cities: fontainebleau, beaune, lyon, venice
More fun to report on our lengthy trip. Can’t believe we have done this much and still have so much to go. It’s getting a little ridiculous, and I miss our home and our cats… and friends and family too. But of course, that doesn’t stop my enjoyment and collection of stories, pictures, and experiences just because part of me really wants to snuggle Ollie, he’s such a fluffy fucker. Anyway…
ILE DE FRANCE
On our way out of Paris and to Burgundy, we explored a little more of the “Ile de France†or the area surrounding Paris. We attempted to go to two famous Chateaus. Vaux-le-Vicomte had just that day closed for holiday season, and we missed the entrance to Fontainebleau by one minute. Such is life.
Instead we drove to a hidden area in the Forest of Fontainebleau, parked with a view of the pretty colors, and had a picnic inside our car. We munched on bread and cheese, and watched the hunters wander the forest.
BEAUNE / BURGUNDY
Beaune is a small town built on wine tourism, nothing but fancy restaurants and wine shops. Reminded me of a French Sonoma or Napa. At Marche aux Vins, you went down into their ancient cellars and had some self-regulated tastings off of barrels by candelight.
Burgundy outside of Beaune was a lot of small hillside towns and chateaus. Looked for signs that say “degustation†for some more wine tasting.
FETE DE BEAUJOLAIS
The new Beaujolais has arrived. One of the most unique experiences of our trip. 4 euro for a wine glass gave you all you could drink all night long. We snacked on cheese and sausages in bagette (French version of a hot dog) in the village square with people from all over the world.
A local bar had a very French accordion player and we made friends with the locals, some good stories there. At midnight they lit up torches, set off fireworks, and welcomed the new vintage of Beaujolais.
LYON
Like a mini-Paris but bitterly cold. Lyon is a peninsula with a big hill to one side of the river that you can climb up to get a view of the city. The hill is much bigger than it appears in this picture and was quite the workout getting up to the top. Beautiful fall colors and good shopping that is pretty reasonable compared to Paris.
VENICE
Alps look like whipped cream poking through the clouds. They served mozzarella and tomato skewers on our Flybaboo flight, must be on our way to Italy.
Venice is ugly from the outside, but once we were on Vaperetto 1… we were cruising down the Grand Canal to much beauty.
Italian wines dark and flavorful, and they go well with our first meal in Italy: an incredible cheese and meat plate. Too many tourists, Americans, flower sellers, mask shops, and pushy pizza restaurants. The best Venice experience is wandering the back alleys looking for hidden gelaterias and gastronomias. One fun tourist activity definitely worth 1 euro is buying food for the pigeons in Piazza San Marco.
Coming up next… Florence, Tuscany, Rome and then home
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RECENT WINES
November 18th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Looking very euro with the scard and red earrings. Being away, one can get homesick, longing for slleoing in ones bed and just kicking up your feat in front of some mindless thing on the tube. Something you don’t have to think about, like trying to read subtitles. Just at that point to come across the greates piece of cheese, some unique scene down a back alley and then you realize, this unique travel experience will be soon a collage of photos and a soundtrack. enjoy each second as Tuscany awaits. Explore the hilltop towns and small stores with aged cheese caked in ash. Think about all those scenes from gladiator and other old films. The wram of the chianti, porceni mushrooms and peppery olive oil will soon fill your last week. such an experience, still time to continue to sip and enjoy.
Dad
November 18th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I know how you must miss your kitties, but they are here and ready to cuddle when you get back… enjoy your time away. Lon and I must leave our cats behind in Michigan for at least a couple years probably.. think of that and be sooooo happy you will see your Ollie and Sophie soon. They can’t wait to see you too I think! Have fun, looking forward to stories and togetherness.
November 18th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Hi Marta and Tom,
I AM LIVING VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOUR DAILY MESSAGES!!!IT IS SUCH A JOY TO KNOW YOU ARE EXPERIENCING EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME TOGETHER….I AM SURE YOU WILL FIND IT ONE OF YOUR MOST ROMANTIC MEMORIES AS YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE TOGETHER! EVERY MESSAGE BRINGS ME BACK WITH FOND APPRECIATION AND VERY DISTINCT RECALL OF MY TIME WITH MY TOM IN EUROPE. I LOVE YOUR DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SIMPLICITY OF THE FOOD PIC NICS AND BEAUTY OF THE SURROUNDINGS…IS REALLY IS SO WONDERFULLY DIFFERENT AND HISTORICAL AND DRIPPING WITH CULTURE AND HISTORY. WE WILL BE OFF TO VISIT FAMILY IN OMAHA AND WILL SHARE YOUR TRIP. YOU WILL BE HOME SOONER THAN YOU THINK TO TAKE IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH A WHILRWIND.
LA DOLCHE VITA..TO THE SWEET LIFE!!!!ENJOY! CIAO AND HUGS…SARAH..YOUR ITALIAN CONNECTION!
November 21st, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Hey, I found your website online! Don’t mind the name, my real name is Steven and I am from Cleveland, Ohio. Anyway, I think what you’re doing is just great! I am in Rome for business and would love to leave you two lovebirds a reco (thats recomendation in Ohio-speak) for a wonderful restaurante.
Its Called “The Rosello Cello” and its directly across from the coliseum on the South side. You will be able to identify it be its cheesy neon cello. Don’t be fooled, the food is excellante! Make sure you ask for the corner table with the view, my favorite waiters are Tito, Picello and Roberto. You might get lucky.
Anyway, this sounds crazy but try the “Mario-Style Onion” for an app. Its the Italian version of the “Bloomin’ Onion”. Other than that, everything on the menu is great, especially the veal. For desert, I reco the “cello cake for 2″. It is a decadent choclate cake shaped like a cello, while you are eating the actually play the cello. Bravo!
Many happy returns, its crazy that I came across this web blog while searching for wines.
Your friend
Stevan W from Cleveland, OH