RHK's heading to Europe
Apr 12th, 2013, 07:19 AM
#22
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B and K...have a grand and glorious trip..knowing the way you two travel,you will!
Again, you've "lucked out" by not returning to Need-um until well into May..thereby avoiding my cajoling action to get you to the one-and-only Lizzard Lounge in Cambridge to catch my grandson's gig. Cigalechanta and Iris75's family were there the last time his band played. Well, maybe someday.
All my overseas traveling these days has been reduced to vicarous only, so I'll be poring over every word (even those misspelled)..please let Karen write most of it!
Thought these pics of Alba in post below (close to Asti) might help you familiarize yourselves with the area. We stayed at Villa Favorita and loved it (recommendation from EKSCRUNCHY).
When at Maggiore, try to visit the beautiful Taranto gardens. Also dash over to nearby Lake Orta for a much smaller town with friendly ambience...and a peaceful "chapel walk" through the hills overlooking the town. It's a favorite of Bob Navigator as well. Keep on writin' and keep on truckin'...
Bon Voyage
Stu
Again, you've "lucked out" by not returning to Need-um until well into May..thereby avoiding my cajoling action to get you to the one-and-only Lizzard Lounge in Cambridge to catch my grandson's gig. Cigalechanta and Iris75's family were there the last time his band played. Well, maybe someday.
All my overseas traveling these days has been reduced to vicarous only, so I'll be poring over every word (even those misspelled)..please let Karen write most of it!
Thought these pics of Alba in post below (close to Asti) might help you familiarize yourselves with the area. We stayed at Villa Favorita and loved it (recommendation from EKSCRUNCHY).
When at Maggiore, try to visit the beautiful Taranto gardens. Also dash over to nearby Lake Orta for a much smaller town with friendly ambience...and a peaceful "chapel walk" through the hills overlooking the town. It's a favorite of Bob Navigator as well. Keep on writin' and keep on truckin'...
Bon Voyage
Stu
Apr 12th, 2013, 07:23 AM
#23
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Apr 12th, 2013, 11:41 AM
#25
Bob - we too love Biot and returned to a favourite hotel/restaurant of ours a couple of years ago and the food was as delicious as we remembered. Hotel des Arcades.....link to our blog with lots of food pics.
http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/p...ars-later.html
http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/p...ars-later.html
Apr 12th, 2013, 12:07 PM
#26
I'll be especially interested in reading about the transatlantic cruise portion. I could never stand a Mediterranean cruise where you have to "leave Europe" to return the boat each night, but the type you are going on sounds intriguing.. No jet lag either! Have a wonderful time.
Apr 13th, 2013, 07:57 AM
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so we left 'darkest' Needham as sleet was falling but by the time we got to logan airport for our 3:45 Southwest flight the sun was out. our one way flt was $222 each---shows what taxes and fuel costs do to a simple flt. we had been warned 4 times by telephone in the AM that our connecting flt from nashville to ft lauderdale would be delayed. we decided to take sandwiches with us. that with drinks and FF from burger king in nashville was a skimpy dinner. as it ended up the 2nd flt was delayed 2 1/4 hours and we did not reach ft lauderdale until nearly 11:30. 81 degrees when we arrived and humid.
Our rental car from Sixt requires an off airport pick-up, so i guess it was 12:30 by the time we reached the Hyatt Pier 66 on 17th. we had an upgrade to an 11th floor room with a walk around balcony---can see 180 degrees of the waterway. this AM when we got up there were already 4 or 5 liners just across 17th and the waterway. tomorrow our ship will be out there. the room, btw, is free as a reward for one years ownership of a chase hyatt credit card---so sometimes its worth it to pay an annual fee for a card.
a huge storm just blew through and it was interesting to watch it..
a classmate is arriving shortly for lunch. the rain has cleared so maybe we can sit on a deck...
Our rental car from Sixt requires an off airport pick-up, so i guess it was 12:30 by the time we reached the Hyatt Pier 66 on 17th. we had an upgrade to an 11th floor room with a walk around balcony---can see 180 degrees of the waterway. this AM when we got up there were already 4 or 5 liners just across 17th and the waterway. tomorrow our ship will be out there. the room, btw, is free as a reward for one years ownership of a chase hyatt credit card---so sometimes its worth it to pay an annual fee for a card.
a huge storm just blew through and it was interesting to watch it..
a classmate is arriving shortly for lunch. the rain has cleared so maybe we can sit on a deck...
