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Grand Tour of Europe - 2023
  • Stephen and Debbie
  • Stephen and Debbie

Grand Tour of Europe - 2023

Finally! Our Grand Tour of Europe is here. 90 days travelling through the United Kingdom, France, (with a brief visit to Belgium) and then on to Italy, before finishing with a few days in Dubai. Read more
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  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Omaha Beach
    This shows the ground the troops had to coverThe objective was to get to the top of the hill.MemorialMemorial

    Normandy - Omaha Beach

    June 26, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Omaha Beach is one of the beaches where Allied forces led by the 1st United States Infantry Division landed on D-Day. It is the setting for movies 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'The Longest Day', so the story of what happened here is well known.

    You can see why there was such a loss of life on this beach.

    The troops landed at low tide, the same as it was when we were there, so we got a good indication of what the conditions at the time were like.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    American Cemetery
    This soldier died on D-Day.Family have visited this soldier.The two Niland brothers inspired Saving Private Ryan. Two other brothers also served but survived.Names in gold were awarded the Medal of Honor. He was the son of Pres. Theodor Roosevelt.Memorial for the missing with no known grave.Canadian war cemetery

    Normandy - U.S Cemetery

    June 26, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    There are 9387 graves of American soldiers in this cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. The average age of those buried here is 24.

    60% of the bodies have since been repatriated, after families were given the choice in the 1960's, but the crosses for each grave remain.

    It is a very moving place.

    Later on, we stopped at the Canadian Cemetery at Beny-sur- Mer. Canada lost more soldiers in Normandy per capita of population than any other country in WWII. It was quite special and beautifully done. It is managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    The beach at Arromanches. You can see the remains of the artificial port.
    I don't know who was here before me but they ran out of room for the 'r'.

    Normandy - Arromanches

    June 26, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Arromanches played a strategically important role in the landings and the subsequent invasion.

    It was here that the Allies built the artificial harbour ordered by Winston Churchill, which they named Port Winston. It was needed to allow a safe landing port for supplies and soldiers.

    What a feat of engineering it was. It was also crucial in the Allied victory. Parts of the artificial harbour still remain.

    We had a choice to see the Bayeaux Tapestry or the D-Day Museum at Arromanches. Seeing both would have been better, but we went to the D-Day Museum, which was excellent.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    First glimpseThe queue for the shuttle buses.

    Mont Saint-Michel

    June 27, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Today, we arrived in Brittany, on the French coast.

    Mont St-Michel is the second most visited site in France and France is the most visited country in the world. So it's popular - getting an average of 2.5 million visitors each year - 35,000 is the most in one day.

    For more than a thousand years, it has been a haven for pilgrims. Construction of the first abbey there began in the 8th century.

    It is surrounded by a huge tidal mudflat and connected to the mainland by a bridge. You must catch a shuttle bus fro. the car park to the island as no parking allowed. The car park has space for 4000 cars.

    There were people everywhere, but we were told it was a relatively quiet day and is worse in July and August, although it didn't seem like they could fit any more people in today.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Saint-Malo

    June 27, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    80% of the old city of Saint-Malo on the English Channel coast of Brittany was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944, as it was held strongly by the Germans. It didn't return to allied hands until the last day of fighting in the war. It was rebuilt using the original town plan.

    The walled city had a long history as a port for piracy in the 18th and 19th century.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Cancale
    Low tideMont Saint-Michel in the distance.CancaleOur restaurantOur new Canadian friends Chuck and Terry.1A Langoustine - I ate him, as well as his friends.Wheat harvest on the way to Cancale.SunsetThe beach at Saint-Malo opposite our hotel - this was 10:00pm.

    Cancale

    June 27, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We had dinner tonight at the famous coastal fishing village of Cancale. It was a pretty drive there along the coast and through the wheat fields and then back as the sun was setting.

    The seafood was great, but Aussie seafood is a lot better!Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Le Chateau d'Angers
    The Maine River at AngersChateau Saumur at SaumerChateau LadubayThe cellars at Chateau LadubayVineyards in the Loire Valley

    The Loire Valley

    June 28, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We left Brittany today and headed for the Loire Valley.

