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.
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.