FUN-travel: Lyon, France to Madrid, Spain

August 18, 2012 by · 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 · 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

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.