Monday, November 24, 2008
Centreville, Clermont
Here are a few pictures that we have taken over the past 3 months here in France. Wow!!! has it been 3 months already! Many of the places are becoming familiar and favorite sites for us as we settle into our new apartment and routine. Our neighborhood is considered in Centre-ville or the center of town. We can walk and access everything we need. Preston walks to work, the children walk to school and I can walk to... french classes, the mall, the bakery, the tabac (newstand!), the movies, etc. We are located across the street from a lovely park, Jardin Lecoq, and about 10 minutes from Place Jaude, where the mall and a movie theater is located. In the center of town is the Cathedral. It is large and black because it is made out of volcanic rock from this region. Rue du Port is a cute little street with many shops including a dollhouse store, boutiques, antique shops and bakeries. I have a lot of fun just walking around town, window shopping. I can't wait to take you all on tour when you visit, hint, hint!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Road Trippin'
Our First European Road Trip
Day 1: On the Road...
We left Clermont-Ferrand at 12 pm (4 hours later than planned) and arrived in Lyon, France for lunch at Subway. We then drove to Torino, Italy for dinner and a good nights rest. The weather and the drive both were great! We were able to see the French Alps before it got too dark.
Day 2: Venice, Italy!!!!!!!
We arrived in Venice about 3pm. We took the waterbus to our apartment. The waterbus is the equivalent of a city bus because there are no cars or motor street vehicles on the island. In fact, Venice is made of over 100 small islands that are connected by footbridges. The only mode of transportation is by boat and walking! You can read more about this magnificent city at the following link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice.
When you approach Venice, it looks like the entire city is floating! It is amazing that these buildings are still standing after several hundred years. Now Venice is known for lots of thing, but it is most famous for the Gondolas. So of course the 1st thing we had to do was take a Gondola ride. $$$$ Even with 4 children, it was very romantic! We were able to ride at night and travel through small canals. It reminded the children of the Pirates of the Carribean ride in Disney, except this was the real thing!
Day 3: Walking Tour, Carnival Play and Artists
Venice is city made for walking so we took a 2 hour walking tour. $ It was conducted in English by a native of Venice. The tour included the Palace of Doges, St. Mark's Basilica (were the apostle Mark's remains are) , Piazza San Marco, Marco Polo's childhood home, and the Rialto Bridge. We learned that every time you cross a bridge, you are on another "island" and each island has a church on it. So that means that although Venice is not a large city, there are over 100 churches there.
After lunch, we wondered around the city. The streets are very narrow, more like alleys. As we explored, we stumbled upon an artist making glass beads in his shop. He invited us in and we were able to watch him make several beads. He was very generous and allowed each one of the children to take a bead free of charge. He even gave me a necklace as a gift. We purchased a few other jewelry pieces as well. Here is a link to his website, http://muranero.blogspot.com/2008/08/africa.html
On another street, we met another artist hand-painting carnival masks...more souvenirs! $$$ We ended the evening by attending a play on the history of Venice.$$$$$$
Day 4: Everyday Venice and Murano Island
We rented an apartment that was located right near a bakery, cafe, fruit stand, grocery store and several restaurants. It was fascinating to see how everyday life is. Garbage is collected daily and put on barges. Everything is by boat. Ambulance, store deliveries, everything has to done via the water ways.
On our last day, we took a waterbus to Murano, the part of Venice where the glass is made. We were able to tour a factory were they make the most beautiful hand-made vases that I have ever seen. A lot of people spoke English in Venice, including the factory owner. He explained to us that the business is family run and that it takes 18 to 20 years to perfect the craft. Most of the men begin apprenticing as young as 8 years old.
Day 5: On the road again
We left Venice via Private Water Taxi. $$ This was like a limo on water! We had a great time, but it was time to go! Venice is a beautiful, expensive city! Just add up all the $ signs in my blog so far! We returned to the garage where our car was parked for 4 days and continued our road trip. We drove along the Italian and French Riviera to St. Maxime, France for the remainder of our vacation. We rented a coxy condo near the beach.
Day 6: Rest
We took a much needed day off to stay inside and sleep, eat and be merry. No tours or expensive restaurants!
