Hi from Dijon, France!!

Just a quick note to update you all.  I won't be able to give details of my travels, it will have to wait til I get home.  Just having too much fun & no time to write.  Trip has been wonderful!!  In France I visited Rouen (4nts); Chartres (2 nts), Tours (6 nts), Lyon (4 nts), Dijon (4 nts).  All were exceptional & had their unique charm.  Best hotel I stayed at was in Lyon even though it was a bit away from the center.  Metro in Lyon was really great.

I am leaving for Paris tomorrow for 3 nights.  Met a couple from Boston yesterday while visiting Chateau Mersault that were terriffic!  They & their 2 teenage sons allowed me to join them for ride through Cote de Beaune area & then we had dinner together before I headed back to Dijon.  We sampled wine all afternoon & I bought a bottle after a tasting.  I was originally planning to stay in Dijon for 2 nights but love it so much & there is so much to see in the area that I added 2 nights

Hi from London via Lyon, France!!

Let me explain.  I am so far behind on my emails that I'm writing to you from Lyon but will give details of my visit to England!  Here goes...

 

Saturday, 5/21/11 - Took an EasyJet flight from Madrid to Gatwick airport.  Flight was on time & no problems.  Best fare available was arriving in London at 7pm.  Took a train & tube (subway) to my friend Peter's house who is located in North London around 8:30pm & he arranged a small dinner party with some of his friends.  It was a delicious meal.  Had a long day so just crashed.

 

Sunday, 5/22/11 - Caught up on things with my friend Peter & he took me to Regent's Park where there is a lovely rose/flower garden.  We went to Hampstead for lunch to the Old Bull & Bush for a typical Sunday Pub Roast.  Food was good & had a good time.  Went to another local pub (the Angelic) for dinner & it was also very good.  In a pub, you order at the bar & they deliver it to your table.  It's the custom.  Another quiet night.

 

Monday, 5/23/11 - This was a down day.  Did errands with Peter & did laundry.  My zipper broke on my good pants & tried to find place to replace it.  Prices were high so decided to wait til I get to France.

 

Tuesday, 5/24/11 - Made a great trip to Greenwich today.  Took a City Tours boat from Tower of London that travel on the Thames River & also provides some commentary.  Got ticket that allowed me to travel all day for about $12.  This is a bargain for London.  Peter loaned me an Oyster Card that allows you to recharge it & also provides discounts.

 

Greenwich is a super town.  This is the point where all time is set from.  There is a museum that covers all about Greenwich Mean Time around the world on a hill that overlooks the Thames & the town.  There is also a Royal Naval College here, designed by Christopher Wren, & it was once the site for the Royal Palace.  Henry VIII & Elizabeth I were born here.  Town is small & very charming.

 

When I got back home, Peter & I had a simple dinner at Carluccio's (a high-end chain restaurant in London).  Food was good.

Wednesday; 5/25/11 - Went to Camden Market this morning.  Situated along a small canal with lots of shops all over the place.  This area housed hugh stables that are now shops.  Found a great restaurant, Hache, which specializes in hamburgers.  Meat was very good & fresh.  Cost 7.82 pounds sterling which is a bit expensive but it was great.

Thursday, 5/26/11 - This was a really special day!  Took the train to Oxford from Paddington station.  I decided to take the Hop On Hop Off City Bus tour which wasn't great but good overview.  I also took a walking tour set up through the Tourist Office that was also very good.  One place we visited was the Bodleian Library. The University is made up of several colleges (36), each specializing in some area of expertise.  Some of the colleges date back to the 12th Century & the university is considered the second oldest in the world.  Went to Trinity College on my own.  I would love to stay overnight here and get to know this city.  It was really wonderful!!  Found a restaurant (The Four Candles) on the way back to the train station.  Did take away of fish & chips including coffee for 3.79 pounds sterling.  This was a real bargin!!

One of Peter's friends recommended an Italian restaurant that turned out to be really good.  It's called Tikino.