    Our first stop was at Angers on the Maine River. It has a large walled chateau and is yet another ancient town.

    It was then a drive along the Loire River, which is 1000kms long and divides France into the north and south regions.

    It is known for its chateaus and wineries. We stopped for a look at Chateau de Saumur, which was quite magnificent.

    Next stop was Chateau Ladubay, a winery that has been making sparkling wine since 1851. It is family owned and now in its 4th generation.

    They produce 7 million bottles a year at their wineries, but this one only produces their magnums and large bottles. The grapes they use here are chenin blanc, cabernet franc and chardonnay.

    The wines are stored in caves, which have been turned into cellars. They were quite interesting, as was their wine, which was pretty good.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Chateau de Villandry

    June 28, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Chateau de Villandry is famous for its gardens, considered to be the best in the Loire Valley and possibly all of France.

    Finished in 1536, it was the last great Renaissance chateau built on the Loire.

    Started in 1906 by the present owner’s great-grandfather, the garden is a careful reconstruction of what the original might have been.

    The 85,000 plants are replanted twice a year by 10 full-time gardeners.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Saint-Patrice

    Chateau de Rochecotte

    June 28, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The Chateau de Rochecotte was our home for two nights. Who wouldn't want to stay in a French chateau in the Loire Valley?

    It is a 4-star hotel in the village of Saint-Patrice and overlooks the Loire Valley.

    Originally, the chateau belonged to the comte de Rochecotte, who was executed in Paris during the French Revolution.

    The Duchess of Dino bought it in 1828 and built it as we see it today.

    For most of the 1900's it was abandoned and derelict, but the current owners bought it in the 1960's and restored it into a hotel. It has extensive grounds and backs onto the forest.

    It was a fantastic place to stay.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Catherine de MediciDianne de Poitiers

    Chateau de Chenonceau

    June 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Chateau de Chenonceau is the toast of the Loire Valley. A 16th-century Renaissance palace, it arches over the Cher River and has large and magnificent gardens. It is one of the most-visited chateaus in France and is privately owned.

    Nicknamed the 'chateau of the ladies', it housed many famous women over the centuries. In 1547, King Henry II gave it to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. She enjoyed it until Henry II died and his wife, Catherine de Medici, kicked her out.

    The chateau and the Cher River played an important role in WWII. The river divided France into German controlled territory and that controlled by the French Vichy government that collaborated with the Germans. The chateau was a bridge between the two zones and controlled by a German checkpoint.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    1

    Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau

    June 29, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    This 16th-century chateau is on an island in the Indre River. With no defensive purpose, it was built between 1518 and 1527 simply for luxurious living in a luxurious setting by the treasurer to the king of France.

    The castle was so lavish that the king, Francois I, seized it for himself. The French government purchased it in 1905.

    It has 8 hectares of grounds and the gardens were developed in the 19th century.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    1The veil of Mary

    Chartres

    June 30, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Today we headed back to Paris and the end of our Insight tour of France.

    On the way, we stopped at
    Chartres, which has what is regarded as Europe’s best example of a pure Gothic cathedral - Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, built between 1194 and 1220 after the old church burnt down.

    In 876, the church had acquired the veil birthing gown supposedly worn by Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. It is regarded as a 'miracle' that it survived not only the fire but WWII bombings as well, as did the stained glass windows which dated from the 12th century.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    The Louvre

    July 1, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Today, we braved the crowds at the Louvre.

    The Louvre is Europes biggest, greatest and second most crowded museum, after the Vatican. It has more than 30,000 works of art on display.

    It is overwhelming, but so very special.

    Also overwhelming is the queue to the Mons Lisa and the push and shove to get the perfect photo. All part of the experience though.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    The tomb of Napoleon.NapoleonNapoleon's horseThere was a military wedding in the Chapel while we were there.

