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Nancy and Doug Trips
Nancy and Doug Trips

Nancy and Doug Trips

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Our lifelong travel bug has given us our most prized ‘possessions’ - the many memories from business and especially family trips.
 “Take only memories, leave only footprints.” もっと詳しく🇨🇦British Columbia
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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Sarria railing along the riverfront
    On the roadStop oneOak forestsGetting busierOJ breakVending machine in stone structureLunch spotFoxglove??wonder what these are for..perhaps corn storageLast drink before Portomarin 1420 hours 86 FPeople leave stones from home and other things...Pavement cobbles gravel... glad I upgraded my shoes!Last set of stairs into town. 1530 hours.

    Day 1: Sarria to Portomarin 23km

    2025年6月10日, スペイン ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Perhaps St Christopher, the patron Saint of travellers, is looking out for me as I felt better in the cool, misty morning air after a pretty good sleep. Left at 0640, having a banana and yogurt that I bought the night before as breakfast didn’t open til 7 and expecting high temps. Stopped at 0830 for a bocadillo and my first Aquarius, which is like Gatorade but less colouring. Met Lily, a young woman from Hong Kong. Stopped three times for drinks and s tuna empanada and banis as with drinking do much so needed them. Avoided any problems, although an ambulance had been called for a man about my age, probably who was not feeling well, but it seems he got dehydrated or overheated. Arrived hot and sweaty into a lovely cool room and showered and had a rest.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Sarria train stationSat down at La Isla on the riverfront before check in1Padron PeppersWaterfront in SarriaMy Hotel, adequate, air con on but breakfast too late to be usefulA Escaleria da Donte main staircase to the Camino

    Travel to Sarria and CDG

    2025年6月9日, スペイン ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Today, Beth is heading home via Paris and Nancy back north to Sarria to begin the Camino walk. The young man at the front desk of the hotel strongly recommended that Nancy take the metro to the train station and Beth take a taxi to the airport. We both had our anxieties about finding our way. For Nancy, the metro path was rather confusing with directions initially to the Line 3 platform and then upstairs to get to Line 10. Rush hour, so she had let three go by and finally got on with all the other sardines. They are renovating the Chamartin station, so not straightforward but eventually found her way to the departure board. Platforms are assigned 10 minutes ahead. 300km/hr to Ourense, but the train halted just outside a very pretty looking town. The schedule had only 14 minutes of connection time between trains, but they held it for our late arrival. Followed the masses and some backpacks with walking sticks to one of two waiting trains confirmed as Sarria. Beth texted that she was at her gate with over an hour to spare. Whew…we did it, Beth!もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    1
    Austrias and Bourbons1496-1504 set of panels belonging to Isabelle of CastilePrince Phillip age 9 yearsPhilip I artistic patron of Renaissance EuropeNote the child's set of armour721755-6 Giaquinto ItalianThis decorated a bedroom; one of four panels1738 glass past mosaic with bronze

    Galeria De Las Colecciones Real

    2025年6月8日, スペイン ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    This is a fantastic extremely modern and wonderfully air conditioned museum that opened up next to the Palacio de Real in 2023. No downsizing of one of a kind Royal treasures here! The downloaded audio guide was excellent as were the English written summaries. It is amazing to see such old things in like new condition. Following this we headed back to prep for our next day picking up some decongestants on the way. Thus ended our adventure: both with colds but in agreement we had enjoyed a special time together. The next day, Nancy left first to subway to the train which would take her to Saria and the start of the last 100 km Camino Frances walk. Beth would take a taxi to the airport and fly to Paris where the Novotel was waiting before her flight back to Kelowna via Calgary with WestJet.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    El Mancini overlooking the Royal Palace
    Square outside the Palacio de MadridFresco of main staircaseFamily of Juan Carlos ICharles I SpainHercules fresco in the evening dinner room of Charles IChamber of Charles III finished 1815 Rococo marble silk wall coveringRoom of porcelain decorationThat's a lot of desserts!Real Capilla: chapel of the monarchy 1753Great Grandpa King Alfonso XIIIA last dinner together: split "twin style"