Apr 13th, 2013, 07:07 PM
#33
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after an hour of chatting to our classmate we drove over the bridge to 15th St and the 15th street fisheries for lunch. free valet parking---last bldg on 15th st., right on the water..inside and outside dining... not fancy, mostly fish but some chicken and burgers. solid food but the waterside location is tops...
we did a bit of shopping in the late afternoon include 2 pairs of jeans for our english friend who we will meet up with in Nice. also a case of water for the ship---hate the processed water on board, and 4 bottles of wine for K (she gave up orange juice years ago).
at 7 we met m/m florida1 at le petit cafe in dania beach. don't be scared off by its strip mall location, the food is fantastic (french/american, mostly french). we had a charming evening with this miami beach based couple. they had attended the boston gtg last year and have their tickets for this year already... THEY MAY ALSO COME TO JAPAN IN OCTOBER WHEN WE ARE THERE...
Mrs FLA and i both had vichysoir (sp), cold, and beef bourgeoin (sp), peas and onions, lyonised potatoes (see don).
K and mr fla each had the best ever veal franais--he the soup and she a salad... desserts were a napolean, crepes suzzets (sp) and chocolate mousse... limited wine menu, but reasonable and good wines by the glass.. my bill $105++.
they have a $24.95 early bird special till 6PM which looks very inclusive..
i think a res is almost required.
twice today we have had trouble with our room lock...ugh.. did not need a GM to get free breakfast tomorrow out of this..
we missed the boat sailings this afternoon (2). We expect to awake in the AM to our ship right outside our window.
we plan to take our suitcases to the ship around 11, return the car (maybe a 5 mile drive) and take their shuttle to the ship for a noon boarding... they warned us earlier this week by email to expect a slow embarkation because of the gov't cutbacks or is it a slowdown..
TBC when we next have internet..
we did a bit of shopping in the late afternoon include 2 pairs of jeans for our english friend who we will meet up with in Nice. also a case of water for the ship---hate the processed water on board, and 4 bottles of wine for K (she gave up orange juice years ago).
at 7 we met m/m florida1 at le petit cafe in dania beach. don't be scared off by its strip mall location, the food is fantastic (french/american, mostly french). we had a charming evening with this miami beach based couple. they had attended the boston gtg last year and have their tickets for this year already... THEY MAY ALSO COME TO JAPAN IN OCTOBER WHEN WE ARE THERE...
Mrs FLA and i both had vichysoir (sp), cold, and beef bourgeoin (sp), peas and onions, lyonised potatoes (see don).
K and mr fla each had the best ever veal franais--he the soup and she a salad... desserts were a napolean, crepes suzzets (sp) and chocolate mousse... limited wine menu, but reasonable and good wines by the glass.. my bill $105++.
they have a $24.95 early bird special till 6PM which looks very inclusive..
i think a res is almost required.
twice today we have had trouble with our room lock...ugh.. did not need a GM to get free breakfast tomorrow out of this..
we missed the boat sailings this afternoon (2). We expect to awake in the AM to our ship right outside our window.
we plan to take our suitcases to the ship around 11, return the car (maybe a 5 mile drive) and take their shuttle to the ship for a noon boarding... they warned us earlier this week by email to expect a slow embarkation because of the gov't cutbacks or is it a slowdown..
TBC when we next have internet..
Apr 13th, 2013, 07:31 PM
#34
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We agree with rhk about the restaurant - we'll definitely be heading there again! We had such a great time visiting with you both and are so glad we were able to meet up! Hope you have a great trip - we'll be watching for your ship tomorrow afternoon as it sails and sending a bon voyage wave!
cw, I hope you'll be at the GTG this fall too.
I really do hope we can join everyone in Japan - time will tell! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Looking forward to the next trip report installment here!
cw, I hope you'll be at the GTG this fall too.
I really do hope we can join everyone in Japan - time will tell! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Looking forward to the next trip report installment here!
Apr 14th, 2013, 02:23 PM
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Hi Bob and Karen: Too bad I caught up with this trip too late to say HI to Florida1 and Doug. We had lunch with them in Miami Beach, at a fascinating museum, called the Wolfsonian. We would all recommend it I think.
We are going to The Netherlands while you two are on in Italy and France. So I'll be able to hear any gossip going around Europe about Bob (and his spelling: at least he got "peas and onions" right)
Have a great trip, so glad you are going to our favorite part of the world, Bob, though it will probably never be the same.
Oh, and don't take any wooden camels! See you in Boston, but will be following this report with glee!
We are going to The Netherlands while you two are on in Italy and France. So I'll be able to hear any gossip going around Europe about Bob (and his spelling: at least he got "peas and onions" right)
Have a great trip, so glad you are going to our favorite part of the world, Bob, though it will probably never be the same.
Oh, and don't take any wooden camels! See you in Boston, but will be following this report with glee!
Apr 15th, 2013, 07:24 AM
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Hi taconcictraveler! We agree with you about the Wolfsonian! Have a great trip too! We are heading off on the QM2 at the beginning of June and will go to Scotland for a week. Look forward to seeing you two in October!