Day 7: Driving tour
Today we drove along the scenic route to Nice, Cannes, and Monaco. I was again surprised by the landscape. The French Riviera is very rocky right up to the water. We where driving along mountains right next to the sea. Sand is brought into some of the beach areas designed for swimming.
Monaco is a small country of just 19 city blocks and a population of 1000 people. And it is gorgeous! We hope to return when the weather is warmer.
Day 1: On the Road...
We left Clermont-Ferrand at 12 pm (4 hours later than planned) and arrived in Lyon, France for lunch at Subway. We then drove to Torino, Italy for dinner and a good nights rest. The weather and the drive both were great! We were able to see the French Alps before it got too dark.
Day 2: Venice, Italy!!!!!!!
We arrived in Venice about 3pm. We took the waterbus to our apartment. The waterbus is the equivalent of a city bus because there are no cars or motor street vehicles on the island. In fact, Venice is made of over 100 small islands that are connected by footbridges. The only mode of transportation is by boat and walking! You can read more about this magnificent city at the following link, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice.
When you approach Venice, it looks like the entire city is floating! It is amazing that these buildings are still standing after several hundred years. Now Venice is known for lots of thing, but it is most famous for the Gondolas. So of course the 1st thing we had to do was take a Gondola ride. $$$$ Even with 4 children, it was very romantic! We were able to ride at night and travel through small canals. It reminded the children of the Pirates of the Carribean ride in Disney, except this was the real thing!
Day 3: Walking Tour, Carnival Play and Artists
Venice is city made for walking so we took a 2 hour walking tour. $ It was conducted in English by a native of Venice. The tour included the Palace of Doges, St. Mark's Basilica (were the apostle Mark's remains are) , Piazza San Marco, Marco Polo's childhood home, and the Rialto Bridge. We learned that every time you cross a bridge, you are on another "island" and each island has a church on it. So that means that although Venice is not a large city, there are over 100 churches there.
After lunch, we wondered around the city. The streets are very narrow, more like alleys. As we explored, we stumbled upon an artist making glass beads in his shop. He invited us in and we were able to watch him make several beads. He was very generous and allowed each one of the children to take a bead free of charge. He even gave me a necklace as a gift. We purchased a few other jewelry pieces as well. Here is a link to his website, http://muranero.blogspot.com/2008/08/africa.html
On another street, we met another artist hand-painting carnival masks...more souvenirs! $$$ We ended the evening by attending a play on the history of Venice.$$$$$$
Day 4: Everyday Venice and Murano Island
We rented an apartment that was located right near a bakery, cafe, fruit stand, grocery store and several restaurants. It was fascinating to see how everyday life is. Garbage is collected daily and put on barges. Everything is by boat. Ambulance, store deliveries, everything has to done via the water ways.
On our last day, we took a waterbus to Murano, the part of Venice where the glass is made. We were able to tour a factory were they make the most beautiful hand-made vases that I have ever seen. A lot of people spoke English in Venice, including the factory owner. He explained to us that the business is family run and that it takes 18 to 20 years to perfect the craft. Most of the men begin apprenticing as young as 8 years old.
Day 5: On the road again
We left Venice via Private Water Taxi. $$ This was like a limo on water! We had a great time, but it was time to go! Venice is a beautiful, expensive city! Just add up all the $ signs in my blog so far! We returned to the garage where our car was parked for 4 days and continued our road trip. We drove along the Italian and French Riviera to St. Maxime, France for the remainder of our vacation. We rented a coxy condo near the beach.
Day 6: Rest
We took a much needed day off to stay inside and sleep, eat and be merry. No tours or expensive restaurants!
Day 7: Driving tour
Today we drove along the scenic route to Nice, Cannes, and Monaco. I was again surprised by the landscape. The French Riviera is very rocky right up to the water. We where driving along mountains right next to the sea. Sand is brought into some of the beach areas designed for swimming.
Monaco is a small country of just 19 city blocks and a population of 1000 people. And it is gorgeous! We hope to return when the weather is warmer.
Day 8: Home please!!
As much fun as we had on our trip, it was time to go home! We missed our dog Prince and we needed to sleep in our own beds! I am already planning the next trip!
As much fun as we had on our trip, it was time to go home! We missed our dog Prince and we needed to sleep in our own beds! I am already planning the next trip!
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