    Palacio de Real Madrid

    2025年6月8日, スペイン ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    As we did not have time to go to Versailles, Europe's second largest palace (and still in active use) was the destination for our one day in Madrid. We found a café kitty corner to the palace and enjoyed our Spanish omelet and fresh orange juice. Then we met up for an English speaking tour of the palace. Beth liked it. We had a break and headed over to the Special Collections wing, which Nancy found amazing, but Beth had to break early due to coughing. Unfortunately, we were both feeling under the weather, and it was 30 degrees, so the bounce in our steps was affected today.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    1
    Night time in the Plaza Espana1Jamon everywhere in Spain

    Madrid

    2025年6月7日〜9日, スペイン ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We decided to take the nearby tram to the Bilbao Bus Intramodal Station which was very smooth. We had a very comfortable ride on Alsa Supra class arriving at 4 pm. It was hot and extremely crowded at the airport with long line ups for Uber and Taxi. A kind Brit helped us purchase tickets and we took the Metro to Plaza Espana where we were staying.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Side walk cafe lunch
    1Finally Basque Cheesecake!Dessert picture

    A walk around the neighborhood

    2025年6月6日, スペイン ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After the Guggenheim we sought some lunch and found it in the pedestrian mall behind our hotel. They had a table at Basko so we took it. Very pleasant although the last few days have been dampened by La Grippe (Spanish for a cold). We had a last lovely organized dinner at Lake which means home in Basque with our group and I had Monkfish and there was Basque cheesecake, lemon ice cream and a light layered treat for dessert! We bid Adieu to the group.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Having coffee in old town Bilbao waiting for our laundry cycle
    Beth heading back with clean clothesTitanium used for lightness durability modality and reflective properties limestone floors roundedGlass, light and drama accented with interior white plaster walls"Snake" by Richard SerraThe Great TreeThe Mama (Spider)What is Beth thinking....1Pop Art Gallery: TulipThe Washing MachineAbstract Expressionism following WW II: Villa BourgheseMan from Naples 1982El Anatsui: made of stapled bottle caps and labels in chicken wire:Rising Sea, Nsukka NigeriaPuppy: a sculpture decorated of flowers

    Bilbao

    2025年6月6日, スペイン ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The Guggenheim Museum of modern Art was built 1993-97 on site of an inactive factory in a ex prosperous city with 30% unemployment whose leaders envisioned a transformation. The Guggenheim administration in NYC were out of space so consideration was given first to a European location. Salzburg and Venice were in the running and but Bilbao was chosen as the best fit. It was financed by the local interests and paid for itself in 3 years 1.3 million visitors per year. Beth and I agreed that the architecture and setting were outstanding (although being modern art, some of the pieces were questionable in our eyes).もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    The group awaits the quark/cheese making demo

    Sheep farm

    2025年6月5日〜7日, スペイン ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Our guide reminded us that Spain’s the 3rd most mountainous country after Switzerland and sheep and cheese production has a strong heritage. We passed classic Etxhas. The laxta (latcha) sheep make a special strong cheese only made in the Basque Country. The raw milk is brought just under the boiling point. Rennet is added to coagulate it, and it becomes quark or eventually hard cheese.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Monument to Juan Elcano
    Getaria, very picturesqueGuernica square: photos post bombingThe Gernika Assembly HouseGeneral Assemblies of Biscay BannerAssemblies were held next to the Tree of GernikaAnother great Rick Steves lunch for our groupLunch spot in Guernica

    Travel to Guernica

    2025年6月5日, スペイン ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    On leaving San Sebastian, we headed out to the fishing village of Getaria where the first person to circumnavigate the globe was born. In 1519-1522, Juan Elcano set out with Magellan in 5 ships. Magellan died and only the Victoria with 35 survivors returned. We stopped to appreciate the history of Guernica and the art it inspired. The Spanish Civil War 1936 -1939 started with Franco invading from the South of Spain via Morocco. He won because of support from the other two fascist leaders Hitler and Mussolini. A carpet bombing in the heart of the Basque country assembly house took place on Market Day in 1937; after this, Picasso painted perhaps the most symbolic anti-war painting ever. The painting was in New York until Franco died and then moved to Spain as Picasso wished. We visited the Assembly hall where for centuries Biscay parishes sent its representatives to discussed problems and established laws that governed life, these were abolished in 1876. We had another great Basque lunch in Guernica. Finally, we stopped at a sheep farm to make yogurt (quark) before heading for our stay in Bilbao. Beautiful rugged coastal views and inland mountainous areas with villages nestled between valleys were our views today.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Walkway along the River across from our Hotel Parma
    The Heart of the CityA French soldier turned gardener designed all the gardens in the City1Tamarisk Trees with their pink frond like blossomsLa Concha BeachThe Sacre Coeur a top the castle on Mount UrguelMaria Christina's summer palace designed by a British architectThe Grand Casino was one of 7 that existed during the Belle Epoch years.The first church was built in the 12th century when city foundedConstitution Square originally included a bull ringFire in 1830s devastated the city paving the way for the Queen's plan.Sacre Coeur1Enjoying a seaview lunch1View from our plates.Tourist boats going in and out of the harbour.As well as kayakersAbout the areaIn the Aquarium. Beth's feet are getting tired!

