Geo: 43.7405, 7.42543Our morning did not begin quite as early as yesterday but when you've got plans for the day you've got to get moving. We had our usual European breakfast of coffee/tea, orange juice and croissants.Our plan for the day was to do a day trip to Monaco. The desk clerk at the hotel suggested we take the bus there so we could pass through the small villages along the coast on our way, It's a little longer than the train but more scenic. She was right. It was very beautiful! We passed through Port Fontvieille and Port Hercule that docked many sailboats and magnificent yachts.Arriving in Monaco we decided to take a open tour bus with headphone commentary available in 12 languages. We opted for English! This would take us past many of the ... read more

Geo: 43.2983, 5.38322Bon Jour,Another fun filled day that was wonderful! After a quick breakfast of pancakes, coffee and tea we purchased a ticket to take a boat cruise to see the Calanques. The boat didn't depart until ten o'clock so we had some time to wander the morning streets. All traffic, both foot and motor, was much busier this morning because yesterday being Sunday many businesses were closed and most people did not work. An explanation of a calanque might be necessary before I describe our ride. They are a geological formation in the form of a deep valley, with steep sides, typically of limestone, in part submerged by the sea: a Mediterranean fjord. The range of Calanques, in Marseille, extends for 28 km. Soil is almost non-existent there and the limestone cliffs instead contain numerous ... read more

Geo: 43.2983, 5.38322It was an early start for us this morning since we were catching the early train to Figueres,France ,then a connection to Montpelier where we will have a 2 hour layover before moving on to Avignon to do a bike ride. I am writing as we ride the train. This train is rather luxurious compared to the others we have ridden over the years. It's a double decker and we are on the upper deck. This makes it easier to see some of the scenery. We met a couple from Australia with a final destination for today in Marseille like us.Feel like a train hobo today. We just switched trains in Montpellier to go to Avignon but we have to go north one hour in order to go back south for a half hour ... read more

Geo: 41.3879, 2.16992Our morning began with a typical European breakfast of cereal, toast and jam and ham and cheese.Over our tea and orange juice we layed out our plan for the rest of the day. We ate breakfast with a couple from Los Angeles, California, Steve and Bonnie. We shared travel stories and our itineraries for Barcelona.The Boqueria Market was our first stop. It was certainly a center of activity for the locals with their shopping carts. They were making their purchases of meats, fish, fruits and vegetables. The market also had small cafes inside where people were gathering on the stools eating shellfish, drinking liquers, beers, teas and cappachinos. Also they were smoking cigars. This was all before 9 o'clock in the morning. The vendors had a variety of goods on display which were overwhelming ... read more

Geo: 42.5991, -82.9312Plans for this trip began back in January. A vacation involving traveling along the coastal cities of the Mediterranean thru Spain, France and Italy by train is our plan. No matter how much time is spent in planning, you start wondering if you covered all the necessary details. As the first day of the trip draws close anxiety begans to build. You tell yourself to focus on the adventure, stay flexible, and go with the flow and things will work out. As the trip approaches we are beginning to feel the need of a crash course in Spanish, French, and Italian. It might be a little too late for this. Travel by train should be easier this time with prepurchased train passes. We won't have to wait in lines at the ticket windows. Moving ... read more