Adventures in south France

---

So the immediate end results for our cross France trek left much to be desired. Let's just say the nights accommodations were unexpectedly short and not so sweet. Arles was revoked from our must see list.
Our early morning tour of Orange restored our confidence in just how quaint and beautiful a European town can be. We saw and explored an ancient Roman colosseum/theatre which was overlooked by the emperors statue. FYI, the statues built for emperors were constructed with interchangeable heads to accommodate the constant changes in government. Some wonderful shopping, which was randomly interrupted by a man (part of some group wearing matching shirts and hats) who seemed to have forgotten his pants. Apparently "commando" is legit here.
On to Avignon. A huge beautiful walled city, encompassing an old Roman town, palace and church in hopes the pope would choose this town to settle in. Leading into the walled city, the infamous "sure la pont d'Avignon"...honestly now, how many of you are humming that tune right now??
Next, a wine tour up the face of a mountain...but what fun is a mountain tour without first getting lost in narrow switch backs and hair pin turns?? If it wasn't so beautiful it would have been unfortunate to realize we had taken the wrong turn so early in the trip, bit unable to turn around on the narrow roads! It was a wonderful trip followed by some absolutely phenomenal roman ruins in the tiny town Vaison-la-Romaine. FYI, the mistal winds are so strong here the grape vines are planted on an angle to survive them.
There was also *ahem* some crazy driving into a pedestrian access (only) side road through the ancient roman town...I could very well have reached out and taken ablaze of wine off any of thenumerous tables we passed!! Never a dull moment with the Happy Travelers 😉
As for this morning, the absolutely breath taking Pont du Gard just outside of Nimes. Wow. The ancient roman aqueduct was everything and more than we expected. We arrived before the crowds and got phenomenal photos. It is marvelous in it's simplicity with a dominating size that works seamlessly into it's surrounding. We toured the coast in Hyeres and saw endless rows of huge yachts and sea worthy sail boats. Tiny but beautiful beaches held Wasage Beach-like crowds. We walked out the peninsula in hopes of exploring the old fortress which turned out to be closed to the public. We are currently staying just outside Aix en Provence in Brignoles and looking forward to touring St Rapheal, Cannes, Nice and St Paul tomorrow.

---

Comments

[Megan]

Love it!
I am getting addicted to checking in here for updates... drive safe!! :)