    Day in San Sebastian

    2025年6月4日〜6日, スペイン ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Modeled after Biarritz during the Belle Epoch era, the lamp posts are 1920s Art Deco. Queen Maria Christina took waters here for her skin and then helped develop it into a tourist, trade, and industrial centre, and it now has a population of 185,000. A modernistic convention centre now hosts the annual film festival that was established in 1953. The castle was built in the 11th century and atop is a statue of Jesus similar to Rio. We climbed Mount Urguel to the top. Once a fishing port, the area below is now a tourist hub where we enjoyed scallops and calamari frito overlooking the harbour. We then took in the aquarium, which was very good. The Basilica de Santa Maria was not open.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Back into the mountains: the Sierra Alto
    First glimpse of San SebastiánThe main beachFair at the viewpointA rainy orientation to the cityPintxo BarThe next day the weather cleared, a hike and view towards where we were yesterday

    Arrival San Sebastian/Donastia

    2025年6月3日, スペイン ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Helen explained we are going through the Sierra Alto mountains where we saw again more Etxcha, the traditional Basque home design. In families, the 4th Basque son would be sent to America, often to settle near Salt Lake City and work as a shepherd. In Boise, Idaho, there is an annual Basque festival. San Sebastian is a foodie destination and home to the Basque cheese cake. We entered the next province listening to the history of the transition of power between Franco and Juan Carlos, who then declared Spain a democratic republic. We would see a picture of Juan Carlos's family when we got to Madrid's Royal Palace.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    67% of Pamploma s energy is from renewable sources
    Memorial2A pilgrim on his wayWe shared the poles Nancy bought the night before1ObanosBeth along the CaminoOur destination112th century Romanesque BridgeGetting wine out of the barrel at the restaurantAnother great meal!Todays full Camino route...we walked 1/4 of the distanceWineryLovely countryside around the winery

    On the Camino

    2025年6月3日, スペイン ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    We left Pamplona to do a whole day on the Camino. First stop: El Alto del Perdon or Point of Forgiveness. This is a well photographed pilgrim viewpoint and the site of a Memorial to 92 Franco opposers who were killed. It is 770 meter above sea level. Pointe de Reina is 10 km away along the path of the wind and way of the stars. We were dropped off along the Way and walked through the village of Obanos to our destination on the other side of the 12th century bridge in the village of Pointe de la Reina. We were very fortunate that the rain held off until we were in the bus and on our way to a winery lunch in the country side. After we were done and had just closed the doors to the bus it poured all the way to our next stop! You could not have timed things better!もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Our host telling us how the collection was built.
    Model of a bullring.Tapas and chocolate, the young white wineOld photo of Running of the BullsAddress of the private Basque men's clubMeal set upA paella with pastaPork cheeks with mashed potatoesPutting the men to work doing the servingPart of the gardens in Pamplona

