rhône valley, Condrieu, Cote Rotie, Hermitage and parallel 45 before we arrived by Chateauneuf du Pape. The scenery was very beautiful, vineyards, fruit groves, lavender fields… then we arrived in Avignon. The city where the Pope lived, in the 14th century. We had a real nice time for lunch and did a little tour. We then drove through the countryside to reach the Alpilles, a limestone formation south of Avignon, these rocks have been quarried out since roman days and have served for the construction of the amphitheaters in the area, in Arles and Nîmes. We stopped in Les Baux de Provence, a perched village, so picturesque, a great opportunity for picture taking and enjoying the view around this site. We also had time for few souvenirs…before heading to Nîmes for our overnight. After dinner we walked to the amphitheater and the market square where the symbols of the city are, the palm tree and the crocodile!!! Tomorrow we are going to the coast and the French Riviera.

European Trip - Day 4 - Lyon

On the way to Burgundy! After a beautiful drive through the mountains this morning we join up with the highway to reach the Bresse area, where they breed free range chickens in France the only one to have an AOC… we then reached the Saone valley and the town of St Albain where we visit the chateau… what a wonderful experience and a warm welcome… the chateau is quite amazing, we climbed the tower to reach the roof, and what a view from there… we had a great meal before heading to Lyon. We arrived bear the Fourvière basilica to meet Mark who took us around the city. Lyon is a great city, center of the silk industry; we went through the traboules… and had dinner in town in a local bistrot or “bouchon” as they say here!! Tomorrow we are going into Provence to Avignon, a lot more to discover!

European Trip - Day 3 - Switzerland

Early start this morning, as we are heading to the train station to catch the bullet train! We are going to Lausanne, 3 hour and 30 minue ride to the 4th largest town in Switzerland! We had a nice time for lunch and then took off for the Chateau Chillon, a medieval fortress, so well restored. All military defenses were there, the arrow slits, the parapet walk, the keep…very interesting. The last part of our day was in Gruyère, what a lovely place, quaint and picturesque…so calm and peaceful. Time for us to get our swiss souvenirs and try out some cheese!! Tonight we are by Geneva, dinner was quiet, it was a long day overall… we need a good night sleep to be ready for tomorrow! On the way to Burgundy ! More to see and taste !

European Trip - Day 2 - Paris

Hello Paris, here we come! Today, we enjoyed a panoramic tour, with our driver Alex and our local guide Janice. She took us to see some highlights, we drove past Notre Dame, the Panthéon and through the left bank, we passed the Alexander III bridge. We also stopped by the Invalides, the Trocadero Square to take pictures of the Eiffel tower then onto the Arch of triumph. We then took the direction of the Madeleine church, the Garnier Opéra and the famous Vendome Square where the Ritz is. We saw the Concorde square where the guillotine once stood. We went to hear about the perfume and this afternoon we visited the Orsay museum to admire the highlights of impressionist paintings! After a great dinner, we took the metro to the Eiffel Tower and joined an evening Seine Cruise…and saw the lights of Paris. Tomorrow, bullet train to Switzerland!