Yesterday Cathy and I went to a travel agency (Luc came to help) to try to put a 'plan' together for the next part of our trip; it was driving us CRAZY trying to do it ourselves (I didn't think it would be so difficult). At first I thought we would just be able to look at schedules and maps online and book our tickets, but being peak season most places and many trains are booked and prices are very expensive. Also, you can't just book a train from Nice, France to Interlocken, Switzerland and go, there are a few different connections and a bus ride you have to take to get there. Coordinating times, places to sleep, reservations, etc... is a headache and best left to the travel agency to figure out; I am very glad we did this as we were in the office for 3 hours!!
However, we now have our plan that takes us up until July, 25. We will leave Cagnes-Sur-Mer early Sunday morning to make our way up to Annecy, France. This is a place where the Jaujous stayed and said it was pretty amazing (the pictures they showed us were great!). We will be there for two days then make our way up to Switzerland. Our first stop will be in Bern (hopefully we can see some Bernese Mountain Dogs) via Geneve for one day, then on to Interlocken. From Interlocken we will make our way up into the mountains to the SMALL town of Gimmelwald (we hope there is room for us for a day or so- there are only two places to stay in the town). I am really excited for this place as the pictures I have seen are unbelievable!
After these few days in Switzerland we will head to Paris to watch the last day of the Tour on the Champs Elyese, but only after a 4-5 hour train ride. We leave Interlocken at 6:30am and arrive in Paris at 11:30am, giving us a few hours to squeeze onto the barrier on the Champs Elyese before the riders arrive. My hope is to get some sweet video and pics of the riders as they do their 8 laps before finishing. After this I am sure Lance will want to hang out and share some Champagne with us, but I think I will hang with Petacchi (Ali Jet) instead and talk about him winning the green jersey and how Cavendouche had to pull out of the Tour because he didn't have Renshaw to lead him out (HA!).
From here we spend the night in Paris and check out the city a little, then make our way to Dublin, Ireland for about 6 days (we still have to form this part of the 'plan').
That's it for now, later.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Visiting the French Riviera
Bonjour!
On Thursday, Ad and I ventured out of Cagne Sur Mer by train and traveled east along the Mediterrean Sea to Villefranche Sur Mer and Monaco.
Villefranche sur Mer is a stunning small village situated in one of the most beautiful and parts of the Côte d'Azur and dates back to 130 BC. In the middle, a picturesque harbor is known to be one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The village is surrounded by hillsides, luxurious homes and considered one of the most exclusive spots in the area. The port, the old town, and the curve of the hillside all contribute to the beauty of the village.
The port is filled with colorful fishing boats and serves as a base for fishermen, tourists, and offers numerous cruises in the summer. The village is bordered by restaurants, terraces and a popular and lengthy beach to enjoy cooling off from a humid French summer. If you remember the movie Dirty Rotten Scondrels, most of the movie’s scenery takes place in this quaint and beautiful village.
After enjoying the beach, some pizza and a cold French beer, we continued our journey further east down the coast to Monaco.
Monaco is located further east of Villerfranche Sur Mer and is referred to as the Principality of Monaco. Monaco is home to roughly 30,000 residents and its location is between the mountain and the sea. Its gardens, exceptional harbor and cultural events are unique to other nearby villages. As an independent state in Europe, the Principality of Monaco offers exceptional and secure lifestyles by offering the advantages of an attractive fiscal system. In other words, there are a lot of tax breaks for the wealthy in this small town. Their harbor has the largest boats I have ever seen and seems to be host to many of the rich and famous.
Within Monaco is Monte Carlo, a tiny portion less than 3 kilometers long and located in the on a large rock overlooking the sea. This small town is host to a large casino, Hotel de Paris and many rich and famous.
To see pictures, check out the link located to the right of our blog.
Au revoir!
On Thursday, Ad and I ventured out of Cagne Sur Mer by train and traveled east along the Mediterrean Sea to Villefranche Sur Mer and Monaco.