    Bullfighting and a Special Lunch

    2025年6月2日, スペイン ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Our guide Francisco used to give a talk on the street about bullfighting; until the wife of a bullfighting enthusiast allowed him to bring the Rick Steves tour group in. He collected bullfighting memorabilia and was joined by other collectors. She never had any interest in bullfighting until meeting him but she was glad to free up the living room where he had constructed a replica of a bullring by establishing this collection and enjoys sharing the passion of her late husband with others. She opens the collection solely to the public the week of San Fermin. As a person who has been raised around bullfighting the sport has appealed to Francisco. He told us that as Christianity gained in popularity it became unacceptable to have Roman gladiators, lions and criminals tear one another apart in the arena and bullfighting replaced this culture. The bull is poked by two stabs from the piccolo. The bullfighter attracts the bull through the motion of the cape and his objective is to save the bull. The performance is judged and if the result is negative, the bullfighter must kill the bull by one accurate stab through the spinal cord. It is a dangerous occupation that pays about €60,000 per fight. This generous lady served us tapas and drinks as well. Then we were treated to lunch at one of the private Basque Men’s Clubs where the men in the group
    serve the ladies! You gotta love this matriarchal society!    もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    The Holy Mary Alter
    The cold detached MaryA warm Mary that the Matriarchal Basque Christian could feel close to evolved in Art.Note thetwobitches at the base of her feet indicating the descent between ?Castilleand Aragon1Between 1390-1800 both royals and commoners were buried in the churchPre gothic capitalsIt is said to be the best preserved cloister in EuropeThe Ennunciation of the death of Mary.We are now the illiterate ones who don't know how to read the sculptures of the past...2000 year old Basue foundation near Roman villa in the Interpretive area.Romanesque bishop chapel 1200s: simplicity marks Christian introspectionSimple, non distracting...Where we r now...?a Barbie world...where are we really?In the middle between the past and future says this BishopOur guide: All you need to say is "I love you" perhaps the Beatles had it summed up...

    The Santa Maria de Real Cathedral

    2025年6月2日, スペイン ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    The next day, we met our local tour guide Francisco who was was both interesting and entertaining. The cathedral is quite unique. There is a small fee to enter and the Bishop here has attached an interpretive center including a interpretation of where we are in 2025 in our spiritual belief. The Holy Mary alter is 1000 years old. Mary was initially depicted as a detached God like unrelatable figure. The matriarch 20 years later is depicted as touching Jesus and thus became more warm, human and relatable.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Our hotel
    Lobby of our hotelCaption: come back to the Old Kingdom.Statue of Running of the Bulls near our hotel.Pintxos (Tapas) at Bar GauchoBacalau con gambaCider with octopus and mashed potatoes with truffle plus roasted mushroom with garlic and olive oil

    Arrival Pamplona

    2025年6月1日〜3日, スペイン ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    We descended through mountains of mixed forest and fir trees and gradually came into what appears to be a flatter dryer area and into Pamplona. Our guide told us this is a prosperous and modern city that is a leader in the manufacture of green energy equipment such as windmills and solar panels. Home of the patron Saint Fermin and the annual running of the Bulls when the city’s population expands to 1.5 million. We quickly settled into our modern hotel in the city centre and had a couple of hours rest before meeting up at 7 pm for orientation to the city. The tour would pay for one drink and pintxos and then we were on our own.

    NB about Running of the Bills and Pilgrims: This was one of the first regions to convert to Christianity in Spain in the 4th century AD. The scarves worn during Running of the Bulls are white, signifying holy and red, the blood of Saint Fermin. He was one of the first baptized and was decapitated by the Romans. In 711 AD, Muslims crossed over from Morocco at the Rock of Gibraltar. It was not until they crossed the Pyrenees that they were defeated by Charlemagne who then married a Muslim woman to bring peace to the area. The major Christian pilgrimages are to Jerusalem, the Vatican, and Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain where the relics of St James are. The latter was the most important pilgrimage as it could be accessed by much of the Christian world. In Pamplona, Pilgrims continue to enter through the old city walls at Portal de Francis and Calle del Carmen leads to the towers of the Cathedral.    もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Our bus
    Mountains to trek overOne turn and we are in Spain!The auberge Lillian stayed at: dorm styleRoncesvalles: in the Pyrenees, 4 km from the border with FranceThis Way!1Only 755 km to go to Nancy's final destinationLeafy walkMarkingArrival in town for lunchQuiet and tidy placeIn 1924/25 Hemingway stayed at this still operating AlbergueFlowers even where there is no place to plant them...how nice!1Salads here are very freshBasque music over lunch

    Over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles

    2025年6月1日, スペイン ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Our bus travelled through the Roncevaux Pass from Saint Pierre-du-Port to Roncesvalles. Helen told us about Operation Comet and how the Basques assisted the British airman escape Nazi occupied France to neutral Spain. Also the song of Roland from Charlemagne's time: glamorizing the knights of old. The first part of the Camino Frances is a tough hike over the Pyrenees and from the bus we could see the steepness of the mountains. Wewere fortunate to have a beautiful weather day to walk along the Camino (on a beautiful weather and arrived in the village Burguete for a two hour lunch. Like the night before, the salad was wonderfully fresh and Beth had the shrimp and fish stuffed peppers and Nancy had the roasted duck leg which was very good. It was a one hour drive to our destination: Pamplona.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Basque flag: a proud identity
    Houses along the River NiveThe gate1A beautiful house and container garden on the main streetThe alter of medieval church Notre Dame-du-Bout-du-PontOne of many pilgrim stores to comeAssociation of the Friends of Saint-James, Navarre ProvinceMarking "The Way"All water is said to be potable along the CaminoA steep walk up to the CitadelleLillian, Camino Frances solo veteran

