Our trip to Southen France was so much fun. Uniworld did an amazing job of making everything on the trip perfect. We we never stopped having a wonderful time. Betty and I took hundreds of pictures and there was no way I could post everything that we did, so here is just a glimps of our trip on the Rhone River. If you haven't checked out my food blog from this trip, don't miss that. The food was really amazing.ArlesArles is a Provencal Mediterranean town known for the famous painter Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh painted many of the his paintings while in Arles including Starry Night over the Rhone. We visited the town square, Roman Amphitheather where gladiator once fought and the hospital where van Gogh sought treatment. I love the shops in Arles that had all the beautiful Provencal fabrics.
In the afternoon we drove to an Olive farm and did an olive oil tasting. Then went to the Medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence. It was high on a hill and full of wonderful shops and quaint streets.
Olive Tasting. Very fun!
This is the picture that Van Gogh painted of the above scene. Isn't that cool?
Here we are in Les Baux-de-Provence
Notice the Mistral Winds were blowing in France. They are sort of like our Santa Ana Winds.
Avignon
Avignon is a Medieval city with a fortification wall. It also houses the Popes Palace built between 1335 and 1364 to protect various popes. It is a massive structure that did a great job of protecting the popes.
In the afternoon we went to the Pont Du Gard Aqueduct which was built in the middle of the 1st century. The entire structure was built without mortar. An impressive feat.
We concluded our tour with another winery tour where they talked about blending grapes to make wine and of course we tasted some of there wine.
Pope's Palace
Pont du Gard Aqueduct
Wine Tasting
Viviers
This town was founded in the 5th Century and it has a lot of that ancient charm. The don't let many changes take place in this town. Our guide grew up there but now lives outside of the town where she can actually have a garden. They narrow streets mean you have to walk to your house with your groceries. It's a quiet little town.
Here are Erica spinning in their twirly skirts. It's a bit blurry, but they sure had fun.
This is the apron that Erica made for Megan
Grandpa Smylie is feed Claire (the Gerber Baby).
Kevin on Father's Day with his 3 munchkins.
Claire and Zachary are certainly going to be good friends.
Our dinner was wonderful.
I love this picture. Here I am with the birthday girl and her baby sister.
Notice that Erica is sewing on my mother's sewing machine.
Look at her first sewing project.
Zachary love his water table. We used it daily.
We got to go berry picking only 10 minutes from Erica's house. Now that was so much fun.
This is the picture that Van Gogh painted of the above scene. Isn't that cool?
Here we are in Les Baux-de-Provence
Notice the Mistral Winds were blowing in France. They are sort of like our Santa Ana Winds.
Pont du Gard Aqueduct
These red poppies are everywhere. I just love them. I'm thinking that I will do a mosaic of red poppies this year.
We walked past lots of vineyards on our morning walk. We are in Burgundy at this point.
A Birthday Celebration - We met some great friends on boat. So we are celebrating Susan's birthday with her. She didn't think the cruise people would know it was her birthday. No one told them, but they just know this sort of thing. She was certainly surprised.
Here we are having drinks before dinner with our friends. We had a great time on the trip with these ladies.
Susan's sister Irene toasts her for her birthday.
Our group at the captain's dinner.
