Barge-ing In On Cote d'Azur, Haute Provence and The Alsace..Trip Report, April-May 2006
May 26th, 2006, 07:41 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Saturday, April 29th:
Aftr a substantial buffet breakfast, we walked along the canals which made a beautiful sight..and at noon we met with our daughter's friends who are on Univ. of Texas sabbatical, living near Strasbourg...It was so nice to have lunch with them in the Cathedrale Square, after which we checked out and took a taxi to the RR station to meet up with the barge company. Within a half hour the bus showed up, and the driver/guide, went off to meet the people coming in on the train from Paris....meanwhile another four couples who had spent the night in Strasbourg trickled in and by 3:00, all 19 passengers were accounted for.
We boarded the barge about 10 miles south of town on the Rhine Canal where it was moored...This was to be a new experience for Roz and me, and it quickly turned out to be a most pleasant one in every respect. Rather than go into detail here, I'll give you the pages that describe the full itinerary, and just make a few comments to add to it.
http://www.worldwaterways.com/vessel...sp?VesselID=15
Just click on itinerary at the top of page and the entire six days will pop up.
Suffice it to say, that everything went superbly well, we covered the entire program, the guide/driver, a charming young Britisher, was a fountain of knowledge (and a damn safe driver!), the crew couldn't have been more efficient, friendly and fun.
Yes, we throroughly enjoyed every minute of the barge trip, the programmed tours, the meals and the very congenial passengers (four Australians, two Canadians and the rest Americans).
Friday, May 5th:
The bus took us all to the Nancy railroad station where we boarded the 11:00 train to Paris...wishing all a fond farewll, we headed for our hotel in the Marais, The Axial Beaubourg (now also known by it's new name , Hotel Duo)
A newly renovated and expanded, modern design lodging. We were very satisfied with everything therein (rate: 170E's,
$217)..we stayed three nights, leaving for California on Monday, May 8th.
While in Paris for the weekend, we really didn't do that much (having been here so many times over the years), and just winding down the three weeks.
Had lunch once again at Bofingers (were there during winter of '95)on Saturday..no reservation, just walked in at 12:30...had a fine meal, mounds of sea food (scallops, crab, shrimp, langostino) for two, eggplant "caviar" for appetizers, carafe...skipped dessert for later. (Total: $72)
Spent time at Village of St. Paul, Place des Vosges, a foray into the left bank, walk along the Seine, very good breakfasts in a cafe on the corner of Rue des Archives and Rue de Verriere. Loved the Montorgueill street markets where we had a lunch, and the world-classs falafel on Rue de Rosiers is unbeatable.
A very rewarding trip, from beginning to end..I hope you have found this report interesting and perhaps valuable.
To each and everyone..Happy Travels!!
Stu T.
[email protected]
"The Tourist hunts for souvenirs...
The Traveler seeks the souvenir-maker."
"The Tourist looks for the ordinary...
The Travler seeks the extraordinary within the the ordinary."
Aftr a substantial buffet breakfast, we walked along the canals which made a beautiful sight..and at noon we met with our daughter's friends who are on Univ. of Texas sabbatical, living near Strasbourg...It was so nice to have lunch with them in the Cathedrale Square, after which we checked out and took a taxi to the RR station to meet up with the barge company. Within a half hour the bus showed up, and the driver/guide, went off to meet the people coming in on the train from Paris....meanwhile another four couples who had spent the night in Strasbourg trickled in and by 3:00, all 19 passengers were accounted for.
We boarded the barge about 10 miles south of town on the Rhine Canal where it was moored...This was to be a new experience for Roz and me, and it quickly turned out to be a most pleasant one in every respect. Rather than go into detail here, I'll give you the pages that describe the full itinerary, and just make a few comments to add to it.
http://www.worldwaterways.com/vessel...sp?VesselID=15
Just click on itinerary at the top of page and the entire six days will pop up.
