FUN-travel: Lyon, France to Madrid, Spain

August 18, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Lyon, France to Madrid, Spain

Trip Day 33 – Sunday, August 12 – Lyon, France to Madrid, Spain

Animated Figures

What I LIKE

arrive airport 9:45
12:15 flight to Lisbon
upgraded to Biz class for free!
11 seats – 1 empty & attendant lets me seat belt my carry on
my gold United status gets us into club lounge
6:15 pm arrive Madrid
all bags arrive with us
taxi to hotel only 20 min & $30 Euro
arrive Westin Palace – beautiful in all its glory
8:30 venture out across street to side walk cafe
2 beers, 2 salads, & hamburger tapas only $7 Euro!
bells chime every hour on building across street & animated figures come out
head down street to locals restaurant – free tapas – marinated mussels with vegetables & nice wine only $28 Euro
heavenly bed

What I DIDN”T LIKE

can’t confirm & check in until 10:30
no non-stop flights to Madrid
tiny commuter plane only has 45 seats total
11 “biz class”
carry on won’t fit in overhead bin – has all my personal belongings & computer
no extra lock!
2 hr layover in Lisbon
$5 Euro food not so good

FF (FUN-fact) – The Westin Palace is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Filed under: FUN-travel
Tagged: France, Lyon, Madrid, Spain

FUN-travel: Chalon sur Saône, France – End of Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

August 16, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Chalon sur Saône, France – End of Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

Trip Day 33 – Cruise Day 8 – Sunday, August 12 – Chalon sur Saône, France – End of Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

Chateau de Pommard Art

What I LIKE

12:15 flight to Madrid
transportation much more organized than our arrival
nice big bus

What I DON’T LIKE

8 am depart
105 minutes bus ride to airport

FF (FUN-fact) – We went through a total of 15 locks from Arles to Chalon sur Saône and the tallest one was 75 feet.

Uniworld Cruise Recap – They claim to be the Regent’s 7 Seas of river cruises. The food was off the charts! (better than 7 Seas) Every morning the fresh fruit changed and the spread, of which we didn’t partake, was excellent. We did make a sandwich for our usual midmorning snack. Lunch always had an array of fresh vegetables on the salad bar with a soup and several hot main & side dishes . Dinner always had 4 appetizer options, 2 soups, 4 entrees & 4 desserts. In addition, they offered a low carb, low fat menu. Service was just as good as the food! Uniworld wins a Gold Medal in our Travel Olympics!

Avignon

What we LIKED

Tournon

free internet
tour briefings for next day each night before dinner
free wine, beer & soft drinks @ lunch & dinner

What we DIDN’T LIKE

the room was too small – 151 sq ft
it wasn’t all inclusive
we don’t like feeling “nickeled & dimed”
you’re charged for drinks in the bar/lounge (where the entertainment is)
couldn’t book a 2014 cruise so not able to get on board extra discount

Filed under: FUN-travel
Tagged: Chalon sur Saône, France, Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

FUN-travel: Chalon sur Saône to Beaune, France – Day 7 – Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

August 16, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Chalon sur Saône to Beaune, France – Day 7 – Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

Trip Day 32 – Cruise Day 7 – Saturday, August 10 – Chalon sur Saône to Beaune, France – Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

Beaune

What I LIKE

Colorful Glazed Tiles

drive to Beaune is through countryside
lots of vineyards
in the heart of the Burgundy region
9:30 – arrive Beaune
1st stop – Hospices de Beaune – 14th century hospital
fabulous glazed tile roofs
2nd stop – Saturday Farmers market in full swing
colorful displays wind through the streets
selling everything you can imagine
lots of colorful hanging baskets of mixed flowers
lots of colorful mixed flowers
really cute town with cobbled streets
12 noon – drive to Chateau de Pommard for lunch & wine tasting
4 pm back on ship
another wonderful dinner!

What I DON’T LIKE

Chateau de Pommard Art

unable to get to Beaune by river
have to take 45 minute bus ride
the wine tasting was overpriced
the food was mediocre at best

FF (FUN-fact) – The Burgundy region only grows chardonnay and pinot noir grapes.

Filed under: FUN-travel
Tagged: Beaune, Chalon sur Saône, France, Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

FUN-travel: Lyon, France – Day 6 – Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

August 15, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Lyon, France – Day 6 – Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

Trip Day 31 – Cruise Day 6 – Friday, August 9 – Lyon, France – Uniworld Rhône River Cruise

St. Jean Old Quarter

Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière

What I LIKE

usual morning of hot French press coffee
fruit
sandwich to go for mid-morning snack
9 am depart on bus
pass 2000 year old Roman ruins
then 2 Roman theatres still used today
1st stop – top of hill & panoramic views
2nd stop – Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière – Lyon’s hallmark basilica
3rd stop – ride funicular down to St. Jean old quarter – the medieval district
4th stop – after strolling through narrow streets & maze of alleyways enter les traboules (historic secret hidden passageways)
city sits on both Rhône & Saône rivers
even though it’s the 3rd largest city it doesn’t feel that way
5th stop – Belllecour in new town
walk down pedestrian only street for shopping
30 minute walk back to ship
12:30 lunch
2 pm – 45 min bike ride on path along river

What I DON’T LIKE

Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière from Old Quarter

some stores close @ 12:30
don’t re-open until 4 pm

FF (FUN-fact) – Silk weaving was the main occupation in Lyon in the 14th century.

More FF – Many inventors were born Lyon and the things they invented were the: electronic telegraph, sewing machine, textile loom, cinematography and the hot air balloon.

Filed under: FUN-travel
Tagged: France, Lyon, Uniworld Rhône River Cruise