Thursday, June 9:We're here! Arrived to Hotel Kyriad in Massy (outside of Paris) and had dinner with our group at the Hippopotamus restaurant in Paris. Enjoyed a few city sites as we walked back to the subway and our bus.
Friday, June 10:
Enjoyed an overview city tour in the morning with Brigette and had the rest of the day to explore Paris. Bev suggested a walk up the hillside to Montmarte, the highest hill in the city and a charming, village-like atmosphere made famous by the 1900 arrival of painters, such as Pablo Picasso. This was a great 'introduction' to the walking and climbing we will be doing on this trip...nearly 300 steps, but 0h-so-worth-it! A spectacular view of Paris greeted us, as well as the exquisite La Basilique du Sacre Coeur (a basilica of Roman Byzantine design). Entertaining the crowd was our first encounter with a street mime ~ a bronze soldier!
Enjoyed an espresso with Molly and Bev, while Garrett and Jerica took in some sights. Wandered through a small park with artists displaying their paintings.
A highlight? Making it, after all these years, to the famed bookstore of Sylvia Beach, "Shakespeare & Co.". Wandered through the winding passages and up the narrow stairway to the reading room with many books from the personal library of Sylvia Beach.
A scenic boat ride down the Seine (complete with romantic Italian music) provided an abundance of photo ops:
Saturday, June 11: Spent the morning and part of the afternoon at the Louvre...certainly not nearly enough time to do it justice. However, it was fantastic to view Leonardo da Vinci's most famous work (any guesses, anyone?), along with being greeted by the 'Winged Victory" of Samothrace. Unfortunately, the Fayum encaustic (hot wax painting) from Egypt was on loan, so I was unable to see it.
June 12: Molly got in some running while in Nice...along the Promenade de Anglais overlooking the Mediterranean. I mused at how long it will be before she'll ever run with that gorgeous of a view! While sitting on the beach waiting for her, I had a very pleasant chat with a couple from Holland, Wilhem and Marian.
Boarded the train from Paris to the Cote d'Azur. This was a definite highlight for Molly and me, as we passed through the beautiful French countryside and visited with our fellow travelers on the tour. Arrived in Nice and checked into the Hotel Berne, near the shore but not within view. Charming, long paned windows opened onto a view of a 'colorful' area of Nice.
June 13: A bus-ride along the breathtaking Mediterranean coast, up into the mountains to Monaco. Ordered 'take away' and wandered over to the Princess Grace gardens overlooking the sea. Lush canopies of trees shade the many walks and manicured lawns. Enjoyed our lunch among the aromatic flowers. Visited the St. Nicholas Cathedral and the burial site of Princess Grace.
A fellow tourist in Monaco inquired about Molly's KU backpack and when Molly told her that she was on the Jayhawk cross country and track team for next fall, the woman shared that she had grown up in none other than....Cedar Point, Kansas! Our world gets smaller and smaller each day!
June 13: Day 6 travel to Pisa and Florence, Italy
June 13: A bus-ride along the breathtaking Mediterranean coast, up into the mountains to Monaco. Ordered 'take away' and wandered over to the Princess Grace gardens overlooking the sea. Lush canopies of trees shade the many walks and manicured lawns. Enjoyed our lunch among the aromatic flowers. Visited the St. Nicholas Cathedral and the burial site of Princess Grace.
A fellow tourist in Monaco inquired about Molly's KU backpack and when Molly told her that she was on the Jayhawk cross country and track team for next fall, the woman shared that she had grown up in none other than....Cedar Point, Kansas! Our world gets smaller and smaller each day!
June 13: Day 6 travel to Pisa and Florence, Italy
June 14: Day 7 in Florence, Italy
- Ponte Vecchio
- Santa Maria Flore
- Baptistery and Duomo
June 15: Day 8 travel to Assisi and Rome
June 16: Day 9 in Rome, Italy
- Sistine Chapel
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Coliseum
- The Forum
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
June 17: Day 15 Arrivederci, Italy! Depart Rome for Home