Friday, 5/27/11 - In the morning I went to the TKTS discount ticket booth in Leister Square & bought a ticket for Blood Brothers.  Wandered around a bit today with Peter & we had a nice lunch along the Thames River at Swan @ the Globe.  Really upscale & expensive.  In the evening had a quick dinner on Compton Street before seeing Blood Brothers.  It was a dark musical that was very well done.  Very sad but excellently performed.

Tomorrow I'm leaving London for France.  Decided to take the bus instead of train because of the cost.  39 pounds sterling vs. 179 pounds sterling.  Trip is over six hours compared to 2.5 hrs on train (Eurostar) but decided I'd see more of the countryside

Belated Hello from Madrid!

Monday, 5/16/11- Arrived safely in Barcelona & said goodbye to the ship.  It really was a lovely voyage.  One of the best. 

 

I took the Metro to the Sants Rail Station.  When I arrived, the next 2 trains to Madrid were sold out so I had to wait around for over an hour.  The ride was great & we arrived in Madrid on time.  I took the Metro in Madrid to Gran Via & walked about 4 blocks to my hotel which was in a great location.  The room was kind of small & so was the bathroom but it was clean & the bed was comfortable.  It was also a bit noisy at night but when I shut the shutters it was OK.  The 2 guys that ran the place were very nice & helpful.  It included breakfast but only cold cereal, packaged sweet rolls & good coffee.  I walked around the city for the rest of the day an evening. 

 

What a really beautiful, facinating city.  I now rate Madrid as one of my favorites.  I was able to get into the Royal Palace just before it closed.  It rivals most of the Palace's I've visited in the past.  There are numerous wide avenues, parks & plazas throught the city as well as palatial buildings everywhere.  I decided to have a tapas dinner the first night & went to a couple of Rick Steve's recommendations.  They were right on.  The Casa de Abuelo was my favorite.  I had Gamba Plancha (Grilled Shrimp) which were superb.  They also have Gamba Ajio (Garlic Shrimp) which I tried another night.  Then I went to another place that had potatoes that were deep fried & covered with a garlic aioli sauce that was to die for!

 

Tuesday, 5/17/11 - Decided to take a walking tour for 2 hours that left from Plaza Major.  It was conducted by members of the tourist office & was great.  After the tour I went to the Garden's of the Palace, then to the Temple of Debod which was a replica of an Egyptian temple built near Aswan.  I  wandered around the streets the rest of the day going from Puerto del Sol, which was embroiled in student demonstrations during the day & covered the whole square in the evening, to the Plaza Cibeles area where the Banco de Espana & Palacio de Comunicaciones where the Mayor's Office is located. 

 

Madid's specialty is it's roast lamb & suckling pig.   I went to a very expensive restaurant this evening, Posada de Villa.  It was highly recommended for roast lamb.  A very elegant place near Plaza Major which is where most of the better restaurants are located.  The lamb was outstanding but it should have been.  The meal including a glass of wine cost $72.

 

Wednesday, 5/18/11 - I took the train to Teledo for the day.  I bought tickets a couple of days ago since I had so much trouble going from Barcelona to Madrid & was happy that I did this.  Weather today was very overcast & threatening to rain.  When I got to Toledo I walked up the hill to the Bisagra Gate which is the primary gate to the city & is huge.  Took a bus to Plaza de Zocodover which is the main square.  This is a very up & down city.  It was the capital of Hispania in the 6th Century & Carlos V made it the imperial capital in 1519 when he was enthroned.

 

There was so much to see here & you really need to stay overnight to see everything.  The Cathedral was huge & very impressive.  They just completed renovation of the Alcazar but is just a large open space with many exhibits.  There were 2 synagogues I visited (María la Blanca and El Tránsito) which were well presented & interesting.  The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes was a great example of flamboyant Gothic was one of the masterpieces of Juan Guas, who carried out the scheme commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs.

 

I went to another Rick Steve's recommended restaurants, Restaurant/Hostal Palacios, which had a price fixed dinner including iberico ham & cheese, roast suckling pig with french fries, dessert & wine for 18.90 euros.  This was one of the best meals for the money in all of Spain.  I took the bus back to Madrid.  It took slightly longer but was a bit cheaper.