    St Jean Pierre de Port

    2025年6月1日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Our bus arrived at 9 am and it took about an hour to get to St. Jean Pierre de Porte which marks the start of the 748 km Camino Frances. Lovely views and town. Popped into the church. Walked to the Citadel where the building is now the local school. Fred, Lillian’s partner took a picture of me with the Camino Frances veteran who had been very reassuring about the walk which she had done solo 5 years prior. Helen got us passports and we got our first stamps: there would be a prize for the person collecting the most stamps during our couple of days following the Camino.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    He said he has made many crepes in his life
    Laundromat was simple to operate

    Bayonne afternoon

    2025年5月31日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We went to A La Bolee creperie recommended by Helen thinking we d split a crepe but it was a one seat one plate policy so we ended up with more food than we wanted. We joined Susan and Allan from the tour who were very pleasant. We located a laundry and Beth got that done while Nancy bought a better rain coat for her upcoming Camino walk. We did a wander over the Neve River bridge to Petit Bayonne which was built later and had a quick look at the A Dour River that empties out into the Atlantic. Feeling peckish we split a plate of grilled prawns before tucking in for the night.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Typical posted day agenda sheet
    Roman walls up to 6 meters thick. Holes are construction scaffolding sites that had not been filledMarie CathedralCloister used as cemetery and court.A Pilgrim carving in the capital of the cathedralThe Holy Mary Cathedral: restored medieval style glass and paintings over original medeival onesTransition between lower and upper town due to tide flow. Caves underneath protect the structuresNeve RiverHistorical old townPost Middle AgesThe Basque provinces, 3 in France and 4 in SpainTypical Basque home: note stable at the rear1885Le Manila: walking stickThe whaling diaspora in the 1600.. cod...red seaweedsLa peloton basqueLa China1660s: Catholicism replaced PaganismSummary

    A morning tour of Bayonne

    2025年5月31日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Our group was given a tour of Bayonne by a local named Claire. She explained that under Franco the Basque language and customs were forbidden. The boomer generation was not allowed to learn Basque but the next was. This area came under British rule via inheritance in 1152, marked by the stained glass of the crest of Richard the Lionhearted (King Richard 1 of England 1189). The Nazis had an appreciation for Bayonne architecture and occupied many buildings thus saving them from destruction during WWII. We had a sampling of pasteurized and unpasteurized sheep cheese. Claire’s husband is a shepherd and sells his milk to the producer of the samples from the market. It was Saturday so the market was in full swing. Our next stop was the Basque Museum where a young woman provided insights into the history and customs of the Basque. Her grandparents taught her Basque, her mother French and her father Spanish and she picked up English from school and friends.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Stop Saint Leon in Bayonne, 43 stops from start at au Jardin in Biarritz
    First views of Bayonne and the old wall.Very nice room with a sitting area...Comfortable king bed.....And a courtyard view from outside our windowTour team leader Helen who is a Brit transplanted 17 years ago to Andalusia.The hotel is located within the executioners tower, one of three Roman towers built in the 300s ADOrientation walk: green shutters marks a farming family, blue seafarers, oxbow redExcellent dinner!Salad...yum!Group sharing...rainy but warm walk home.

    Arrival Bayonne

    2025年5月30日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    The 1.4 Euro bus ride took 50 minutes to Bayonne and we found Hotel des Basses Pyrenees built into the ramparts of the old wall a 10 minute walk away from our stop at Saint Leon. As we walked into town we could see a ?moat, wall and cathedral that looked impressive. We arrived 2 hours before the meet up with our group. Introductions, an orientation stroll and then a very good dinner with generous helpings: salad and Hake on garlic mashed potatoes. Nancy found the hake similar to halibut, just abit softer and moister…Beth liked it too.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    1Les Halles poisson market.Monkfish; remember one in that basket in Mama Mia?Interesting sea plant to try if Nancy sees it on the menu...Beth will probably be less keen.Great selection of fromage.It must be artichoke season!Hotel near Plaza BellevuePlace de BellevueLooking over the Grand Beach: Surfers ParadiseGorgeous weather today. Basque Country is the wettest spot in all of FrancePaellaOld Fisherman's PortBasque fishermen housesFishing and WhalingA tribute to the Commune...reprises have disarmed since 2018. Franco was very nasty to the Basques.Pedestrian bridge1We both agreed...it was too soon to leave Biarritz!