    Les Invalides

    July 1, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Napoleon Bonaparte lies majestically dead inside six coffins under the golden dome of Les Invalides church, a former veterans’ hospital built by Louis XIV.

    It also houses the Army Museum, which tells the story of war throughout the ages.

    This was really good, but we went to see Napoleon ... and his horse!!!

    His tomb is simply beyond belief and very special. Imagine what they would have done if he had actually won.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Fromelles Cemetery
    German blockhouseCobbers MemorialGerman blocjhouses at Cobbers MemorialThe Germzn frontline - Australian line is in the distance. In between is No Man's Land.VC CornerCobbers Memorial and No Man's Land from VC Corner.Rue PatillonAdjoing graves means these soldiers were buried in a mass grave at this spot.The cemeteries are all amongst farmlands.

    Fromelles

    July 2, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Today we joined our tour of the WWI Battlefields of the Western Front with Matt McLachlan's Battlefields Tours.

    We left Paris and headed north towards Belgium, crossing the Somme and making our way through areas with names synonymous with the war. It is such beautiful farming country, it is hard to imagine what it was like 100+ years ago, although the remains of concrete German defensive blockhouses give a clue .

    Our first stop was the
    Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery, where 250 unknown Australian and British soldiers were buried in 2010. The Fromelles Museum tells the story of the July 1916 battle and the discovery of their bodies in 2009 and subsequent and ongoing identification through DNA.

    The Battle of Fromelles was the worst day in terms of casualities in our military history.

    We then went to the Cobbers Memorial and then on to the VC Corner Cemetery (the only all-Australian cemetery in France). 410 unknown soldiers are buried here, commemorated by 410 red roses. In an adjoining ploughed field, we immediately found shrapnel remains.

    We also visited the Rue Patillon cemetery.

    Our final destination was Ypres in Belgium, our home for the next two nights.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    The Ypres moat and ramparts.
    The Ypres moat and ramparts.Ice storage- ice bricks were cut from the frozen moat and stored here.Restaurant in 1700's gunpowder storage cellars.Belgian beer!Menin Gate1View from our room.

    Ypres

    July 2, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    We crossed into Belgium and the town of Ypres. It was completely flattened in the war and rebuilt by the end of the 1920's. Its destruction was used as a symbol of the devastation of war. It was described as a red stain on the ground, not from blood, but from pulverised red brick dust caused by bombing.

    It is well known as the home of the Menin Gate Memorial. Soldiers would pass through the gate in the towns ramparts on their way to the battlefields.

    You can't really see it at the moment as it is six weeks into a two year renovation. We will go to the nightly memorial service there tomorrow night.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    German blockhouseMortar shell embedded in blockhouse.Bomb craterInside the Hill 60 crater.

    Hill 60

    July 3, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Hill 60 was a strategic high point in the German lines. In June 1917, Australian and British tunnelers and miners exploded 19 mines beneath it and other hills along the Messines Ridge with devastating effect. It was an impact that, some said, was felt in London. This was a turning point in the Battle of Messines.

    The site has been preserved as it was at the end of the war, except for regrowth, so the craters can still be seen.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Polygon Wood
    German blockhouseButtes New British Cemetery5th Division MemorialPolygon Wood Australian cemetery.

    Polygon Wood

    July 3, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    The Battle of Polygon Wood began on 26 September. 1917.

    The 4th and 5th Australian Divisions attacked the German lines with huge losses. The battle ended with victory on October 3 1917.

    After the war the 5th Australian Division built its memorial in Polygon Wood, overlooking the Buttes New British Cemetery.

    Polygon Wood was completely flattened in the battles. The trees in the woods were replanted after the war and have regrown.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Looking down the cemetery and across the battlefield to Messines.
    VC winnerAdjoined graves means these soldiers were found in a mass grave together.Looking towards Messines.

    Tyne Cot Cemetery

    July 4, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Tyne Cot is the largest Commonweath war grave cemetery in the world. There are 950 in France and Belgium. It is on the site of the Battle of Broodseinde, which involved Australian and allied troops in 1917.

    The heavy battles took place in this area as the Allies attempted to take control of the ridges and high ground from the Germans.

    Tyne Cot contains 12000 graves, 9000 of whom are unknown. The walls list the names of 34000 British soldiers with no known grave.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Bullecourt Digger Memorial
    Looking across the battlefields towards BullecourtMessinesWindmill Memorial for Australians who died at Poziers.Thiepval MemorialSomme battlefields near Albert.Warloy-Baillon Cemetery.Wheat harvest is in full swing.

    The Somme

    July 4, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We travelled around the Somme battlefields today where the Australians fought and thousands died. Seeing the terrain and hearing the information from our expert guide, a military historian, really gives an insight into the battles and what went right, what went wrong, and why.

    After our visit to Tyne Cot we saw the areas where the battles of Bullecourt, Pozieres and the Somme were fought, as well as some of the cemeteries.

    A few figures:

    * the Australians lost 10000 men at Bullecourt in two weeks.
    * the British lost 60000 at Poziers, the Australians lost 23000.
    * the Thiepval memorial lists the names of 72000 missing British soldiers with no known grave.

    There are cemeteries literally everywhere and it is all so depressingly sad.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Adelaide Cemetery
    Adelaide CemeteryAustralian National Memorial with Villers-Bretonneux in the background.Villers-BretonneuxVillers-BretonneuxVillers-BretonneuxVillers-BretonneuxVillers-BretonneuxLe HamelLe HamelFrom Le Hamel and looking over the battlefiekds to the Australian National Memorial.

    Villers-Bretonneux

    July 5, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    Our last day in the battlefields (and France) was spent in the areas around Villers-Bretonneux and Le Hamel, where the Australians had great success, despite heavy casualties.

    We visited the Australian National Memorial and the Sir John Monash Centre, which overlook Villers-Bretonneux. It tells the story of Australia's involvement in the western front and is worth every cent of the $100 million spent on it to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.

    We also spent time at the Le Hamel memorial, which tells the story of this battle and the role of Sir John Monash. Our victory here was the turning point in the war.

    We then returned to Paris. Visiting the battlefields should be on everyone's bucket list.

    Tomorrow we head to Rome on the high-speed train.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Very Italian view from our window - pizzeria and motorbikes.

    Paris to Rome

    July 6, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    Today we arrived in Rome. We travelled on the Frecciorossa - the very fast train.

    Unfortunately, it wasn't as fast as it was advertised, despite reaching speeds of 299kmh at one stage. It arrived in Milan 30 minutes late, which meant we missed the connecting train to Rome by one minute, along with about 100 others.

    We were offered the next train 45 minutes later and even though it wasn't the Business Class we had booked and we had separate carriages, we took it. We were beyond caring at that stage.

    Anyway, we got to Rome only an hour later than planned and headed straight to the hotel restaurant where we made an obvious choice - pasta followed by gelato and cake, which was sensational.

    Now begins three weeks in Italy.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Trevi Fountain
    Piazza de RepublicaPiazza BonaparteCampo de Fiori marketI took it for a test drive but didn't like it.The PantheonThe Colosseum

    Rome

    July 7, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Today we explored Rome and loved it. When you see and hear about what is here and realise how much of what we do and know had its origins here, it becomes quite overwhelming as you try and take it all in.

    We saw some of the sights today as we walked around, with the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain the highlights of course ... as well as the food.

    Tonight we joined our Insight group for our 16-day Grand Italy and Sicily tour with a welcome dinner (more food) and a drive around the city which gave us a glimpse of some of the sights we will explore in greater depth when we return to Rome in a few weeks.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    St.Peters BasilicaRome - 3000 years of historySt. PetersLa Pieta by Michelangelo1No respectSt.Peters BasilicaThe Swiss Guard

    The Vatican

    July 8, 2023 in Vatican City ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Along with thousands of others, we went to the Vatican today, where we saw the Sistine Chapel (no photos allowed) St.Peters Basilica and the changing of the Swiss Guards. It's all pretty spectacular, but so were the crowds.Read more

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