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🇫🇷 Convalescing in Corsica
After yesterday’s heat-induced calamity, Anna and I decided we would see Corsica from the ship today. It’s 93 degrees outside this morning, and as much as I was looking forward to counting statues of Napoleon, we’re going to stay put – and stay cool. God-willing and the creek don’t rise, we have a full day…
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🇫🇷 How to Enjoy Saint-Tropez When You’re Sick. Hint: You Can’t
Anna made a valiant attempt at rallying today. But whatever ick this is refuses to let go of her. Anna really wanted to see Saint Tropez. So we slathered on the sunscreen, and made our way down to board the tender. Pro tip: if you’re already feeling kind of green, bobbing up and down on…
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The Highlight Real: Merde!
Often when we travel, we have an experience or interaction (good or bad) that just sticks with us. And because I keep my travelogues to 2,000 characters or less, I don’t have room to tell the story then/there. Trying to come up with a name for this occasional feature wasn’t easy: {Update: The WordPress censor…
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Montpelier and Bouzigues, France 🇫🇷
Traveled south of Montpelier, to the lagoons adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, to visit the ancient cathedral ruins of – honestly, I don’t remember – something really, really old. A beautiful and peaceful setting, surrounded by vineyards. And mosquitos. Ooooh! And this majestic white peacock. I mean, look at him!! I almost cried I didn’t…
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Nîmes, Uzés and Pont-du-Gard 🇫🇷
Sunday is Ken’s favorite day in Europe, because all the stores are closed, and I can’t buy anything. Spectacular day trip today to the ancient Roman town of Nîmes. Visited the Roman Arena, which was built in 70AD. Romans must have had long legs, because these were some steeeeep stairs. Made it to the top,…
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Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France 🇫🇷
Got up before dawn to hike across the Rhône River to the neighboring town, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Wanted to check out a famous antiques flea market there. The only disappointment of the morning was the theme of the market: “You Can’t Take it With You”. Found so many things I wanted to buy (this colorful two-sided enamel…
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🇫🇷 Aix-en-Provence: Cezanne & Mary Magdalene’s Skull
Happy birthday to Ken!! We spent some time on the French highways today. Visited the post-impressionist painter, Paul Cezanne’s painting studio, Atelier des Lauves, near Aix-en-Provence (pronounced “ax”, and if you’re cool, you just say Aix). We just say Aix. It’s been a really long time since I studied art history. I remembered something about…
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🇫🇷 A Free Day in Avignon: Laundry & Shopping
We enjoyed a “free” day in Avignon today. Started the morning trying to figure out how to start a French washing machine. It has the capacity for 2 shirts, 2 pairs of underwear and a sock. It kept throwing an error code, which I had to look up online. I got to practice my French…
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🇫🇷 Camargue, France: A Day of Flamingoes and Horses
Bought French sunscreen. French sun didn’t care; got sunburned anyway. This morning, we drove down to the Camargue region of southern France, Europe’s largest river delta. The brine ponds there are home to large flocks of native flamingos. When I was a kid, I collected flamingoes. Ken wouldn’t let me buy all the flamingo tchotchkes.…
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🇫🇷 Les Baux-de-Provence: A Sassy French Girl, Van Gogh, and a Champagne Aperitif
Saw an absolutely outstanding digital immersion exhibit, Carrières de Lumières (Quarries of Light) – an art and architectural journey through Venice, which is displayed in an old limestone quarry. Found out limestone quarries are super cold inside and wished I had a warmer jacket. Walked through Les Baux-de-Provence, a beautiful 11th century village made entirely…
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🇫🇷 Exploring Avignon: Michelin-Star Dining, Historic Sites & Hidden Gems in the Heart of Provence
Today, we’re exploring Avignon – the beautiful 14th century walled city of Provence. Last night: Required everyone to assemble (without grumbling) for a family picture. Walked from our apartment to dinner, and snapped this adorable picture of my parents. Ate an absurdly decadent, completely over-the-top, 19-course dinner (they called it 4 “sequences”, but it was…
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🇫🇷 A Perfect Day Trip to Châteauneuf du Pape, France
Still jet-lagged from the flight, but hit the ground running! Absolutely magnificent day trip to Châteauneuf du Pape, one of the most well-known wine regions in France. The famous Provence lavender isn’t in full bloom here until June, but there are some early varieties showing off now. ⚡️ The Lightening Strike Normally, I would be…