    Biarritz

    2025年5月30日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Checked out at 11 am. and back at 2 pm. after a 5 km walk along the sea promenade, taking in the views. In 1660 King XIV, the Sun King, married a Spanish princess Maria Therese (who at age 21 was reputed to be quite ugly with only 3 teeth due to her love of sweets and lack of modern dentistry). With their union, the wars between France and Spain came to an end. They were married in a nearby small town called St Jean de Luc. We are just 22 km from the Spanish border. Napoleon III, in addition to remodeling Paris, designed Biarritz to be a major destination for 18th century upper crust society and since the 1950’s a surfing culture has developed. It is very clean, and although some of the original concrete and pavement is weathered in a charming European way that make falls easy. Overall, it is a prosperous looking place. We took in the central market and then walked the long promenade with its beachfront views passing through the old fishing port and then via a pedestrian bridge out to the rocks with its statue of Mary. A quick rest at the B and B and we were off by bus and our meet-up with for the one week Rick Steves group tour of The Basque Country.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Waiting for our track to come up on the departure board
    ? Another Camino walkerWhizzing by....Dinner at California KitchenPollack is a soft bland fish...looked great thoughSurfing culture and lots of young people living it upSunset walk after dinnerBeautiful sunset viewsWho built this?1Pedestrian walkway out to the rocksOld and new glitzBack at our hotel

    Gare Montparnasse / arrival Biarritz

    2025年5月29日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    We left Hotel Eugenie at 0930 hrs via Bus 74 to Gare Montparnasse which is large with 28 tracks. Found our way to the proper level for our train starting here and terminating in Hendaye, and we are getting off two stops before at Biarritz. It is surprising that most houses just outside of Paris had clay tile roofs. The landscape along the over 700 km was of fields of hay, wheat, and vineyards. We had a prolonged stop at one station, and by the clock we should have almost arrived at our destination. Nancy who had her head buried in Penguin updates, panicked momentarily as to whether we needed to get off. We laughed later as posted just our window the station was labeled Dax. Sadly, the interruption was due to an investigation of a death or accident on the tracks. We googled restaurants and noted it was a public holiday called Ascension, and many people were taking two days off. We arrived about two hours late, and then, due to the holiday, there was a prolonged wait with many other people for the bus. We finally arrived at Maison de Lierre at 8 pm. We found our way to dinner at California Kitchen, where Beth had fish and chips and Nancy fish tacos. We both decided pollock is a rather bland fish, but the dinner overall was good and we sat outside as it was warm with temperatures tomorrow of 30 degrees. Beth commented it felt more like she was on a holiday now. Walked part of the waterfront and viewed the last rays of sunset before heading home. There was quite a party atmosphere on the local streets and this is a hilly resort town with its roots of development in the era of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie (1850s).もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Arrival at Pigalle station.
    Across the street...lunch!A popular place!Wow! These prices are good!!Nancy tries escargot for the first time and surprisingly Beth passes on sampling them!In front of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de MontmartreViews of ParisGargoyles originated in medieval Europe to warn against Evil and serve as rain spouts.Colourful MontmartrePortrait painter in Place du TertreView as we sat at a cafe called Le Consulat, buildings here are 900y old!Jacques Brel started here, a Woody Allan movie filmed at at Le Consulat, meeting place of artists.Two of the original windmills remain.One of the most painted buildings in ParisAfter a Google wander with unplanned detours: The Moulin Rouge!We had previously decided that getting out to a show at 11 pm was beyond our abilities!

