Loire Valley–Famous for Chateaux & Formal Gardens

Loire Valley–Famous for Chateaux & Formal Gardens

Our 2nd from last stop in France was the Loire Valley, famed for its Chateaux, elaborate gardens, historic towns, and vineyards AND as of 2000, the central valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Glorious Chateaux and Gardens. On our way to Amboise to meet 1 of the...
Normandy Coast: Honfleur, Bayeaux, & D-Day Beaches

Normandy Coast: Honfleur, Bayeaux, & D-Day Beaches

For us, the Normandy Coast’s World War II D-Day Beaches and Museums was the highlight of our France trip. Our 1st D-Day stop was at the excellent Au Memorial de Caen with amazing films and exhibits which detail global events leading to WWII through the war then giving...
Reims in the Champagne Region then Briefly Rouen

Reims in the Champagne Region then Briefly Rouen

On Sunday, October 9, we picked up our rental car to drive northeast for a couple of hours to Reims (mysteriously pronounced “rance”) in the Champagne region, where we visited 3 main sights. First was the Reims Cathedral–with lovely stained glass windows—which...
Nenuphar Barge on Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy Region

Nenuphar Barge on Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy Region

Our whole trip to France was built around a barge cruise on the Canal de Bourgogne in Burgundy with Rick’s business school friends. On Sunday, Oct. 2nd, all six couples boarded a bus to reach Venarey-Les-Laumes, our starting point, from where we’d travel north to...
Paris–Still the City of Lights

Paris–Still the City of Lights

Despite the recent troubles in this city, Paris is still magical, still the “City of Lights.” Rick and I mostly walked across, up and down, Left to Right Bank and back again, with a few rides on the Metro and in taxis thrown in. We ate wonderful food every night...