SAN REMO, ITALY

Sanremo's Russian Orthodox Church

Outdoor market

Flower market

Into each life a little rain must fall and for us, it fell the week we were in Sanremo, Italy.   But, as you can see we had sunny days as well.

Food market

Not far from the French border,  Sanremo is part of the Italian Riviera.  It overlooks the Ligurian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean that extends from the southeast coast of France along the northwest coast of Italy and down to the island of Corsica.   Sanremo was once the winter retreat for high society Russians including the mother of the last tsar (Nicholas II) who held court here.  In the last few  years, the city has seen a resurgence of Russian visitors.

Fortunately, the sun was shining the day the weekly street market is held in nearby Ventimiglia.  We took the local bus there and spent well over an hour wandering what is reputed to be the largest knock off market in Europe.  However, we thought the weekly outdoor market in Sanremo was just as good.  It is next to the Central Mercado where you can find  everything imaginable to make a wonderful, fresh Italian meal -- fish, meat, cheese, wine, pasta, vegetables and fruit.  Being homeless, we rarely have reason to buy anything but we enjoy the festive air of the markets and observing the local people. 

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View from roof top terrace of our apartment building

Our little apartment was right across the street from the beach, but it was quite cool even on sunny days.  Fortunately, we were able to take advantage of the beautiful 'rails to trails' walking and biking path that runs along the waterfront.   

Biking the rails to trails path

Narrow alleys lead up to high point

View from the high point overlooking the city 

We also hiked up to the highest point in Sanremo.  The beautiful views overlooking the city and port made the strenuous climb through narrow alleyways worthwhile.  

Lunch at our favorite restaurant

On rainy days, we read and watched TED talks.  These are short talks by world renowned experts on everything from technology and science to psychology and global issues. They are entertaining and enlightening. 

Fortunately, Ron is very creative in the kitchen.  On rainy days, we would trek to the market with our umbrellas and bring home the makings for appetizers and dinner.  Early on, we learned – or I should say re-learned – that we must bring our own carry bag to the supermarket or be charged for plastic bags.

Overall,  we have found the prices a bit high as we always have to add about 1/3 as the euro runs close to $1.30 against the US dollar.  Gas is very expensive.  They sell it by the litre and 3.79 litres = 1 gallon.  It comes to about $7.00 a gallon to fill our Citroen with diesel. So far we have not needed to use the car except to get from lodging to lodging. The local transportation has been excellent and easy to use.  

On Wedneday, May 22 we will follow the coast around to Rapallo, Italy.  

MONTPELLIER, FRANCE

Place de la Comedie

Montpellier's Arc d'triomphe

Typical French park

On May 5, we said adios to Spain and bonjour to France.  First stop: a week in Montpellier. Situated on the River Lez, 6 miles inland from the Mediterranean sea, Montpellier it is a vibrant and historical city. With a population of about 250,000, it is the 8th largest city in France and the fastest growing city in the country.  

Dancing in the plaza

Water skiing competition on River Lez

Antigone area is renowned for architecture

The Moors established medical schools here in the 9th century and the University of Montpellier’s school of medicine was founded in 1220.  The city is  also renowned for its architecture, parks and plazas.  

We were ideally situated in the Antigone area.  A few steps from the back of the Citadine Hotel (where we had a studio apartment with kitchenette), and we were in a wide pedestrian area lined with outdoor restaurants and occasionally a street fair.  There always seems to be some type of celebration or outdoor activity taking place -- water skiing, biking, dancing.  

A few more steps took us to a large shopping mall that opened onto Place de la Comedie.  Anchored on one end with an opulent 18th century opera house, La Place de Comedie is no doubt the largest, most popular square.  It has been called the living room of Montpellier.  From there, you can stroll through the historical district.  Wherever you wander, there are bistros and small cafes rather than fast food joints.  And the food is fresh and quite good.

The city has a fantastic tram system

Alan joined us for a few days

At a marina next to the beach

Four different tram routes serve the city and beyond.  The trams are decorated in bright colors and various designs.  One day, we rode the blue line to one end where we found a huge outdoor shopping mall and entertainment park.   A cinema, bowling alley, aquarium and planetarium were only some of the attractions.  

Some of you will recognize Alan Suslow from the 2011 Regent World cruise and others from previous appearances in this blog.  We were delighted that he stopped in Montpellier to spend a few days with us en route from Capetown South Africa to Colorado.  Together, we toured the historical district and one day took another tram to the beaches where we found a big marina and wonderful place for a leisurely lunch.  On Saturday, May 12th, we bid avoir to Alan and prepared to leave the following day for our next destination...  

