Pre trip planning

Over the past year, Doug was planning a bucket list trip to Africa starting June 21 2025. With the trip with Jan to Disney behind her, a pause in family activities, and a bit of trip envy, NancyMeer informatie
Bonvoyage

Departure day and a beautiful 19 degrees C in Kelowna. Picked up Beth and headed to YLW.
Arrival Day Paris

We had a smooth flight to Paris and a small meal was provided which we split having already enjoyed our twin matches dinner. Drizzly weather so our first 'tour' was of CDG airport. Doug had given us aMeer informatie
Guided Tour of the Latin Quarter

We kicked our trip off with a Tour of the Latin quarter through Get Your Guide. Johann confirmed the tour the night prior and there were about 10-12 people, mostly Americans. He was an Australian ofMeer informatie
Latin Quarter Tour continued

Notre-Dame Cathedral

At the close of our tour we walked down the small streets in our neighbourhood where the guide pointed out to look for medieval streets: a gutter running down the centre, buildings that slow out onMeer informatie
Sainte-Chapelle

Got into the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle in the evening with booked tickets to listen to a concert
Musee d'Orsay

We walked about 20 minutes from the hotel to the world’s premier museum of Impressionist painting. The impressionists (approximately 1840 to WW1 which is known as the “Belle Époque”) was theMeer informatie
Eiffel Tower

Following this we decided on Beth’s bucket list Eiffel Tower instead of Montmartre so Nancy moved it to the next day and scratched off the Champs Elysses and Arc de Triomphe. We sprung for theMeer informatie
The Louvre

After our nice French breakfast at the hotel we were ready for the big morning at the world's most famous art gallery.
We had 0930h admission tickets to the Louvre and as expected we were notMeer informatie
The Louvre Part 2

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 elusiveMeer informatie
Montmartre

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 19thMeer informatie
On our way to Biarritz

See next footprint!
Gare Montparnasse / arrival Biarritz

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 areMeer informatie
Biarritz

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 wasMeer informatie
Arrival Bayonne

We took the 1.40 E bus ride 50 minutes to Bayonne and 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 townMeer informatie
A Morning sightseeing in Bayonne

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. Our generation was not allowed to learn Basque but theMeer informatie
Bayonne afternoon

We went with 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 fromMeer informatie
St Jean Pierre de Port

Our bus arrived at 9 am and it took about an hour to get to St. Jean Pierre de Porte the start of the 748 km Camino Frances. Lovely views and town. Popped into the church. Walked to the Citadel whereMeer informatie
Over the Pyrenees to Roncesville

Helen told us about Operation Comet and how the Basques assisted the British airman from Nazi occupied France to neutral Spain. Also the song of Roland from Charlemagne's time: glamorizing the knightsMeer informatie
Arrival Pamplona

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 cityMeer informatie
Pamplona

El Camino de Los peregrines. Pilgrims continue to enter through the old city walls at Portal de Francis, and Calle del Carmen leads to the towers of the cathedral. One of the first regions to convertMeer informatie
Pamploma santa Maria de Real Cathedral

This a unique cathedral. There is a small fee to enter and the Bishop here has attached an interpretive centre unique in that there is a representation on where we are in in history as to theMeer informatie
Bullfighting and a Special Lunch

Our guide Francisco used to give a talk on the street about bullfighting; until the wife of a MD husband bullfighting enthusiast established a spot to the memorabilia. He was joined by otherMeer informatie
Camino walk

We left Pamplona got our day on part of 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 FrancoMeer informatie
Reiziger
Silicone Pines hahahah she’s definitely cute!
Doug sent me the penguins link so caught up on the last couple days of your trip. Sounds like you had a nice stay in Paris. What do they say - Paris is always a good idea" and I think that's true. Will follow you along. [Jan]