    Montmartre

    2025年5月28日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We got off M12 at Pigalle Square and across the street was our lunch destination at Bouillon Pigalle. Opened in 2017, this brasserie recreates the atmosphere of the Parisian restaurants in the 19th century by the Duval butcher group with the intent of serving French food from all regions at reasonable prices. And reasonable price they are. Beth opted for the salmon spinach pie in puff pastry with a side salad and 250 mL of Chardonnay (€20) and Nancy had escargot, Ravioli Dauphine made with Conte cheese and topped with leeks, rose wine, fruit compote and an espresso (€28). The tables are close and we had amicable tourist companions: A couple from Thailand who are American/Thai and a couple from the USA who immigrated there 20 years and were enjoying a 3 week first visit to Europe. The Thai woman coaxed Nancy into the snails which she had described as acceptable but not as tasty as the ones in Vietnam served with hot sauce. We had a leisurely 2 hour lunch and set out to walk to the Place du Tertre, a hang out for portrait artists and tourists. Along the way, we decided to take the funicular (€2.50) and enjoy the view from Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. Walking back down we came across La Maison Rose and Dalida’s statue. We found our way down to take a picture of the Moulin Rouge before heading back about 8 pm via Bus 74 from Blanche station. Tomorrow we say “Au Revoir” to Paris and travel 784 km by high speed train to Biarritz in the south of France.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Hey! It's Mona!
    The hordes clustered around Mona Lisa, 1503-06Beth's close up of the MasterpieceThe Wedding at Cana by Pablo Veronese, 1562To the left: painter Veronese, to the right TitianThe Coronation of Napoleon by J-L David, 1806, the painter is just above Napoleon's crownGuide to identifying people in the huge painting of Napoleon's coronation.Liberty Leading the People, Delacroix 1830, 1800s romanticism and neoclassicalismLooking down on the hallway of Renaissance sculptures.Beth examining Michelangelo's statue The Slaves: he was a master of the male formMannerist Style: a lighter lengthened sculptureCanova 1787: Psyche Revived by Cupid's KissPlace de la Concorde

    The Louvre Part 2

    2025年5月28日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We both agreed that we enjoyed the museum using the audio guide but were ready for lunch and a change of pace. So we headed to catch the bus for Montmartre. Finding bus stops at times proves elusive even with Google Maps. We ended up walking through the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde and from there took Metro Line 12 to lunch.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Breakfast at the Hotel Eugenie, fresh croissants daily!
    The LouvreVenus de Milo, Greek goddess of love and beauty, 150 BCCupid1Beth as Athena, Greek God of WisdomProcession of Panathenaic Festival: Parthenon friezeRoman statues had been moved out to reno the ceilingWinged VictoryAb impressive royal passage housing Crown Jewels including the Regent DiamondJewels of the daughter of Josephine and Napoleon ICrown of empress Eugénie wife of Napoleon IIIMedieval ages alter piece painting of MarySt Francis 1226The Renaissance Gallery: 3 football fields longNo one seems to stay long looking at this Leonardo DaVinci painting...yet it is quite striking

    The Louvre

    2025年5月28日, フランス ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    After our nice French breakfast at the hotel we were ready for a big morning at the world's most famous art gallery.

    We had 0930h admission tickets to the Louvre and as expected we were not particularly early. The world s largest museum has 8 miles of galleries and it would take 13 (24 hour) days to see every piece displayed. This previous palace became a museum after the French Revolution and 8.4 million people visited in 2024 (Olympics year). We followed the Rick Steves Louvre Tour audio guide and found it a useful way of navigating the evolution of prehistory to 1850’s art. Famous Greek originals such as the Venus de Milo evolving into Roman statues and then Middle Ages religious themes and finally the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a time of art, science and humanism. Three dimensional painting of the idealized beauty, Greek mythology, religious scenes, great battles and political events.もっと詳しく

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  • Nancy and Doug TripsParis, Basque Country & Camino旅行者
    Haussmann block building1View from the TrocadéroA bit tired during a late evening crepe - 8 pm!

    Around the Eiffel Tower

    2025年5月27日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After our views from the top of the tower, we walked over to the Trocadéro, took in a long range view and then, feeling some of the tourist end of day “feet are sore and out of steam,” we took the first café that looked reasonable called Frog XV. It turned out to be a British pub rather than a place specializing in frogs legs as Beth feared. We opted for one of Beth's favourites (ribs) but noted it really is a wings and beer place, giving it a disappointing 5/10. On the up side, we had no fear of food poisoning. We took the metro back, managing a smooth transfer between stops back to our now familiar neighborhood.

    We have a lot of pictures of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair by Gustav Eiffel. It was meant to be a temporary structure but here it still is and it deserves to be the Grand Icon of Paris.    もっと詳しく

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