CHATEAU-ARNOUX

Pénitents des Mées

Montfort

A tiny village in the Durance Valley, Chateau-Arnoux is between the French Alps and Provence. The area is known for quaint villages and an unusual rock formation called "Penitents des Mees" because they resemble a procession of hooded monks (so they say).

The owner/chef of La Bonne Etape shows us his garden

La Bonne Etape

While there, we visited some of the villages including Montfort perched on top of  a hill.  The roads were narrow and twisting and some, we soon discovered, were not meant for cars.  Ron did a masterful job of backing the Citroen up until we found a spot just big enough (with several maneuvers) to get us turned around.  

We would not have ventured into this region known as the Alps of Haute Provence were it not for a Luxury Link offer.  It included 3  days at an elegant 17th century post house called La Bonne Etape, a beautiful breakfast each morning and a 3 course meal one evening.  

The highlight of our visit, however, was enjoying the peace and quiet and relaxing at the beautiful pool.  

Tomorrow, May 15, we enter Italy. We will return to France in a couple of months.   

NCL'S EXCLUSIVE HAVEN and MATARO, ITALY

Living room of our villa

Fabulous master bathroom

Haven private Dining Room 

On April 20, we boarded Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Epic, in Miami and sailed for Barcelona. The Epic is one of the new mega ships capable of handling almost 5,000 passengers.  There were only 3,000 on this sailing – still far more crowded than we prefer.  

Fortunately, just days before embarkation, we were given the opportunity to upgrade to a 2 bedroom villa in the exclusive Haven Courtyard.  (When not full, ships often offer upgrades at the last minute for much less than the original price.) The Haven consists of 75 suites with access to a private pool, gym, sunning area and dining room.  It made all the difference in the cruise being enjoyable and not just a means of crossing the Atlantic.  The weather wasn’t great but the food was excellent and we met a terrific couple from southern California.   

Bill & Kay, our new California friends

Funchal, Madeira was the only stop the ship made during the crossing, and on May 1, we disembarked in Barcelona.  We took a taxi to pick up the car we had leased.   A little research had shown this to be far more reasonable than renting a car.

Our Citroen chariot

Hotel Atenea Mataro, Spain

Our Citroen was brand new, platinum gray and had plenty of room for us and our  luggage – a duffel and carry on each.   It came with  automatic steering (not so common in Europe), a GPS and insurance coverage. Not wanting to go too far the first day, we drove to Mataro, about 30 miles north of Barcelona.  Mataro is a small city with long, lovely beaches along the Mediterranean.  

View from our room

Fishing boats along the beach

We were very happy with our  room at the beautiful, new Atenea Hotel.  It overlooked the marina and included breakfast and dinner.  As Spanish restaurants typically open at 8:30 pm, we opted to take late lunch instead.

City center Mataro

We spent 4 nights here enjoying glorious weather and long walks.  It was a perfect place to catch up on emails and create this blog. 

Now it is on to France.

CALIFORNIA & PANAMA CANAL

With Nicole in Redondo Beach

Cheryl & Imre

We spent the early part of the year in West Palm Beach, and flew to California mid-February.  I had booked a nice 3 day package at the Crowne Plaza in Redondo Beach from Travelzoo.  It gave us a chance to reunite with Nicole, a terrific gal we met during our travels last year.   Then we drove south to spend a couple of days with friends Cheryl & Imre at their beautiful hacienda outside San Diego.  What fabulous hosts: great food, wine and conversation.    

With Mark, Scott, Ann & Annie in Temecula

With Conrad & Debbie in San Diego

Last year, we spent an extended time in Palm Desert and Palm Springs, so we were happy to return for 10 days before heading to Temecula for what has become our annual spiritual seminar.  Here we reunite with wonderful friends we have made there over the years.  

We went back to San Diego to see our friends Conrad and Debbie, and had a lovely lunch with them at C Level, a restaurant right on the water.  We gradually worked our way north and boarded the Island Princess on March 22 to cruise back to Florida. We have been through the Panama Canal many times but will cruise to a destination instead of fly whenever possible.  

Panama Canal

Over one million ships have transited the Canal since it opened in 1914.  Capacity will double when a new, wider passage opens in 2014. 

With Kevin on the Island Princess

For us, the highlight of the cruise was the arrival in Costa Rica of our dear friend Kevin Spirtas.  Unbeknownst to us, Kevin was scheduled to entertain on the ship.  And he didn’t know we were onboard so it was a great surprise for all of us and we had 4 wonderful days together.  

