Francesco's house
March 25, 2017 in Italy ⋅ 🌫 55 °F
Francesco and his two lively children, Matthew and Beatricia, showed us to our spacious apartment. It's a daylight basement with peekaboo views of the mountains. The main room is heated with a pelletRead more
Driving out and about today
March 27, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F
Mostly photos of the drive up to The Matterhorn.
The Matterhorn
March 27, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F
Or Monte Cervino as the Italians call it. The alps up here are so rugged and craggy they are unreal. We both felt they looked almost photoshopped against the bright blue of the sky. Awe inspiring.
And the drive back
March 27, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
I'm reminded of Mark Twain's apology, "I'd have written a shorter letter but I didn't have time."
View from our window this morning
March 28, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F
French Alps
March 28, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 48 °F
After driving through the Mount Blanc tunnel (11 kilometers long), we emerged into France. The Alps were very imposing. We would have gotten more photos, but most of the time the sun was in the way.Read more
Annanaomi Sams
I don't think my heart would let me drive on. This is too beautiful to see and then leave.
Annanaomi SamsHave we/I become overly demanding re: pictures? Probably... These are beyond words. I am grateful for each one! Thank you!
Drive to Avignon
March 28, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
The air was very extremely hazy during most of the drive so it was difficult to get photos of the huge marble massifs along the way.
Avignon
March 29, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
Views from our 14th floor apartment that we are sharing with our very nice French hostess, Annick, and a university student, Ahmed, from Tunisia.
Wandering around Avignon
March 29, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
An old walled city that was home to the Popes in the 13th and 14th centuries. The city is on the Rhine River.
The photo of the bike shows how the mail is delivered in the city.
Walking in Avignon Il
March 30, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F
Getting lost
March 30, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
A closed road set us off on the side roads in apple growing country.
Village Des Bories
March 30, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
From mid 17th century, these were homes of the homesteaders given rights to land if they farm as a way to stave off famine and revolution. No mortar. Just flat limestone lying around. I'll tell ya,Read more
Gordes
March 30, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
We're in the Luberon in the heart of Provence. Wow who knew there were so many hill towns in FRANCE!
Annanaomi Sams
Oh! Well it SHOULD be a house. I think some in other places were converted...
Roussillon
March 30, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
A worldwide source of red and yellow ocher was mined here for centuries. Til they ran out. All house exteriors must, by law, be painted in one of a narrow range of ochre-like colors.
Annanaomi Sams
I like these colors, but can understand wanting a splash of Dublin Blue every once in a while!
Driving around
March 30, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
Saintes Maries de la Mer
March 31, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
La Camargue
March 31, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Mark FoardI've always wanted to go to the Camargue. It's been a dream since I was a kid. I'm very jealous.
TravelerI was surprised by how Spanish Stes Maries seemed. Brilliant white houses, paella, bullfights. Everything but the moules frites which seem quite Belgian to me. The scenery was unlike anything I've seen in France. Wild and marshy. The parts that weren't being farmed that is. Interesting thatched structures. I was disappointed only in that their famous wild white horses were mostly to be seen in front of a feed bin in a corral.
54 mpg
March 31, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
We got diesel today and for once I had kept track of the mileage. We are pleased that our little Fiat Panda is getting 54 mpg on a mix of highway and city driving.
Driving thru France
April 1, 2017 in France ⋅ 🌧 48 °F
We really enjoy getting off the major freeways (they are toll roads here), and driving through the country side. As we say: "we hate the freeways." It lets us admire the places and houses that peopleRead more
Karen AndersonI would venture to say that you and Gordon earn the badge of being professional travelers! I am amazed at your pace and all the sites you manage to see as well as the great places you find to stay. Thanks so much for posting all the photos and notes about your trip thus far.
Entrecasteaux
April 1, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
We have a small apartment in an old building in a old town in France. It is glorious, old plumbing and all.
Out shopping
April 3, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Most of the village shops are closed Mondays so we walked the quarter mile to the car and went to the supermarket in the next town. Photos are coming back into the village and walking to the house.
Karen AndersonWhat a gorgeous place! The oldness of the towns you visit is so fascinating and rich with history and charm. I am so enjoying your trip!
Another walk around town
April 4, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Entrecasteaux is a Unesco World Heritage site. The town was first established in the 11th century. Current population 1000. One house on our street has a date over the door in the 1600s, but we didn'tRead more
Heading back to Milano
April 5, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
We have to go back to Milan to renew our car lease. Why, you may ask didn't we get a long term rental and why can they renew the lease without returning? Don't ask. I don't want to talk about it.Read more
Car rental completed
April 6, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
We have the car for another month.
Headed back to France
April 6, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
Annanaomi Sams
I love the green and the snowy mountains!
Traveler
It was beautiful. Very alpine.