Villefranche sur Mer is a stunning small village situated in one of the most beautiful and parts of the Côte d'Azur and dates back to 130 BC. In the middle, a picturesque harbor is known to be one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The village is surrounded by hillsides, luxurious homes and considered one of the most exclusive spots in the area. The port, the old town, and the curve of the hillside all contribute to the beauty of the village.
The port is filled with colorful fishing boats and serves as a base for fishermen, tourists, and offers numerous cruises in the summer. The village is bordered by restaurants, terraces and a popular and lengthy beach to enjoy cooling off from a humid French summer. If you remember the movie Dirty Rotten Scondrels, most of the movie’s scenery takes place in this quaint and beautiful village.
After enjoying the beach, some pizza and a cold French beer, we continued our journey further east down the coast to Monaco.
Monaco is located further east of Villerfranche Sur Mer and is referred to as the Principality of Monaco. Monaco is home to roughly 30,000 residents and its location is between the mountain and the sea. Its gardens, exceptional harbor and cultural events are unique to other nearby villages. As an independent state in Europe, the Principality of Monaco offers exceptional and secure lifestyles by offering the advantages of an attractive fiscal system. In other words, there are a lot of tax breaks for the wealthy in this small town. Their harbor has the largest boats I have ever seen and seems to be host to many of the rich and famous.
Within Monaco is Monte Carlo, a tiny portion less than 3 kilometers long and located in the on a large rock overlooking the sea. This small town is host to a large casino, Hotel de Paris and many rich and famous.
To see pictures, check out the link located to the right of our blog.
Au revoir!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
We made it!!
Ad and I successfully made it to Nice, France yesterday morning. We left Colorado at 10:30 am, arrived in New York at 4:45 pm then departed at 6:00pm for France. Thanks to our friend, Alan, we were able to enjoy Business class that included champagne, reclining seats, down comforters, dinner and cold sundaes!
We arrived the next morning in Nice at 8:15 am (12:15 am Colorado time). The French Riviera is beautiful, surrounded by mountains, beaches of le gallets (rocks) and the Mediterranean Sea. We took a bus to the village of Cagnes Sur Mer, stopping at the local police station for directions to the Jaujous, the family we are staying with while in Nice. The Jaujous (the father-Luc, his wife-Genvieve, Victoria-daughter, Adrienne-son) are wonderful and we enjoying our time with them as well as their generous hospitality. We connected with them through friends of ours, the Filions- thank you!
After arriving, we took a nap in our bungalow then woke up and enjoyed our first delicious French lunch of salad with rice, peppers, dressing, a plate of fresh tomatoes with olive oil and basil and a fresh baguette. After lunch, Luc let us borrow some bikes and we rode from Cagne Sur Mer to Nice, biking up to a waterfall (Col de Chateaux) just above the town Nice. The Chateaux is an old castle that was used to defend the land and protect it's territory. The views were breathtaking and the falls felt amazing as it was 85 degrees and very humid.
After the ride, we cruised back through town coming upon road closures for the next day's celebration of Bastille Day, France's independence holiday. As we continued to ride through the closure, Ad was stopped by the French police along with Luc and myself, and scolded in French for riding our bikes through a busy area. Ad's face was priceless as he didn't know what to say yet they let us go and we made our way home through the backstreets. The route included riding down the middle of winding roads in two way traffic with motor scooters coming right at us. I called this - French controlled chaos.
Finally home, we enjoyed another delicious dinner of sliced red peppers in olive oil and garlic with red potatoes and a fresh baguette. So simple, fresh and delicious.
Wednesday-- we woke up at almost noon. We needed the rest since we had been up for 41 out of the last 48 hours. We joined Luc for a tour of three areas around Nice: Gourdon, Tourrettes sur Loup and Saint Paul de Vence.