Now we are back in Boca Raton for 2 weeks packing and preparing for a 7 month trip to Europe.  We cruise to Barcelona on April 20 aboard the new Norwegian Epic.  Earlier this year, I spent a huge amount of time plotting our route through France, Italy and Spain and making reservations.  I will try to keep you posted – at least with pictures – of our journey.  

PUNTA CANA: OCCIDENTAL GRAND, EXCELLENCE and SIVORY

Beach at Occidental Grand

After a wonderful but busy year of travel, all I wanted to do was lay in the sun, walk the beach and read.  And that is exactly how we spent the holidays.  During 3 weeks in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, we experienced 3 different resorts.  

Royal Club restaurant Occidental Grand

The first, The Occidental Grand, is a large, all inclusive resort.  We had a 2 room apartment  at the Occidental Royal Club, a small section of the resort right beside the beach with its own full service restaurant.  Thanks to a terrific deal from Skyauction, we spent 6 nights there. 

Excellence pool

Excellence nature walk

For 10 days over Christmas and New Year's, we were at the Excellence Punta Cana.  And it was excellent.  Also all inclusive, it had about 450 units - half that of Occidental - but one never felt crowded.  The property is spread out and with 9 restaurants to choose from, there was never a wait.  

Excellence nature walk

Most days were spent on the beach, occasionally at the infinity pool. One morning, we took a bike ride and another, a horseback ride on the beach.  And we enjoyed a daily walk on a lovely nature path where ducks and geese and colorful creatures greeted us.

Excellence nature walk

For the final week, we were at the Sivory, a very small -- 55 units -- upscale resort.  This was not all inclusive but they did leave a breakfast tray outside the door every morning with coffee, tea, juice and pastries.  Sivory lacks the activities and upbeat energy of the other resorts but it is private and peaceful.  It was another great deal found on Skyauction.  

Our room at Sivory  

Now we are back in Boca Raton for the week before heading up to West Palm Beach for a month.  

Wishing everyone the best of everything in the coming year.

The pool at Sivory

   

TO EUROPE & BACK

Island of Mallorca

Avenue in Mallorca

I was booked to lecture on the Seabourn Quest late November.  Rather than fly overseas (which we avoid whenever possible), we were lucky to find a Holland America ship departing Fort Lauderdale   Oct. 19 for Rome.  I say lucky because this time of year, cruise ships are coming the other way.  We spent 22 days aboard with stops in Morocco and Spain.  It was our first time visiting the island of Mallorca and we loved it.  It reminded us of Aix en Provence.  

Alanya, Turkey

Alexandria, Egypt

I had learned that NCL Jade was arriving Civitavecchia the same day we did and would be returning 11 days later, so we took our bags and moved across the harbor. That evening we sailed for Turkey, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt.   The weather was good and since we had been in Israel and Egypt last year, we didn't need to do any extensive touring.  I spent most of the time on both ships preparing my lectures and Powerpoint programs for the Seabourn cruise.

Haifa, Israel

The Jade returned to  Civitavecchia the day we were booked on a Grimaldi Ferry for a 20 hour voyage to Barcelona. We boarded that night and to our surprise, it was more like a cruise ship: spotlessly clean with a huge showroom, lovely restaurant, snack bar and cafeteria. The state rooms were small but comfortable.  The best part of the journey was meeting a fabulous family from Australia.  I thought we were adventurous until we met Jeff and Jen and their 12 year old son and 8 year old daughter.  They spent the year traveling all over Europe in a small RV.  

With Frank & Julia in Barcelona

The morning after we arrived in Barcelona, we walked from our hotel to Hotel Arts to meet our friends Frank and Julia from Colorado.  They had flown in the day before to join us on the Seabourn cruise.  It happened to be Julia's 65th birthday and the hotel treated us like royalty inviting us to enjoy champagne and hors d’oeuvres in one of their luxurious suites overlooking the city. 

Martin & Trudy on Seabourn

On Nov. 24 we boarded the Seabourn Quest for a transatlantic crossing during which I gave 8 lectures. Trudy and Martin (friends from last year's World Cruise on Regent) also flew over to join us for the crossing.  The lectures went well and we made many new friends.

We are back in Boca Raton for the week getting ready to fly to Punta Cana for Christmas and New Year's.  Ron and I send you our best wishes for a joyous holiday season. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS