fun4all4, I'm glad my Dordogne report was helpful to you. I'm impressed that you managed to fit in so many of our favourite Dordogne places in just half the time we had and I'm inspired by your photos of Castlenaud and Beynac chateaux to visit them next time! I'm also enjoying your Paris and Normandy accounts!

Susan, last summer was hot all over Europe and this summer is not so you never know what you will get but July is usually hot in the Dordogne. We flew Air Canada to Frankfurt then Lufthansa to Toulouse and can recommend the Frankfurt/Toulouse Lufthansa leg with small, comfortable leather-seated planes, good service and decent German wines as well.

moolyn and Leely - Thanks!

susan001- Yes, I remember you! Did you enjoy your trip to Switzerland and the Berner Oberland, in particular? I thought it was gorgeous. You will also love the Dordogne.

klondike- the Vedettes thing is a bit tricky as it turns out. As the Tower twinkles on the hour and the boats depart from Ile de la Cite, I figured an on the hour cruise departure would not work. I actually made a note to watch for that cruise on our way up and, sure enough, I do not think they had a good sighting (it is possible they caught a glimpse around 9 or 10 after the hour as they headed up but I doubt it). On the other hand, I thought for sure we would be well-positioned for "the twinkle" but we still did not have a full or close view. It was lovely and I could watch for a few minutes, but if you really want to see it, you would probably have to either go with a different boat company with a dock closer to the Tower OR go on foot as some point during your stay. It was beautiful and I feel that I did get to see it, but you are not right there on the hour. Hope that helps.

<b>Wednesday, July 18th B Departs, Sacre Coeur, Luxembourg Gardens and Harry Potter</b>

We got up to have breakfast and coffee with B before he set of for CDG by metro/RER (it turned out to be a bit of an adventure – he was not well-directed by the front desk guy and the switch at Notre Dame was confusing and a long walk – better to change in a different spot).

D and I took the Metro up to Sacre Coeur area and walked up a ton of steps to reach it. I appreciated the exercise, but would not recommend it for those with mobility issues. We admired the views and walked through the Church. As D loves to climb just about everything, we proceeded around the left side of the building to enter the steps to the Dome. There were no attendants, just a machine that accepts cash or credit cards (but our CC did not work – we were ok with ATM’s, but you really need the chip and pin European cards for other CC transactions). I did not have proper change so we decided to go back into the church to buy a couple of postcards and get change.

It sounds quick and easy, but it was not. The clockwise path around which visitors must walk was slow and crowded – then, just as we got close to the shop, they blocked off the path with a rope for 10 minutes so that the clergy/priests could pass through to lead a morning service (obviously they should have the right of way). Once we finally got to the shop and selected postcards, we were told at payment that they did not have change – foiled again.

We decided to give up the Dome for the time being and explored Montmartre for a bit, looking at the artists and souvenir shops. We went ahead and purchase a few postcards and now had proper change for the machine. Back to the Dome where we climbed to the top for great views and exercise.

Our next destination was Luxembourg Gardens – we hopped back on the Metro and took it to the St. Sulpice stop and walked to and through the Gardens. A picnic lunch would have been a good idea. We watched the kids playing, enjoyed the modern art placed at each old statue (an exhibit, I guess, and a cool juxtaposition and interesting interpretations), and admired the gardens and Palace.

Our stroll up rue Bonaparte was nice and I saw many shops I would have liked to explore, but we were hungry and my son was not interested in women’s clothing and jewelry shopping. I am sure my husband was happy to know that a shopping spree had been averted. Lunch was at the corner of rue Jacob and rue Bonaparte at ____aux clercs (the name escapes me at the moment and I didn’t write it down, but it is diagonally across from Laduree). Our server was friendly and our table along the sidewalk pleasant. As it turns out, our lunch was delicious. We had one of the lunch specials which was a salad with roast chicken, cucumber, pasta, pesto, lettuce and vinaigrette. Then, we popped into Laduree for a few treats and gifts. Back to the hotel for a rest and packing.

Around 6:15 or so we walked to the Odeon area where we had spotted a couple of movie theatres playing the new Harry Potter movie in VO. It was a blast – we had fun with the movie and it was cool to go to a theatre in Paris. It was almost 10pm when we emerged and we strolled back through “our” St. Germain neighborhood. We just picked a dinner spot which turned out to be quite good – Les Temps Perdu. I had an awesome artichoke salad to start with a simple, but tasty salmon dish. Dinner for Daniel was Coq au Vin.

It was 11:30 pm by the time we were headed back and the streets were still full with people and a festive atmosphere. It was another amazing evening in Paris – back to bed to be ready for our departure home the next morning.

Photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...wisin&amp;Ux=1

Your last day at Montmartre and Luxembourg G looked wonderful. I didn't make it to Montmartre 2 years ago--only saw it from a distance. I'm sure the Harry Potter film in Paris was fun, especially for D.

Yes, I loved the Berner Oberland! As you said, just breathtaking views. I did two hikes, went up to the Schilthorn, had an amazing balcony view from my hotel in Murren. I also enjoyed staying in Stein an Rhein, north of Zurich, and the portion of the Engadine I saw. I have posted a report.

Looking forward to seeing the Dordogne and Lot region and this report will help.

<b>Thursday, July 19th Home</b>

One more pain au chocolat and caf&eacute; au lait and it was time to go. As part of our room package, we had a private transfer to the airport which was quick and easy. He was about 15 minutes late which made me nervous, but I had allowed for lots of extra time and there was no traffic so we were at the airport by 10:30 am for a 1pm flight.

Lines and confusion reigned at the United check-in area. It didn’t help that the Chicago flight, which in addition to the Dulles flight is the other main midday flight, was delayed 3 hours. There were lots of changes going on as they tried to help people make connections and such.

Let me just say that, in my opinion, Charles de Gaulle retains its title as the worst airport anywhere (OK, maybe there are worse, but I always have headaches there). It is my least favorite. Confusion, long lines, multiple lines and checkpoints, and then a final pen/corral where you are stuck. There was only one place for food/water with ONE person working after the final security clearance. I waited at least ½ hour (and many behind me waited longer and didn’t get served at all before boarding) for a sandwich and some water. He was out of the sandwiches so it was just for 2 water bottles.

The flight home was okay. The first 5 hours were smooth and easy, but the final 3 were bumpier than I prefer plus a storm in DC kept us circling over Syracuse for a while since Dulles shut down. Still, we landed safely about an hour late. My Dad was waiting to bring us home (what a nice guy) and we were home in time for dinner with B.

It was a great trip. Thanks for sharing it with me. And so begins the inevitable question …..”Where Next?”
(Well, other than Las Vegas for business - it is my first time and I leave in 2 days).