 

Thursday, 5/19/11 - Today was another wondering day.  Spent the whole day in the city.  Went to the Prado Museum which is comparable to the Met in NY.  There were special exhibits on Rebiera & Goya which were well presented.  The museum is huge!  Took a bus to modern part of city.  At the end of the line are two new; modern buildings at Puerta de Europa.  It was an interesting trip.  Walked all day back to areas I'd visited earlier in the week.  Went back to area where I had tapas on my first night & had the gambas ajillo (garlic shrimp).   I then ate at Oreta de Oro across the street.  It was a bit pricy but had Calamari  which was a huge portion.  Finished off the evening taking in the sights at night staying away from the demonstrations in Puerto del Sol.  The crowds keep getting bigger each day:  At night, the square is completely packed.

 

Friday, 5/20/11 - Took a bus to El Escorial this morning:   This was a Spanish Royal site and now functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and school.  El Escorial has been the burial site for most of the Spanish kings of the last five centuries, Bourbons as well as Hapsburgs. The Royal Pantheon contains the tombs of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V (who ruled Spain as King Charles I), Philip II, Philip III, Philip IV, Charles II, Louis I, Charles III, Charles IV, Ferdinand VII, Isabella II, Alfonso XII, and Alfonso XIII. Two Bourbon kings.  This along with the Basilica were the highlights of my visit.

 

I stumbled on a restaurant in the Plaza Major vicinity along Cava Baja for dinner.  Name of place was El Schotis & the food was great.  Walked around area before heading back to hotel.  Really enjoyed my stay in Madrid!!  Leaving for London tomorrow.

Last Day at Sea before heading to Madrid!

My wonderful cruise is coming to an end & I'll miss this ship.  The food has been consistingly wonderful.  I really haven't gained any weight but it has been hard to hold the line.  Having a great time with my friends.  We have dinner together almost every night.  We usually share a large table so me meet other people.  Group on ship is realy interesting & fun.  Production shows are very good.  Rest of entertainment is OK but have missed a few shows on this trip.  Overall it was a great trip.  Here is what I've been doing since my last email.

 

5/10/11 - Port today is Cadiz.  Went to Jerez de Frontera which is the Sherry capital of Spain.  Was here once before & it is a lovely city.  Took a train here with my friends.  We decided to go to the famous Horse Show but couldn't get tickets online so just went to the school where event was taking place & got in.  Was a really fantastic show!  One of the Andulusian White Stallions jumped up & clicked its heels.  What a spectacular event.  Wantered around town using my GPS before going back to Cadiz & ship.

 

5/12/11 - Pulled into Alghero, Sardinia, Spain this morning.  Ship tendered to post & it was a real hassle.  One of worst tendering I've experienced.  The island is lovely as well as the town.  Will have to do some more exploring if /when I get here again.  Lot's of interesting architecture & historical sites.  We were only here from 10am to 5pm but this was cut short by the tendering.  Weather was perfect.  Around 70 degrees & sunny.  We stopped at a cafe overlooking the harbor & a had bottle of wine.

 

5/13/11 - Today our port of call was Civitavecchia.  This the port for Rome.  Didn't want to hassle going to Rome so we went to a small town, Cerveteri, which is know for its necropolis & tombs.  We had to take a train then a but to this medieval town.  Really didn't have enough time to see the necropolis.  Went to small cafe & shared a porchine mushroom pizza with my friends.  Real family local place.  Pizza was very good.  Headed back to ship same way we came.  Went to bus stop & the newsstand that we wanted to but tickets from was closed for siesta.  One of the local shopkeepers took me down the hill with his car so I could get tickets.  The people in Italy are just wonderful.