Goudon means "mountain" in French and over looks the Valle du Loup in the Cote d'Azur. Built on an isolated rock, it also served to protect and defend from invasions. The next town, Tourrettes sur Loup, otherwise known as the City of Violets, is a medieval village perched in the back country of Provence and surrounded by fields of violets. It is set between the mountains and the sea. The village is a mecca for artists such as musicians, painters, writers and craftsmen. We learned from two women living in the village that it use to have over 50 violet farmers but now is down to 5 due to a weakened economy.
Our last stop was to Saint Paul de Vence, a beautiful village overlooking Cagnes sur Mer and the Mediterranean sea. It features famous contemporary artists, poets and writers and one of the most beautiful villages in the Provence region. The narrow and picturesque streets are a favorite for those looking for 5-star hotels and dining.
Tonight, we enjoyed another beautiful dinner with the Jaujous out on their veranda. And now, it's time to go to bed.
Goodnight and love to you all,
Cathy and Adam
(To view pictures, look to the right and click "France-Provence")
We arrived the next morning in Nice at 8:15 am (12:15 am Colorado time). The French Riviera is beautiful, surrounded by mountains, beaches of le gallets (rocks) and the Mediterranean Sea. We took a bus to the village of Cagnes Sur Mer, stopping at the local police station for directions to the Jaujous, the family we are staying with while in Nice. The Jaujous (the father-Luc, his wife-Genvieve, Victoria-daughter, Adrienne-son) are wonderful and we enjoying our time with them as well as their generous hospitality. We connected with them through friends of ours, the Filions- thank you!
After arriving, we took a nap in our bungalow then woke up and enjoyed our first delicious French lunch of salad with rice, peppers, dressing, a plate of fresh tomatoes with olive oil and basil and a fresh baguette. After lunch, Luc let us borrow some bikes and we rode from Cagne Sur Mer to Nice, biking up to a waterfall (Col de Chateaux) just above the town Nice. The Chateaux is an old castle that was used to defend the land and protect it's territory. The views were breathtaking and the falls felt amazing as it was 85 degrees and very humid.
After the ride, we cruised back through town coming upon road closures for the next day's celebration of Bastille Day, France's independence holiday. As we continued to ride through the closure, Ad was stopped by the French police along with Luc and myself, and scolded in French for riding our bikes through a busy area. Ad's face was priceless as he didn't know what to say yet they let us go and we made our way home through the backstreets. The route included riding down the middle of winding roads in two way traffic with motor scooters coming right at us. I called this - French controlled chaos.
Finally home, we enjoyed another delicious dinner of sliced red peppers in olive oil and garlic with red potatoes and a fresh baguette. So simple, fresh and delicious.
Wednesday-- we woke up at almost noon. We needed the rest since we had been up for 41 out of the last 48 hours. We joined Luc for a tour of three areas around Nice: Gourdon, Tourrettes sur Loup and Saint Paul de Vence.
Goudon means "mountain" in French and over looks the Valle du Loup in the Cote d'Azur. Built on an isolated rock, it also served to protect and defend from invasions. The next town, Tourrettes sur Loup, otherwise known as the City of Violets, is a medieval village perched in the back country of Provence and surrounded by fields of violets. It is set between the mountains and the sea. The village is a mecca for artists such as musicians, painters, writers and craftsmen. We learned from two women living in the village that it use to have over 50 violet farmers but now is down to 5 due to a weakened economy.
Our last stop was to Saint Paul de Vence, a beautiful village overlooking Cagnes sur Mer and the Mediterranean sea. It features famous contemporary artists, poets and writers and one of the most beautiful villages in the Provence region. The narrow and picturesque streets are a favorite for those looking for 5-star hotels and dining.
Tonight, we enjoyed another beautiful dinner with the Jaujous out on their veranda. And now, it's time to go to bed.
Goodnight and love to you all,
Cathy and Adam
(To view pictures, look to the right and click "France-Provence")
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
