30 mai 2006, Apt, Luberon, Provence, France
Well.... what a lot has happened since the last blog. this is a normal keyboard, so typing is quicker than in Italy!I think last blog we were in Sciacca and about to leave for Palermo and the ferry to Genova.
We had a full day, so decided we had plenty of time for Erice, Segesta and Monreale... as usual the day started off extremely well and we mad the right decision re Erice first... lovely hilltop town above the grot of Trapani, almost in the clouds. We enjoyed a capp and to die for almond pastries in Caffe Maria (see book 'Bitter Almonds') and bought more pastries which we are still eating, climbed a tower, walked up steep streets and steps and started down hill.... then the mist descended. Not having seen any local TV, we did not realise that the Scirocco had been blowing (we did notice it was windier than it had been) and the weather had turned. We would not have seen a thing from Erice if we have left it any longer. The next stop Segesta, magic with its Temple and Theatre on the mountain side among olive trees, poppies and pines. Monreale next after a bit of getting lost as we approached it from the wrong side!!
Ferry trip was a total rest as we had a night and a full day, which we spent on deck dozing and reading in the sun. Little were we to know that we would need that rest as we were about to be challenged!
This trip has been so well planned, but we also were allowing a couple of days of flexibility between Genova and the villa. Little did we know we were arriving on the start of a 4 day long weekend including mothers day in France, the Monaco Grand Prix and the end of the Cannes Film Festival.... Thursday night we finally found a hotel in a delightful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, appropriately named Finale Ligure. Friday, we wound around the Cote D'Azur arriving in Nice and (silly us) trying to find a hotel at 4.00pm in the afternoon.... tout complet. From there things went downhill even though we were physically going up - 4 different towns until finally we arrived in Lorgues at about 8.45 and found our wonderful Mareka in the Hotel du Parc, who rang around and found us a B&B which was due to open for the first time the next day..... absolutely magic, lovely postion, wonderful hosts - Lidia and Franz. Parfait.
to be continued
posted by lizandarthur @ 7:43 pm
4 Comments:
Hi Liz & Art,
Your adventure with accommodation sounds like some of our Honeymoon driving back from the Whitsundays only we never found any accommodation.
Since then I usually book it all. However this time in France we have one night between hotels which I was waiting to see what the B&B was like before staying there another night however maybe I should book the extra night in Beaune.
I always think I like the idea of being adventurous but it does have the nailbiting to go along with it! It sounds like it all ended well with a lovely B&B. How did you find a normal keyboard in France I think I have only ever found one! I will have my new small laptop with me.
I look forward to hearing more about your adventures in Apt and surrounding area and the gite or cottage you are staying in! The local produce and the Rose at lunch etc.
Hi Liz & Arthur,
I just arrived in London for an overnighter. It is even sunny but it looks cool outside. I am staying at the Airport and so I dont think I will venture out now by the time I settled in and got my laptop setup and a few short emails later it is already 5pm.
It took forever to come through the passport checks with a huge long line up and no one in the local section and lots of staff hanging around & watching the line slowly dwindle! No fast track customs this only operates between 0500 & noon!!!
Pete arrives in the morning and we then fly out to Split. In the latest BA flight magazine there was an article about sailing through the Dalmatians and places and things to do in Split & Dubrovnik. Seems like it is becoming a destination.
I am soooo glad to be on vacation!
Hey Guys,
How is the Luberon? It is still sunny in London but so cool! We are hoping for some Dalmatian warmth but maybe we are too early for that! Peter arrived safely and we are now in the lounge waiting for our flight to Split then rental car to Dubrovnik
Cheers,
I&P
Yesterday we went to Avignon and visited some of the Caveaux (wineries) of Chateauneuf-de-pape. on the way home we just happened on Vellerons at about 5;15 and voilà there it was the marché agricole being set up to open at 6 . So, off for a coffee to fill ti,e ane back to the Market: thank you so much, Irene for your tip, it was fabulous - we bought the best cherries, semi wild strawberries, apricots, raspberries, white asparagus, heritage tomatoes, little potatoes, and 2 sorts of peaches, all for next to nothing. we thought we had too much, but we are not so sure today,
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