 

5/14/11 - Today was a real adventure from the port of Livorno.  My friends left the ship here to go to Cinque Terre for 4 nights.  They are coming back to Civitavecchia to take the Star Princess for a 12 day cruise.  They had lots of luggage so I offered to help them.  We took train to Riomaggiore where they were staying.  Their hotel was overlooking the harbor & part of the town.  This is a really lovely area.  I was concerned about getting back to Livorno on tjime.  We took a walk along a trail hugging the cliffs over the sea on our way to Manarola.  Had gelato when I got there & looked around this quaint & lovely town.  Took train to La Spezia & walked around for awhile before I said goodby to my friends & took train back to Livorno.  Everything went smoothly & got back to this ship just on time.  Weather in Civitavecchia, Livorno, & Cinque Terre was fabulous.  Really good day.

 

5/15/11 - The last port of call today was Monaco.  Decided to take train to Menton which is a small town on the Riviera.  Hadn't been here before.  Nice city but not the best in the area.  Happy I saw it but wouldn't return.  Weather started out good but started to rain & then pour.  Only had 6 hours here so couldn't really see all that I wanted to see but it still was a good day.

 

(Rest of dates were sea days).

 

I will be taking a train from Barcelona to Madrid & visiting for  5 night before heading to London for visit with my friend Peter.

Hello from at Sea between Madeira & Cadiz!

Voyage has been really great.  Ship is lovely.  Food is wonderful.  Entertainment is very good & fellow passengers are terrific.  Mentioned that I found out that a couple I met last year was going to be on this trip.  We have been hanging out together most of the time & having a super time.  Marty & Ruthie live in Reno, NV but are always traveling.  Marrty has a home in Girdwood, Alaska just outside of Anchorage.  The seven sea days just flew by & we really had a great day in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal yesterday.  There was a Spring Flower Festival going on in town & the main streets were decked out in beautiful flowers plus there were several exhibits.  We took a taxi to the Botanical Gardens on mountain.  It was spectacular including the view.  There was also an Exotic Bird Park as part of the gardens which was also excellent.  Afterwards we walked around the old town area.  It was Sunday so most of the shops & the main market was closed but we still had a great time.  Heading to Cadiz & Jerez de Frontera, Spain tomorrow.  I've been to most ports on this cruise except for Alghero, Sardinia, Italy which is coming up in a few days.  They have a Zumba class every morning which I have been attending.  It is an exercise class to latin music which is a real kick.  I get a great workout.  Also doing cardio in afternoons so that I can continue to eat.  Have been really good so far.  Not doubling up as much as previous cruises.

15 Night Ruby Princess Transatlantic Cruise

Leaving tomorrow morning for Ft. Lauderdale.  Was able to find a great deal on 15 Night Ruby Princess Transatlantic cruise leaving Ft. Lauderdale on 5/1/11 stopping at Madeira, Portugal; Cadiz, Spain; Alghero, Sardinia, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Livorno (Florence), Italy; Monaco, & ending in Barcelona.  Planning to visit Madrid for 5 nights then flying to London & staying with my friend Peter there for a week.  Afterwards will spend 3 weeks wandering around France.  Will be back in NY 6/20/11.

Hello from Grenada!

Having great time!  First port was St. Thomas & missed the ferry to St. John's so walked around town a bit.  In St. Maarten I went to Marigot, the French side of the island for a quick walkaround.  Weather has been great every day so far.  Shows are also great.  Really old crowd on this ship.  Lots of over 80's some 90's but all well traveled.    Heading to St. Maarten tomorrow.

Hi from St. Thomas, VI

Having great time!  Just arrived in first port, St. Thomas.  Weather has been great every day so far.  Ship is nice but a bit of disappointment compared to QM2.  Food is wonderful & staff and passengers are great.  Had lovely hotel in Ft. Lauderdale for couple of days.  Very luxurious compared to what I'm use to.  Heading to St. Maarten tomorrow.

Off on Caribbean & Panama Canal Cruise

I'm here in Ft. Lauderdale for a couple of days staying at the lovely Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa.  Decided to take a great offer & go on Cunard's Queen Victoria for 11 night cruise.  Been wanting to go on this ship for some time & this is first time prices were reasonable.  I traveled on QM2 a couple of years ago & it was wonderful.  Ports are St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Grenada & Bonaire with short day trip into Panama Canal then back to Ft. Lauderdale.