Sincerely Uniworld
I am honored to report that Uniworld Boutique River Cruise company selected my post about visiting Monet’s home and garden to feature in their newsletter Sincerely Uniworld. Click to read: Monet’s World at Giverny
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Scenes from Paris
Before and after our recent trip to Normandy (on Uniworld’s SS Joie de Vivre) we spent some time in Paris. Mostly walking around, with a number of stops in cafes. I thought the best way to convey the feeling of Paris would be with pictures and occasional observations. So here goes. We did visit Versailles…
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The Postcard French Village of Honfleur
We drove into Honfleur by a scenic route from Caudebec where our Uniworld ship was docked. Caudebec was the home of Victor Hugo (who wrote Les Misérables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame in case you forgot). All along the route, we enjoyed seeing many of the thatched-roof houses for which the area is known.…
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In Remembrance: The Beaches of Normandy
In Remembrance: The Beaches of Normandy We selected this Uniworld trip because it included a visit to the beaches of Normandy, where so many gave their lives in the name of freedom. For those of us with fathers who fought in World War II, this visit was emotional and very special. It didn’t matter what…
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The Old Town of Medieval Rouen Inspires Literary Allegories
Rouen is the capital of Normandy and a pretty big city with almost half a million residents. After being severely bombed during World War II, much of the town, including areas along the Seine, has been rebuilt in a very functional, concrete style. Fortunately, much of the Old Town and the main cathedral were spared…
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Monet’s World at Giverny: A Riot of Color
A highlight of this Uniworld river cruise is a stop at the Village of Giverny where Monet made his home for many years and painted his famous water lilies. (I could not get the right effect in the pic above with my camera app, but at least it’s a bit artistic!) His love of color…
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A Voyage Through Normandy
We have embarked on a river cruise to Normandy, France, sailing round-trip from Paris on the Seine. From the moment we set foot on the Uniworld SS Joie de Vivre, we knew we’d made the right decision. The ship is beautifully appointed with French décor and the food and beverage service embraces the best of…
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5 Dining Experiences to Write Home About
Santa Rosa, California | Wine Country The weather was perfect and we decided to launch our food, wine, and shopping journey with a tasting dinner at the St. Francis Winery & Vineyards in nearby Santa Rosa. And, OMG, what a wonderful way to begin. We arrived just in the nick of time (they keep to…
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Secrets of European Christmas Markets
I’ve had the good fortune to make two trips to see Europe’s fabulous Christmas markets. Once with my Mother on a river cruise and once with a girlfriend. Both trips were kaleidoscopes of super-sized, festive, cold, delicious Christmas overload. I know from previous experience that Germany is really where many of our beloved Christmas traditions…
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European Xmas Markets: Auf Wiedersehen/ Au Revoir
Hard to believe the week is over and we are headed back to the USA. It’s been a terrific trip! Using the MOVES app on my iPhone, it registers we have walked in excess of 110,000 steps, which translates to about 55 miles. We believe it – we never walked so much; basically all…
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Strasbourg: “The Capital of Christmas”
It’s impossible for words to capture the feeling and quality of the beautiful Christmas Markets in Strasbourg, France. What’s exceptional and unique is the dramatic, over-the-top, décor on the buildings, in the shops, and draped across the streets. Every corner you turn offers a new visual treat, always something cuter, bigger, brighter or more fanciful.…
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Cannes is a Star
Cannes is beautiful. We tendered in right by the Vieux Port (Old Port) and were met by MoMo, a driver we had contracted for a few hours. The goal was to get out on the coast and take in the scenery, and that is exactly what made this day so special. Before we left…
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A Surprise Visit to Villefranche
When we opened our eyes this morning and saw the whitecaps outside, we knew we were not going to be able to tender into St. Tropez. It wasn’t long before the Captain of the Journey announced he was looking for a more sheltered harbor; and not long after, he broadcast we would anchor off Villefranche.…
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Corsica: France’s Mediterranean Island
On Cap Corse. The Old Port of Bastia was a quaint starting point for our trip to Cap Corse, the “finger” peninsula of this French Island. This is a mountainous island with peaks reaching more than 8,000’. Cap Corse offered a glimpse into the past, since this is the last remaining place where agriculture and…
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