Today I would be making my way a short way out of Nice to Monaco. This is definitely something that I had been looking forward to. In part because my dad was there a few years back and I was looking forward to seeing some of the things that he had seen himself. As I made my way out the train station (which is out of this world by the way!!), I think that I caught Grand Prix fever! There were already setting up bleachers and stands for the race that is only set for the end of May. I would later learn that it actually takes 2 months to actually prepare for this event that welcoes 22,000 spectators (more than the actual population of this small principality). I had a small map from my guidebook ... read more

Today would also take me out of Marseille to the nearby town of Arles. I do have to say that train travel in France is so easy, convenient and efficient. All of the trains I have taken have left exactly on time, are clean and the automated machines for the purchase/retrieval of tickets are so easy to use. The security at the train station is also quite present with both police and military presence in the stations. I have also felt very safe the whole time that I have been here. Not once so far have I felt like I was not. The French have been lovely, warm and quite welcoming. The fact that I speak French does help and my Canadian accent definitely piques their interest. Vous avez un accent charmant Mademoiselle … you never ... read more

Today would not be spent in Marseille but rather the small neighbouring town of Avignon. I booked my train tickets last night and made sure to arrive at the Avignon Centre station. The other is on the TGV and comes in a little out of the centre of town (although much faster it is also much more expensive). On the TER (Train Express Regional) it takes about an hour and a half. Not too bad. I had been looking forward t o having some time to read on this trip (the Kobo is loaded up with tons of books) so I delved right into The Da Vinci Code. I have read it a number of times but under the circumstances of where I find myself, I was in the mood to read it again. While waiting ... read more

This morning I made my way out of Lyon and arrived in Marseille. I will be spending the next five days here. This is not only to allow me to visit the actual city of Marseille but I do plan on visiting some of the neighbouring towns as well. The weather in leaving Lyon was grey and slightly windy and it was not any better as I arrived in Marseille. It was quite chilly and the rain was coming down. No worries … it was bound to happen at one point in this trip. The saving grace was that my hotel the Newhotel Vieux Port is directly across from the Vieux-Port metro station and just a few steps from the actual Vieux Port. My room looks out on this neighbouring church and if you step out ... read more

The day started with an early morning wake up call so that I would be able to catch the train to Lyon. I am not the most coordinated of people so when I arrived in Paris I was a sight to be seen trying to fit myself through the turnstiles at the metro station with a backpack and carry-on suitcase. Really ... I confess ... the handle of my suitcase got caught up in the turnstile. I would still be there if someone hadn't come through to help me. So the big stress of the whole event of me transferring from Paris to Lyon was how I was going to manage to get myself through the turnstiles again. But all was good ... I hatched a plan first before actually throwing myself through those contraptions that ... read more