It sounds like a very nice trip with a great combination of locations.

Thanks for sharing!

Tuscan, we have a choice of Dulles or Philadelphia and always choose Dulles. But you are closer to Pittsburgh?

You can keep on writing about this trip, as far as I'm concerned, and I'll keep reading.

Coquelicot: we are in the city of Pittsburgh, but we have also done the drive to Dulles and back. It was a long time ago, but I think we were flying TWA to Europe. We've only been using US Airways out of PHL or CLT because of FF points, but that will be very likely to change soon. Our ability to rack up points with credit cards will likely diminish as the airlines make changes, and we never fly for business.

Actually, it's a shorter drive from Pittsburgh to Dulles; it's just the airline choice that has kept us going to PHL.

"In Reims, we walked and walked, explored all over the city, churches, cathedral, mansions, ruins, market, shopping streets, and my favorite, the Church of St Remi. This was gorgeous and surrounded by ruins and a lovely small park."

So glad you got to go inside. When we were there it was closed for restoration or something. Do you have pictures?

"Trip reports involving a third person are always interesting to read."

My husband & I recently took a trip to Scotland with a dear old friend. We had wonderful adventures! Even though she couldn't walk as far and as long as we could, we enjoyed it. When she got too tired she went back to the B&B's and rested while we explored further. I hope he will write a report soon because he is a wonderful story teller.

Good report. The Matisse Museum is one of my favorite things in Nice. I have walked from there down to the Chagall Museum and agree the area is very pretty. Was sort of a mission so did not really explore much, will have to go back.

Thanks!

Just caught up with your report
Thanks you , found it very interesting and informative

Ste. Agnes sounds so interesting. A new place to visit.

So, if we had mega bucks, could speak French, and wouldn't miss the grandkids so much, we'd be off to live in the South of France!

There are loads of Brits who move to France and Spain without a working knowledge of the relevant language. I'm not recommending it, but that would not seem to be the biggest obstacle you face, TPAYT!

The low cost airlines also make it easy. In Dordogne, it verges on the ridiculous (at least for those of us who think that "immigrants" should fit in) because there is no lack of those choirs that British women love to form or English people selling their cupcakes and brownies at the local markets. And even if I wrote "ridiculous" just a few lines above, I like the mix, because it is what the EU is all about. Learning the language will come later -- or the people will become unhappy and leave.

TPAYT and annhig: if it wasn't for jobs and grandkids, why would NOT live in the South of France?

TPAYT and annhig: if it wasn't for jobs and grandkids, why would NOT live in the South of France?>>

in my case, it's work and [grown-up] kids who have yet to leave home. I suppose that we could just up and leave them behind, but we need the money from the house to do it in comfort, else I'd be gone like a shot.

Your trip sounds wonderful and the report is very nice. I don't need to know how many steps it takes to get somewhere, but I do like some specifics and details. I also like that you said what worked and what wasn't quite what you hoped for.
For several years I traveled with a group of friends from California. Anywhere from 3 to 7 of us would go, sharing rooms, 2-3 women in a room. It worked very well for us but there is a lot of compromise necessary to make it work. Some of the things that didn't sound so good to me turned out to be very interesting. And then we sometimes broke off from the group and did our own thing.
Thanks for the trip report!