Suffice it to say, that everything went superbly well, we covered the entire program, the guide/driver, a charming young Britisher, was a fountain of knowledge (and a damn safe driver!), the crew couldn't have been more efficient, friendly and fun.
Yes, we throroughly enjoyed every minute of the barge trip, the programmed tours, the meals and the very congenial passengers (four Australians, two Canadians and the rest Americans).
Friday, May 5th:
The bus took us all to the Nancy railroad station where we boarded the 11:00 train to Paris...wishing all a fond farewll, we headed for our hotel in the Marais, The Axial Beaubourg (now also known by it's new name , Hotel Duo)
A newly renovated and expanded, modern design lodging. We were very satisfied with everything therein (rate: 170E's,
$217)..we stayed three nights, leaving for California on Monday, May 8th.
While in Paris for the weekend, we really didn't do that much (having been here so many times over the years), and just winding down the three weeks.
Had lunch once again at Bofingers (were there during winter of '95)on Saturday..no reservation, just walked in at 12:30...had a fine meal, mounds of sea food (scallops, crab, shrimp, langostino) for two, eggplant "caviar" for appetizers, carafe...skipped dessert for later. (Total: $72)
Spent time at Village of St. Paul, Place des Vosges, a foray into the left bank, walk along the Seine, very good breakfasts in a cafe on the corner of Rue des Archives and Rue de Verriere. Loved the Montorgueill street markets where we had a lunch, and the world-classs falafel on Rue de Rosiers is unbeatable.
A very rewarding trip, from beginning to end..I hope you have found this report interesting and perhaps valuable.
To each and everyone..Happy Travels!!
Stu T.
[email protected]
"The Tourist hunts for souvenirs...
The Traveler seeks the souvenir-maker."
"The Tourist looks for the ordinary...
The Travler seeks the extraordinary within the the ordinary."
May 26th, 2006, 07:46 PM
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here are some web sites for the lodgings we used:
http://www.beauvallon2.com/index.htm
http://www.villaglanum.com/index.htm
http://www.parismarais.com/hotels/ho.../hotel_duo.htm
http://www.cybevasion.com/hotels/fra...ourg_2012.html
Stu T.
http://www.beauvallon2.com/index.htm
http://www.villaglanum.com/index.htm
http://www.parismarais.com/hotels/ho.../hotel_duo.htm
http://www.cybevasion.com/hotels/fra...ourg_2012.html
Stu T.
May 27th, 2006, 07:37 AM
#26
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stu
I really enjoyed You Post. Because of You and all the others here on Fodor's I've decided to give myself a Birthday gift of Paris and Amsterdam. I can't wait. Thanks again. Theresa from Detroit.
I really enjoyed You Post. Because of You and all the others here on Fodor's I've decided to give myself a Birthday gift of Paris and Amsterdam. I can't wait. Thanks again. Theresa from Detroit.
May 27th, 2006, 05:54 PM
#27
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the wonderful trip report. We drove down that narrow road to the Abbey at Senanque in March and wondered what it would be like in the lavender season. My husband was driving and exclaiming over the view while I watched the road and cowered. As usual you provide information that I tuck away for our visits to Provence.
May 27th, 2006, 06:22 PM
#28
Dear Stu, you've taken so many of the steps we walked, so thanks for bringing back so many fond memories and knowing that you and Roz had such a loving varied time in France. Today, I was wearing my wooden beads with a cross that I bought so many years ago at the
Abbey for my mother. Nice to know you visited too. Tomorrow, A Happy French Mother's Day to your wife Roz
Abbey for my mother. Nice to know you visited too. Tomorrow, A Happy French Mother's Day to your wife Roz
May 28th, 2006, 09:28 PM
#31
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much for your lovely report.
I enjoyed every bit!
We'll be in Nice and the surrounding areas next month, and plan to visit many of the same places.
One of the places I really wanted to try was the Grand Mere in Turettes-sur-loup. Did you have a reservation there? (We'll be there in late June.)
thanks again. I LOVED reading your post!
Dina
I enjoyed every bit!
We'll be in Nice and the surrounding areas next month, and plan to visit many of the same places.
One of the places I really wanted to try was the Grand Mere in Turettes-sur-loup. Did you have a reservation there? (We'll be there in late June.)
thanks again. I LOVED reading your post!
Dina
May 29th, 2006, 05:51 AM
#32
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Stu, for a wonderful trip report to read with my morning coffee. I'm not even in the market for a France visit, but I've taken notes anyway!
Your day drive from Beauvallon (the one with Oppede-le-Vieux) is now tucked away in my hard-drive travel file, along with the web address of the b & b. Oh, and you reminded me about the Maeght Foundation! It's been on my travel wish list since the 70', back-burnered due to my reluctance to drive anywhere except the flatlands of southwestern Louisiana. (Graeght Maeght, how clever you writers are.) Merci. J.
Your day drive from Beauvallon (the one with Oppede-le-Vieux) is now tucked away in my hard-drive travel file, along with the web address of the b & b. Oh, and you reminded me about the Maeght Foundation! It's been on my travel wish list since the 70', back-burnered due to my reluctance to drive anywhere except the flatlands of southwestern Louisiana. (Graeght Maeght, how clever you writers are.) Merci. J.
May 29th, 2006, 08:01 AM
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
merci, Merci!
Just to correct you, the day drive was from St. Remy (not Beauvallon) to Oppede, to the Abbey at Senanque, to Venasque, to Fontaine de Vaucluse and back to St. Remy. Wonderfully scenic circle.
Enjoy...the driving is easy and quite pleasant, not to worry! (No Loo-siana bayou gators to worry about)
Stu T.
Just to correct you, the day drive was from St. Remy (not Beauvallon) to Oppede, to the Abbey at Senanque, to Venasque, to Fontaine de Vaucluse and back to St. Remy. Wonderfully scenic circle.
Enjoy...the driving is easy and quite pleasant, not to worry! (No Loo-siana bayou gators to worry about)
Stu T.
May 29th, 2006, 08:04 AM
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dina...for the time you will be in France, I'd suggest reservations at Chez Grandmere's..it's fairly small and fills up fast..Grandma is a delightful, spirited woman who will make you feel that you're a guest in her home.
Stu T.
Stu T.
May 29th, 2006, 01:55 PM
#36
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Stu,
We are really keen to spend a few days at Beauvallon, and have read your daytripping with great interest. On reflection, did you find any difficulty with Tourrettes sur Loup as a base? We have friends who know the area well and are trying to convince us that Tourrettes is somewhat isolated in the hills and to find another location. Decision time!!!
We are really keen to spend a few days at Beauvallon, and have read your daytripping with great interest. On reflection, did you find any difficulty with Tourrettes sur Loup as a base? We have friends who know the area well and are trying to convince us that Tourrettes is somewhat isolated in the hills and to find another location. Decision time!!!
May 30th, 2006, 04:25 AM
#37
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Stu, for a wonderful report. When we were in TSL we chanced upon Medieval on a Sunday and were lucky enough to be accommodated for a wonderful lunch (though it was in November which is not their peak season) Great memories.
May 30th, 2006, 06:44 AM
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Patricia: When are you expecting to be in the area? During summer, when it's so crowded closer to the Riviera, TSL could be a welcome haven. We did not find it isolated, and it only took us 30-40 minutes of pleasant driving to get to places like Nice and Cannes, Antibes, etc. If you like quiet in the evening, there's nothing quite like staying in a country place and having dinners in the nearby town (TSL).
Stu T.
Stu T.
May 30th, 2006, 06:47 AM
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,818
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SuzieC...I'm having difficulty finding a good pl;ace for my digital photos. I've tried "Picasa" but so far I cannot "send"...I have the photos on "My Pictures" on AOL and can send, but they take forever to download that way. Any suggestions? I can send you a handful of some of the best ones , to your e-mail if you wish.
Stu T.
Stu T.
